Maltby Street Market, London

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Markets are popping up all over the place; every weekend come rain or shine Londoners take to the streets to spend their hard earned cash on artisan bread, exotic cups of coffee and homemade cakes. Why are these alternative shopping streets becoming so popular? Perhaps it’s the original, one-off produce, it feels special buying from a stallholder with a story, certainly beats screaming at those Tescos self-service machines.

Maltby Street Market is fifteen minutes walk from the famous and crowded Borough Market and is busy with locals rather than hordes of tourists looking for photo opportunities. The result is a much more relaxed and natural environment to explore. The market takes place every Saturday and Sunday beneath the railway arches near Tower Bridge. Artisan food and drink producers line the narrow road to sell their often beautiful handcrafted products. Most of it is for consuming onsite, while wandering, but you can also take away lovely gifts like bottles of delicious olive oil or spicy chorizo jam.

The stallholders will happily chat about their wares, explaining the background and origin of the ingredients. It all looks and smells delicious but I have a few favourites to recommend. Start with a strong flat white from Craft Coffee or if you are after something a little stronger Little Bird Gin serves up wonderful cocktails with their London made gin. For food Monty’s Deli ‘Jewish soul food’ is renowned, try the flavoursome pastrami or salt beef sandwiches, pricey but huge and very yummy. Bad Brownie Company will satisfy a sweet craving, and for a beautiful bunch of flowers stop by and see Jemima in the Woods.

Whatever you do at Maltby Street Market you definitely won’t leave empty handed or feeling hungry.

The Pavilions, Phuket

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The Pavilions Hotel in Phuket is the ultimate romantic destination. This quiet, secluded adults-only resort was our first stop in Phuket. The blissful and beautiful location conveyed an idyllic impression of Thailand’s largest island, little did I know of the tourist invaded streets a short car ride away.

Found at one of Phuket’s highest points, the Pavilions’ villas nestle amongst the lush greenery looking out towards the azure Andaman Sea. After a twenty minute air-conditioned drive, the smart hotel pick-up service delivered us efficiently at the main reception. The staff seemed excited to see us, chiming the ceremonial gong and greeting us with sweetly scented flowers and a refreshing, tangy welcome drink.

Thankfully nippy buggies escort guests around the resort which is rather hilly. There are a variety of luxury villas on offer for couples to choose from. We experienced two types, first the grand and indulgent ocean-view pool suite. This huge apartment showed an obvious Chinese influence, with a deep red and glossy black colour theme. I ran around frantically discovering new details, it was impossible to choose a favourite room.

A few features stood out: the super-sized sofa plumped up with cushions, the sleek bar complete with golden Buddha and the stunning private terrace and shimmering infinity pool. The modern amenities were disguised discreetly amongst the décor, though a giant flatscreen TV was particularly decadent in the main room. The bedroom was one of a kind, with an uber-comfortable big bed, topped with a retro ‘amore’ pillow and a brilliant bright red rose carpet on the floor.

I was pleased to notice characterful and intriguing artwork and artefacts adorning the suite. The bathroom had a beautiful black and white print on the wall, while other rooms had more colourful graphic pictures by Christiam Develter on the walls. Spacious and airy, the bathroom was like a salon or spa in itself, with enough floor space to hold a small yoga class! Marble surfaces, a duo of sinks and piles of soft towels and regal maroon dressing gowns completed the luxury.

For our second night at Pavilions, we were lucky enough to try a Spa Pavilion featuring its own private spa and steam room, a facility I have never seen in a hotel room before! Equally attractive but with differing features and less vibrant interior design, this was a lovely variation illustrating the versatility of the resort. Pavilions is known for its exemplary spa and its talented therapists. The massage was faultless, a ritualistic treatment that began with a relaxing foot massage before the balancing oil body massage, it was all enjoyed in the comfort of our own villa. For spa-keen couples it really is an unmissable feature.

Food and drink can be enjoyed in the resort, or guests may choose to sample the nearby traditional Thai restaurants, which come highly recommended. I loved beach eatery Som, where you dine on Asian delicacies with your feet in the sand. For sundowners the cocktails at 360 Bar in the hotel cannot be beaten. Try the fruity love potions while admiring the view and picking at flavoursome tapas snacks. Breakfast is immaculate too, with the flakiest croissants, delicious coffee and a very tasty hot French toast from the a la carte menu. I found the staff particularly endearing here too, so smiley and keen to chat about English football! It is worth noting too how efficient and practical the concierge staff at Pavilions are, eager to help plan an excursion or to help you navigate your way to the nearby Layan beach, which can be reached by the hotel’s complimentary open air ‘songthaew’ shuttle.

As the gong sounded to mark our departure, I realised how sad I was to be leaving Pavilions behind. This resort ensures every couple visiting has an unforgettable stay, I understand now why their return rate is so high.

More information and book a stay at The Pavilions Phuket here: www.thepavilionsresorts.com/phuket-home/

The Blonde Bombshells of 1943, Upstairs at the Gatehouse

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If you are travelling a long way for something you want to be sure it is worth the journey. I have visited the tiny loft theatre Upstairs at the Gatehouse in hilly Highgate before, but never have I witnessed such an evocative and fun production as The Blonde Bombshells of 1943, a show that overwhelms the limited stage space and entertains an audience of all ages.

This late Alan Plater work is filled with warm nostalgia and retro charm; I wonder why the production has been such a rarity in the London theatre. Set in the crucial year of 1943, the narrative portrays the struggle and trauma of the Second World War, the lost husbands and missing boys, the constant worry for those left behind. Bomb explosions echo throughout the show, contrasting the melodic musical numbers.

The story is simple and sweet… the bold Blonde Bombshells band provide light entertainment for audiences in the north of England in need of distraction from the war. The four band members are led by bossy but kind Betty (Louisa Beadel) a phenomenal saxophonist; they are in search of new recruits for a big television performance. A naïve nun comes on board, a giggly schoolgirl joins and a precocious army driver completes the group, together they are the Valentino trio, a close harmony unit resembling the Andrews Sisters. Rehearsing for their big showcase, each girl’s story unfurls, the challenges and sacrifices that they have had to face because of the war and the small pleasures they reap from their musical talent. When a war-evading young man comes along to play drums for the band, the group dynamic changes again.

Despite their young years, the cast present the show with a wise and touching sensitivity for this bygone era. Each character displays staggering ability on a variety of instruments, whilst also acting, singing and speaking in a broad Yorkshire accent! I was particularly impressed with Giovanna Ryan, the only real blonde in the group, who strums effortlessly on her double bass and sings beautifully and Emma Jane Morton who displays a youthful enthusiasm that is infectious and sings with an affecting lilt in her voice.

I spent the long bus ride home texting friends recommending the show, and I encourage you to buy tickets too.

Continues until 29 June, book tickets here.