Author Archives: fortewinks

About fortewinks

A secretary at 19 and self employed at 26, Giovanna has become a British healthcare entrepreneur. She is also a bon vivant and mother of two clever and accomplished daughters. Youngest-of-All is a talented Patisserie Chef living and working in Melbourne Australia (if you are there, visit All Are Welcome in Northcote). FirstBorn is a, adventuresse, published author and documentary journalist, living wherever her mood or investigations require, just rarely in the UK.

A weekend of bliss: champion celebrations and a slice of Eden

Posted on May 21, 2017

Friday afternoon, a long week behind me I pack up at Forte HQ and consider swinging barside to see who might be around and about for a general unwinding and clinking of a glass or two. Then I think about … Continue reading →

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Airbnb: the nuisance neighbour

Posted on March 25, 2017

Hot on the heels of last week’s celebration of local loveliness comes a rude reminder that all is not quite rosy in our garden, for there is a fly amidst the buttercups and daisies. Well less fly, more monster for the house … Continue reading →

Posted in AirB&B, Business, Family, Health, Home, Life and romance, London, Travel, Uncategorized | Tagged business, landlord, neighbour, neighbourhood, noise, nuisance, property, rental, tired | Leave a comment

London E2: life’s good in the ‘hood

Posted on March 18, 2017

In April 2008 My Girls and I moved into a three-up-two-down on Wimbolt Street just yards away from Columbia Road, Bethnal Green. It is here that the world famous flower market takes place every Sunday. Despite our proximity to the … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Entertaining, Family, Food and wine, Friends, Health, Life and romance, London, Motherhood, Shopping, Uncategorized | Tagged Bethnal Green, Brick Lane, Casa Blue, Columbia Pharmacy, Columbia Road, dinners, John Birchall, Mai'da, Maks News, Neighbours, Organics, parties, Party, Pavilion Bakery, Precious, Wimbolt Street | Leave a comment

Up and down in San Francisco: the long walk

Posted on March 14, 2017

My recent ten-day business trip to Texas was preceded by a wonderful day in San Francisco. Arriving at the Stanford Court Hotel, I asked if my room had a view. Not from the third floor, confirmed the Reception Staff. Would you … Continue reading →

Posted in Design and architecture, Entertaining, Food and wine, Friends, holiday, Life and romance, Travel, Uncategorized | Tagged Bay, cityscape, Ferry Building, friends, Houston, life, Nob Hill, North Beach, patisserie, San Francisco, shops, travel, USA, Walk, work | Leave a comment

California conversation and happy travels.

Posted on March 5, 2017

It was all going so well. My arrival at Heathrow in better than good time, the security experience easier than usual (I didn’t get stopped – a miracle) and time to drift through the stores in wonderment at the nonsense … Continue reading →

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Karma Kandara: a travelogue

Posted on February 13, 2017

Last year was long and tough. One of the hardest aspects being how much I miss YoungestOfAll, The Exocet who now lives in Melbourne. Last Spring then, flights were booked for a three-week Christmas holiday. Deeming it necessary to shed some of the year’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Food and wine, Friends, Health, holiday, Life and romance, Travel, Uncategorized | Tagged Bali, beach, Bliss, Cocktails, Garuda, holiday, Karma Group, Karma Kandara, Karma Resorts, life, Luxury, Massage, pamper, Relax, Spa, Treatments | 1 Comment

Bonhomoux: summer fabulousness in France

Posted on September 15, 2016

Mid-August arrived at last, delivering the welcome start of our summer holiday. We set out early and excited … remembering passports only as we climbed into a waiting taxi, an anxious moment that heralded a journey fraught with the mishap … Continue reading →