Visiting Hitchin Lavender

For the longest time I’ve wanted to visit Hitchin Lavender since seeing photos on Facebook of friends visiting the place years back. The photos were so bright and beautiful, it was definitely on my bucket list. It was actually my mum that suggested this trip to go and take some photos, try out my camera and even take a picnic. Of course I was down!

So, we actually went twice. The first time, it was a rainy and miserable day and we thought it was closed because of the written sign at the front so we headed back home. I did a bit more research to make sure it was second time lucky by checking the temperature, double checking the opening time as well as dismissing the picnic. We went back the next week when the sun was shining and were luckily there for when it hit golden hour! 

Of course the purpose of the trip was to see the lavender and pick some too but it was truly lovely to see lots of people enjoying the Summer holidays with the hum of the busy bees enjoying the lavender and sunflowers. Even though the main attraction is the lavender, naturally, it was sunflowers that stole my heart. It helps that they’re my joint favourite flower (alongside tulips). I was mesmerised by the sea of shining gold that surrounded me and pleaded my mum and my sister to take some photos of me!

The experience was lovely, especially when it was golden hour. For clearer pictures, check out my IG here – https://www.instagram.com/maneka_jay/

I would definitely recommend Hitchin Lavender, it’s a lovely place with lots of flowers and such an aesthetically pleasing place! Make sure to go before it’s all harvested!

Thanks for reading,

M x

 

4 Things to do in Coventry

When I began University at Coventry University, I didn’t really think or research deeply into the local culture or what was on offer for the local people or students. As two years have passed, I’ve come to find out a lot more about what there is and thought I’d share especially if you’re thinking about studying, visiting or even live in the City of Coventry.

I’ll start with shopping in The Lower Precinct. Now this may be a basic idea and all towns and cities have them but Coventry boasts many shops and restaurants too. There’s LUSH, TopShop, Boots, Superdrug and so much more which caters to all your shopping needs. In terms of food, there’s a Las Iguanas, Wagamamas, Cafe Rouge and Cosmo so no matter what cuisine you fancy, there’s always a choice.

Another great place is Fargo Village, located nicely near Dominos on the more student side of Coventry on Far Gosford Street. It hosts interesting shops that are very aesthetically pleasing such as Astral Gypsy and have great food shops such as Bubble Boba and even a Vegan Cafe! They hold really cool events that I’ve always wanted to go such as Gin Fairs and Vegan Fairs but they’ve always been on days when I’m busy. Check out what’s on here!- 

Visiting the Coventry Cathedral is definitely one of the most important tourist items you should check off your list! It’s such a genuinely beautiful cathedral and there’s always people wondering around. There’s also the opportunity to climb to the top of the cathedral which you do have to pay for but there are student rates so it’s not all bad.

Last but not certainly least is the Herbert Art Gallery and Museum. This Museum showcases local history, have collection displays and holds art shows too. It’s a quiet place with beautiful work but there is always a visitor walking through the corridors. With prop boxes for young kids (or even adults) this Gallery and Museum would be a great day out for everyone! 

I want to experience as much as I can in this City before I graduate and leave because I won’t know if I’ll ever have the opportunity to come back. I think it’s important to immerse yourself in local culture and I want to be able to say that I took every sight seeing opportunity that was offered to me.

Thanks for reading,

M x

My ‘Kind of’ Bucket List

So, whilst I was scrolling through my feed a couple of days ago, I saw ‘Some Kind of Bucket List‘ which I found quite intriguing and it was posted by the lovely Alex whose blog you should definitely check out 🙂 If you want to see my bucket list and what I want to achieve in the future, carry on reading 🙂

10 Countries I want to visit:

• Thailand
• Hungary 
• Czech Republic
• Iceland
• India
• Greece
• Hawaii
• Mexico
• Canada
• Dubai

5 Places I want to re-visit:

• America
• Sri Lanka
• France
• Switzerland
• Spain

10 things I want to do:

• Inter-railing in Europe
• Visit the blue lagoon in Iceland and swim there
• Visit America with my friends when I’m older 
• Go to Dubai with my family
• Visit the Spring Temple Buddha in China with my family
• Get a second tattoo
• See the Grand Canyon
• Sky diving – more than once
• Visit Coney Island
• Having visited the 8th wonder of the world in Sri Lanka, I want to see the other 7

Thanks for reading,

M x