travelog

Featured in The Sunday Times Wine Club Blog & My Yayoi Kusama La Grande Dame 2012 Veuve Clicquot Arrived - Shrewsbury/ London - October 2020

5/11/2020

I think my charming & beautiful niece has my eyes. This photo was taken after we went to see the leaping salmon on the River Severn in Shrewsbury.

October 2020 was the month when my friend Will Lyons, The Sunday Times wine critic, featured my photo in The Sunday Times Wine Club blog and my Yayoi Kusama designed La Grande Dame 2012 Veuve Clicquot arrived & it looked even more spectacular than I had hoped for.

However, it was also the month of my niece's 10th birthday & I am even more proud of the job we did making that so special and to ensure her half-term was full of fun, despite her mum having to be in Moscow & her dad in Dublin. A special mention has to go to Kerry Jones at Bloom for Budding Artists in Shrewsbury for her Yayoi Kusama inspired Halloween pumpkin prints workshop. I took it as a fortuitous omen that this was being run!

Despite two trips to Shropshire to support family, ladened down with Hamleys and Fortnum & Mason gifts, I did manage to try the London 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' experience in Harrods. The room is exquisitely decorated and the staff better than in New York but the food disappointing, compared with my scrambled eggs with truffles in Manhattan. It did not help that, as the first booking of the day (10am), I had to wait outside in the cold rain for the doors of The Tiffany Blue Box Cafe at Harrods to open at 10am.

I also bought Lebanese wine again in October and would encourage people do what they can support that beleaguered country. At the same, I did all I could to promote The Market Hall Shrewsbury, with its high quality fresh local produce.

Before 'Lockdown 2' was announced I also managed to squeeze in a delightful afternoon tea at The Wolseley, with one of my most legendary hotel contacts; a sublime Gordon Ramsay Sunday lunch at The Savoy Grill; & collect more superb Dorchester hotel flowers from designer florist Philip Hammond. While collecting the latter, I was able to have long chats with Robert (GM of The Dorchester) and John (GM of 45 Park Lane). All this means I am now 'ready' for the next 4 weeks without visiting a hotel.

With England now in COVID-19 'Lockdown 2', & the results of the US Election still uncertain, hope my photos from last month below help to raise everyone's spirits a little. Good luck to us all!

Living in the New COVID-19 World - London/ Shrewsbury - September 2020

6/10/2020

I was elated to find the High Court case I have been working on reported in the Financial Times.

September 2020 was a monumental month in my life with my new Banking Consultancy company 'Si Frew Consultancy Services Limited' being incorporated & the Lebanese banking case I have been working on reported in the Financial Times.

At the same time it has been a whirlwind on the travel blog side, with more iconic London hotels reopening, while the Mayfair hotels continue to surprise & impress me.

Four Seasons at Park Lane allowed me to try vodka infused with caviar, not yet on their menu; Michael (Managing Director of Rosewood, London) sent us champagne to celebrate the reopening of his elegant hotel; had a drink with Robert (General Manager of The Dorchester) to honour the busy reopening of his historic hotel; I discovered Porsche must be the 'official' car of my Barbican building; I savoured another sensational Tom Booton Sunday lunch at The Grill at The Dorchester; and also got to enjoy a drink with Mandarin Oriental, Hyde Park's fabled General Manager Amanda, in their reopened Mandarin Bar.

It was also a month where I had the best dover sole of my life at Parsons in Seven Dials; had a memorable Wolfgang Puck brunch at 45 Park Lane, having the pleasure to be joined by their General Manager John & viewed 'FAME at 45 Park Lane' with photos of Coco Chanel, Brigitte Bardot, Faye Dunaway etc I will never forget; 45 Park Lane staff sent me more of their Noble Isle shower products that I adore; & I continued to be impressed by breakfast & service at Millie's Lounge at The Ned. I also visited the enchanting garden at The Goring for martinis with a friend from my Prestfelde prep school days. There I met their charming new General Manager Michael and had forgotten how beautiful their new bar is. I was also blown away by the steaks at Hawksmoor, Seven Dials in September.

I ended the month eating Eggs Escoffier (with lobster meat, caviar & gold) & drinking champagne at breakfast at Gordon Ramsay's reopened Savoy Grill at The Savoy, London and being entranced by the 'full French' breakfast & staff at Anthony Demetre's Wild Honey at Sofitel London St James. On top of all this, I managed more trips to Shropshire to support my indomitable parents.

In September my personal training also moved to Energie Fitness, so I can remain with legendary Bart but I still try to swim at Virgin Active each day too. I must also mention my new The White Company electric diffuser I was thoughtfully given by one of my best friends that is now an important part of my night time ritual, along with my Frette sheets, Dorchester hotel bed & Aromatherapy Associates shower oils.

Finally I should mention that an incident that I experienced at one of my favourite Mayfair hotels last month, & some that have happened to my caring mother (even at church), have me thinking about Four Seasons' Mr Sharp's mission statement based on The Golden Rule "To treat others as we'd wish to be treated ourselves." again. I fully appreciate that issues related to COVID-19 have left us all very frazzled but I think it is even more important to take the time to talk to people and be compassionate, understanding & flexible.

Hope the photos below help to make people feel better at what continues to be such a difficult time for so many people.

Never a Dull Moment with Coronavirus/ COVID-19 - Shropshire & London - August 2020

1/9/2020

The reopening of Four Seasons at Park Lane allowed me to try a new lobster dish personally prepared by Executive Chef Henry Brosi & there was complimentary Ruinart champagne to celebrate.

During August my Middle Eastern banking work was overshadowed by the tragic explosion in Beirut.

The UK Government's 'Eat Out to Help Out' initiative meant I had the best (steak) burger for years at Paternoster Chop House, with a breathtaking view of St Paul's Cathedral; drunk Thums Up Cola at Dishoom for the first time since my India trips, while working for the Bank of England; ate truffles at breakfast outside at The Connaught & saw their new 'coffee foam art'; ate Dim Sum from heaven with caviar, edible gold & black truffle at Hakkasan, Mayfair; ate Mark Hix's exquisite food again at 1 Lombard Street, with their sublime service; & ate the best cooked rump steak of my life, with anchovy hollandaise & triple cooked chips, all for GBP10 at Hawksmoor.

At the same time I was honoured to be invited to revisit the Four Seasons' Private Members' Club in London. This gave me the first chance to view Four Seasons' 'Lead with Care' global COVID-19 safety program formulated with Johns Hopkins Medicine International's assistance.

I also managed to visit my indomitable parents in Shrewsbury again & see my exceptional Qatar friends at the Everyman Cinema at King's Cross before they, finally, headed back to Doha.

Hope the photos below, which include ones of my niece (now an elegant young lady), my dashing godson & legendary parents, put smiles on your faces & illustrate what a busy month it was. It was also the month where my face was the first thing you saw on the Virgin Active website!

Light at the End of the Tunnel or Another Train Coming? - COVID-19 (Coronavirus) - Shropshire & London, UK - July 2020

3/8/2020

My first day wearing with Turnbull & Asser face mask, with a virus killing filter.

July 2020 was the month I restarted swimming, buying new Cayman Islands style Vilebrequin swim shorts to celebrate, and exercising with personal trainer Bart again. We did this outside with breathtaking views of Tower Bridge. I was even part of a photo shoot at Virgin Active in Mayfair, as I will feature on the new Virgin Active website.

It was also the month where I was part of the reopening of 45 Park Lane & Mandarin Oriental, Hyde Park; obtained my Turnbull & Asser face mask, with VIROFORMULA virus killing filters; had my first pint for 121 days with dad in The Admiral Benbow in Shrewsbury, the landlady Claire there was ahead of London with her anti-COVID-19 bar screen; drank Shrewsbury wine with mum & dad at Hencote in Shropshire; had a haircut at Truefitt & Hill, following in the footsteps of Charles Dickens, Winston Churchill & Frank Sinatra; Philip Hammond at The Dorchester created a spectacular new headdress for my Christian Lacroix wearing teddy bear from Bangkok; I attended a sublime lunch at Scott's in Mayfair with my Qatar friends; & ate caviar and drank gin from Kyoto, Japan, for breakfast, outside at 45 Jermyn Street, behind Fortnum & Mason. The Head of UK Retail at Fortnum & Mason now wants to meet www.sifrew.com.

It has been another unbelievable month in my life & I just hope the move to the 'new normal' in the UK continues. Feel free to ask me about the photos below, when we next meet.

Coronovirus/COVID-19 - When Will All This End? - May & June 2020

10/6/2020

I decided to name the bellboy teddy bear Claridge's sent with my Daniel Humm take-out dinner Thomas, after their GM I met.

Despite experiencing Fortnum & Mason & Avanti West Coast First Class train travel alone; a Daniel Humm Claridge's Fried Chicken dinner at home; showers with Aromatherapy Associates oils, my Frette sheets & my Dorchester hotel bed here in my Barbican London place; seeing a Red Arrows display on VE Day by Palace of Westminster; another spectacular Dorchester hotel roses bouquet specially created for me by Philip Hammond; walks in St James's Park looking at the black swans & Buckingham Palace etc, the UK lockdown since 23 March 2020 has been too long and the UK's new travel quarantine rules wreck www.sifrew.com and so many of my work plans.

My dad's birthday next weekend, & a 'physically distanced' picnic in Green Park with friends from my Qatar days, has made me think how much a miss hugging my mum, swimming & my personal training. Look forward to answering questions about the photos below, when we next meet!

Off for another walk now to try to drop some of the weight gained in the last few months.

The Coronavirus (COVID-19) Crisis & the 'New Normal' - March & April 2020

29/4/2020

The 'NHS Rainbow' in Tanners window in Shrewsbury brought a smile to my face but seeing the Bank of England's front door closed during the day was a sobering sight.

After a day working from home ("WFH") in my Barbican place in London on Middle Eastern banking issues, taking a 'break' for a webcast from Toronto, I am wondering what life will be like when the Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis is 'over'.

I spent the last month in Shropshire helping my parents with their self-isolation & I thought some photos of all that might cheer us up. 'Teddy Scores' do not seem appropriate at present but I have been so impressed by Shrewsbury & The Barbican's response to everything. I try to ring mum every day at present and will return to Shropshire, when that is needed.

Celebrating a Birthday in the Midst of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Crisis - Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK - March 2020

28/3/2020

When I received this personalised Veuve Clicquot signature arrow tin with its iridescent lid, I felt confident about my 2020 birthday. The original plan was to stay at the new Four Seasons in Madrid to celebrate, I know their General Manager from New York & Hong Kong and so it would have been an exceptional trip.

Since then the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has halted travel, closed hotels, restaurants, gyms etc and changed our lives.

I am now in Shrewsbury in Shropshire helping my parents with their self-isolation. My birthday will, therefore, be a small family affair. Today is my 'Birthday Eve' and so I have decided to post some photos to cheer us all up.

Stay safe, healthy & positive all at this difficult time & hope the photos below make you smile too. My awesome mum will ensure I have a '7 teddies' (🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻) birthday tomorrow.

Paris, London & New York - December 2019 to January 2020

17/2/2020

It was awesome to finally meet energetic GM Susanne at Mandarin Oriental New York & Director of Guest Relations Mark there was a joy to chat with.

Sorry for my silence but I have been very busy with Banking Consultant related issues.

I have constructive feedback for Virgin Atlantic Upper Class re: the large inflexible dining table that is part of their new A350 configuration and the surrender of Four Seasons control to Wolfgang Puck over the CUT bar at Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown.

At the same time I must highlight the Grant Achatz truffle cocktail sent to my Central Park view 49th floor suite at Mandarin Oriental New York; the truffle cheeses, with grated fresh black & white truffles and Bresaola air-dried, salted beef from Uruguay to welcome me at my Hudson suite at Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown Town and chilled bottles of Veuve Clicquot champagne at both hotels.

Also need to thank Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park for the roast duck congee breakfast, being added to their menu the following week, to celebrate Chinese New Year in London.

Will upload photos re: all this when I have more time but feel free to ask me about all this, when you see me.

My Best Christmas for Years - Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK - December 2019

2/1/2020

My niece was just as happy on Boxing Day and her UK grandma & grandpa love spending time with her.

The sheer joy on my sweet niece's face, when she opened my LO.L. Surprise gift from Hamleys, summed up Christmas in Shropshire for me. A relaxed, happy & perfect family gathering.

We were so luck my niece travelled from Moscow to spend Christmas with us, before heading to Finland for the Russian Orthodox Christmas with her Russian family.

Mum loved my Chanel and Fortnum & Mason gifts and cooked her usual legendary fish pie on Christmas Eve and sublime roast goose Christmas lunch. My brother prepared a feast for lunch on Boxing Day, I treasured my thoughtful gifts and things could not have gone any better.

Hope the photos below evidence why Christmas was such an outstanding '7 teddies' (🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻) family event.

Chic Paris at Christmas. The Four Seasons George V with Legendary Jackie; Veuve Clicquot at the Mandarin Oriental, Paris with Charismatic GM Philippe & Delightful Emilie; & Hotel Plaza Athenee, Paris with Charming Louise - Paris, France - December 2019

22/12/2019

www.sifrew.com with awesome Jackie in the Jeff Leatham Christmas igloo at The Four Seasons George V; Veuve Clicquot champagne at the Mandarin Oriental, Paris; the elegant bar at Hotel Plaza Athenee; and charming Mandarin Oriental, Paris GM Philippe.

The French strikes did not prevent www.sifrew.com having a spectacular time experiencing Paris at Christmas.

At the Four Seasons George V Jeff Leatham's Christmas decorations were even more dazzling/ opulent than I expected. I was sad to hear Jackie will be retiring next year but this will present another good excuse to visit Paris.

At the Mandarin Oriental, Paris I drank Veuve Clicquot champagne with charismatic GM Philippe and then delightful Emilie showed me the spectacular four bedroom The Parisian Apartment. It was interesting to see a piece of Zhuang Hong Yi art in the lobby of this hotel. His work is currently featured at 45 Park Lane.

At the Hotel Plaza Athenee, Paris Dorchester Collection's charming Louise treated me like a VVVIP. It was interesting that my very dry Grey Goose martini there was better than at the Four Seasons George V. I also drank Perrier Fine Bulles for the first time and was fascinated to see a Lego model of the hotel in their exquisite lobby, Lego is the Christmas theme for The Savoy in London.

Hope the photos below give you a taste of how stylish Christmas in Paris is & why it was a '7 teddies' (🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻) experience.

An Extraordinary Gray's Inn Dinner; the Cavalry & Guards Club; a new Ede & Ravenscroft Suit; Work as a Banking Consultant; a Christian Louboutin Christmas Tree etc, an Epic Month in London - London, UK - November 2019

14/12/2019

The monumental view from Helix at the top of The Gherkin; the song sheets from my unforgettable Gray's Inn dinner; and me in my new Ede & Ravenscroft suit and a Turnbull & Asser shirt at Four Seasons at Park Lane.

November 2019 was the month where I began working as a Banking Consultant again, as the same time it was a month crammed full of unforgettable London experiences.

There was lunch with an exceptional friend from my Bank of England days in Helix restaurant at the top of The Gherkin building, with awe-inspiring views. A Shrewsbury School drinks party in the Cavalry & Guards Club in Piccadilly and a Christian Louboutin Christmas tree at Claridge's but it was a dinner hosted by The Honourable Society of Gray's Inn that was a highlight of a spectacular month.

I was invited to this Inns of Court dinner by a barrister I first met during my Qatar days. It took place in 'The Hall', which dates from 1559, under a portrait of the President of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom, Lady Hale of 'prorogation fame' and I sat next to a judge who presides over criminal cases. It seemed fitting that I wore my new Ede & Ravenscroft suit and it was also a chance to wear one of my new Turnbull & Asser shirts & Gucci shoes. I even joined in with the singing at the end of dinner!

Hope the photos below evidence why November 2019 was a '7 teddies' (🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻) legendary month.

The Youngest Son Goes on an Unforgettable Rhône River Cruise with Riviera Travel in Burgundy & Provence with his Parents & His New Awesome Friend Will Lyons, from The Sunday Times - France - October 2019

10/10/2019

My parents looking very glamorous during the Captain's Party; fun Gary making me laugh in the Puligny-Montrachet vineyards; & debonair Will Lyons from The Sunday Times, my awesome new friend.

I am back from an unbelievable River Rhône cruise in Provence & Burgundy with my legendary parents.

From having Oz Clarke talk to me about LVMH's Bernard Arnault on a bus in Burgundy; to talking about Shrewsbury School & Fives with my new friend Will Lyons of The Sunday Times; to being 'Sur le Pont d'Avignon'; to seeing the magnificent Roman aqueduct bridge the Pont du Gard; picturesque medieval Beaune and getting to spend 8 days with parents I treasure & adore. A Sunday Times Wine Club trip I will never forget.

Hope the photos below evidence the '5 teddies' (🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻) trip it was, despite the painful single person supplement I had to pay, even though I only booked this trip to help & support my parents. There were too many extraordinary staff on the MS William Shakespeare but I must highlight waitress Zoey. She was so bright & cheerful and ceaselessly caring to my family. Tip:- book the Midsummer Bar for dinner on one of the nights, as soon as you arrive on the boat. There is no additional charge for this 'VIP restaurant'.

Claridge's Flowers from McQueens; a Riviera Travel Wine Cruise with Oz Clarke & Will Lyons; the Fox & Anchor Pub in Smithfield and a Green Negroni at The Goring - London, UK - September 2019

10/9/2019

My stunning McQueens flowers, with my spectacular Nurture Landscapes window boxes behind.

I just got back from weight training with my personal trainer Bart at Virgin Active & felt I must write something about my gorgeous flowers from McQueens. I love the work these florists undertake at Claridge's and, as my neighbour said, "the arrangement is so Barbican".

This month I have booked to join my mum & dad on an 8 day Sunday Times Wine Club cruise featuring Oz Clarke & Will Lyons. I have questions to ask the former about Jilly Goolden, from the time when I worked at the Bank of England.

I must also mention incredible breakfasts at the Fox & Anchor in Smithfield & The Ned and a green Negroni in the refurbished bar at The Goring, with their excellent young bar staff.

Hope the photos below evidence the '7 teddies' (🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻) month September 2019 has already become.

I Really Do Have The Best Parents in The World! - London, UK - July 2019

4/8/2019

I am so lucky to still have both of my parents. They decided to visit me in London. It was the first time they had stayed at my Barbican place since my days working for the Bank of England and I decided to show them 'Si Frew's London'.

This included lunch at The Ned hotel; Veuve Clicquot champagne on the balcony at my place; cocktails at the pop-up at Four Seasons @ Ten Trinity Square with breathtaking views of London; dinner outside by the river at Le Pont de la Tour; mum & dad also staying at The Farmers Club; dad & me having Scottish breakfasts at The Farmers Club; seeing 'An Enquiring Mind: Manolo Blahnik at the Wallace Collection'; shopping in Heal's with mum; and checking out the window boxes at Rules in Covent Garden with mum & dad.

It was a '7 teddies' (🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻) experience, with '7 teddy' parents. Hope the photos below do justice to all this.

At the Four Seasons @ Ten Trinity Square pop-up. We walked through a David Linley furnish Residence to get there & this ex Qatar guy had stories about The Shard to tell.

LVMH, Mandarin Oriental, Dorchester Collection & Four Seasons - London, UK - June/July 2019

4/7/2019

Over the last few months, other than a weekend in Berlin to celebrate the 50th birthday of some awesome friends of mine, & two weekends in Shropshire, to help dad with his new laptop & attend his birthday party, I have been helping the London based sister of Lord Foley (who I met in Bangkok) with a London focused luxury project.

During the course of this I have been stunned by the help and support I have received from friends at LVMH, Mandarin Oriental, Dorchester Collection & Four Seasons.

At the same time I have been working on my future as a Banking Consultant & I have been approached about roles.

This email, from a friend at LVMH, who I met while working in Cayman Islands, made my day.

I first met Mandarin Oriental GM Amanda in Bangkok & always adore our meetings.

I first met 45 Park Lane GM John when I was working in Qatar. On this occasion he asked me to try their new proposed shower gel.

Four Seasons @ Park Lane GM Lynn is always a perfect source of useful practical advice.

RHS Chelsea Flower Show & My Barbican Window Boxes - London, UK - May 2019

28/5/2019

The mother of my awesome godson. We have been friends since our Bank of England days & she took me to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

My Barbican window boxes are now looking, & smelling, fabulously thanks to the geniuses at Nurture Landscapes. The smell comes from rosemary & French lavender and the bees already love the latter. My original window boxes were based on work done at Four Seasons at Park Lane but this year's are inspired by Rules, the oldest restaurant in London.

The day before the work on my window boxes I visited the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Before this I walked through Mayfair to see Annabel's & smell the flowers at The Connaught and had lunch with astonishing friends from Shropshire at Four Seasons at Park Lane.

Hope the photos below help to evidence the '7 teddies' (🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻) life I am living here in London.

Mandarin Oriental, Hyde Park is Back & Better Than Ever - London, UK - May 2019

16/5/2019

Remarkable GM Amanda, my stunning breakfast view of Hyde Park and the Plaza Hotel, New York Merrythought teddy bear that got me think about my London - New York Concorde flight.

I have settled back into my London life. Personal training with Bart at Virgin Active, Barbican and enjoying my swims there.

I am living in my redecorated Barbican place again, with its Dorchester Hotel bed, personalised Frette sheets from Harrods, new Ligne Roset table from Heal's etc. Just the 'Four Seasons at Park Lane' window boxes to recreate again.

Since I moved back to London Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park has officially reopened. I visited on the day this occurred. On that, notable, occasion I met Rodolphe & Marco in the Mandarin Bar and was served a divine truffle gin martini that was not yet on the menu. Legendary GM Amanda also came for an inspiring chat.

On my second visit I brought one of my unbelievable friends from Shropshire and got to try more cocktails and snacks being developed for the menu and was presented with a Mandarin Oriental teddy bear, MO tie pin and MO key ring, to add to my MO clufflinks from Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur.

On my latest visit I decided to try their Hyde Park breakfast with Moet champagne, a choice of truffles or caviar and a spectacular view of Hyde Park. Breakfast ended up being better than I could possibly have imagined. Even the bellhops on the lobby stairs greeted me by name, the gorgeous dining room is so bright and impressive, the other guests as refined as I found before the deeply unfortunate fire and Amanda and her staff (eg Silvia the House Manager) seem reinvigorated/improved, what a contrast with when The Savoy in London reopened.

Hope the photos below help you to understand why it was such a special day.

A '7 teddies' (🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻) hotel, with '7 teddy' staff and a '7 teddy' champagne/truffle breakfast.

Nobu; Four Seasons; a 'Free' Magnum of Veuve Clicquot & Friends from my Qatar Days: An Easter in London Like No Other - London, UK - April 2019

23/4/2019

Yes, that is a magnum of 'free' Veuve Clicquot & the Easter Bunny did know my name!

Thanks, in the main, to Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane for an unbelievable Easter 2019 in London.

From the Four Seasons doormen wishing me happy birthday, to the 'free' magnum of Veuve Clicquot, to the Easter Bunny knowning my name and the Easter Egg desserts being to die for, an Easter Sunday that could not have been better. However, I must also mention a drink with John at 45 Park Lane/the 45 Park Lane candle he gave me with a sumptuously luxuriant smell and my chats with Andre & Alex at Four Seasons Hotel London at Ten Trinity Square on Easter Monday.

Hope the photos below help you to understand why it was such a special weekend.

A '7 teddies' (🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻) 50th birthday continued a little longer with a sublime Easter weekend.

My 50th Birthday: 'The Fat Lady has Sung' - Shrewsbury & London - March 2019

5/4/2019

In fact it was a thin jazz singer at Four Seasons Hotel Ten Trinity Square who sang happy birthday to me!

From the overwhelming party my parents hosted, with Tanners champagne & divine canapés; to the private dining room at The Golden Cross in Shrewsbury; to Four Seasons Hotel Ten Trinity Square giving me three bedroom Residence Number One with a terrace with breathtaking views of Tower Bridge & the Tower of London; to walking back from a birthday dinner at Le Pont de La Tour over Tower Bridge with unimaginable friends from Berlin; to Four Seasons Hotel Ten Trinity Square sending a member of staff to my Barbican flat to help with my embarrassment of sensational birthday presents, it was a 50th birthday like no other.

I now have an exquisite bracelet from KaDeWe in Berlin, 19th Century prints of the City of London to remind me of my years working for the Bank of England, magnums of Veuve Clicquot champagne, a Smythson of Bond Street travel case, more Tiffany & Co gifts to add to the mountain I received at my 40th birthday party in The Penthouse at The Dorchester, a gift from my indomitable godmother and the Wade NatWest piggy banks I had wanted since I was a child, my mum finally made another dream come true.

I want to thank everyone who made this birthday so special from the bottom of my heart. I have lots more photos & stories to share with people when they meet me and should add that I loved the balloons Four Seasons put in my suite.

At an 80th birthday party yesterday a lady chastised me for bringing balloon, saying they were just for children. I could not disagree more over this sad opinion!

A '7 teddies' (🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻) 50th birthday is finally over & it could not have been better.

My 50th Birthday - Friday 29 March 2019

23/3/2019

While the Brexit date has moved, 29 March 2019 is still fast approaching.

First Class Emirates flights got me from Bangkok to Shrewsbury safely. Two portions of caviar, Dom Perignon champagne and a shower on the A380 plane were perfect but my luggage did not arrive with me in Manchester and the way Emirates dealt with that was far from First Class service. I have made formal complaints about that, & the additional money I paid for WiFi which did not work for long periods on the flight.

I am just off to Tanners in Shrewsbury to arrange the champagne for my Shrewsbury party. Today also spoke to The Golden Cross about my Shrewsbury dinner and signed the contract with Le Pont de la Tour in London. Four Seasons Hotel Ten Trinity Square have created a new Grey Goose vodka based cocktail in my honour. What a two day celebration it will be.

A '7 teddies' (🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻) 50th birthday year finally culminates on 29/30 March 2019.

A 50th Birthday Year Like No Other, So Many More Dreams Come True in Japan etc - March 2019

13/3/2019

Sorry for the silence but the last few weeks have left me speechless (in the best way).

From a fragrant bath full of orchids, looking out at the Petronas Twin Towers, in my suite at Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur; to seeing a spectacular Kabuki performance in Tokyo with the astonishing friend who produced the English translation you were reading; to staying at Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Marunouchi, the smallest city Four Seasons in the world & my 'final promise' to Mr Sharp, where an exquisite specially created kimono wearing teddy bear was presented to me; to travelling on the 200 mile per hour Shinkansen ('Bullet Train'), a dream since my 'Blue Peter days'; to drinking rare Four Seasons sake & being given a bottle of sake from Kyoto's oldest sake maker personally labelled for my 50th birthday; to playing 'Tea House games' with a Maiko (an apprentice Geiko/Geisha) at Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto, now have Ichihiro's 'calling card sticker' stuck to the back of my iPhone Xs; to eating Peking Duck sushi & drinking 40 year old Glenfraclas Scotch whisky exclusive to Ritz-Carlton Osaka; and drink Veuve Clicquot champagne on the Imperial Floors of the indomitable Imperial Hotel Tokyo.

This blog, my hotel contacts and my unparalleled friends have made March 2019 one of the best months of my life. To think I, once, did not want to live past 30! So many photos & video clips to show people and stories to tell.

Must focus on the logistics of my move back to The Barbican in London next and 'restarting' my life there.

A '7 teddies' (🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻) 50th birthday year culminates on 29/30 March 2019 at my phenomenal parents' historic home in Shrewsbury and then at Four Seasons Hotel London at Ten Trinity Square & Le Pont del la Tour overlooking the river Thames. Cannot wait to welcome guests based in Sweden, Uruguay etc

A Valentine's Day Stay at Remarkable Four Seasons Hotel Seoul That Blew Even a Brand Ambassador's Mind - Seoul Special City, Republic of Korea ('South Korea') - February 2019

22/2/2019

Think this 'last' photo at Four Seasons Hotel Seoul says it all about my stay. My euphoria and the enthusiastic & sweet Four Seasons staff in South Korea.

Sanctions relating to North Korea's nuclear weapons programme continue to impact my Banking Consultant work and I have wanted to stay at Four Seasons Hotel Seoul since some close friends in London raved about it, after they stayed there shortly after it opened in 2015.

My four night stay around Valentine's Day 2019 far exceeded my expectations. From the astonishing 28th Floor views of the Gyeongbokgung Palace from my suite; to the Taekwondo & gym outfits for Issy & me; a member of Four Seasons staff lending me their own coat to see North Korea in the snow; an outstanding Executive Club Lounge serving champagne; to dinner with GM Alejandro on Valentine's Night, despite the President of Austria & Ban Ki-moon being in the hotel; drinks with charming F&B Director Sebastien; ultra efficient & friendly Director of Guest Relations Yoony; to Guest Relations Officer JK Lee cancelling a dinner with friends in his home town to help me at the airport when I was leaving. Mr Sharp's Four Seasons' ideals are very much alive and well at exceptional Four Seasons Seoul.

A '7 teddies' (🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻) 50th birthday year continues, thanks to an unforgettable stay at phenomenal Four Seasons Hotel Seoul with its remarkable staff. Hope the photos below help you to understand this exuberant praise.

A Mandarin Oriental Celebrity Fan is Made to Feel Like a Taipan Staying in a Harbour View Suite at Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong for Chinese New Year - Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China - February 2019

19/2/2019

When I asked hotel Manager Richard where the best place to see the Hong Kong fireworks was he instantaneously replied "the bathroom in your suite". He was so right. If you meet me, ask to see the video, you will be stunned.

Despite my comments when I last stayed at Four Seasons, Hong Kong, I have always dreamt of staying at Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong and Chinese New Year 2019 seemed the perfect time to do this. I spent four unbelievable nights there.

In the end I watched the 23 minutes of the Hong Kong Chinese New Year fireworks from the bath in my Harbour View Suite surrounded by the intoxicating smell of fresh rose petals; began the 'Year of the Pig' sampling the hotel's truffle menu with an additional course of Beluga caviar; was given a silk & cotton Japanese kimono to visit the hotel's pool; and had coffee. with the hotel's General Manager, Pierre, where he sought my views on how the hotel's 1960s 'historic' lobby could be improved.

A '7 teddies' (🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻) 50th birthday year continues, thanks to a sublime stay at the legendary Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong, that could not have been better. Hope you enjoy the photos below.

A Mandarin Oriental Celebrity Fan Has an Exquisite Ruinart Champagne Sunday Roast in the Michelin Starred Sir Terence Conran Designed Mandarin Grill at Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong - Hong Kong, SAR of the People's Republic of China - February 2019

18/2/2019

The steak tartare with sourdough; oyster on ice with condiments; & grilled scallop with piquillo chili pepper salsa amuse bouche, with a fan hand-painted with my name behind

On my first day staying at Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong I decided to try their Ruinart champagne Sunday Roast.

For Chinese New Year the Sir Terence Conran blue upholstery has been covered in good luck red. Sofia was my brilliant server and it turned out she had worked at Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach and so we chatted about my friend Mr Simon Casson. A sublime start to lunch.

The entire lunch was divine with a myriad of amuse bouche; attentive & entertaining English Sommelier Lee; succulent chunks of lobster flesh in the lobster cocktail; salmon that had been smoked in-house carved at my table; roast beef carved from a trolley that melted in your mouth; and a chocolate portrait of Issy to end.

A '7 teddies' (🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻) 50th birthday year continues with a lunch using the finest organic ingredients that I will never forget. Hope the photos below help you appreciate this.

Complimentary Innovative Cocktails & Gourmet Hotdogs in the World-Famous PDT ("Please Do Not Tell") Bar's Hong Kong Outpost at The Landmark Mandarin Oriental - Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China - February 2019

12/2/2019

Christian (the Manager of Landmark Mandarin Oriental in Hong Kong) invited me to join him for cocktails & hotdogs in the world-famous PDT ("Please Do Not Tell") bar's Hong Kong outpost in his hotel.

You enter the bar via a mock 'phone booth, where you dial zero and an invisible door opens to the sleek 25 seat bar.

On the table was a further Mandarin Oriental panda with a staff badge saying 'Si Frew MOHG Fan'; a quarter bottle of Moet Rose; and various Chinese New Year charms. Such sweet thoughtful gifts.

Pierre (the General Manager of Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong) recommended the 'Bad Hunter' cocktail & 'Honkie Dog' hotdog to me. The former turned out to be a deliciously innovation cocktail of Chivas Regal 12, Fernet Hunter (aromatic Italian bitters), lemon juice, longan berries & Moet Brut Imperial champagne. I was dubious about mixing whisky & champagne but this was a sophisticated delicate John Collins style cocktail that exhibited the skills of Master Mixologists Jim Meehan & Jeff Bell.

The gourmet hotdog was a fried pork dog with sakura (cherry blossom) shrimp & XO mayo. I was worried it would be messy to eat but it had been cut in four to prevent any embarrassing accidents. This was a heady mixture of perfect flavours, spiciness & textures.

Even better than the cutting edge food & stylish cocktails was getting 1 1/2 hours to swap luxury hotel stories with Mandarin Oriental star Christian. The young, friendly & knowledgeable staff also made me a perfect very dry Grey Goose martini with a lime twist.

A '7 teddies' (🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻) 50th birthday year continues, thanks to charming Christian and memorable food & drink in PDT bar Hong Kong.