We had set off on an early morning day trip in Spring to Canterbury. With roughly a two-hour drive ahead of us, we were on the road while the day was still fresh and quiet. It proved to be a wonderfully memorable outing. It was full of beautiful sights, good food, and the kind of small moments that stay with you long afterwards.

Our day in Canterbury began with the excitement of setting off somewhere different. Though the city soon felt familiar in the way only beautiful old places can. There was something inviting about its narrow streets, historic buildings, quiet corners, and lively cafés. With a camera in hand, I found myself stopping repeatedly. Almost every turn offered another picture worth keeping.

Exploring the Old City

Canterbury’s past seemed to surround us from the moment we arrived. The old stonework, timber-framed houses, church towers, and winding lanes created a wonderful mixture of history and everyday life. An ancient flint church stands beside a busy modern street, complete with café tables and the familiar clock hanging over the road. I liked the contrast: centuries of history sharing the same space as people enjoying coffee and conversation.

As we wandered through the city, we came across the waterways that make Canterbury so distinctive. The River Stour moved gently beneath the old buildings. It reflected the warm colours of the brickwork and the blue sky. Boats waited along the banks for passengers, while the river gave the city a peaceful, almost storybook atmosphere.

The riverside was especially scenic. Flowers grew in bright borders beside the water, and the trees provided shade over the path. At one point, we watched a boat being guided along the river. its slow movement added to the calmness of the view. Canterbury seemed to reveal itself gradually. First through its streets and buildings, then through its water, gardens, and hidden passages.

Canterbury Cathedral

The Cathedral was the most impressive sight of the day. From outside, its towers and flying buttresses rose dramatically above the surrounding streets. The stone façade looked different in changing light. Sometimes it looked pale and gentle, and at other moments more solemn beneath a grey sky.

Inside, the scale of the building was astonishing. The long arches seemed to draw the eye forward, towards the distant windows and the shadowed spaces beyond. The ceilings were decorated with elaborate carvings and old heraldic designs. Each one suggesting a story from another age.

I particularly enjoyed looking through the cathedral’s arches and cloisters. The views framed patches of green grass, quiet gardens, and worn stone columns. These spaces were peaceful compared with the busy streets outside. They encouraged us to slow down and notice the details…the patterns in the stone, the narrow windows, and the light falling across the floor.

Tea, Tea Cakes and Macarons

After so much walking, we were ready for a proper rest. We stopped at Cafe Turquoise at 10 Palace Street. The bakery had a window display that immediately caught our attention. A tower of pink and red macarons stood like a small confectionery sculpture. Baskets of pastel-coloured sweets filled the glass beside it.

The macarons were almost too attractive to eat. Their delicate colours included rose pink, raspberry, pale lavender, and soft cream. They looked bright and cheerful against the darker reflections in the window. Naturally I had to take a photograph before choosing one.

Inside, we enjoyed tea with tea cakes and sweet treats. The warmth of the café, the sound of conversation, and the comfort of a hot drink made an excellent pause in the middle of the day. The tea cakes were soft and satisfying, while the macarons added a lighter, more delicate touch. It was a simple pleasure, but it suited the character of Canterbury perfectly.

As we continued through the streets, I noticed two people writing on the pavement in chalk. These young artists were leaving behind fragments of poetry, haiku, quotations and thoughtful phrases….little gifts of language scattered along the street for anyone who cared to notice. I’ll share and elaborate more about this in my next post.

Dinner at Kashmir Tandoori

By evening, we were ready for something more substantial. We finished the day at Kashmir Tandoori. It was located on the same street as Cafe Turquoise. The atmosphere was very different from the quiet cathedral and peaceful river. The restaurant had a warm, colourful interior, with red furnishings, dark wood, decorative screens, and blue lights glowing across the ceiling.

The room soon became lively as other diners arrived. There was the cheerful sound of conversation. Then movement of plates being carried to tables, and the tempting aroma of spices coming from the kitchen. We settled down with Mango Lassi and looked forward to our meal. The Lassi complemented the spicy food superbly.

Delicious food brought the day to a perfect conclusion. Fragrant sauces, naan bread, rice, and richly seasoned dishes filled the table. The meal was colourful, generous, and full of flavour. The warmth of the spices made us feel even more relaxed after our long walk. It was a sociable ending to a day that had already given us history, scenery, photography, and a little indulgence.

The Journey Home

When we finally left Canterbury, the cathedral was illuminated against the deep blue evening sky. The streets had become quieter, and the lights from the buildings reflected on the pavement. Looking back, the day seemed to contain several different experiences: the grandeur of the cathedral, the charm of the old lanes, the tranquillity of the river, the sweetness of the bakery, and the lively warmth of dinner.

What made the trip special was not one single attraction, but the way all these moments fitted together. Canterbury gave us beautiful photographs, interesting places to explore, and plenty of opportunities to stop and enjoy ourselves. It was a day of gentle discoveries and happy contrasts—old stone and modern life, quiet water and busy streets, delicate macarons and richly spiced food.

Most of all, it was a day worth remembering. Although Kent is home to many beautiful gems, Canterbury is a must-see. It’s about time for us to revisit Canterbury ….it has been far too long.

The post A Remarkably Memorable Day in Beautiful and Historic Canterbury appeared first on Sweet Sharings.

Almost 2 years into this new norm …the crazy era of Covid! We were beginning to think that life would improve after the roll out of vaccinations, but then Covid had different plans for us. It did a big number on us humans and started mutating into many more strains. 

Now booster shots are essential especially so for those of us living in a ‘4-Season Country’. It’s getting colder and soon it will be winter. It is during this time when the flu and Covid cases will rise drastically. The news informs us of Covid numbers already escalating during the past couple of months.

We contracted Covid last year

My husband and I still wear masks when we go out. We cannot afford to get ill with Covid again, especially not at our age. I feel like an alien when I am in the supermarkets or in town these days. People stare at us like we’re indeed aliens just because we still wear masks. What is up with this??

Going through Covid once is enough for a lifetime. It was a life changing experience. I will never wish it on anyone and I worry every single day for family and friends. We contracted Covid last year and managed to overcome it. I am truly grateful to be alive and I must admit..my whole perspective of life changed in March 2020. While many people are complaining and protesting and getting depressed being indoors and in lockdowns, I have come to terms with it and accepted it as the new norm. It is what it is! Just learn to live with it and have empathy and the decency to be vigilant and not endanger others.

Positive thinking and an optimistic attitude

Positive thinking, or an optimistic attitude, is the practice of focusing on the good in any given situation. It can have a big impact on your physical and mental health. That doesn’t mean you ignore reality or make light of problems. It simply means you approach the good and the bad in life with the expectation that things will go well.

The benefits of Positive thinking are great and it is my wish and prayer that each and every one of us be able to find the inner strength to think and act Positive. On this note, please be Safe and practice good habits and have the empathy and common sense to not endanger yourself or anyone else. 

For the love of Nature

I love the outdoors and we are somewhat globe trotters, my husband and I, and especially him more so. It’s a blessing that we are both quite adaptable though, having learned to keep busy and occupy ourselves mentally and physically in activities not involving or being around other people and crowds. In fact, I am quite surprised to find myself feeling that 24 hours in a day is simply not enough these days! 

Feeling Motivated

My husband and I are quite content with the world being at our fingertips! It comes easy for him being in the IT sector. As for myself, I am feeling inspired and motivated to start my blog again …about time too! My energy levels have also improved to pursue new hobbies and learn new things. 

Covid took a huge toll on my body and health. It took 20 months for my body to get back to almost what it was before Covid. I guess this is what you call ‘Long Covid‘. Only now I feel an improvement with my energy levels. Apart from experiencing a few medical issues that come with aging, it’s been somewhat exciting and fulfilling for me with the new found activities, our usual weekend coffee dates and walks in the woods away from crowds. 

Thank You Mum

I have been guilty of being a pessimist for the most of my life but this crazy era of Covid has taught me to always look at my glass half full instead of half empty. There is always something to be grateful for in Life. I have a lot to thank my parents for this, especially Mum …she is such a great example of positivity and inner strength…THANK YOU mum…You are such an inspiration!! I love You!! 

Though I have a feeling this Crazy Era of Covid is going to stay for a while yet, I Hope and Pray that it ends soon. Hope is like water…it quenches the soul to keep on going.

My latest project :

Learning how to use WordPress which is a whole new content management system, and it has a new recipe software as well that I am having fun exploring. Revamping and updating all my ancient old posts so this will have my time cut out for me. Slowly but surely, I wll build up my Recipe Category Page.

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I have learned that the trick to being happy is to enjoy each day as it comes. Don’t wish away your days waiting for better ones. Sometimes we do not realise how big the little things in life really are. I would like to think that being more than half a century old gives me this wisdom ?

I feel exhilarated seeing sunshine enter the room as I open the blinds. Just this little thing is a great start to a lovely day. This puts a smile on me through the day and people tend to reciprocate. The act of smiling at others really makes theirs and my day! That is to say, I receive positive vibes from the Universe.

Catching up with old Friends

Connecting with old friends brings me such sweet memories. Do you feel nostalgia and a warm feeling like I do? Taking time out for a coffee or meal with family and friends is always good for my wellbeing and mental health. Moreover, it improves and tightens my relationship bonds. I have learned this through the years and know it to be true.

Finding the perfect gift for someone can be quite interesting and fun too if you do not let the rat-race of life distract you from enjoying these simple yet meaningful acts. Similarly, listening to little kids talk, praying together, helping an elderly person, doing activities as a family, showing concern for someone who is hurt or ill, all these and more, are the little things in Life.

Do little things together…

The simple act of giving a hug to my loved ones and friends or holding my partner’s hand brings joy and happiness. Listening to the radio or watching a movie together gives enjoyment and a sense of sharing. Taking a walk in the park alone or with others is also a simple thing in life yet so fulfilling, giving one a sense of peace and calm. Planting seeds and seeing them sprout is also so rewarding. Did you know that gardening is great for our health and wellbeing too?

Australian researchers following men and women in their 60s found that those who regularly gardened had a 36% lower risk of dementia than their non-gardening counterparts.

Take Time out…

We just have to take time out to enjoy the little things in life like the wonderful smell of pancakes or roti canai and nasi lemak in the morning. Likewise, Having coffee or teh tarik with old friends. Enjoying the smell and beauty of flowers around us, or taking the time to actually browse a bookstore, all these little things can be fun and make us feel good.

The little things in that connects us to the bigger things….it’s these little things and moments that give us the quality in life. For those who have not already, start living now. Live in the present and enjoy the simple and little things in life. Otherwise, one day you will look back and realise they were the big things.

If you have any thoughts on this, please leave a comment in the comment box below.

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