travelog

Soleil @ Peninsula, London; Dante @ Claridge's; 30 Years of The Fat Duck at Bray @ Mandarin Oriental, Hyde Park; Chef Tom Booton's 'Last' Meal in The Grill at The Dorchester; & Dad's Ashes - London/ Shrewsbury - July 2025

1/8/2025

It was an epic month by any standards. My Barbican window boxes have never looked so good and watching bees & butterflies enjoying them brings me so much joy.

Soleil (Sun) by Claude Bosi on the 8th Floor of Peninsula, London

While the weather for the launch was damp & overcast, lemons from Calabria, perfect soft scrambled eggs, David (Director of Rooms), Scott (Manager) etc coming to chat & Chef Francesco Dibenedetto presenting me with a very special bottle of his family's olive oil made it a perfect way to start a special month.

The Mark Hotel New York's Hotdogs at The Connaught

The Mark in New York's hotdog stand sold beef or chicken hotdogs but in London Jean-Georges Vongerichten served turkey hotdogs. Delicious but I would have preferred beef. However, still a good way to mark 4th of July.

The next week I returned to The Connaught for their sublime scrambled eggs with black truffles breakfast and to meet MD Sandeep Bhalla properly. Issy now has a Connaught hound staff pin.

My New Dante, NYC at Claridge's Baseball Cap

With lunch with COO Roland Fasel at abc kitchens at The Emory next week, it has been a very Maybourne couple of months.

Dante, NYC was such a fun experience at Claridge's. I had huevos rancheros; a Fluffy Margarita Royale; met Dante owner Linden Pride and his sweet daughter and Claridge's Restaurant Manager Will Rogers presented me with a baseball cap to mark the occasion that I now treasure.

30 Years of Chef Heston Blumenthal at The Fat Duck at Bray at Mandarin Oriental, Hyde Park

Another dream came true during the month. Eating Snail Porridge, while drinking an 'SF Martini'.

The Heston dishes were all divine (who knew white chocolate goes with caviar) & his triple cooked chips, dipped in a bone marrow gravy, were insanely good.

It was such a memorable meal & being presented with a further bottle of the scent of Mandarin Oriental, Hyde Park was the perfect way to end the evening.

A Beautiful Ceremony to Bury Dad's Ashes in the Graveyard at St Chad's

Dad's brother Roland & Aunt Tricia came down from Scotland for this ceremony in Shrewsbury and Vicar Sam did a brilliant job, even mentioning dad's late brother George & his Moscow based granddaughter Maria.

The spot in the graveyard where they are buried is beautiful and mum even kept some of the roses we were meant to scatter.

Chef Tom Booton's 'Last' Meal in The Grill at The Dorchester

The month culminated with an exquisite Chef Tom Booton lunch. Everyone should get to eat Tom's chicken at least once in their lives.

The quality of the apron I was given with my name embroidered on it says it all.

The above text justifies an '8 teddies' (🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻) month score but I should also mention breakfast at Mandarin Oriental, Mayfair where I was given more of their hotel scent; getting to try the 'Robert Omelette' at the Ol' Chemist in Shrewsbury; Tanja's unforgettable birthday party; and consistent perfection from The Wolseley, The City; C Sons, Shrewsbury & The Golden Cross.

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Obsessed by Peninsula, London's Noodles; A Pan Pacific, London Cake for The King's Official Birthday; Four Seasons Yachts Perfection & the Mesmerising Cartier Exhibition at The V&A - Shrewsbury/ London - June 2025

1/7/2025

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A Family Sunday in Shrewsbury

June 2025 started with me making my own Sunday breakfast in Shrewsbury using Marco Pierre White's technique for soft scrambled eggs & sausages from Shrewsbury Market Hall. After this I took mum to St Chad's church and then for Sunday lunch at The Golden Cross with my brother. Their melt in the mouth roast beef never disappoints.

Obsessed With Peninsula, London's Noodles

I visited the Little Blue Noodle Bar two further times in June. On the first visit Anthony, F&B Director, served me perfectly chilled champagne and Chef Saravanan Chamy sent me delicate & delicious dim sum from Canton Blue.

I tried the off menu noodle dish and so am now ahead of Financial Times food critic Jay Rayner. The Peninsula, London attracts fascinating customers and I had fun chatting to a couple who were both poets.

My second visit was after a Shrewsbury School informal networking event for people working in financial services. It was held in Belgravia and so, after, I got takeout dandan spicy noodles from the Little Blue Noodle Bar. They tasted even better after sitting in the takeout container for a few hours.

Never Get Tired of The Dorchester

I also went for breakfast in The Promenade at The Dorchester again. They always exceeded by expectations and writing a personalised message on my cappuccino was a brilliant touch.

A Pan Pacific, London Cake for The King's Official Birthday

On the Saturday of the King's Official Birthday I had breakfast at Pan Pacific, London. They surprised me, again, with a cake. The staff there are brilliant. I watched the flypast from the 30th floor of The Barbican.

Sublime Meals at Raffles, London at The OWO

My Saturday breakfast at Raffles, London at The OWO was so good I returned for their 'Sunday Feast' the next day. Both meals were superb.

Chef Paul Ainsworth at The Giorgio Armani Tennis Classic at The Hurlingham Club

Four Seasons Yachts took me to The Giorgio Armani Tennis Classic at The Hurlingham Club. I had breakfast at Four Seasons at Park Lane before it, which could not have been better.

The Hurlingham Club is a beautiful oasis and, if that afternoon/ evening are any indication of what the Four Seasons Yacht will be like, it will be a huge success. Amanda, Nils and Camille embody the spirit of Four Seasons.

I was surprised Chef Paul Ainsworth was able to produce such an impeccable main course for so many people.

Fiddler of the Roof & Cartier Exhibition at The V&A

Cannot say enough good things about Fiddler on the Roof at The Barbican Centre, the acrobatic dancing, the songs you know so well etc; or the Cartier Exhibition with HSH Princess Grace of Monaco's tiara, the Cartier collaboration with Faberge, Al Thani family tiaras etc. Have no hesitation about recommending both.

Four Seasons Tower Bridge Help Another of My Dreams to Come True

Tower Bridge was opening for The Royal Thames Yacht Club's 250th Anniversary Boat Parade and they let me watch this, for the first time, from the balcony of Residence No 1, where part of 50th birthday celebrations were held. I drank an 'SF Martini' after to celebrate. Another unbelievable Saturday.

6 cover photos evidence June 2025 was another '8 teddies' (🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻) month. I must also mention another special lunch at Wiltons; that Fish Central was a great find for dinner; another Sunday lunch at Story Cellar that was perfect, I even drank an 'SF Martini' there; & a friend's party at The Groucho Club. The speech at the latter made me emotional, her references to me in it were too kind.

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VE Day Celebrations at Peninsula, London; A Friend from Rome Visits; The Patisserie at Pan Pacific, London & Mum Looks So Well - London/ Shrewsbury - May 2025

2/6/2025

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Celebrating VE Day at Peninsula, London with Beef Wellington with Black Truffles

I watched the VE Day flypast from the Concorde themed Brooklands Bar at Peninsula, London, which looks over the gardens of Buckingham Palace. Quite a place to watch it from.

Then I went down to The Lobby to eat Beef Wellington, with black truffles, personally cooked by Chef Saravanan Chamy, who previously worked at The Dorchester. It was better than Chef Gordon Ramsay's Beef Wellington at The Savoy. Never thought I would be able to say that.

Later in the month Wiltons matched Peninsula, London's Beef Wellington but they have been perfecting their dishes since 1742.

Lunch at 45 Park Lane & Dinner at The Aubrey at Mandarin Oriental, Hyde Park With a Friend From Rome

At lunch at 45 Park Lane with my friend from Rome, Chef Elliott Grover and his team treated us as VIPs. From Ruinart champagne, to too many Wolfgang Puck signature snacks to count and a Passion Fruit Baked Alaska that was dreamily refreshing.

My face, in the cover photo, says everything about our dinner in The Aubrey. It was such a beautiful room and the bone marrow rice was even better the second time. Romain, and his Mandarin Oriental team, spoilt us with double portions of Iberico Pork etc.

My Rome friend is a joy to spend time with & I was so glad to try to help her with her daughter's 18th birthday celebrations.

GM of Mandarin Oriental, Mayfair Leaving

During May 2025 Susanne, GM of Mandarin Oriental, Mayfair, emailed me that she is moving within Mandarin Oriental Group. We first met when she was GM of Mandarin Oriental, Manhattan.

It was another month where I had a flawless breakfast at their Mayfair hotel and was even given the scent of that hotel, to add to my expanding hotel fragrance collection.

The New Patisserie at Pan Pacific, London

Pan Pacific, London are always so kind to me. They give me champagne each time I go for breakfast. However, on my May 2025 visit, their new Patisserie had opened. I selected cakes and macarons and, even I, was surprised when they then said "no bill for you Mr Frew".

The cakes were light and delicious and the macarons so fresh they reminded me of ones I had at the Four Seasons George V in Paris.

Flowers Inside & Outside My Barbican Place. Philip & Bruce Are Floral Geniuses

May 2025 was the month my Barbican window boxes were redone in the style of a pre-COVID-19 Four Seasons at Park Lane design, with lavender & rosemary to provide fragrance this summer.

The weekend of the work I ordered Dorchester hotel flowers from Philip Hammond again, including purples to celebrate 45 Park Lane and Dorchester hotel roses. I was so thrilled with them and the work Bruce has done on my window boxes.

Perfect Four Seasons in London

I visited the breakfast buffet at Four Seasons, Tower Bridge twice in the month, it is so good.

At Four Seasons at Park Lane Peter made Issy an 'SF Martini', with the special vermouth from The Lana Hotel in Dubai (part of Dorchester Collection). I almost cried over this thoughtful surprise.

Foodie Shrewsbury & Mum Looking So Healthy

From a seasonal asparagus breakfast at C Sons; to mouthwatering steaks & fun cocktails at The Ol'Chemist; to the melt in the mouth roast beef at The Golden Cross, food in Shrewsbury keeps getting even better.

It should also be noted that the Wagyu Oxtail & Bone Marrow Fried Rice we ate in Knightsbridge cost £26, while Bone Marrow Mash at The Ol-Chemist costs £4.

It has to be another '8 teddies' score (🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻) for May 2025. I have not even mentioned my night at The Waldorf Hilton with one of my best friends from Qatar. Another evening with him I will never forget. If you click 'Read More' there are photos from that night. The fact mum is cared for so well is another factor in this high score.

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Birthday Balloons at Four Seasons, Tower Bridge; a Four Seasons @ Park Lane Easter Egg; My Brother's Family Easter Sunday Birthday; & the Little Blue Noodle Bar @ Peninsula, London - London/ Shrewsbury - April 2025

8/5/2025

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May 2025 has had an exceptional start already, with an unforgettable Early May Bank Holiday VE Day at Peninsula, London & fabulous lunch with my friend from Rome, at 45 Park Lane but you will all have to wait util next month to hear about all that.

A 'Last' Slice of Birthday Cake at Mount Street Restaurant

I started April 2025 eating a perfect bacon chop breakfast at Mount Street Restaurant surrounded by £50MN of art.

At the end of breakfast I was brought a deliciously moreish slice of chocolate fudge birthday cake, to celebrate the previous month's birthday.

Birthday Balloons at Four Seasons, Tower Bridge

Four Seasons, Tower Bridge made up for the lack of birthday balloons at Four Seasons at Park Lane at a breakfast in April too. It was a buffet breakfast but the hot items were freshly, & perfectly, cooked (eg soft scrambled eggs) and the cold items were delectable (eg beetroot smoked salmon).

After this I picked up a Pavyllon, London Easter Egg from Four Seasons at Park Lane. It smelt incredible.

Chef Tom Booton's Grill at The Dorchester

Before I left for Shrewsbury I had to experience The Grill at The Dorchester. The butter shaped as a jelly mould in the photo gives an indication of the attention to detail.

During that breakfast I wrote an important note to the mother of my godson. She has 'ghosted' me since I let her stay at my Barbican place last year, during my 6 week trip to mark 10 years of www.sifrew.com

I was pleading with her, again, to return the set of keys for my place she borrowed from the porters in my building for her stay. 'Ghosting' is such a cruel way deal with someone who has been a friend for more than 30 years.

Another '8 teddies' (🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻) month. The birthday balloons at Four Seasons, Tower Bridge; an exclusive chance to sample the 'Little Blue Noodle Bar' @ Peninsula, London (press 'Read More' for that write-up & photos) and mum being so physically well & happy are all I could have hoped for.

The Four Seasons at Park Lane Easter Egg was the best I have EVER eaten. Dark chocolate from Peru & a silky hazelnut praline filling. Peninsula, London gave me a bar of their version of Dubai chocolate was equally delicious. Also need to mention my Black Pudding Eggs Benedict at Fallow. An exceptional breakfast dish.

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Meeting Chef Nobu Matsuhisa; Lunch at 'Kioku by Endo'; A Breakfast Chat With Lynn Brutman, GM of Four Seasons, London at Park Lane; Celebrating Mum's Birthday; the 'SF Martini' Served in 'The Spy Bar' at Raffles at The OWO - Feb & Mar 2025

10/3/2025

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Having just 'survived' a particularly nasty bout of flu, felt I must explain the last few weeks.

Another Dream Comes True

Meeting Chef Nobu Matsuhisa was another dream come true and GM Grant Campbell & his team at Nobu Hotel London Portman Square made it such a special Sunday afternoon.

The 'SF Martini' was served again; Nobu's signature dishes are always much better than I expect & talking abut Nobu partner Robert De Niro was fascinating.,

Unbelievable Japanese Dishes on The Roof of Raffles, London at The OWO

Various people had recommended 'Kioku by Endo' on the roof of Raffles, London at The OWO and so I had to try it.

The views from there are spectacular and you must try their fatty tuna. My monkfish dish with smoked eel and watercress & ginger sauce was exceptional.

Breakfast at Pavyllon at Four Seasons, London at Park Lane

I had breakfasts at both Four Seasons in London after I got back from Shrewsbury.

The breakfasts at Four Seasons Hotel London at Tower Bridge continue to impress but the Park Lane hotel has been picked for my birthday weekend.

It was good to meet with GM Lynn Brutman again and talk about Chef Yannick Alleno's stipulation that there must be a French twist to their breakfasts.

The Best Birthday Mum Could Have Had

I went to Shrewsbury to celebrate mum's 82nd birthday.

From a perfect dinner with her in The Golden Cross; to a family Sunday lunch with her including my brother and me; to a beautiful cashmere scarf gift from one of her best friends; to me arriving on the day of her birthday to find a family friend already visiting her, it could not have gone any better.

The 'SF Martini' Served in The 'Spy Bar' at Raffles, London at The OWO; Pie, Mash & Liquor at The Grill by Tom Booton at The Dorchester; The 'Big Matt' at Hawksmoor, Guildhall & 'Pancake Day' at The Ivy City Garden

It was a few weeks of many exceptional dining & 'SF Martini' experiences (eg Chef Tom Booton's collaboration with pie & mash shop G Kelly led to a sublime chicken & mushroom pie, made even better by chilli vinegar. That, combined with the smooth mash & flavoursome liquor, made it all heaven on a plate).

Kiki and the team in the 'Spy Bar' at Raffles, London at The OWO are phenomenal.

Has The Ivy Expanded Too Far? & The Quality of the Ingredients in One Aldwych's Breakfast Should Justify Their High Prices

My only negative comments are that service at The Ivy City Garden was appalling (eg a drink ordered but forgotten and food & drinks not ordered attempted to be served several times).

The pastries served at One Aldwych were not fresh and the tomatoes, in my chorizo & egg dish, tasted processed, as did the Kent apple juice.

'SF Martini' Created by The Lana, Dubai, a Dorchester Collection Hotel

My 'SF Martini' will be served in The Wolseley on 29 March, the actual day of my birthday, thanks to The Dorchester. Still cannot believe I will be able to use The Peninsula, London's extended wheelbase green Rolls-Royce again on my 'Birthday Eve'.

It was another '8 teddies' (🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻) few weeks, despite my illness. the afternoon with Chef Nobu alone would justify that score. Hope you enjoy the photos below.

I have breakfast with Roland Fasel again at Claridge's tomorrow. He is COO of Maybourne, which manages Claridge's, The Connaught, The Emory etc. We have know each other for more than 20 years. We first met when he was GM of The Dorchester.

It is a little ironic that The Emory are the only hotel not to have replied to any of my numerous messages about swimming in their pool on my birthday.

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Mum & The Shrewsbury Flower Show - Shrewsbury/ London - August 2024

31/8/2024

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Si Frew The Bank Director

August 2024 was the month when I decided to look for banking work again. The CEO of The Arab Bankers' Association has been very kind helping me try to find a role in one of the Middle Eastern banks in London, that still allows me to spend time in Shrewsbury seeing mum.

I also really enjoy my regular meetings with the CEO of Jordan International Bank Plc & am having one of my periodic meetings with Grant Thornton next week.

The 2024 Shrewsbury Flower Show

My proudest moment of the month was taking mum around the main flower tent at The 2024 Shrewsbury Flower Show. We had a coffee in the Members' Tent first and mum's friends were overjoyed to see her looking so relaxed & well.

Bellamy's, Mayfair; The Bear at Hodnet; The Golden Cross; 45 Park Lane; Cafe Laperouse at Raffles, London at The OWO; Pan Pacific, London & Mei Ume at Four Seasons at Ten Trinity Square

I ate some exceptional food in August. From a restaurant the late Queen ate at more than once; to unbelievably succulent lamb at The Bear at Hodnet; to astonishingly tender roast beef at The Golden Cross; to spicy tuna tartare cones at 45 Park Lane; to divine chicken with morels outside at Cafe Laperouse at Raffles, London at The OWO; to the outlandishly brilliant weekend breakfast at Pan Pacific, London; to soup dumpling heaven at Mei Ume at Four Seasons.

Soho House in the Former BBC Building

My brilliant hotel friend got me access to the rooftop pool at White City House. We also had lunch there.

One of my banking friends has been waiting 8 months to join Soho House but I am not sure it is his sort of place.

Am I Real? Do I Lack Empathy?

I suffered more personal attacks from people I thought were friends, & family, in August. Felt sad Blocking these two people but I have to protect myself and maintain the strength to help & support mum. My friends have assured me, while I am far from perfect, these attacks seem to be more these two guys projecting their own flaws & anger on me.

My time with mum in August, the beautiful messages of support from my fabulous friends & the extraordinary food I got to try, made it an '8 teddies' (🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻) month. Hope you all enjoy too many photos of it all below.

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

5/4/2019

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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.

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My 50th Birthday - Friday 29 March 2019

23/3/2019

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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.

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Love Spending Time With My Incredible Family & Friends - Shrewsbury, Shropshire - April 2018

27/4/2018

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I eat in some of the best restaurants in the world but my mum's Shropshire roast beef Sunday lunch still takes some beating. I provided the wine & my niece the company. A sublime afternoon.

I am so proud to be a 'Shropshire lad'. Shrewsbury is such a beautiful historic town and I am so lucky to have been sent to Prestfelde Prep School & Shrewsbury School, with all the friends I still have from those places. It is amazing to think Charles Darwin also went to the latter.

During my time in Shrewsbury I got to spend more time with my incredible parents; ate in Darwin's Kitchen; Number Four; and The Golden Cross; helped my brother celebrate his birthday; went for drinks in The Three Fishes pub with friends; had lunch with a knowledgeable and sensible friend; had coffee with my marvelous artistic godmother and heard Charlie Adlard, Comics Laureate and artist for 'The Walking Dead', who I was at Shrewsbury School with, speak about this career.

A memorably perfect week and I hope the photos below do it some justice. Well worth the 12 hour flight from Cayman Islands.

Another 🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻(7 out of 5 ‘teddies’) stay in Shrewsbury.

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the luxury travel blog

Soleil @ Peninsula, London; Dante @ Claridge's; 30 Years of The Fat Duck at Bray @ Mandarin Oriental, Hyde Park; Chef Tom Booton's 'Last' Meal in The Grill at The Dorchester; & Dad's Ashes - London/ Shrewsbury - July 2025

Obsessed by Peninsula, London's Noodles; A Pan Pacific, London Cake for The King's Official Birthday; Four Seasons Yachts Perfection & the Mesmerising Cartier Exhibition at The V&A - Shrewsbury/ London - June 2025

VE Day Celebrations at Peninsula, London; A Friend from Rome Visits; The Patisserie at Pan Pacific, London & Mum Looks So Well - London/ Shrewsbury - May 2025

Birthday Balloons at Four Seasons, Tower Bridge; a Four Seasons @ Park Lane Easter Egg; My Brother's Family Easter Sunday Birthday; & the Little Blue Noodle Bar @ Peninsula, London - London/ Shrewsbury - April 2025

Meeting Chef Nobu Matsuhisa; Lunch at 'Kioku by Endo'; A Breakfast Chat With Lynn Brutman, GM of Four Seasons, London at Park Lane; Celebrating Mum's Birthday; the 'SF Martini' Served in 'The Spy Bar' at Raffles at The OWO - Feb & Mar 2025

Mum & The Shrewsbury Flower Show - Shrewsbury/ London - August 2024

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

My 50th Birthday - Friday 29 March 2019

Love Spending Time With My Incredible Family & Friends - Shrewsbury, Shropshire - April 2018

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