**This is a collaborative post**   If you are a coffee lover you know it’s not just a hot drink; it’s a global ritual that captures the culture and community of the area where you find it. Coffee has for very long been a means to bring people together, a daily routine for most, but a subject of passionate pursuit for connoisseurs to travel and explore. With its rich, aromatic brew, it speaks a universal language, arousing warmth and comfort, while its caffeine provides a much-needed boost of energy. For those with a deep appreciation for coffee, you’ll find them travelling the worl ..read more

  We all know what French toast is. But have you ever tried a French toastie? No, neither had I until a recent visit to Procopio’s Pantry in Bury St Edmunds. I probably would have been there earlier if I’d been able to find up-to-date menus online. Tucked away down a side road in town, I love the kitsch, cutesy feel – both inside and out.     Demonstrating their commitment to supporting other local businesses, Procopio’s Pantry has local produce for sale on a shelf behind the counter. The walls feature artwork from Kim Whittingham, who has a shop just a few doors down. Follow ..read more

  Please note: I received free products from LoveRaw for the purpose of this post, but this in no way impacted my opinion. I was under no obligation to write a positive review, and the brand did not see this review before it was published. Our six-year-old has a bit of a sweet tooth. Actually, “a bit” is a massive understatement. The boy loves all things chocolate. I was keen to see what he’d think of vegan alternatives to some of his favourites. Husband and wife team Manav and Rimi Thapar launched LoveRaw in 2013. With their initial investment of £600, they were on a mission. That missio ..read more

    It’s gelato and waffles that people mostly know Lottie’s in Bury St Edmunds for. But did you know that they also have a brunch offering? We decided to head in one rainy Saturday to check it out… As I’d already figured from following them on Insta, Lottie’s is all about the aesthetic. There’s plenty of pink. The dining area, while small, is designed for seriously Instagrammable photos. From the photos I’d seen, I was fully expecting the food to be the same. But is there also substance behind the beauty?     My chai latte (£3.70) was a good start: the spices a decent st ..read more

  This year’s birthday celebrations involved two meals out. The first was afternoon tea at Queens in Bury St Edmunds, which I’ve written about here. The second was a decadent lunch out on the day of my actual birthday, at a venue I’ve been keen to visit since we moved here in September. The historic Angel Hotel with its imposing creeper-covered frontage overlooks the town’s Abbey Gate. The Times lauded it as Suffolk’s “Best hotel for town centre location” in 2024, and also has connections to Charles Dickens. A blue plaque on the building commemorates the author, who stayed here three time ..read more

  Photo by Wallace Bentt on Unsplash   **This is a sponsored post**   If you’re considering a trip to Galway, there are plenty of popular attractions to enjoy. Sun yourself on the local beaches, marvel at the incredible architecture of Galway Cathedral, or learn more about the area’s history at the Galway City Museum. Looking for something a little different? Then read on for five quirky attractions in Galway that you won’t want to miss…   1. The Calendar Sundial Amidst the tranquility of Brigit’s Garden you’ll find the Calendar Sundial: the largest in Ireland, as well as o ..read more

  It was my birthday earlier this month. Not a big birthday (that was last year), but when my mum suggested she came up the weekend before to go out for afternoon tea, I had a venue in mind straight away…     I’ve been following Queens Bar & Grill in Bury St Edmunds on Instagram for a while…and I had struggled to work out what they’re all about. They describe themselves as a farm-to-fork smokehouse and cocktail bar – and their Insta photos include plenty of meaty platters, Sunday roasts, sandwiches and burgers. What they also feature is afternoon teas. Themed afternoon teas ..read more

  Photo by Benjamin Brunner on Unsplash   **This is a sponsored post**   Whether you live in Bolton, Bristol, Basildon or Berwick, you need to have an annual MOT carried out on your car as soon as it turns three years of age. MOTs aren’t there to make car ownership more complex with a set of tests and inspections you could do without: they’re in place to protect drivers, passengers, other road users and even pedestrians. Wherever you drive your car in the UK, here’s how MOT inspections help to make everyone on British roads safer. 1. Emissions Testing To begin with, the particle ..read more

  Summer is nearly upon us (although the weather would beg to differ). When it’s hot and sunny outside, what’s your go-to pub grub of choice? For me, it’s got to be a Ploughman’s. But what exactly makes a particularly good Ploughman’s? It’s a controversial topic. At its simplest, a Ploughman’s lunch is a good wedge of cheese served besides bread, butter and some kind of pickle or chutney. In addition, though, some may include a chunky pork pie, thick-cut ham, salad, fruit, pâté, boiled eggs…the list goes on. In recent weeks, I’ve stumbled across a Bury St Edmunds pub that serves an incred ..read more

    **Please note: Byron invited me in, and paid for our food and drink. This in no way impacted on my opinion. I was not obliged to write a positive review, and Byron didn’t see this review before I published it.**   Did you know that burger chain Byron has a new menu? There are new burgers (including veggie) and new sides on offer. We headed to the Bury St Edmunds restaurant to check some of the new offerings out.     Among the new dishes we didn’t try are The BBQ Chicken (BBQ chicken burger with ranch, cheese and bacon) and The Big Cheese (vegetarian). You can now ..read more