A QUOTE FROM THE #QUEEN ON THE EVE OF HER 90TH BIRTHDAY...

THE DUKE AND #DUCHESS OF CAMBRIDGE WALKED FOR 3 HRS TO THE MONASTERY...

I'm sure like me that you are loving all the amazing pictures of Kate in India, She has looked fantastic in everything she has worn but reading that both William and Kate made it up 10,000 feet above sea level really made me feel proud. 

The Daily Mail wrote William and Kate climbed arm-in-arm to the Tiger's Nest monastery, some 10,000 feet above sea level. 

While the prince was seen wiping sweat from his brow, his wife appeared unfazed by the climb and simply pushed her hair back from her face with her sunglasses.

The prince, dressed in chinos, a shirt and walking boots, looked more flushed than his wife - who donned £475 Penelope Chilvers boots and a £495 Nubuck shoot waistcoat over a white Jaeger linen blouse costing £89.  

At the end of the walk, Kate told the press pack she was missing George and Charlotte 'massively', adding 'we're looking forward to seeing them...they're in good hands.'

THE #QUEEN'S HOUSES...

The Queen's Houses is an outstanding book written by Alan Titchmarsh. In the book, Alan takes us on a tour of the royal residences, where he examines the personal stories behind these magnificent buildings.

The Queen has dedicated her life to the public - every move is scrutinsed, every word noted. But her homes are havens where peace can be found,  and away from watchful eyes.

Through personal reflections, interviews with royal staff and meticulous historic research. Alan looks beyond the formal grandeur of Buckingham Palace, the imposing structure of Windsor Castle and the private escape offered by Balmoral and others. 

It has illustrations with intimate family photographs and evocative memorabilia and offers a glimpse of life behind the state banquets and sovereign duties.

A unique book that any royalist would love to enjoy and keep on their bookshelf. Available from Amazon and other good book shops. 

APRIL AND THE #GREEK GODDESS APHRODITE...

Did you know that in the initial Roman Calendar April was the 2nd month of the year until January and February were added in 700BC.

It is thought that the name April comes from the Latin word "to open" and describes the trees opening at Springtime.

It could also be that the name came from the Greek Goddess Aphrodite.

#ALEXANDER McQUEEN ON BRITISH FASHION...

'British fashion is self confident and fearless. It refuses to bow to commerce, thus generating a constant flow of new ideas whilst drawing in British heritage'...

Alexander McQueen  Lee Alexander McQueen, CBE (17 March 1969 – 11 February 2010) was a British fashion designer and couturier.^[2] He is known for having worked as chief designer at Givenchy from 1996 to 2001 and for founding his own Alexander McQueen label.^[2] 

His achievements in fashion earned him four British Designer of the Year awards (1996, 1997, 2001 and 2003), as well as the CFDA'sInternational Designer of the Year award in 2003.^[2] McQueen committed suicide in 2010 at the age of forty.

NATIONAL #PET MONTH - APRIL 1st - MAY 2nd...

We Brits LOVE our pets ( well, most of us do). My gorgeous little Bess (above) was with us for 15 fantastic years until she passed away last year. I miss her sooooooo much.

National Pet Month 2016 is running from 1st April - 2nd May. Two leading businesses are joining forces with National Pet Month to help promote responsible pet ownership and encourage pet fans to raise vital funds for UK charities.

Their Facebook page has all the information you need to get involved with National Pet Month/ Another Facebook page with details is Scratching Post  which is mainly cat related but lots of stories and great pictures to look at.

You can become a supporter of National Pet Month at their website and get help with your fund raising event.

NINE #BRITISH TRADITIONS TO EXPERIENCE IN THE UK...

According to 'Hand Luggage Only' blog, a brilliant blog written by two good looking guys Yaha and Lloyd who are mates from the University of Cambridge where the blog began in April 2014 on a warm afternoon in Yaya's college room at Cambridge.

They say there are '9' British Traditions which you should experience in the UK. Their number one experience is British Morris Dancing in the Summer. This type of dancing dated back to the 15th Century where 'peasants' would dance the evening away. They say you can usually find Morris Dancers at most Summer Fetes dressed in and dancing to impress the crowds.

Their number two experience is British Maypole Dancing on May Day ( something I've not seen for years) which is predominant in Britain and other parts of Europe. People traditionally dance around the pole on May Day or Whitsun.

The number three slot goes to the English Cheese Rolling in Spring. It is held every year at Coopers Hill in Gloucester where thousands of people roll and chase a 9lb barrel of Gloucestershire cheese down a hill.

Number four on the list is the very British Bonfire Night where we all enjoy a night filled with fireworks, bonfires, sparklers and toffee apples.

Their number five experience is Welsh Bog Snorkelling ( a first for me) which takes place in the summer from Wales where locals and visitors alike can be crowned a champion 'bog snorkeller'!!!

Their number six choice is Cornish Hurling which is played only in Cornwall and is a truly unique past-time. Basically whoever ends up with the silver ball at 12 Noon gets to go to the town mayor and receive their 5 shillings (olde money) reward.

Their number seven spot is a Scottish Hogmanay which is celebrated each year on December 31st. Hogmanay is a Scottish tradition where you enjoy lots of music, whisky, street parties and singing to 'Auld Lang Syne'.

Number eight is the Scottish Burns Night which is held on January 25th every year. Burns night is to celebrate the life and works of the famous poet Robert Burns.

Finally number nine is the Summer Solstice at Stonehenge where each year during the summer solstice (Monday 20th June) upwards 40,000 people head to Stonehenge to celebrate the rising sun.

Amazing bit of British traditions don't you think? You will find lots more on this on Hand Luggage Only website.