Freedom at Midnight (Season 2)

 

Season 2 continues the story of India's 1947 partition, focusing on the massive refugee crisis, the aftermath of independence, and the events leading to Mahatma Gandhi's assassination

Season 1 was phenomenal, so when I saw there was a second season, I had to check it out. It is beautifully shot, and the entire cast and setting are truly world-class. If you, like me, are interested in Indian history, this is definitely worth watching.

The man behind the series, Nikkhil Advani, is also responsible for the equally wonderful historical series Rocket Boys. He has done true justice to the book Freedom at Midnight (1975) by Larry Collins and Dominique Lapierre.

I cannot recommend this show enough — it is deeply moving and incredibly thought-provoking.

Freedom at Midnight (Season 2)

Thursday, 23 April 2026

Charleston in Stillness

A throwback to this beautiful kitchen at Charleston House. I visited during one of those timed lockdown visits, which, in hindsight, was a rather special way to experience the house. With so few people around, I could properly linger, look closely, and sometimes even have the whole room to myself.

This is where you enter the house — or at least where you did during lockdown. Walking straight into the kitchen felt quietly intimate, as though you were stepping into the everyday heart of the house rather than a formal museum space.

I loved the simple wooden plate rack lined with hand-painted plates, the terracotta floor, and the soft light coming through the small window. It feels wonderfully unpretentious — a working kitchen that still holds the warmth and personality of the people who once lived here.

Charleston in Stillness

Monday, 9 March 2026

The Swedish Connection (2026)

Synopsis: Swedish Foreign Ministry bureaucrat Gösta Engzell, overlooked during the Second World War, rescued thousands while challenging Sweden’s supposed neutrality and leaving a lasting humanitarian legacy.



Review: This is an important story from the Second World War, but it’s undermined by the way it’s filmed. Shot with a light, almost comedic tone, it feels jarringly inappropriate given the subject matter of the Holocaust, at times making events seem trivial or even playful. As a result, it becomes a missed opportunity to create a genuinely thoughtful and impactful film.

The Swedish Connection (2026)

Wednesday, 25 February 2026

Picture Perfect: Smallhythe Place

 

I wanted to share a few photos from this lovely little place I stumbled upon one summer by chance. I was driving past when I spotted a beautiful, rose-covered cottage. I literally had to do a U-turn and stop.

The cottage is called Smallhythe Place. It’s an early 16th-century house with a charming garden and a barn theatre. It was once the home of the actress Ellen Terry, a leading figure of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Inside, it’s simple and delightfully wonky. I loved everything about it.


When I picture a perfect cottage, this is very close to what I imagine. I’d recommend visiting in late June or early July, when the roses and garden are at their best. Sometimes the loveliest places are the ones you discover by accident. Hope you enjoy the photos. 

That picture perfect entrance. 

The Barn Theatre

Picture Perfect: Smallhythe Place

Friday, 16 January 2026

The Impatient Gardener

 

I wanted to share this beautiful image of cosmos in a flower pot. I can’t quite remember where I took the photo; it was at one of the many old houses I’ve visited over the past few years. It recently popped up in my “memories” on my phone.

I’ve had a soft spot for cosmos since I was a child. My parents’ garden was full of them every summer, and those are some of my favourite seasonal memories — the Himalayan mountains in the background and seas of white and pink cosmos in the beds.

Every year I try to grow some of my own, but I think my problem is impatience when it comes to planting seeds. The moment they’re in the soil, I want them to start growing. My husband calls me “the impatient gardener” 🙂 and I suppose he’s right.

This year, I’m determined to do things properly: starting them indoors, following the instructions on the packet, and practising as much patience as I can. I’ve chosen some lovely varieties, and if I’m successful, I’ll be sure to share the results with you all.

The Impatient Gardener

Tuesday, 13 January 2026

Natural Life

 

I’ve always loved the rustic, unfussy feel of this “bathroom”. I first spotted it in an article for Country Style magazine , and it immediately caught my attention. When I looked it up again recently, I ended up finding the house itself, which you can see here. It’s called The Wensley, and it’s available to rent as a holiday stay.

The house sits on 80 acres of gently rolling land in Wensleydale and is built from recycled Oregon and Ironbark, which only adds to its warmth and character. It is perched above a wide valley and reached by a striking timber bridge, the design takes inspiration from traditional Australian sheds and American ski lodges — a combination I find especially appealing. Everything about it feels thoughtful and intentional, from the structure to the interiors. High ceilings, expansive windows and natural materials allow the landscape to flow inside, creating a calm, pared-back retreat that feels a world away from everyday life.

Natural Life

Foyle's War (2002 - 2015)

Foyle's War (2002 - 2015)


Synopsis: As WWII rages, DCS Foyle fights his own war on the home-front; investigating crime on the south coast of England. Later series, see the retired detective working as an MI5 agent in the aftermath of the war.




Review: I first watched this wonderful series during lockdown, and when I saw it again on Netflix, I thought I’d give it another try. Part of the reason was to see whether I remembered all the culprits — it turns out I didn’t — so I found myself happily watching it all over again. It truly is a classic. It is perfection: beautifully shot, deeply absorbing, and oddly comforting. A genuine classic. If you are going to watch anything, watch this. It really will be time well spent.

 

Foyle's War (2002 - 2015)

Monk's House

I think it was really the lockdown that prompted me to stop taking things too easily and actually go out and visit the places I had always wanted to see. One of them was Monk’s House, Virginia Woolf’s 17th-century summer home in East Sussex. I drove all the way from the Cotswolds one summer for a day trip, and it was worth it, especially as it was a hot summer’s day. It’s a very small house, so there isn’t a lot to do, but I enjoyed it nevertheless. Afterwards, I made a few more pit stops along the way and really made use of my National Trust card and app. I hope you enjoy these images.

Staircase leading up to bedrooms. 

Summer house

Dining room

My kind of "office"

A place to really loose yourself in thoughts

More writing space

Little garden.

I really liked the originality of the place — it felt authentic. These days, you see many wannabes trying to copy this “look”, but nothing beats the real thing.

Monk's House

Marty Supreme (2025)

 

Synopsis: Marty Mauser, a young man with a dream no one respects, goes to hell and back in pursuit of greatness.


Review: I had been looking forward to it; the trailer looked weird enough to pique my interest, and I also think Timothée Chalamet is a very versatile and gifted actor. The film is pretty long, and I found it to be largely pointless. There was absolutely no clear point to the story, and it is full of very unpleasant people, including Marty himself. I found it hard to root for him or care about his journey.


It is basically two and a half hours of non-stop shouting, people talking over one another, and loud music. I personally think it is overhyped. Chalamet is very good, but even so, the film is really not all that.

Marty Supreme (2025)

Tuesday, 30 December 2025