Rediscovering life and travel over fifty | Hip Over Fifty

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So glad I followed the advice of the helpful Petwo

So glad I followed the advice of the helpful Petworth House staff to pop out and visit the town of Petworth. What a delightful surprise!

If you love antiques and home decor 👋you'll love to explore this enchanting town of homes once owned by the Petworth estate.

Petworth town is separated from the house and estate by a very tall wall. Walk through the extensive servant quarters to the back entrance of Petworth, through a door in the wall which takes you into the town.

Petworth Park holds an Antiques and Fine Art Fair in May, the Petworth Festival for artists in July, as well as Petworth Fair and Literary Week in the fall. It's a market town with deep cultural traditions not just a pretty place to shop and mooch!

Oh by the way, if you're thinking of coming for a visit from the US, the pound to dollar rate is very favorable right now for travel.

Ever wondered what it would be like to actually live here like a local? Check out my 6 Months guide. Link in bio of course 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

#petworth #petworthNT #petworthhouse #westsussex #westsussexlife #historichomes #historichouse #nationaltrust #historicalplace #travelphotography #travelwithme #traveldestination #pursuepretty #thedreamlocation
#iwalkedthisstreet
antiqueshopping #antiqueshop
#thisprettyengland #visitengland #visitbritain #instabritain #placesinuk

The other day I stopped in to see Petworth House &

The other day I stopped in to see Petworth House & Park which lies within the glorious South Downs National Park in West Sussex.

This 900 year old house has been a family home since Henry I. In 1682 the 16 year old twice widowed heiress Elizabeth Percy and her new husband Charles Seymour transformed the former Tudor home into an English palace rivaling Versailles. When you're one of the wealthiest couples in the land, why not take on the ultimate renovation project!

To further add to the estates distinction, famous landscaper and gardener Capability Brown was hired to turn the formal gardens into a deer park.

During the golden age of Petworth, JW Turner was inspired to paint this "work of art". Only Tate Britain is home to more Turner paintings.

Petworth itself is more like a gallery and art museum than home. The main house, which is open to the public, is absolutely crammed with paintings and sculpture which is probably why the current Lord and Lady Egremont live in a large end wing!

I was fascinated by a life size statue of Hercules and Hebe in the cafe, located in the massive servants quarters and kitchens beside the house. As you walk through the servants quarters you'll come to a "secret" door which takes you past the walls of Petworth and into the lovely little market town. Not to be missed. Next post!

#petworth #petworthNT #petworthhouse #westsussex #westsussexlife #historichomes #historichouse #nationaltrust #historicalplace #travelphotography #travelwithme #traveldestination
#thisprettyengland #visitengland #visitbritain #instabritain #placesinuk

I'm often filled with nostalgia when I travel back

I'm often filled with nostalgia when I travel back to favorite places. I'm talking about you Lewes 😉

But I try to stay in the present. You know ... the thing that's creating new memories!

Aren't we always looking for something new... the next thing? Or is that just me. I keep thinking I have to be somewhere, doing something. It's a hard habit to break.

But why do we always assume the next thing will be the better thing?

Couldn't NOW be the thing we'll look back on and go hmmm... actually that was pretty wonderful!

Sometimes I stop and go damn girl you're in ENGLAND ... and that brings me back to the present every time.
Moving abroad may not be right for everyone but it's transformed my life. It's like the high you get from traveling but magnified.

It's not about ticking boxes as they say here, but appreciating and savoring what's right in front of me. What's your travel high?

I love to talk about mindfulness as well as travel and moving abroad. Hop on over to my blog via the link in my BIO and see what resonates with you!

#innerwisdom #expatlife #shetravels #moveabroad #livingabroad
 #lovelife #livelife #behappy #grateful #midlifemusings #agelessstyle
#over60 #midlifereinvention #selfawareness

Just back from one of my favorite towns for a quic

Just back from one of my favorite towns for a quick trip meeting up with my son and friends!

My son and I had lunch at The Rights of Man, a pub on the High St with castle views from it's garden terrace and then mooched along to the Snowdrop Inn for another glass before ending up at the Lewes Arms terrace. A gorgeous sunny Mothers Day.

You know I think of Lewes as my second home right? It's nestled in the South Downs, a short drive to the coast and packed full of shops, cinema, art and history.

I always have to do the rounds and walk up and down the High St to pop into shops and antique markets, down historic Keere St. to Southover Grange Gardens and then over the Cliffe High St bridge to check out the River Ouse.

Plus I was able to meet up with Sue Anne of @sister_stay for a nosh and G&T at the Depot, a cinema and chilled out cafe/patio in Lewes right next to the station. Also met up with my pal Sally for a walk along the coast and pub lunch at Beachy Head. Packed and perfect couple of days.

Are you ready to discover the delights of the south Downs and Lewes? Browse on over to my blog via the BIO link and find my 11 favorites!
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#sussexlife #englandlife
#leweseastsussex #leweshighstreet #lewescastle #southovergrange
#thisprettyengland #explore_britain
#iwalkedthisstreet #englishgarden
#letsgosomewhere

Let's make the most of a day out near Bath! Some o

Let's make the most of a day out near Bath! Some of my favs are within 15 minutes drive. Easy peasy follow me…

First I popped into Great Chalfield Manor which is a lovely old manor house run by the National Trust (check opening times before you go). It’s out in the middle of nowhere but still close. Pretty chapel and grounds.

Then I buzzed over to The Courts Garden, another Nat Trust house and garden in nearby Holt. The house isn’t open but the gardens are small and lovely. They even supply you with picnic blankets! Can you believe that wisteria?

Parking for Courts Garden is at the Town Hall or nearby Glove Factory Studios, a business centre just down the road. It also houses Wild Herb at the Field Kitchen, the perfect spot to eat outside on a sunny day!

Holt is next door to one of my favorite towns, Bradford on Avon. Here you can mooch among shops, grab a bite at several riverside spots like The Weaving Shed or Olea Mediterranean. After lunch a stroll along the canal towpath or river is a must.

Of course any one of these spots is worth a leisurely afternoon all by itself. But if you’re trying to make the most of your day, you can def squeeze all of them in as I did 😄

Ready for a move abroad? My planner and checklist will help you navigate all those big to-dos. Link in BIO natch.

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#nationaltrustsouthwest #locations #wiltshirelife #visitwiltshire #englishgarden #englishcountryside
#historichouses #historichomes #traveltips #travelphotography #bradfordonavon #glovefactorystudios
#travelwithme #travelgirl #thedreamlocation #greatchalfieldmanor
#photosofengland#visitengland #instabritain #pursuepretty

I couldn’t resist another peek at my visit to Hi

I couldn’t resist another peek at my visit to Highclere Castle after seeing the new Downton Abbey movie! Have you seen it yet?

I won’t give away any spoilers, but I’m still puzzling out the first scene which is a wedding. I feel like I ought to know who the bride is! With two running plots there was lots of action and catching up with old and new characters which of course is what we want right?

Very satisfying and the perfect antidote to the 21st century! It was lovely to see the house again and it looks every bit as lovely in real life.

If you get a chance do go and see Highclere, it’s well worth the visit especially if you’re a long time Downton fan as I am!

On that note, my latest blog post is my impressions of Highclere and how to get there. Find it through the LINK in my BIO.

#highclerecastle #downtonabbey #castlesofinstagram #historichomes #hampshirelife #photosofengland#visitengland #instabritain#beautifulengland #scenicbritain #thisprettyengland #pursuepretty #thedreamlocation #darlingescapes
#moveabroad #livingabroad #expatlife

One last look at Cornwall… for now. I managed to

One last look at Cornwall… for now. I managed to squeeze in a quick visit to Port Isaac which sits just above Padstow on the Atlantic coast. Tide was out so the harbour was a little bit more like a car park! But a lovely town, didn’t feel touristy at all in spite of being the setting for “Doc Martin”.

If you’re thinking of flying over to the UK, you won’t need to take any Covid tests, fill in a passenger locator form or quarantine. In other words all restrictions are gone.

However when you fly (back) into the US, as of today, you must continue to show proof of full Covid vaccination. The CDC considers you fully vaccinated if 2 weeks have passed since your 2nd shot. All passengers age 2 and older must have taken a negative Covid test taken a day before boarding regardless of vaccination status. Hopefully this will change soon!

Did you know you can stay in England for up to 6 months without a visa? I've put together a guide for you- check out the LINK in my BIO!
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#traveltips #travelphotography
#cornwalllife #lovecornwall #cornishlife #cornishcoast #cornwallcoast #portisaac #photosofengland#visitengland #instabritain #beautifulengland #scenicbritain #thisprettyengland #pursuepretty #thedreamlocation #darlingescapes
#moveabroad #livingabroad #expatlife

As I start to feel better (cough cough) and ventur

As I start to feel better (cough cough) and venture back into the world, my overwhelming feeling is a sort of FOMO (frustration of missing out).

Cooped up for the past couple of Covidy years…sans driving license until 6 months ago… I’m impatient to continue this journey I began when I moved to England more or less full time 3 years ago!

Oh I don’t have to do ALL the things, far from it. But I don’t want to stay home unless it’s by choice. Does that make sense?

It’s a habit we get into to believe …“oh I’ll get to that later” or “I’ll do that when I have more time”. Honey… time is the one thing you can’t conjure up, buy or put aside for a rainy day. It’s use it or lose it baby.

You SO deserve what you desire…
What are you waiting for?

When you’re ready to venture out into the world, check the link in my BIO for travel advice, ideas and inspiration!
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#selfcare #selflove #wisdomwednesday #thisis60 #over60 #midlifereinvention #womenover50 #selfawareness #grateful #livelife #midlifemusings #inspellipticalmaellipticalmaellipticalmachine

My first year hunting bluebells was a massive succ

My first year hunting bluebells was a massive success! The lovely Ladies Walk in Montacute was full of great swathes of these enchanting flowers carpeting the ground. It’s a lovely circular walk that’s not too long and winds up through fields full of lambs and their mums!

If you go to Montacute village the beginning of the walk starts right next to the school and is marked by a National Trust sign. As it was just across the village from Montacute House we popped in to take a peek at the spring flowers there too.

The bluebells were at their peak, so get there soon!

Ready to travel or move to the UK? Find the link in my BIO for lots more travel info!✈
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#seeingbeauty #natureaddict #outdoorsgirl #springflower
#pursuepretty #travelwithme #traveldestination #nationaltrustsouthwest #nationaltrust
#englishcountryside #soenglishithurts #loveforsomerset #somerset #somersetlife
#thisprettyengland #visitengland #visitbritain #englishcountryside #instabritain