Candid Memoir

It's been nearly a year since I moved to London, and I still haven't been to Tower Bridge, even though it's a must-see landmark. I lived in London in the late 00s as a student and have visited the city countless times since moving to England. I've seen Tower Bridge close up on an Uber boat once, but I still haven't been since moving back here.

It's no longer at the top of your priorities to visit a famous landmark once you move to a city; I think it's a feeling shared by a lot of people in big cities."I live in London now, and the landmarks aren't going anywhere, so I can visit anytime I want." That's what I usually say to people when they ask which popular landmark I've been to. What makes a city unique becomes normal to you once you move there, and that's exactly how I felt living in Manchester.

Although I'm a Manchester United fan, I went to the stadium only when I first moved there and after getting a job nearby. I used to drive by the Etihad Stadium, Manchester City's home stadium, but never visited even once. I just got back from a trip to Manchester, and thought about going to Man City stadium during my stay. I visited a lot of places I had no interest in going when I lived there.

It felt nostalgic to go back to one of my favourite coffee shops. It's located in Manchester City Centre and quickly became my refuge when life was hard back then. Enough time has passed since I left Manchester, and I believe I've also moved on from past trauma. I felt like going back to try their buns again to see if they were still as good as I remembered.

Salford Quays harbour

2 Nights In Manchester

I booked a hotel room in Salford Quays, the neighbourhood where the BBC studios and Old Trafford, the Man United stadium, are located. It has one of the best night views you'll see in Manchester, and I couldn't think of a better place to stay. It's just a few minutes away from the city centre by bus or tram. I also went back there for nostalgia's sake.

When I worked in Salford Quays, I used to walk around the canal on my lunch break, and it was one of the happiest moments of my life in Manchester.

I arrived in Manchester around 12pm and couldn't check into my hotel until 3pm, so I walked around the city centre to see what had changed since I left.

I was pleasantly surprised to see so many Japanese and Korean restaurants. In the mid 2010s, you could barely find any Japanese restaurants, and now there is a sushi bar or a Korean barbecue on every corner. I stopped by a sushi stand to grab something to eat before hopping on bus 50 to Salford Quays.

The tram or bus to MediacityUK is the quickest and easiest way to travel from Manchester city centre. It was still too early to check in at the hotel, and since I was starving, I sat by the canal to enjoy my meal. I sat by the tram station close to the BBC studios; it's a beautiful space where people can sit to relax and enjoy a meal. There is also an outdoor cinema in the summer, which is free, so you can stop by at any time during a showing to watch a film.

I highly recommend late sessions as the view is breathtaking. On the other side of the tram station is the Blue Peter park, which has beautiful cherry blossoms in spring, and if you're in the mood for shopping or want to grab a bite. The Lowry Outlet is just a few minutes' walk away. It used to be a bustling shopping centre, but many stores have closed down. There is still a cinema, a few clothing stores and restaurants left.

This meal felt lonely, but I still devoured the sushi.

Sunset In Old Trafford

After finally checking into my hotel, I took a shower, ate a snack I picked up at an Asian supermarket and took a nap. I was up since 3am for the trip and needed to rest before heading out again. The plan was to go for a walk from Salford Quays to Man United stadium at sunset to make a vlog for my YouTube channel. I ended up sleeping for only half an hour and watched Sins of Kujo, a new Japanese drama with Yuya Yagira, until it was time to go out. If you love crime dramas, I highly recommend it. It was so good, I binge-watched it during my trip. Unlike the last time I went to Manchester, I explored the city and had so much fun walking around.

I checked the weather app to make sure I would get there on time to see the sunset in Salford Quays. I left my hotel at 6:30 pm as I was planning to take the longest route and walk slowly. I also had to take into account the many stops I'd make along the way to record or re-record a video. I started off at the side of the canal nearest to my hotel. I walked along and crossed a couple of bridges.

One of the best decisions I've made in recent years was to become a content creator. As an introvert, it wasn't easy to hold a camera in public when I started this journey, but I'm more confident now, even though it somehow seems to trigger some people.

I've had a few altercations with strangers, completely unprovoked, where I've been insulted, and some people stepped in to help me, so I didn't let it get to me. I retraced the exact steps I used to take when I worked in Salford Quays a few years ago. I always went on a walk on my lunch break, and that's the reason I'm so familiar with the area, even though I lived on the other side of Manchester.

The stadium is visible from the canal, and when it gets darker, the red lights at the top read Manchester United. I have been a fan of Man United since I was a teenager, and it's one of the reasons I chose to live in this city. The team isn't what it used to be, but it's still Man United, and it was quite an experience to watch the sunset from a place that meant so much to me long before moving to England.

Old Trafford, Man United's Home

The Best Places In Manchester

I spent the following day focusing on the reason that brought me back to Manchester. I was free to explore again in the late afternoon, so I went back to my hotel to freshen up. I went out again in the evening to grab a bite and watch the new Mario movie at The Lowry Outlet, then headed back to Manchester city centre to capture the Sunset.

During this trip, I came to realise that my life was so tense that I actually didn't take the time to watch the sunset or sunrise in Manchester. This experience happened only because I changed the direction of my YouTube channel to focus on sunsets or sunrise during my trips, and I'm so grateful for it.

A day out in Manchester city centre can be fun if well planned, as there are a lot of activities to do around the city. You can visit Manchester Cathedral, the Football Museum or The Illusion Museum. From there, you can go shopping or grab lunch in Arndale, which has a lot of restaurants, including a street food market.

That's where I got the sushi on my first day. Deansgate is also a good place to go for fine dining options. It would also be worth it to pop into the John Ryland Library with its Harry Potter vibe, and we can't talk about Manchester Life without mentioning Spinningfields.

It became one of my favourite spots in Manchester when I went to college a few years ago, and before moving out of Manchester, I went there for bottomless pancakes. Big banks and companies are based in Spinningfields, as well as good restaurants and bars; it's definitely the place to go for live music and a more relaxed vibe.

One of my hobbies in Manchester was cafe hopping. I gave it up after moving to London, and on the last day of my trip, I went back to one of my favourite cafes, Pappa Roti, for their delicious buns. The waitress was overwhelmed as she was working alone. So the service wasn't as good as I remembered it, but I can't recommend their Biscoff and pistachio buns enough.

I went for a walk in Ancoats after breakfast and walked all the way to the Etihad Stadium, home to Man City, but I can't talk about Man United and Man City in the same post. If you want to know more about my trips, check out my vlogs on my YouTube channel; the links are all over my blog.

My favourite buns on the menu

I share my thoughts on my podcast The Hushed Journal, available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. New episodes on Wednesdays and Sundays; feel free to join me for a chat. See the links below.

Spotify Apple Podcasts

Thank you for reading!

I honestly think people shouldn't have to justify their choice to live a healthier lifestyle. However, we now live in a society where everything is debatable, even what used to be considered common sense. No one asked, but I'm going to tell you anyway how I'm living a healthier life than I did a few years ago. Also, this is my blog, so I can do whatever I want and tell you things you may not wish to know. A few weeks ago, I went to see a doctor after a smear test.

The nurse was worried about the blood flow during my period and advised me to see a doctor. I have heavy flow during that time of the month, and everything gets stained- I mean my clothes, the bedding and everything I sit or sleep on, and it's been going on for a few years. At first, I thought it was due to stress since it started during the lockdown, and I was at home alone with 2 children.

It didn't get better after life went back to normal, so I started thinking it's probably because I haven't been sexually active for years. It's been that long, and I'm not sure if I still remember how to do it, if you get what I mean. So I learned to live with it until my mother stayed with me last year.

She's a retired midwife and told me it's not normal to bleed that much during your period. You need to see a doctor, but I'm stubborn, and it didn't happen until I had my smear test done a few weeks ago. The doctor repeated what my mother already told me and recommended a blood test.

I went back to see him after the results came back. It turns out I'm anaemic, and my blood level is low, which is why I've been feeling tired for so long. I thought it was just me getting older and being lazy; I mean, I'm already in my 40s. I still can't believe I thought I bled a lot every month because I haven't had sex in ages; I'm hopeless! So I decided to embrace a healthier lifestyle and stay committed.

Morning walk for weight loss.

Walking For Weight Loss

I started my weight loss journey long before the doctor's appointment, but I've been constantly relapsing. I joined a gym after moving to London, but I cancelled my membership since I kept making excuses. I prefer to work out around 4 am before the gym gets busy. It was supposed to be a 24-hour gym, but it opened at 6 a.m. and closed at 10 pm, even though I was paying for 24-hour access.

After cancelling my gym membership, I started walking for weight loss, but couldn't be consistent as I had a hard time getting out of bed. I now understand that I was feeling tired due to anaemia, and I'm better since I started taking iron tablets. I came up with a new plan to stay motivated and consistent. I go for a walk 3 times a week from 5am, and the goal is to do at least 10k steps by 7am. I've been a lot more active since starting my solo travel journey, and I get to walk a lot on my trips or when I'm out making content.

That's why I have 3 days a week dedicated to my walk for weight loss; otherwise, I would be too exhausted to do anything during my days out or trips. I often asked myself what had changed during the lockdown. I used to be a gym girlie, but somehow became too lazy to work out once things went back to normal. I even blamed my age, but didn't understand that I was feeling constantly tired due to heavy blood loss every month.

The visit to the doctor was an eye-opener, and now that I know what's going on with my body, I'll do what I can to stay active and lose weight until I can go back to the gym. I actually bought myself a kettlebell, and I've been doing exercise at home, but I start to feel dizzy after 10 to 15 minutes. So I'm glad I'm more active than ever by becoming a solo traveller, and I'll keep going on morning walks until I go back to the gym.

Out and about exploring

Travel And An Active Lifestyle

I had 2 failed trips in March, which resulted in a loss of money and time. I was so frustrated and depressed that I put all my travel plans on hold, as nothing seemed to go well for me. I stayed in bed for over two weeks and didn't feel like doing anything, and I've been the least active in March since I started my solo travel journey.

Although I wasn't in the mood to go out and explore, I focused on my other hobbies to stay active. I went on my morning walks as usual and worked on a new travel schedule for spring and summer. I watched cooking channels on YouTube to learn new recipes and started growing some sunflowers in my garden. I'm still furious about the failed trips, but I prefer to look at things on the brighter side. I finally took a break after constantly travelling since October last year. I wasn't sleeping enough and was on my feet all day during my trips.

I was exhausted but felt like I had to keep going, and maybe that's why things didn't go as planned in March. It was a learning experience; I was travelling too much and needed to slow down to fully enjoy the moment. After "lazing" around for a couple of weeks, I went back to exploring cities again the other day, although I stayed in London this time.

There is so much to see and do in London that it made me wonder why I kept travelling to the North of England for months. I'm not ready to go on another trip just yet, so I'm going to keep exploring London, and I actually have a day out planned.

I'm going to visit some popular landmarks, then attend a movie viewing at Japan House in the afternoon. I was thinking of going to Paris for my birthday next month, but I'll visit a historical English town instead. As an introvert, it's been an amazing experience to start a solo travel journey, even when things don't go as planned, and I can't wait to visit Africa, Asia and Canada. I'm not sure about Australia, though; the wildlife is pretty scary over there!

Fried rice made from scratch

Healthy Homemade Meals

When I first moved to London, I was worried about losing my cooking skills since I'm on my own and I won't be bothered to cook for myself every day, but I couldn't have been more wrong. My cooking skills have reached a new level, and to be honest, I didn't think it could get any better than it was before. I make meals from scratch every day, and I've become bold with ingredients. I don't mind mixing them up, and the food is usually delicious even though I screw up today.

I tried making a stir fry with potatoes, pak choi, carrots, mushrooms, and peppers, but the potatoes weren't cooked properly, while the rest of the vegetables ended up being overcooked. I wasn't sure if they could go well together, but it was pretty good, and I can't wait to try it again. I made smoked cod fried rice yesterday, as you can see in the picture above, and it's one of the best rice dishes I've ever had, and I'm not even bragging. It was absolutely delicious, and since there is no recipe, I'm not sure if I can recreate the same flavour next time.

I've been having so much fun cooking that I'm thinking of starting a YouTube channel to share my simple and cheap meals. I already have a lot on my hands, but I'll make time for it even if it means putting out a video once a month.

I didn't set any goals for myself at the beginning of the year, and I love how fully committed I am to living a healthier lifestyle. My wish now is to stay motivated and committed to this journey, and also to reach the right audience with my content. Despite experiencing some setbacks, I'm happier and healthier than I have been in many years...

I share my thoughts on my podcast The Hushed Journal, available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. New episodes on Wednesdays and Sundays; feel free to join me for a chat. See the links below

Spotify Apple Podcasts

Thank you for reading!

I recently started watching Chinese historical dramas, and I'm hooked. I can't believe it took me this long to finally get into them, and the costume design is my favourite thing about them after the story, of course. Why didn't anyone tell me there is so much elegance and style in historical C-dramas? At this point, I'm watching them just for the outfits; the ladies are gorgeous in their flashy outfits, and the men look amazing.

I've been watching Japanese dramas for so long that I used to think the beauty standard for men in Asian countries was to be thin and somewhat effeminate, but Korean and Chinese men in dramas look manly, with broad shoulders and muscles. That's not to say Japanese men aren't manly; they just look thinner and tend to have more facial hair than the others. I don't think I've ever seen a Chinese or Korean man with a beard, even in a drama. I love a man with a beard, it's so sexy!

As I was saying, I finally started watching C dramas, and I can't get enough of them. The first drama I watched was The Double 墨雨云间, a revenge and romance drama adapted from a webtoon. This is one of the most beautiful and tragic love stories I've ever watched, and this drama had me crying like a baby from the beginning. Despite the rollercoaster of emotions it put me through, I've already watched it twice, and Duke Su (Wang Xing Yue) is fantastic!

Wang Xing Yue as Duke Su

Revenge Drama Done Right

As a quiet and kind person, I've been wronged more times than I can count on a single hand, and each time, I never tried to get back at the person. My mother taught me from a young age that it's best to forgive and move on rather than hold grudges, and that's exactly what I've been doing, but it's frustrating to see some people get away so easily. I think a part of me still wants to see some people get what's coming for them, and that's why I love revenge dramas so much. I'm more into thrillers and revenge dramas than romantic ones.

The Glory is one of my favourite K-dramas, even though I wasn't satisfied with the ending. It would've been even better if Dong Eun ended up with her bully's husband and raised her daughter together; that's the type of justice she deserved. Anyway, back to The Double, I love the intrigue from start to finish, and it was so satisfying to see Fang Fei get revenge on her husband. For context, Fang Fei was betrayed and left for dead by her husband. A young woman who was banished by her family saved her and ended up losing her life because of it.

Fang Fei took her identity to get revenge on her husband and the young woman's family, who wrongly accused her of fatricide. In her quest for vengeance, Fang Fei meets Duke Su, one of the emperor's closest advisors, who is suspicious of Fang Fei's real identity. That's all I'm going to say about this drama, and if you think The Glory is good, wait until you watch The Double. I mean every word when I say this drama is a 10 out of 10, and that's how a revenge drama should be done. There was no nonsense about forgiveness and being the bigger person; Fang Fei was out for blood, and her enemies got exactly what they deserved. In the end, she even got herself a man, but not the happy ending I wanted; it was so frustrating.

Bai Lu as Pei Yi

Unveil Jadewind: A Historical Crime Drama

I found this gem on Netflix while looking for a new drama to watch, and let me say Bai Lu is the most beautiful Chinese actress I've seen in recent years. She's breathtaking, and her acting is so good in this drama. As someone who grew up in the 90s, if you asked me to name beautiful Chinese actresses before watching Unveil Jadewind, I would say Gong Li or Fan Bingbing. There are plenty of beautiful Chinese actresses, but Bai Lu has that classic beauty that reminds me of the women in the 80s and 90s Hong Kong movies.

The story takes place in the Tang Dynasty and follows Pei Yi, a princess and investigator, and Huan Jin, a court official in the Tang Dynasty, whose task is to uncover corruption and solve murders. I was reluctant to watch this drama when I saw that Huan Jin is played by Wang Xing Yue, our very own Duke Su. I had just finished watching The Double, so I wasn't interested in watching the same actor in a similar role, but I can't resist a good mystery and dived in anyway. The outfits in this drama are on another level. People had style in ancient China. The story is good, but the costumes are mindblowing.

I had no interest in visiting China until IShowSpeed amazing trip. I was pleasantly surprised by how friendly Chinese people are, and to be honest, my interaction with them online has been positive. As a woman of colour, it's always nerve-racking to travel to a new place, especially in Asia. We hear so many horror stories and bad experiences that it puts you off; it's one of the reasons I cancelled my trip to Japan last year. The few Chinese people I interacted with were friendly and invited me to visit their hometown. So I'm planning to visit China when I finally go to Japan. I still haven't made up my mind about Korea, though. These historical dramas and their rich history make me want to visit even more now.

Yang Mi as Hai Shi & William Chan as Fang Zhu

Is There A C-Drama With A Happy Ending

I'm currently watching Pearl Eclipse, and I have the feeling this drama won't have a happy ending. I love a good tragic story, but it's frustrating to keep rooting for people who won't end up together. Why are historical Chinese dramas so full of tragic stories? Why are you making me cry even more at the end, after I've already cried my eyes out through the story?! It's historically more for people who love each other not to end up together back then. Marriage was usually arranged by the parents for status and alliances, but I still want to see my favourite characters be together.

I'm still on episode 7 of Pearl Eclipse, and I'm not sure if I should carry on. I have the feeling it's going to be The Princess Weiyong drama all over again. After everything Wei Young went through to be with Ba Jun, I thought they would have a big family and grow old together, but no, giving her a happy ending would've been too much. I thought some Japanese love stories were too brutal, but China seems to take it a step further. Why can't you give people a happy ending? Is there anything wrong with 2 people being together and finding happiness after going through so many hardships?! Do Chinese women prefer a tragic love story to a happy one?

This is a valid question because some of these dramas are adapted from best-selling novels, and China is the target audience, not us, and the same goes for dramas. So, do tragic stories sell better in China than happy ones? I would like to know because it's driving me crazy, and I'm tired of crying for people who won't end up together. Watching all these historical dramas has piqued my curiosity about China, especially the dynasties. What's the difference between the Tang and the Ming dynasty, and which one came first? I learned so much about Japan's history through NHK Taiga dramas, and I hope it will be the same experience.

I was in my early 30s when I broke up with the father of my daughters, and I haven't been in another relationship since, even though I'll turn 42 next month. Some people think I'm still single because I'm in love with him, but they couldn't be more wrong. As a conservative woman, dating has never been easy for me due to my upbringing. The truth is, I don't have much dating experience, and maybe I also lack the patience a woman needs these days to get a man.

I had tried dating, but it made me feel like I had to chase a man and convince him to be with me. I grew up in a time when men expressed their feelings and pursued women when they wanted them, and what's the point of being with someone if you have to list the reasons they should be with you if they can't see it for themselves?! When I like a man, I'll show interest, and if the feeling isn't mutual, I'd rather move on than cling to him, hoping that his feelings will change one day.

Is that the reason I haven't been in a relationship for years? I can't say for sure, but I honestly believe that a man would move mountains if he's into you. So every time a man I was talking to started playing hard to get, I lost interest and moved on, thinking he's not that into me, because if he was, he wouldn't make it so difficult for us to be together. As a working single mother, my life wasn't easy, and the last thing I needed was to stress over a man. So at some point, I just gave up and told myself that if there is a man out there for me, I'll meet him sooner or later, and that's how I ended up where I am today.

Alone And Single In My 40s

I have been on my own since my daughters went to live with their dad nearly 2 years ago, and loneliness kicked in only after moving to London. When I was raising my daughters alone, I dreamed of the day I'd finally be alone, free of any responsibilities, finally living my life and doing all the things I'd put on hold. I certainly enjoy the freedom that comes with being on your own. I've been travelling a lot and living life to the fullest, but I'm lonely.

I haven't given up on love and would love to find someone to share these moments with, but dating is so draining these days. I still haven't met a man who has made me want him. Things start well, then they play hard to get and try to manipulate me since I seem naive and oblivious. Things aren't always what they seem, especially since I'm a woman who has been surviving on her own; a man who will take advantage of me hasn't been born yet.

I genuinely want to meet a man to connect with, but with today's dating scene, I feel like I'm better off alone. I actually made peace with myself in my late 30s when it became clear that I might end up alone for the rest of my life. I'm fine with it, as I believe it's better to be alone than be in a bad relationship, and I'm speaking from experience. Making peace with myself regarding love and marriage doesn't mean my family approves, especially my mother. Marriage is a fundamental cornerstone of a conservative family, and it's embarrassing to my family to have a daughter of my age who still isn't married, regardless of what I've done with my life!

Family Pressure To Get Married

My mother was furious when she found out that I was planning to go to Japan this year. She made it very clear to me that getting myself a boyfriend and finally getting married were more important than a trip to Japan. I'm an adult and don't need my mother's permission, but she's the only parent I have left, and I understand why she's worried about me.

It's most mothers' dream to see their daughter get married, and this is something my mother hasn't experienced yet. I know people laugh behind her back, and I might argue that she brought it on herself for being so strict with me growing up, but she's my mother. She knows how important it is for me to make the trip to Japan, but she isn't getting younger and wants to see me married before it's too late.

I wish I could make it happen, but it isn't something I can control. I can't force a man to be with me, let alone marry me. I'm already in my 40s. Is marriage even still possible at my age? Who knows what's meant to be will be. If there is really a man out there for me, I'll meet him one day, and if not, I was meant to remain single for the rest of my life!

I share my thoughts on my podcast The Hushed Journal, available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. New episodes on Wednesdays and Sundays; feel free to join me for a chat. See the links below

Spotify Apple Podcasts

Thank you for reading!

I instantly felt the cold wind on my face as I walked out the front door and tried to close it quietly behind me. I pulled my hoodie over my head as I turned left, heading downhill. It was 5am on a Sunday in mid-March, and I left home for a long walk as part of my weight loss journey. As far as I can remember, I always loved walking, and since I lack the motivation to work out at the gym, I decided to turn one of my favourite hobbies into an aerobic exercise. I walk for at least 2 hours three times a week, and it was one of those mornings when I went for a walk despite the cold or rain. The goal was to walk all the way to Greenwich Park, although I wasn't sure if I would make it.

I came back from a trip to the north of England a day before and was pretty exhausted, but I didn't want to make any excuses, so I got out of bed that morning. The most important thing was to get some exercise. I picked up the pace after reaching the main road at the bottom of the hill, then I took a short break to catch my breath and admire the sky. I'm more motivated than ever to lose weight, as I want to go back to being fit and healthy and walking down the streets of London at sunset is something I've come to appreciate. I was turning left when I spotted a magnolia in bloom from the corner of my eye on the other side of the road.

I stopped, pulled out my phone and crossed the road to have a closer look at the tree and flowers. Early spring is one of my favourite times of the year; it's fascinating to see nature bloom after winter. I love looking for flowers, taking the time to admire them and then capturing the moment. It makes my walks feel more adventurous, and that's why I couldn't help but make a quick detour. The beautiful magnolia tree reminded me that it had been nearly a year since I moved to London. I came in May last year, and it was too late to see the cherry blossom, so it's my first cherry blossom season in London, and I already love it!

White cherry blossoms in Sussex Gardens

Are There Cherry Blossoms in London

London isn't the first thing that comes to mind when you think of cherry blossoms, at least, it didn't cross mine until I came across some videos on TikTok about cherry blossoms in London. As someone who consumes mostly Japanese media, I have always wanted to visit Japan in spring to see the beautiful cherry blossoms just like in anime and dramas. After finding out there are many cherry blossom trees in London, I was looking forward to seeing them. But I arrived after the season and was pretty disappointed, so I can't tell you enough how excited I am about my first cherry blossom season in London.

Are there really cherry blossoms in London? Yes, and I've already seen some of them, as shown in the pictures I took above. Cherry blossoms aren't limited to London; you can see them in most cities and towns in the UK, but let's focus on London. I saw my first cherry blossom of the season in Greenwich Park, but it wasn't during one of my early morning walks. I went there to look for cherry blossoms as Greenwich Park is one of the best places to see them here in London. Although I found a cherry blossom on that day, it was too early to see them in full bloom.

The most beautiful cherry blossoms I've seen so far were at Sussex Gardens in Paddington. I was having a bad day after missing a train for a day trip, so I decided to explore Paddington since I didn't want to head back home, and that's how I stumbled upon Sussex Gardens. It isn't big, but it's one of the most beautiful gardens I've seen, and there were so many people taking photos. It made me feel better to walk under those beautiful cherry blossoms after having a bad start to the day. My mood improved so much that I headed to Battersea Park, which is also known for its beautiful cherry blossoms.

Cherry blossoms in Sussex Gardens

When Is The Cherry Blossom Season

The picture above was taken in Sussex Gardens on 18th March. I also visited Battersea Park on the same day, and the cherry blossoms were already in full bloom even though most trees start flowering in mid-March and peak towards the end of the month. So the best time to see cherry blossoms is towards the end of March and the beginning of April; they can bloom earlier or later in the month, depending on the weather. I visited 3 cities during a recent trip to the north of England, and I got to admire cherry blossoms in 2 cities while they hadn't flowered yet in another.

London is such a big city that it will depend on where you're located. There were barely any cherry blossoms when I went to Greenwich Park the last time, yet they were in full bloom in Paddigton just a few days later. If you are planning to see cherry blossoms in London, do your research based on your location. Social media is a good way to stay up to date, especially TikTok. The most common type of cherry blossoms you'll find in London are the pink, pale pink and white flowers. In addition to the cherry blossoms, you can also see flowers such as magnolias, snowdrops, yellow daffodils and tulips in London.

Although the tulips bloom around April and May, I'm actually going to visit a tulip farm in April. Now that you know there are cherry blossoms in London, where do you actually have to go to see them? Commuting in a big city like London can be costly and take time, so if possible, it's best to plan your activities in the same area. When I went on a day out in central London the other day, I planned my activities around Trafalgar Square so I wouldn't have to travel all over the city. You don't want to go all the way to Battersea Park for the cherry blossoms, have lunch in Kensington, then go for drinks in Ealing.

Cherry blossoms in Battersea Park

Where Are the Cherry Blossoms In London

I was pleasantly surprised to find such beautiful cherry blossoms in Sussex Gardens in Paddington. Most people wouldn't think of going there to see cherry blossoms in London, and that's exactly why I loved it. There are places here that make the experience feel amazing or unique, but you can see cherry blossoms all over London. I'm going to share the most popular places to see them in London, but if you're an introvert or don't do well in crowded places, it might be worth checking out the nearest park

or some houses in the neighbourhood.

I have cherry blossoms and magnolias on my street, and it's always a pleasure to walk past them. To be honest, I prefer photos of cherry blossoms or magnolias taken in front of a London house. These are the places where you can see beautiful cherry blossoms in London

Battersea Park
Greenwich Park
Kensington Palace Gardens
Notting Hill
Regent Park
St. James ' Park
St Paul's Cathedral

Don't forget to see some cherry blossoms if you're visiting outside of London, like I did on my last trip!

Cherry blossoms in Sheffield

As a woman of African descent, raised by immigrant parents and who grew up on homemade meals inspired by my home country and French cuisine. I started including noodles and rice in my diet only after becoming a pescatarian to diversify my meals. It doesn't mean I didn't enjoy them from time to time. Whenever I wanted to treat my daughters to a meal for a change, they always chose a Japanese restaurant. It became a ritual to eat at a Japanese restaurant at least once a month; my eldest daughter loves soba noodles and karaage. As for my youngest daughter, she loves udon and oyakodon.

I won't tell you what my favourite Japanese dish is, but I can tell you this much, though: I love both noodle and rice dishes and take inspiration from Asian cuisine when making them. Although I'm a decent cook, I'm not confident enough to "brag" about my dishes inspired by Chinese and Japanese cuisine, but let me tell you how I made delicious teriyaki noodles without a recipe. I use a lot of Asian ingredients in my daily cooking as I love well-seasoned food and don't mind mixing African and Asian seasoning.

What I Keep In My Pantry

Before we dive into the delicious noodles, I want to share with you what I keep in my pantry. These items are essentials as I make my meals from scratch to save money and for a healthier lifestyle. As I explained in my post How I Became A Pescatarian, I don't eat out that much, and when I do, I usually go to a sushi bar or a cafe. To be honest with you, I prefer to make my own meals, which is why my pantry is always stocked. You will always find these ingredients in my pantry:

Dried seasoning
Coarse sea salt
Curry sauce
Soy sauce
Oyster/teriyaki sauce
Miso paste
Tofu
Sesame/olive Oil
Pasta
Egg
Rice
Sesame seeds
Wakame seaweed
Herbal tea
Flour
Tortilla wraps

There is a lot more in my pantry, of course, but I never run out of these, and they're a lifesaver when I'm broke. I picked up a pretty expensive hobby when I started my solo travel journey, especially in this economy, and it's been hurting my bank account a little.

These chopsticks were gifted to me at a Japanese restaurant in Manchester

Egg, Miso & Pak Choi

I used to be disgusted whenever I saw people add raw egg to noodles and wondered how they were able to eat them."That will never be me," I used to think until I started cooking noodles and rice at home. Anyone who cooks knows how hard it is to decide on what to eat after a long day. So I started contemplating the idea of adding egg when I ran out of ideas, thinking it can't be that bad if people are doing it. Now I hardly make noodles or rice without including an egg in the dish. I also started making my own noodle sauce after watching a few videos on how to make miso soup at home.

I often watch Japanese cooking videos on NHK and YouTube. My favourite channel is Miwa's Japanese Cooking. I learned so much from watching her videos, and now I can even make a decent miso soup by my own standard, I have to say. She helped me experience Japanese cuisine at home, and that's how I started including miso in my daily diet, which inspired me to start making noodle sauce from scratch. Then I made udon for my youngest daughter at least once a week, and she loved it. If you need inspiration for making Japanese food, check out NHK or click the link above.

Pak choi was an ingredient I added to my noodles only every now and then until a couple of months ago, when I made pak choi soup. It's now one of my favourite vegetables, and I use it in noodles, rice and salad. Now that I think about it, it's been a while since I had pak choi and salmon salad. Anyway, it's probably funny for someone who has never been to Japan to eat miso every day. I'm not even sure if it's good quality miso paste, but miso soup is delicious and has been good for me!

Making Teriyaki Noodles With No Recipe

It would be a lie to say that the inspiration to make these teriyaki noodles came out of thin air; this dish was made using the experience gained while trying Asian cuisine. I didn't need a recipe because I wasn't trying to make authentic Chinese or Japanese noodles; I was just making a meal from scratch with what I had in my pantry. Most Asian people would probably be horrified by how I made the dish since I didn't follow any "rules" or "guide", but the point wasn't to recreate an authentic dish.

I wanted to make something delicious, inspired by Asian cuisine, with a personal twist, and that's how I made my homemade teriyaki noodles. I didn't take photos of the process as mentioned above; I'm not confident enough to brag about my cooking skills. So these are the ingredients used to make the dish:

4 King Prawns
1 Egg
1 sliced Pak choi
1 Cup diced mushrooms
1 Sliced carrot
1 Tbsp minced Bell pepper
1 Tbsp minced onions
1/2 Tbsp minced garlic
1 Tbsp minced spring onion
1 Tbsp sesame seeds
2 Tbsp sesame oil
1 Pack of dried noodles

The type of noodles I used could be stir-fried straight from the package, but I preferred to put them in boiling water for a few minutes. While they were in hot water, I started frying the diced mushrooms, bell pepper, onions, and garlic. Then I added the king prawns to the mix with 2 tablespoons of light soy sauce and fried them for a few minutes at a low temperature. Once the noodles were ready and drained, I also added them to the mix with a tablespoon of dark soy sauce. After mixing for a few more minutes, I threw in my homemade noodle sauce. I mixed it again, added an egg to the noodles, then covered it by pulling some noodles on top.

I stopped stirring at this point and added teriyaki sauce and spring onions on top. I stirred lightly to mix in the sauce and spring onions. I made herbal tea while it cooled, then put some on my plate and sprinkled sesame seeds. The egg ended up at the bottom of the plate, which is why it isn't visible in the picture. This is by far the best noodles I've made to date, and I would love to make them again, but I'm not sure if I will be able to create the flavour...

I went to York for the first time in the spring of 2024 for a day trip. York is one of the best cities to visit in the UK. So I was excited to finally make the trip after hearing so many good things about the city. I had started my solo travel journey a couple of months earlier and made some beginner's mistakes. I travelled to York in early March, which is still pretty cold in the north, and I wasn't dressed for the weather. It also didn't help that it was a rainy day, so I ended up seeing only York Minster and the city walls, and spent the rest of my day cafe-hopping to stay dry and warm.

My first trip to York wasn't exactly how I pictured it. I promised myself I would plan another trip and make sure to fully explore the city. I went back to York for an overnight stay a few weeks before Christmas. I made the trip for a job interview and shared my journey on YouTube. I just had enough time to visit The Shambles and York Minster before heading to my interview, for which I received a job offer. I turned it down and honestly didn't think I would be going back there anytime soon, but I did. I went to York for the third time and finally got to fully appreciate the beauty of this walled city in the north of England.

After living in the north of England for many years and having to leave due to bad experiences, I had no interest in going back after moving to London. I thought my time in the north was over, but York keeps calling me, and I'm starting to fall in love with the city. It has a rich and beautiful history, the people are friendly, and it would be perfect for someone who wants to live a balanced lifestyle.

The Shambles And The City Walls

When I started my solo travel journey, I was more interested in adding new cities to my list of places I've been to than having a touristy experience. So I planned my trips on a budget and looked only for free or cheap activities to do during my visit. I spent more time walking around a city, visiting museums and libraries, than going to a famous landmark. My first trip to York was no exception; I started by walking around The Shambles, where I had a delicious cinnamon roll and latte. From there, I headed to York Minster, which is just a few minutes' walk away.

I didn't book a visit inside the Minster, so I went for a walk in the Minster's Garden. The garden was breathtaking in early spring with its cherry blossoms. I sat at a bench and took a moment to admire the scenery. The garden and streets were filled with tourists, but I was at peace; the moment of contemplation was cut short due to the rain. I found refuge in a cosy and vintage cafe down the street, where I enjoyed another latte before heading to the city walls.

The stairs leading to the walls were steep, and I probably annoyed the people behind me for climbing so slowly, but I'm afraid of heights. I usually avoid going to high places, but I couldn't skip a walk on York's city walls, as the city used to be a Roman fortress. York has Roman and Viking roots, and I had to walk on the City Walls as it is part of York's history. On my second trip, I went back to York Minster, but it was closed for renovation. I travelled around Christmas, and most tourists don't visit York in Winter.

Cliffords Tower

A Beautiful City And Its Friendly People

I would've never thought of visiting York in winter if I hadn't had a job interview there around Christmas last year. The city was quite a sight with all the Christmas decorations, and my favourite part of the trip was interacting with locals and listening to Christmas Carols on the streets. There were also quite a few street performances despite the cold and rain, which made the city feel lively.

York is now one of the few UK cities that I have visited more than twice. And there is still so much to see and do. I don't think I'm quite done with it yet. I still haven't had a real meal in York. During my first trip, I only had a cinnamon roll and lattes. On my second trip, I had breakfast in my hotel, and I ate so much that I didn't eat anything until I was in Leeds, heading back to London.

I would love to explore York's food scene one day, preferably in autumn when the leaves start turning golden yellow. York is just a little over an hour away from London by train, and the tickets are quite cheap when purchased in advance. On my third trip, a return ticket cost £58, and I travelled from King's Cross station to York. I had such a great time visiting York that I can't recommend it enough. I had an amazing time without breaking the bank; there are plenty of free and cheap activities to enjoy if you're on a tight budget.

Roman Crest on the City Walls

I share my thoughts on my podcast The Hushed Journal, available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. New episodes on Wednesdays and Sundays; feel free to join me for a chat. See the links below.

Spotify Apple Podcasts

Thank you for reading!

2 Nights In Manchester

Sunset In Old Trafford

The Best Places In Manchester

Walking For Weight Loss

Travel And An Active Lifestyle

Healthy Homemade Meals

Revenge Drama Done Right

Unveil Jadewind: A Historical Crime Drama

Is There A C-Drama With A Happy Ending

Alone And Single In My 40s

Family Pressure To Get Married

Are There Cherry Blossoms in London

When Is The Cherry Blossom Season

Where Are the Cherry Blossoms In London

What I Keep In My Pantry

Egg, Miso & Pak Choi

Making Teriyaki Noodles With No Recipe

The Shambles And The City Walls

A Beautiful City And Its Friendly People

ABOUT ME

Featured Post

Learning To Love Again

SUBSCRIBE & FOLLOW

POPULAR POSTS

Chat with Salomé

Categories

Blog Archive

Contact Form

Search This Blog

The Hushed Journal

Labels