Southern Sonoma Country Life

Alice By Design

Looking to remodel or refresh your living space, indoors or out? It's a daunting task for many, even with the best of taste and ideas. I've several friends in the North Bay who are interior designers and it always amazes me how much they enjoy taking someone else's room or a house or business and transforming it often beyond recognition. It's a skill that comes with years of practice and know-how, contacts and savvy, not to mention a calm and capable demeanor. 

A fellow British American friend, Petaluma-based taste maker Alice Chan has long had a fascination with how to help a space express its soul and reflect the personalities of those who inhabit or use it. 

"When I look at a space for the first time, I inevitably look through the lens of my multicultural background—from the UK, to California, and Hong Kong," explains Alice. "I’m passionate about taking cues from a building’s external environment, whether that’s a bustling city, a tranquil coastal setting, or a small town."

Alice has lived in historical houses for much of her  life and blending history with modernity is at the heart of many of her projects from San Francisco to Petaluma.

"I believe that creating harmony—with our lifestyle, our physical location, and the environment of the space itself—is the key to an end result you’ll love," she says. "Practically speaking, I love ‘interior’ design – by which I mean, how do you design an interior space to be the most in tune with the flow and needs of your life."

Alice has launched into designing for others and is available for new clients currently. If you’d like help bringing your vision to life – reach out to Alice at alice@alicedishes.com.

Click here for Alice's website

Alice grew up with parents who had distinct and definitive design sensibilities. There was always some kind of DIY project going on at home. "Whether my dad was hanging Laura Ashley wallpaper, or my mum was picking out colored cabinets for our kitchen—dark green paneling as I recall—it was impossible not to absorb some of their passion and interest in interiors as I developed my own personal style," she recalls. Fast forward many decades later, and Alice has remodeled a number of her own homes, tweaked interiors,and put together seemingly incompatible patterns, colors, and textures.

"And now I want to do this for others. I take my main inspiration from the interior and exterior environments that envelop a space," she says. "If you listen closely, a room will “tell you” what will work best to create a stunning, yet comfortable place to be."

The Space Orchestra's Tribute to Joe Cocker's Mad Dogs with Dead Roses at the SOMO Grove Sunday Oct 3rd 2021

If you've been waiting for the right moment to resume live music going, now's the time. This masked and socially distant wild rock and roll show, an annual highlight of a musical extravaganza of super talented regional artists takes place outdoors at the terrific SOMO Village on Sunday October 3rd, with dinner included by Heirloom Cafe.

The Space Orchestra's Tribute to Joe Cocker's Mad Dogs with Dead Roses at the SOMO Grove

Doors 4pm, Show 5pm

Seated and outdoors at SOMO Village in Rohnert Park

Dinner included in the price of the ticket

$35 9/3-9/26

$40 9/27-9/10/3

Groups that would like to be seated together must purchase as a group.

All ages

On a cosmic night in April 2018, fourteen North Bay musicians took the stage in front of a sold-out crowd to recreate the legendary night in March 1970 when twenty stars converged at New York’s Fillmore East. Featuring songwriter Leon Russell as bandleader and up-and-coming British vocalist Joe Cocker, the New York show was recorded and released as the live album Joe Cocker: Mad Dogs and Englishmen, now a rock-and-roll classic.

Like the original, Petaluma’s Space Orchestra is an eclectic mash-up of all- stars known for their stellar work in other top Bay Area bands. With a three-piece horn section, four back-up singers and a powerhouse rhythm section of two drummers plus a percussionist, the group recreates the mighty sound of the live album, in exact order, side A through side B.

Husky-voiced Sebastian Saint James of The Highway Poets brings Cocker’s lead vocals roaring back to life, driving the band through hits by the Rolling Stones, Isaac Hayes, Otis Redding, Bob Dylan and more. Highlights include Delta Lady, Space Captain, Feeling Alright, and an unforgettable version of She Came in through the Bathroom Window. This is big sound at its best. 

Pamela Joyce of Foxes in the Henhouse and Chris Chappell and Katie Schuch of The Incubators are just two more of the much loved local talent in the lineup of the Space Orchestra.

Dead Roses (Formerly Dead Bugs) is Petaluma’s premier Grateful Dead cover band. What they bring is a unique energy that captures the vibe of late 80’s stadium shows and also the mid 70’s crispness that The Dead were known for. Headed by guitarists Todd Bugbee (Flytrap, The Melt) and Zach Jones (Lovin’ Dead), the band is quickly making a huge mark on the jam scene.

"Our goal is to give the crowd just a percentage of the feeling you had going to see the Dead back when Jerry was alive. We just want to tap that energy and channel it, funnel it to the crowds. They are the ones carrying the torch, our goal is to be a conduit."

Location

Sally Tomatoes

1100 Valley House Drive

Rohnert Park, CA 94928

Click here for tix

Vibe Gallery — A Vibrant New Art and Makers Gallery in Downtown Petaluma

The idea to create an innovative, urban art gallery in the heart of downtown Petaluma began at a spontaneous gathering around the kitchen table. Collectively, the owners of the newly opened Vibe Gallery on the corner of Petaluma Boulevard and B Street in the heart of historic downtown Petaluma's shopping district all felt driven to share their  art and the artwork of their friends and family with the public on a larger scale.

Their energy, enthusiasm, passion and ideas flowed into action. Nine days after their first exuberant meeting, they secured the ideal location in the midst of a thriving artist community and VIBE Gallery was born. 

​VIBE, a chic gallery/gift shop offers a unique experience that will raise the spirits of customers and community. Aligned with the group's vision, an eclectic mix of gallery art and gifts are diverse, creative, socially relevant, hand crafted and made by both well established and emerging artists.  

The work of VIBE’s owners will be displayed along with supporting and featured artists. In addition to the art and gifts, VIBE will be hosting live music, events, classes, workshops, community collaboration.

There's a comfortable seating area with an array of books written by local authors, including signed copies of Fog Valley Winter and Big Green Country on sale for holiday gifts (my last two books). My friend Suzanne Maggio's memoir The Cardinal Club is also in stock. We're both releasing new books in the coming months so this will be a wonderful spot for readings.

I think that the opening of VIBE is ideal given that we're all looking for authentic and original items for gift giving and for ourselves and our homes these days. Who wants to go to the mall? Stay in town and shop local. Support local artists. 

For Featured Artists line-up click here. 

Click here for more info on the gallery's ​owners: Artists Maude Bradley, Margo Gallagher, Jessica Jacobsen and Rachel Usher share a compelling background in North Bay creative scene and are excited to meet you. 

 

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Travel Tuesdays — Las Vegas Safe

I had a lot of questions going into a late August trip to Las Vegas. We'd booked back in the Spring when my sister-in-law, who lives in Philly was nominated as a finalist in the North American Hairstyling Awards. Her 60th birthday just so happened to coincide with this big gala event at Mandalay Bay. How could we pass up celebrating with her? 

Late August seemed a long way off and didn't we all hope back in Spring that the pandemic would be better contained by the end of summer? That was before the Delta Variant morphed onto the international scene. 

Flash forward a few months and I wasn't sure if a gala event would still be a go given the rampage of Delta here in the U.S. and reports of Vegas being a hot spot in the short period where masking was dropped. Needless to say, event and conference organizers who had booked hundreds of thousands of people into the desert city to repopulate its hotels and restaurants and casinos had little choice but to jump back on board with indoor masking mandates and the stepping up of pandemic safety protocol. 

Flying from San Francisco to Vegas is a little like taking a mini-trip to the moon. The terrain is so dramatic. I had a window seat on Alaska Air and found the entire journey captivating in that one day, travelers may indeed take off for stranger landscapes still. I didn't experience any issues with any fellow passengers not conforming to wearing masks on both flights and there was nothing to make me feel uncomfortable at the airport during check in, security or at the gate. 

During our visit, we took in the Mob Museum (The National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement) in the old courthouse, downtown. This is an awesome museum (my second time) with its recent addition of a cellar speakeasy, which puts the whole Vegas concept into perspective given its detailed history of how the city of 3 million in the middle of nowhere came to be, back in 1905. To spend time in Vegas today and think that it's only 116 years old is astonishing. 

My Lyft driver, as we chatted on arrival shared her background as a water scientist. This was especially interesting during the current drought conditions in California and Nevada. A Navaho Nation woman, she spoke of her passion for educating the public as to critical water awareness. Working with numbers and equations and graphs during her day job had become so intense she said she welcomed a few hours of interacting with passengers (masked and following all of the protocol one would expect). I asked her how she coped with Las Vegas and its water consumption and she explained that the casinos and most all of the businesses on the STRIP were extremely compliant in water economy and conservation. That made me feel better about my quick shower in the hotel the next morning and a leisurely swim, despite the fact is was 109 degrees F during our stay.

If you're looking for a non-gaming oasis when visiting Vegas, The Four Seasons, tucked away in the Mandalay Bay Complex is just the place. We took advantage of special summer rates and it was worth every penny. Having never stayed at a Four Seasons in my life, it was a perfect opportunity to experience the luxury hotel brand without spending nearly as much as it would set me back in most other of its many locations. 

I'm not a gambler so was more than happy to remove myself from the casino floors. I especially appreciated the outdoor dining for breakfast and lunch in close proximity to the private pool. Staff were super friendly and helpful. 

Outdoor staff were more than ready for seasonal temperatures to begin to drop and I can only imagine how hard its been to mask up in that heat for months. If you visit in the fall through Spring it'll be a lot less intense with regards to masking outside in the high temperatures.

Estiatori Milos was the one big restaurant splash for my husband, Timo and me after a three mile walk from Mandalay Bay down a pretty much mostly masked outdoor Strip and we were blown away by the exquisite new space for this popular Greek fish restaurant, which moved from its previous spot into a prime spot in The Venetian this Spring. Tables were well spaced and with masked servers, high ceilings and state of the art air conditioning, we felt comfortable dining in. 

If You Go

In an effort to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in Las Vegas, the State of Nevada has mandated that everyone including fully vaccinated individuals, wear a mask in public indoor settings, including resorts and casinos, restaurants, bars, showrooms and meeting spaces.

The directive aligns with the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance related to mask requirements.

The NAHA event we were attending did require masks, though if you're attending any large gathering in Vegas in the coming months its wise to be advised that as of Aug. 16, all large indoor events with 4,000 or more attendees are able to show proof of vaccination as an exception to the indoor mask requirement. However, individual event organizers are able to choose between requiring masks indoors for all attendees or ensuring that all attendees are vaccinated (in which case they can remove their masks). 

Here's one of the photos from my sister-in-law Francesca's fantastic finalist nomination in the NAHA 2021 Avant Garde category. Click here for more. 

Photo: Francesca Rivetti Hair Art 

Masks are also still required on all public transportation and transportation hubs per CDC guidance.

Those planning to visit Las Vegas should regularly check Nevada Health Response for updates on state and county requirement changes. Visitors should check directly with resorts, attractions and other experiences for full details around operations. Contact your event producer with any questions about your specific event.

My sister-in-law's birthday gathering with a group of vaccinated & tested friends was a blast and I even managed to transport a homemade lemoncello birthday cake all the way from my Sonoma County kitchen with frosting that I'd packed in a cooler in my checked bag. 

Viva Las Vegas!

 

Travel Tuesdays — Explore the National Parks and Forests and Tastes of Visalia This Fall — Don't Miss Oktoberfest in Sequoia & Other Fall Events

Ready for a road trip? Yosemite & Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are open. Only California's National Forests are temporarily closed through Sept. 17 in order to protect public and firefighter safety.

With the exception of Lassen Volcanic National Park (closed due to the Dixie Fire since July 24), National Parks in the Golden State are open — as are roads through the National Forests that connect parks.

Photo: Visit Visalia — Cedar Grove Pack Station, Kings Canyon National Park 

Visalia – an easy three hour drive from the Bay Area – lies in the heart of the Central Valley, at the base of the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.

This welcoming community typically hosts visitors from around the world, though during the tail end of the pandemic, mostly domestic travelers – all eager to explore the unrivaled beauty of the National Parks and adventure in the great outdoors.

As the center of the nation’s most productive agricultural region, Tulare County harvests more than 250 different crops and is the world’s top dairy producer.

Visalia is the oldest city between Los Angeles and Stockton and one that is proud of its endearing hometown atmosphere, enlivened by a vibrant downtown brimming with great restaurants, art galleries, antique stores, boutique shopping and live entertainment.

An abundance of outdoor adventure for all ages and skill levels awaits amidst the serenity and natural tranquility in some of the world’s most magnificent surroundings. Visitors enjoy hiking, biking, camping, swimming – and exploring the unique natural features of each park. 

Photo: Visit Visalia — Buena Vista Peak, Kings Canyon National Park 

Photo: Visit Visalia — Moro Rock, Sequoia National Park

If you’re going to be on the road for a while, Visalia is the starting point for the Majestic Mountain Loop that takes you to three national parks in as little as three days. 

Visalia is definitely a best bet as home base, with lodging options for all budgets, a family-friendly atmosphere and plenty of things to do when you’re not at the parks. 

Road trips are a great way to explore and National Parks make a great destination for a classic road trip. Click here for itineraries for road trips to Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks. With soaring giant sequoia trees, thundering rivers, and amazing vistas, a national parks road trip is just the start of a great adventure. 

Fall Events 

Visit Visalia has recently announced an exciting lineup of fall events happening in its charming city and the nearby national parks. Grouped into three itineraries, events will allow visitors to experience the best in local food, culture and adventure while enjoying the cool fall weather.

The seasonal itineraries, “Beers, Boots and Brunch,” “A Taste of Visalia” and “PRIDE Visalia Weekend,” include a visit to the two nearby national parks, home to the largest living trees in the world.

“Visit Visalia is looking forward to welcoming visitors to enjoy these fun festivals and activities,” says Nellie Freeborn, Visit Visalia executive director. “The rich cultural heritage, artistic expressions, and diverse cuisines of each festival as well as access to two of California’s most majestic national parks make Visalia the perfect destination for fall travelers.”

Beers, Boots and Brunch

“Beers, Boots and Brunch” itinerary centers around the region’s largest Oktoberfest Celebration, to be held at Vossler Farms on September 24. Over 40 booths of the Central Valley’s best food, wine, and of course beer are on tap! While breweries and restaurants will keep the beer and food flowing, live music will keep the crowd dancing. Visitors put on their hiking boots as the weekend continues with a visit to Sequoia National Park on September 25 when Park entrance fees are waived for National Public Lands Day. Round out the weekend with a leisurely brunch at some of Visalia’s top restaurants like the Cellar Door or the Vintage Press.

A Taste of Visalia

Visitors will get “A Taste of Visalia” in this itinerary that offers two authentic festivals. On October 16, Taste the Arts fills the streets with the Central Valley’s largest -and FREE-outdoor arts festival with over 100 artists and workshops. The pumpkin patch and corn maze at Vossler Farms offer seasonal fun. Then it’s up to Sequoia National Park to see the dogwood trees as their leaves turn beautiful golds, oranges and reds. Foodies will love the Taste of Downtown on October 19 which showcases Visalia’s vibrant food scene giving revelers a taste of both popular fan favorites and introducing new restaurants.

PRIDE Visalia Weekend

Diversity and inclusion are on tap for “PRIDE Visalia,” the region’s only pride festival, scheduled for October 23 at Valley Strong Stadium.  The day-long event offers family-friendly activities, food booths, vendors, entertainment, and organizations in support of the LGBTQ community. Add to the weekend a trip to Sequoia National Park where visitors can marvel at the panoramic vistas and the giant sequoia trees. Sequoia Guides is offering a free, guided hike to festival goers who reserve in advance. Special hotel rates are also available.

Visit Visalia is partnering with local hotels, restaurants and entertainment venues to provide visitor information. Visitors can find free maps and guides in local hotels and are encouraged to stop by the Visit Visalia office, at 112 E. Main Street, for itineraries and additional information.

More information about these events and itineraries is available online.

https://www.visitvisalia.com/articles/get-a-taste-of-visalia-with-these-fall-events

Photo: Visit Visalia —Grant Grove Stables, Kings Canyon National Park

If You Go

View the Visalia Visitors Guides below or download the Visit Visalia Brochure for vacation ideas, hotel recommendations, and more.

You may also send your mailing address to the Visitor Services Coordinator at requests@visitvisalia.com or call (559) 334-0141. Office hours are  Monday - Saturday, 8:00am - 5:00pm PST.   

 Click here for the Sequoia Visitors Guide for park and regional information.

Click here for Parks & City Maps.

Click here to see the Sequoia and Kings Canyon Newspaper for seasonal park information. 

 

 

 

Escape Time in Stamford, Lincolnshire — Roast Dinner, Tea and A Stately Home Ramble —A Taste of Quintessential England at The George Hotel & Burghley House

All Photos - Frances Rivetti 

One of my favorite places in the Lincolnshire/Cambridgeshire border lands where I was born and raised is the historic Georgian market town of Stamford. And within the town itself, The George ranks as a jewel in the crown of quintessential and enduring English style, design, history, heritage, warmth and hospitality.

It was an absolute treat to stay a few nights on my trip to England this July. My niece's classic country wedding was nearby so there was no excuse not to make a reservation to soak up all that I love best about being home in a part of the country that is not over run by tourists. 

Pandemic restrictions may have kept overseas visitors at bay this summer of 2021, though the staycation revival for quality travel and tourism with careful protocol in place was clearly at full throttle in the Stamford area and throughout the country's most scenic locales. 

So where is Stamford, you may ask if you've not yet had the time to look beyond London and the Cotswolds for English escapes?

It's located along The Great North Road, one of the most famous highways in the world. Phoenician traders, Ancient Britons and the legions of Rome traversed its storied route. Later, marauding bands of Saxons and Danes and Norman armies followed suit.

For over a thousand years an historic inn has stood by the Welland River crossing in Stamford, Lincolnshire at the roughly 100 mile point north of London and 100 miles south of York, providing food and shelter to the hungry and weary traveler at the half-way mark between these two fabled cities. 

This route served as the main highway between England and Scotland from medieval times until the 20th century. In its heyday it was a coaching route for mail coaches and horses between London, York and Edinburgh. 

Highwayman Dick Turpin's rapid flight from London to York on his mare Black Bess is one of the most infamous legends of the Great North Road. Several inns  claim Turpin took refreshment or stopped for respite for his horse along the route. Though The George of Stamford stakes no claim, The Winchelsea Arms, an inn now known as The Ram Jam Inn, nearby at Stretton, Rutland, is reputed to be one of his haunts. 

Today, the A1 more-or-less parallels the original route of the Great North Road. Coaching inns such as The George of Stamford provided staging posts for  accommodation, stabling of horses and replacement mounts. In order to make a stop at any one of these gracious old inns that have survived the test of time, motorists must turn off the modern highway and make a detour into town. 

The exact age of The George is unknown, but early historians referred to it as: "A very ancient hostelry, once belonging to the Abbots of Croyland". This is of particular interest to me as the ancient town of Croyland, now known as Crowland, located about 18 miles from Stamford, is where I grew up and my folks still live. I bused in and attended Stamford College from age 16 to 19 while studying for my A Levels at the end of my high school years. 

It is believed that The George may have been standing in 947 A.D., and was included with much of Stamford Baron in a gift made by Turkotul, chancellor King Edred, to the Abbey of Croyland.

Shortly after the Norman Conquest the lands and buildings that Croyland Abbey held south of the Welland passed into the possession of the Abbey of Peterborough (now cathedral).

The George of early days would have been much smaller in size, for the present inn incorporates the bulk of two former religious houses which bounded the old inn on each side. On the south stood the house of the Holy Sepulchre, a hospital of the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem, sometimes referred to as Knights Hospitallers.

It was here that the pilgrims and knights of the Holy Sepulchre were hosted and entertained as they traveled from the north on their journey to Jerusalem to visit the Sepulchre of Christ, the knights accompanying the pilgrims for protection.

According to the inn's history page: "We know that in the 15th century, The George was a place of considerable importance, for a proprietor, John Dickens, was three times Alderman or Chief Magistrate of Stamford, in the years 1478, 1483 and 1493. His daughter and heir, Alice, was married to David Cissell or Sicilit, a gentleman of Stamford, who became one of King Henry VIII's Sergeant at Arms. David Cissell had a son, Richard, who in 1539 obtained the grant of the site of the recently dissolved priory of St. Michael as well as the church and 299 acres of land lying in the parish of St. Martins. Richard Cissell was father to William Cecil, the first Lord Burghley, the great Elizabethan statesman, whose descendants, the Marquises of Exeter are still seated at Stamford at Burghley House.

When Lord Burghley founded his bedehouse on the Welland bank where the hospital of St. John and St. Thomas once stood, he gave the landlord of The George in perpetuity the right of nominating one inmate, and this right has never lapsed. The main block of The George inn was rebuilt by Lord Burghley in 1597, and to this day his coat of arms is to be seen over the front entrance proclaiming the aristocratic antecedents of this noble hostelry. The Elizabethan stone mullioned lattice windows in the upper story on the north side of the main block date from this time."

Visitors to the hotel see on their left as they enter a door marked "London" and on their right a doorway marked "York". These two old paneled rooms were the original waiting rooms for passengers gathering for their coaches which changed horses in the hotel yard.

 In the west wing of the hotel there was a stately ballroom. Guests in the rooms in this part of the inn may be intrigued to learn that above the ceilings of their rooms, the original lofty ceiling and minstrels gallery still remain as they were over two hundred years ago.

In recent decades the hotel has been modernized for comfort, though considerable care has been taken not to destroy its historical features. Much of the most recent updates and decor has been focused on restoration.

Luxurious accommodation, a cuisine to satisfy the most discerning tastes and excellent service make The George a favorite for return visitors. Its wine cellars are a source of great pride, where fine wine  is stored under ideal conditions in vaults which date back to the earliest days of the inn's foundation.

The night before my niece's wedding (rehearsal dinners are not a thing in the UK), my brother, father of the bride, joined my husband Timo and me for supper in The Oak Room restaurant at The George, renowned for its fine dining - with wines to match - in an incredibly beautiful, oak-paneled setting.

We were compelled to opt for succulent and traditional Roast Beef, carved at our table from the silver domed trolley, accompanied by Yorkshire pudding, hot horseradish, mustards, gravy and roast, boiled and mashed potatoes - and a selection of vegetables — the dining room's signature dish.

After supper highlight was the cheese trolley with traditional British cheeses and a Brandy, Armagnac and Whiskey trolley assortment. 

During the summer months, and between seasons, the à la Carte Restaurant has tables outside under the heated canopy. We were fortunate to have gorgeous sunshine throughout our stay at The George and reveled in morning breakfast outdoors under sun umbrellas in cobblestone, courtyard seating.

English decor is never complete without a folly or two. The ladies' bathrooms are the perfect example!

After dashing around visiting our two families, a little quiet time over tea was a tonic to process all that we'd undertaken to travel safely from the States to the UK during the pandemic. 

The day after the wedding we had a few hours to ourselves for a wander along the River Welland and into and around the grounds of Burghley House. Burghley is one of the largest and grandest surviving houses of the sixteenth century and a magnificent example of the great Elizabethan ‘prodigy’ houses.

Conceived by William Cecil, Lord High Treasurer to Queen Elizabeth I, between 1555 and 1587, Burghley is a testament to the ambition and vision of the most powerful courtier of the first Elizabethan age.

Green tranquil walks, modern sculpture abound. The gardens and parkland that we experience today at Burghley were largely designed by Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown in the 18th century.

There are sweeping vistas leading down to the spires of Stamford in the parkland and an oasis of flowing water to be viewed in the Garden of Surprises. We enjoyed a tranquil walk next to the lake after passing by the Sunday picnics with envy. British picnics, complete with wicker hampers, bubbly, cucumber sandwiches, scones and tartan rugs are certainly back in vogue.

William Cecil, the first Lord Burghley, had a strong sense of family. Burghley House, the Cecil family’s home for over sixteen generations, continues to be the centerpiece for this sense of shared legacy.

Burghley Estate was endowed to the Burghley House Preservation Trust by the 6th Marquess of Exeter in 1987. Made up of Burghley House, farmland, woodland, and a significant property portfolio, the Estate covers an array of residential, agricultural and commercial properties including hotels, pubs and offices with additional quarries, gardens and allotments as well as the rights to sporting activities. Horse trials were taking place the day we visited. 

I've visited Burghley House and its superb Sculpture Garden many times in the past, so we didn't make an indoor tour this time, but I'll be back! The collection of Fine Art held within Burghley House is extensive and varied and includes many highly important objects. The collection of Italian Old Master paintings is one of the finest in private hands. The collections of both Oriental and European ceramics are world famous and of great interest to scholars. Fine English and Continental furniture, 17th century Objects of Vertu, English portrait miniatures and European Works of Art all feature strongly, whilst the collection of Chinese Snuff Bottles is thought to be one of the finest in the Western world.

I was relieved to find most of the shops in Stamford's bustling center have made it through the country's extended stay-home orders as well as the Saturday street market. It's such a pleasurable town to potter around for a few hours of window shopping and boutique browsing. 

In the words of Stamford's visitor's program: "A joyous coincidence of geography and geology has allowed Stamford to remain the "finest stone town in England", its prosperity drawn from the wool trade and its historical position as a mail coach inter-change on the Great North Road almost halfway between London and York.

Stamford was the first town in the country to create a conservation area in 1967 and it has this to thank for the fact that over the subsequent half century much of its historical architectural heritage has remained intact. See Martin Smith's History of Stamford

Stamford is idyllic enough to have formed the backdrop for television costume dramas such as Middlemarch and the 2005 film Pride & Prejudice. It is regularly a finalist in The Sunday Times the best place to live in Britain survey."

If You Go

Getting There

Stamford is easily accessible by train from London's King's Cross to Peterborough and a short change of train directly into the heart of Stamford. It's quite feasible to make this a long weekend or two or three day get-away without a car if you are mobile enough on foot. Plan a half-day either end of your stay if traveling in and out of London. 

To drive, connect motorways out of London to take the A1 North for approx 100 miles. 

The town boasts 11 churches, 30 pubs, 20 restaurants and over 10 quality hotels and guest houses. Most of the pubs serve Real Ale and are easy walking distance of the town centre, railway and bus stations. Shopping is a pleasure in a pedestrianized main street with a wide choice of boutique-style independently owned clothing, home and curiosity shops and small, upscale chain stores. It's a foodie's haven with its range of butchers, bakers and fishmongers. 

Click here for the website for The George.

I highly recommend you figure out the eight hour time difference if calling from California and booking directly. The staff are super responsive and helpful and will advise you of best rates. In these times of rapidly changing travel directives, its better to be safe than sorry with regards to cancellation fees etc. If you book a meal in the inn, you'll receive a discount on one of your room nights. 

Burghley House is open every Wednesday to Sunday and the Gardens are open daily. Pre-booking your time slot is essential prior to your arrival.

Admission to the House & Gardens is valid with House & Gardens or Gardens Only ticket. Your ticket is valid for 365 days, allowing you to return as many times as you like from the date of purchase. All visitors and staff are required to continue to wear face masks, coverings or visors inside the House at all times.

Staycation in Style — New Saturday Night Pop-Up Dinners Celebrate Harvest at Sonoma Valley's Kenwood Inn & Spa

Here's a stellar staycation offering for you! If you've been sticking close to home but you're hankering after a memorable overnight getaway, the gorgeous Kenwood Inn and Spa is just the ticket. 

With the first grapes coming off the vines, crush season is officially underway here in wine country. To celebrate this year's harvest, Kenwood Inn & Spa is offering a series of multi-course pop-up dinners, available exclusively to overnight guests of the elegant inn right here in Sonoma Valley.

The dinners will be presented nearly every Saturday night from late summer through fall.

New dinners are the creation of Guest Chef LeeAnn Geneve, owner of The Gilded Grape Catering in Sonoma, whose cooking has delighted wine country diners at the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone and offshoot CIA at Copia, as well as numerous private events.

Chef Geneve specializes in distinctive wine country fare that is locally sourced, from artisanal cheeses and meats to the region's abundant produce, seafood and wine.

Though items from the small-plates menu at Kenwood Inn & Spa are available for purchase throughout the day and guests enjoy daily complimentary breakfast and an afternoon wine and cheese tasting, the property does not have a regular dinner restaurant.

However, the European-style Centro Courtyard and adjacent Cucina provide an intimate garden setting for these extra special pop-up dinners, with diners seated at private tables surrounding a trickling fountain.

Prices for the Saturday night pop-ups at Kenwood Inn & Spa range from $135 to $150 per person depending on the featured menu and include a four-course meal plus wine pairing with each course. The menu — and highlighted winery -- changes each Saturday.

Overnight accommodations are required to participate. For more information, call Kenwood Inn & Spa's concierge at 707-833-1293. Seating is socially distanced and limited.

About Kenwood Inn & Spa

Located in Sonoma Wine Country, Kenwood Inn & Spa is a serene, Mediterranean-inspired boutique inn set on more than two-and-one-half peaceful acres, surrounded by vineyards and ancient oaks. All 29 guest rooms are thoughtfully designed with private entrances, fireplaces and Italian furnishings. Many suites feature views of the surrounding vineyards and a private terrace or balcony.

Kenwood Inn & Spa's public spaces include three lushly landscaped courtyards accented with fountains, a swimming pool, a warming pool and hot tub. A complimentary breakfast is served each morning. Each afternoon, all inn guests are provided with complimentary tastings of wine and cheese and freshly baked cookies. Wood-fired pizza, charcuterie plates and hummus are available for purchase.

The recently remodeled spa includes three individual treatment rooms, one couple's treatment room, a private, outdoor terrace for couple's treatments or lounging, and a luxurious, private tub for bath treatments, with glorious vineyard views.

 Kenwood Inn & Spa (www.kenwoodinn.com) is one of 17 properties in the Four Sisters Inns collection, all in California. Other inns in the group are the Blue Lantern Inn (Dana Point), Newport Beach Hotel (Newport Beach), Hotel Casa 425 (Claremont), Channel Road Inn (Santa Monica), Inn at Playa del Rey (Los Angeles), Gosby House Inn and Green Gables Inn (Pacific Grove), Coachman's Inn (Carmel-by-the-Sea), West Cliff Inn (Santa Cruz), Milliken Creek Inn (Napa), Maison Fleurie and Lavender (Yountville), Healdsburg Inn on the Plaza (Healdsburg), Gaige House (Glen Ellen), Inn at Sonoma (Sonoma) and Blue Door Inns (Mendocino).

Travel Tuesdays — Escape to Rural Rutland — England's Smallest Historic County

Photos: Frances Rivetti

One of the upsides of the pandemic era has been the glorious rediscovery of treasure spots on our doorsteps — or within driving distance at least. And for me, the best of both worlds applies when it comes to a trip back to the homeland to visit family.

Hence a day visit to England's smallest county of Rutland — located a mere 40 minute drive from the small Lincolnshire market town where I was born and raised and my parents, aunt and uncle still live. My sister-in-law, Maria and her husband relocated to a village in Rutland during the pandemic since they've settled into permanent work-from-home positions and don't have to plan for a commute. I can't think of a better spot a hop, skip and a jump to the north of the market town of Stamford (up next on Travel Tuesdays) in which to set up camp if lifestyle permits living a little off the beaten track when it comes to city life.   

My water-loving folks were into windsurfing when I was a teenager and if my memory serves me right, I can't have been more than 19 the last time I visited Rutland Water, surely the most bucolic and picturesque of the largest man-made reservoirs in Europe. The landlocked East midlands county of Rutland is neighbor to Lincolnshire to its west, Leicestershire to its north and Northamptonshire to its south. 

Rutland Water is an important nature reserve covering 3000 acres of non-tidal water, serving as an over-wintering site for wildfowl and a breeding ground for Ospreys. Considering he entire county's greatest length north to south is 18 miles and its greatest breadth east to west is 17 miles, the reservoir is certainly integral to its identity since its inception in the 197os. 

Cottages in the towns of Oakham, Uppingham and 54 surrounding villages are built from limestone or ironstone with roofs of Collyweston stone, slate or thatch. 

To make Rutland Water a large part of the parish of Empingham was flooded, which resulted in the destruction of several small, historic communities. Both the ancient village of Nether Hambleton and Middle Hambleton were cleared as the river Gwash and several others were diverted in order to provide the water needed to fill the reservoir. This lost village, part of the Hambletons is thought to have been the capital of Rutland’s Anglo-Saxon kings.

It's eerie to think of a village that remains under the water, a small community of houses and farms abandoned forever and frozen in water time. Read more about this interesting history here. 

Rutland Water is thirty-four meters at its deepest and the crest of the dam is 1,200 meters long. Once completed, various areas were designated as sites for recreational use. Small marinas, parks and restaurants were built around the edge of the reservoir.

Maria took a week day off work to join us as we reacquainted ourselves with this watery wonderland on a quiet Monday in July during my busy trip with my husband, Timo, visiting with our British-based families.

It just so happened to be the day after the hottest weekend in Britain's summer and we had timed it just right to avoid all the Saturday and Sunday leisure seekers.  

In fact, we had the place to ourselves in parts and enjoyed a waterside walk and a boat ride under the prettiest of blue skies. When in the UK, every good walk should end with a good pub, especially when four-legged family members are welcome, too! Maria's dog, Trixie enjoyed her romp around Rutland as much as we did. 

There are several scenic Pub Walks around Rutland from village to village, with far reaching views, ranging from a mile or two to four, five or six miles or more, depending on stamina and how much beer walking companions can drink! Country pubs are renowned for delicious dining and there are many historic inns, halls and hotels offering hearty English breakfasts, lunch, afternoon teas, Sunday roasts, light bites and gourmet suppers.  

It's a foodie haven with farm shops, butcher shops, bakeries, farmers markets, wine merchants, ice creameries, tea shops and coffee houses. 

National Sailing Academy Rutland Sailing Club and Rutland Water Sports provide excellent training for grown ups and kids looking to develop their water legs. 

For those who love the water but would rather stay dry, fly fishing adventures await. There's a nice, sandy beach for relaxing waterside and also a weekly Rutland Water Park Run on Saturday mornings at 9am and a cycling hire center offering wheels for all ages, including electric. 

The fun-looking aquapark was the busiest spot on a Monday, with kids out of school and enjoying a chance to let off steam in a safe, outdoor environment. 

Rutland Nature Reserve occupies shoreline and shallow water lagoons along nine miles of the western end of the reservoir, which is home to the Rutland Osprey Project. 

If golf is your thing, there are five excellent courses to play in Rutland offering satisfying challenges for newbies and pros alike. What I was most enthralled with was the natural wonders of the waterside with its lagoons and meadows, hedgerows and woodlands, that flourish in this meticulously managed region thanks to a strong partnership between Anglian Water and the Rutland Wildlife Trust. 

The full Rutland Water route for cycling or hiking is 23 miles. Next time I'm back I plan a few days to enjoy more that Rutland has on offer. I'd love to start at either Whitwell or Normanton and cycle the route all the way round, passing through these its lovely villages and woodland.

Getting There 

Rutland is located both 100 miles from London and York and makes for a great place to stop and enjoy classic English rural culture when traveling between these two major tourist cities, or as a stand-alone destination itself. It's ideal for rambling or bike riding with a loved one or friend and a super pick for a family or group getaway with car-free activity options galore. 

Situated between Peterborough and Leicester, Rutland benefits from a central location in the East Midlands, close to major road networks including the A1 and A47. The railway station at Oakham has a direct service from/to Stansted airport and connects the county with the rest of the region. See National Rail Enquiries for trains.  

For places to stay, day or week-long itineraries visit Discover Rutland. Self-catering abounds, as well as guest houses, hotels, caravans, camping and glamping, B&Bs and inns. 

Photo: Discover Rutland 

A cruise aboard the Rutland Belle allowed us to enjoy the sights of Rutland Water whilst listening to commentary highlighting points of interest.
The Rutland Belle can carry up to 110 passengers, with 60 places in the under-cover saloons. Drinks are available on board.

Travel Tuesdays — Hideaway on the North Norfolk Coast — England at its Best

All Photos - Frances Rivetti 

According to BBC Good Food there are two types of samphire – marsh and rock – though only marsh samphire is widely available. Marsh samphire, with its  vibrant green stalks, similar to baby asparagus, although with a distinctively crisp and salty taste, is all the rage in North Norfolk where foodies snap it up from all sorts of charming honor-system baskets in the summer months. It may be used raw in salad, though as it tends to be so very salty, it's more often boiled or steamed for a few minutes before serving, or sold in jars of pickled samphire in gourmet shops.

I don't remember marsh samphire being so popular when I was a teenager, the last time I had the opportunity to fully explore the North Norfolk coastline at leisure prior to my recent trip to England to visit my folks. This is an area of immense natural beauty but not all that easy to access given that it's well off the beaten track and tiny Norfolk lanes are tricky to navigate.

British culinary trends have returned to the days prior to the era of pre-packaged convenience in that farmed and foraged, homegrown, homemade, local and fresh is hugely popular. Just as the return to home shores for travel and leisure has upped the demand for quality stays in lovely locations, the food that goes along with it is just as great. 

With my July 2021 test-out-of-isolation record on my phone a week after arriving in the UK from the US, the first place I'd been hopeful to cram into my shortened travel itinerary was Wells-Next-The-Sea, an ideal destination an hour-and-a-half's drive east from my folks' in which to soak up the sea, fishing boats, crabbing, birdwatching, coastal walking, pub garden pit-stops and coastal cottage dreaming. 

Checking out the classic English beach huts was top of my list. Who wouldn't love one of these wonderful, quirky, colorful beauties? The good news is, if you plan it out far enough ahead, you may be able to rent one! You can't actually stay overnight, but how civilized a day or two at an award-winning beach to make a pot of tea, read a book and lounge?

Wells beach hut (not as pictured) has seating for over 6 people including deck chairs and wooden folding chairs. It also has a bench and folding table inside, for those seeking some shade on the hot summer days, or to get out of the cold when taking brisk walks in the winter months. There are an array of buckets, spades and beach games available, as well as a couple of surf boards for fun in the sea. Tea and coffee making facilities, cutlery, cups, plates and everything needed to wash up afterwards. 

Wells-Next-The-Sea was a harbor as far back as the eleventh century. There was a commercial fishery by the end of the early fourteenth century and vessels fished for herring and cod off Norway and as far a distance as Iceland. 

The seaside town became famous in the eighteenth century for its export of malt. It's incredible to think that a third of England's malt barley exports passed through the Wells custom house where large malting buildings dominated the skyline above town with its quaint narrow yards and Georgian architecture. Several remain and have been converted to apartments. History and heritage abound. 

Today the harbor is used by local and visiting leisure sailors and fishermen who bring in crabs, lobsters and whelks. 

The Crown Hotel, warm, comfortable, inviting and cosy, serves some of the best seasonal breakfasts, lunches, afternoon teas and dinners along the coast. There are some pretty fancy spots to stay between Wells-Next-The-Sea and Blakeney, but I was pleased I opted for The Crown, it was an absolute delight. Seeing as we were staying during the extended restriction period in the UK, it was reassuring to experience how many protocols where in place for staying and taking refreshment in the hotel. 

Staff are super, the region has had record low COVID numbers and yet nobody took any less care to adhere to safe standards. We enjoyed a memorable dinner in the dining room which I had reserved a couple of months prior, which was a good thing, seeing as the place was fully booked up. It's best to book directly and especially so with sensible cancellation policies in place. 

Click here to read the fascinating history of The Crown, which is believed to have been built in 1450. 

Summer is a lovely time to visit, but the English weather being unpredictable means that you could just as easily find yourself basking in the sunshine whether it's summer, spring, autumn or winter! 

The weather was kind for my husband Timo and me as we wandered the town and enjoyed fish and chips on the quay. I was impressed by the number of quality boutiques and potteries, cafes, bespoke butcher's shops, fish shops and a terrific interactive history museum in the Maltings. 

Along the coast visitors may take harbor tours, seal trips or sea fishing trips. 

For those who prefer land legs, walking and cycling are big in this little corner of the world. I wish we'd had longer to stay and explore. We'll be back! 

We opted for a breezy 10 mile trek alongside coastal marshes on the Norfolk Coast Path from Wells to Blakeney to the south, stopping off for refreshment along the way! Though the wild and expansive marshes are tempting, it's best to stick to the path and designated beaches due to unpredictable and fast incoming tides. We watched a couple expertly time hopping onto their boat in Wells harbor as the impressive tide swept in late evening. I wouldn't recommend it unless you absolutely know your tidal skills are up to it. 

Norfolk is famous for its bird watching and is home to some of the rarest birds in the UK. Visit Norfolk Wildlife Trust for more info. 

Pubs galore and the local beers are to savor. 

Two Magpies Bakery on the quay in Blakeney is well worth a hike for its artisan pastries, fresh bread, sourdough stone baked pizza, assorted treats and and espresso drinks. 

Blakeney National Nature Reserve hosts an endless list of enticing activities and holiday stays.

The town itself is as pristine as the protected coastal land. Coastal hopper buses are frequent and far preferable to squeezing a vehicle through village lanes. 

Where to Stay

The Wells-Next-The-Sea Tourist Information Centre in Wells Maltings (011441328710885 if calling from the US) has a full list of hotels, bed and breakfasts and self catering accommodation accommodation, plus there are several camp sites in the region.  Click here for website. 

Getting There

Unfortunately the railway line that once was a vital link to the town of Wells was taken away in the 1960s. Now that English tourism is back to pre-1970s popularity, rail access would save on considerable summer traffic. Click here for coastal bus services that run hourly seven days a week westward to Hunstanton and King's Lynn and eastern to Cromer. 

 

 

 

There are plenty of ways to get to north Norfolk from within the UK or from overseas. North Norfolk is accessible from the north, west or south of the country and the A11 dual carriageway makes for travel from the south. The Broadland Northway provides quicker and easier access from Norwich and once in north Norfolk, there are lots of ways to get around. 

Greater Anglia trains leave London Liverpool Street and King's Cross every hour, arriving in just under two hours into Norwich or King's Lynn. From Norwich you can catch a regular train to Cromer or Sheringham, and from there and King's Lynn, there are connecting local bus services.

By Hand — Maker's Amongst Us — Petaluma Arts Center August 14 - September 18 2021

August 14 - September 18, 2021

Opening reception Saturday, August 14, 2021, 5:00pm-7:00pm

By Hand — Makers Amongst Us exhibition looks at the work of Petaluma creatives whose craft may be seen as tangential to the fine art world. In an effort to expand the Arts Center's definition and perception of the arts, new director, Carin Jacobs and team are shining a light on  makers from our local community who create beauty and function in their work; taking art off the wall and highlighting connections between art and life.

In a juxtaposition of objects, images and text, a story of methods and materials unfolds, illuminating both product and process. Click here for more info. 

By Hand: Makers Among Us participating artists:

• Alisha Reyes - Fiber Circle

• Marta Shannon - Tactile Sensations

• Tali Bouskila - Flower Casita

• Jess Brown - Jess Brown Design

• Barry Grzebik- Grez Guitars

• Gwynne Johnson - Guinevere

• Greg Zall - Greg Zall Woodworking

• Kala Ukulele - Kala Elite USA Manufacturing