ISTANBUL AND THE MOTHER COUNTRY

Image source here

Have you been to Istanbul? Well, soon I will be checking that off my bucket list as I will be heading
there later this month with my darling friend, Leslie.  One full week in Istanbul--no touring outside the city, just completely absorbing the sights, sounds, and smells of that fascinating and ancient place.

Following Istanbul, we will be returning to the Mother Country to roam around the English countryside, attend a week-long class at Oxford, and then spend a few days in London.  I shall take loads of pics and report back all the happenings.

Here are a few things we've already booked:
 
A private guide for the day to tour Istanbul

Class at Cooking Alaturka

Tickets for a Whirling Dervishes ceremony

A day on the Bosphorus

Visiting the Potteries in Stoke-on-Trent

Chatsworth House (finally!)

Petersham Nurseries in Richmond, Surrey (thank you, Jeanne!)

Lunch at the Wolseley, London

                                                            Dinner at Rules, London

And, of course, a return to all the faves: Liberty, Fortnum and Mason, Mulberry, Abbott and Holder, etc. My, oh my, I cannot wait.