Hickstead

Hi all - been a little while sorry. I have been away since Thursday with the Family in Chepstow Wales for my sister who was competing all weekend with the horses Show Jumping. Plus whilst we were away it was my Birthday so a very busy, tiring, exciting and fun 4 days for us. Now I am back I can tell you all about it.

But first this post is about what I did the weekend before that I have to share with you all. 

Some of you may of heard of Hickstead, but for others it is a big  international showjumping competition like Olympia but outside. They have a couple over the summer, this was the big derby one this weekend. It's over the whole weekend, but we went Sunday for the class of the year the Derby. 

The Equestrian.com Derby is one of the most famous equestrian events in the world. It is the only competition that sees riders take on the front descent of the infamous Derby Bank, the biggest of its kind to be found anywhere in the world. It is an iconic event, the course itself is as famous as the horses and riders that embark upon it. No other event in the world tests the rider and horse and no other course creates this type of drama, its a nail biting and I love it.

We were lucky with the weather sunny all day. 

Here it is the infamous bank....

Can just about see them jumping at the top of the bank, not the best colour horse for this shot, dark bay.

Quick check before the dreading drop down the bank. 

Made it down, and clearing the jump at the end nicely. 

Different view of the bank, where they go up the bank. 

On top of the stunning horses and amazing talent, there is also great food and Pimms plus unbelievable shopping, which my sisters LOVES, Dad not so ;)

Getting ready to go in, oh and this is the one who won the event Irish Trevor Breen, his talented horse only has one eye, couple of years ago he had to have it removed due to medical reasons, they say he jumps even better now. Amazing isn't it.  It was a tense finish it went to a jump off between two GB rider who was the defending Champion and these guys.

 It was a great day, hot, sunny, a lot of shopping and wonderful show jumping, highly recommend going to this one year. Even if you are not horsey or into equestrian it is still a great day out and anyone can appreciate and admire what these horses and riders do. 

La Bodega Negra

Last week I meet up with my friend Clare, we both had been wanting to go to La Bodega Negra for a while, and I thought we probably wont get a table this late notice (week ahead) but us lucky girls got one. 

La Bodega Negra is a Mexican restaurant based in the West End. They first opened one up in New York Soho, and eventually decided to open one in London. To give you an idea of what it is like, the owners are also the proud parents of The Box. 

Before I get onto the restaurant a quick style part. Look at by beautiful Jimmy Choo's which rocks my UV nail varnish. I love UV nail varnish in the summer, makes you look a lot more tanned. Plus if out with your gals and get lost just look around for the glowing toes ;) 

Back to the restaurant, before you enter you reach a sex shop. Its kind of a test to see if you know that there is actually a restaurant in there, also adds a bit of avant garde/ shock factor. Makes you think its a cool place already.

Then you enter and its all dark with a handsome man sitting on a desk as if he is just waiting, again a test to see if you know whats all this is about. I tell him we have a reservation and he tells you to go down the stairs. You can hear loud music playing as you make your way down. There you meet the beautiful maitre'd and takes you to your table.

It's a cosy, buzzing, electric place in a basement. If you don't like sitting close to other tables and people, nor a loud atmosphere and music plus it being dark then this place is not for you. I on the other hand love the buzz about the place. Once sat down we look over the cocktail menu first of course most important part ;) Many to chose from and I was told this was the best part of the whole thing, especially the watermelon cocktail - which is what I went for, Clare went for spiced Pear. As you can see mine was obviously the best choice ;)

The way this place works is like Tapas, you order lost of entrees and if you want the mains then share them too. As I repeatedly say I am not a food blogger nor a professional photographer so when it comes down to taking pics of my food I tend to forget as I am to eager to eat it. I know I am a bad blogger for this, so I promise I will make a huge effort form now on to capture the food. 

The food was great, company even better, and atmosphere buzzing all in all a great night had. I should also mention that you can go there for just drinks too, they have a separate bar area and room though that gets busy early and not much room. Plus they have a Cafe too so don't get mixed up with that if you want to try this out, I haven't tried the Cafe yet so I have no idea whats that like.

I couldn't leave without taking another picture. Oh and just another bit of advice if you want to go with a group bigger then 2 then highly recommend booking well in advance even for two as well to avoid disappointment I think I was just really lucky that night when I booked.

Part 3 South East Asia

Our final leg of our epic and amazing journey was South East Asia, making our way through Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos. The pictures are all in random order but if you have ever been to any other these places you may be able to tell them apart.  Each place was beautiful, different and cultural. Some hidden gems out there. After our long journey of travelling, I know highly recommend doing it to any one thinking about it, no matter where you decide to go, the experience in travelling in itself is a great life experience and a wonderful journey to embark on. 

Now its just the hard task of deciding which pictures to frame and display.

Would love to hear of any adventures you have been on. 

Jo xoxo