Burgers at Hettie Bells, Salisbury Review
Burgers at Hettie Bells, Salisbury Review
Burgers at Hettie Bells, Salisbury Review
Burgers at Hettie Bells, Salisbury Review






Anyone who knows us personally will know that we are BIG fans of a dinner offer. I'm talking 2 for £x, buy one get one free, you name it, we'll give it a go. Hettie Bells' 2-4-1 burger offer has been on our 'we must try that' list for a good few months now, and this week we finally made it down there to try it out. 

Situated opposite the train station, Hettie Bells is both a pub and a cafe. They're open 7am-11pm every day, serving coffees and pastries in the cafe, and beers and burgers in the pub from 11am. 

The decor is dark, moody and cosy, perfect for this time of year. We found ourselves a little table for two not far from a tv showing the live departures board for the station. We weren't going anywhere, but if you are, that's pretty neat, huh? 

So, the main event, the reason we were there... Smash burgers! Every Tuesday, all of the burgers are 2 for 1, and the best bit? They don't even need to be two of the same type. This worked out really well for us as Elliot was keen to try the Chicken Whippy (buttermilk chicken, vanilla ice cream, hot honey and bacon) whilst I opted for the Ray Mac (double smash patty, deep fried mac 'n' cheese, pickles, burger sauce and lettuce). On the menu is also a double smash patty with beef brisket (Brisket McBeefFace) as well as a vegan option too (Monty Don)! 

After a slight wait on the food, our burgers arrived, and oh my... Wow. If the burgers themselves weren't big enough, just look at that mountain of fries... They were both piping hot and crispy! The burgers themselves were delicious and exactly what we were hoping for. The deep fried mac and cheese in mine was sooo good. Smash burgers in Salisbury? We love to see it. 

If you haven't already been to Hettie Bells to try their burgers, I highly recommend that you do. You won't be disappointed! 

Jet2 Gin Making Event
Jet2 Gin Making Event
Jet2 Gin Making Event




Jet2 Gin Making Event

Jet2 Gin Making Event


PRESS EVENT

On Saturday, I was invited down to Wyrd Spirits in Ringwood for a day of gin making, spirit tasting, buffet grazing and cocktail shaking.  Why? To celebrate the fact that Jet2 are coming to Bournemouth Airport in early 2025!

If you've been reading my blog for a while now you'll know how much I enjoy travelling and seeing new places. This year, we've been to Copenhagen, Bruges, Singapore, and Bali. So, Jet2 coming to Bournemouth and opening up the opportunity for even more trips is a GREAT thing in my books. 

When we arrived at the event we were greeted with a gin and tonic (it's never too early!) and a gin making station to sit at. We then learnt about the history of Wyrd Spirits as well as the origins of gins and how it is created. Once we were educated in all things gin, juniper and botanicals, we got to work crafting our own custom gin flavours. Jaye and I opted for Elderflower, Grapefruit, Sarsaparilla, Cubeb Berries and Meadowsweet, hoping to create a sweet, citrusy concoction. We then added our flavourings to the copper still and waited for our very own gin to distill. 

Gins produced - ours a little drier than we were hoping for - it was about time for some lunch. After a G&T, and lots of delicious gin tasters, a refuel was definitely needed. (Note: the measly bagel I had for breakfast was wearing a little thin...)

Back in business after some delicious sandwiches and wraps courtesy of The Forest Foodie, it was time to have a go at creating some gin cocktails. On the menu was a Tom Collins and a Passionfruit cocktail, both using the gin that we'd each made earlier in the day. The passionfruit cocktail was absolutely delicious and I will 100% be recreating it at home. I can't remember the measurements now, but I know it had passionfruit syrup, vanilla, Aperol and foaming bitters in!

As of February 2025, Jet2 will have a base at Bournemouth, offering Holidays from Bournemouth Airport | Jet2holidays and Cheap Flights from Bournemouth Airport | Jet2.com. They'll be flying to 16 destinations including Corfu, Ibiza and Menorca, and at the time of writing this, the flights are all reduced, bargain! 

Thank you to Jet2 and Wyrd Spirits for hosting such a fun experience, cheers to more affordable flights and holidays from Bournemouth! 












Stones in His Pockets at Salisbury Playhouse Review

Stones in His Pockets at Salisbury Playhouse Review
Photo by Alex Tabrizi



 PRESS TICKETS

Wiltshire Creative's 2024 Autumn Season is well and truly underway and this week we headed down to Salisbury Playhouse to see Stones in His Pockets. Presented by Wiltshire Creative, Barn Theatre Cirencester, and Octagon Theatre Bolton, this production is running in Salisbury until Saturday 19th October. 

Stones in His Pockets is a tragicomedy. It's got dark themes intertwined with hilarious jokes. This production could be one of the funniest I've seen to date, which says a lot considering the play includes themes such as suicide. 

The play, originally written by Marie Jones, is directed by her son Matthew McElhinney. A new Hollywood film is being shot in a rural Irish village and local people feature in the production as extras. This play follows two of these extras in particular, Charlie and Jake, who are played by Gerard McCabe and Shaun Blaney respectively. 

McCabe and Blaney are the only actors in the entire production, so also play the roles of the other 10+ characters that make an appearance throughout the 2+ hour production. Switching between characters almost instantly and with minimal props or costume changes, we were SO impressed. It takes a little bit of time to remember who is who and which costume tweak is who, but once you know, it's easy to follow. 

I'd highly recommend going to see Stones in His Pockets at Salisbury Playhouse this October, it's brilliant! 

The Stalls Cafe Salisbury Review

The Stalls Cafe Salisbury Review
The Stalls Cafe Salisbury Review

A coffee and a cake at a new-to-me cafe? Sounds like a perfect Saturday morning plan. This morning Elliot and I headed to The Stalls Cafe and it was lovely. 

Located in a converted barn on a working farm in Sutton Mandeville, The Stalls Cafe has an eco-friendly approach and serves specialty coffee and locally sourced food. 

We both had a latte, Elliot had a bacon roll and I had a lemon and strawberry bun. There was a really good selection of cooked food and pastries on offer and I would absolutely go back to try one of their breakfasts. 

They're open Wednesday - Sunday, 9am - 3pm, and I'd definitely recommend taking a drive out to there if you're looking for something to do of a weekend morning... 

ps The Stalls Cafe also host a monthly car meet on a Sunday called 'Sunday Startup' if that's you're sort of thing!



Have you ever been to The Stalls Cafe?

Syds Slaps Southbourne Review

Syds Slaps Southbourne Review

Syds Slaps Southbourne Review
With the south coast finally seeing its first proper sunny weekend of the year, Elliot and I decided it was only right that we head to the coast for a beach walk and some brunch. Rather than head somewhere that we've been before for brunch, I had a quick Google Maps scroll and stumbled across Syd's Slaps in Southbourne. With the slogan 'Neighbourhood Caff & Night Time Gaff', you know it's going to be good...

Situated on the high street, Syd's Slaps has indoor seating as well as outdoor seating out the front and the back. We opted to sit in their courtyard garden round the back. 

Their brunch menu consists of set breakfasts (your typical cooked breakfast combos) as well as muffins/brioche rolls and sourdough toasts. 

Elliot and I both had a sausage muffin and it far exceeded our expectations. As well as the delicious sausage patty, the muffin also had a fried egg, a humongous hashbrown, and cheese. I had a 'Builders Tea' with my brunch, Elliot had a latte and both were great. The coffee was one of the better ones I've tried recently.

Our bill came to £20.90 which seemed very reasonable in these current economic times. The muffins were just £8 each and very well-sized too. 

If you're looking for a brunch in Southbourne, definitely check out Syd's Slaps, we'll definitely be making a return! 


Have you ever been to Syd's Slaps in Southbourne?

A Chorus of Disapproval Salisbury Playhouse Review
A Chorus of Disapproval Salisbury Playhouse Review


PRESS TICKETS

A Chorus of Disapproval is currently at Salisbury Playhouse and we were invited down last week to go and see it on their Press Night. This is an Alan Ayckbourn play that was first produced back in 1984. It  first appeared at the Salisbury Playhouse in 1987 and is now back again, 37 years later... 


It's a play within a play about a local Amateur Light Operatic Society who are practicing for their upcoming production of The Beggar's Opera. The play tells the story of Guy, the newest member of the Operatic Society, who ends up with more than just the one line he was first given.


I loved the set of A Chorus of Disapproval, some of the scenes were really clever. In particular, I thought the pub scene was brilliant and I was really impressed by Olivia Forrest who played Bridget Baines. 


There was plenty of singing (understandably, being an opera) and jokes too. I thought Andy Cryer's character Jarvis was hilarious. He definitely deserved more airtime. 


A Chorus of Disapproval runs until 18th May and there are still some tickets available.


Have you seen A Chorus of Disapproval?

Wiltshire Creative Comedy Club: Glenn Moore

PRESS TICKETS

Two shows in one week? We truly were spoilt by Wiltshire Creative this week. Following Tuesday night's showing of Houdini's Greatest Escape, Elliot and I headed back to the Playhouse on Thursday for a night of comedy.

 

Wiltshire Creative's Comedy Club was MCd by the hilarious, Laura Lexx. She had everyone laughing within a minute of being on stage with self-deprecating humour and lots of interactions with members of the audience. Shoutout to Helen and Paula the bus drivers and Melanie and Martin, who 'definitely look like they have a conservatory'. 


Following Laura getting the crowd hyped up for some comedy, Bilal Zafar came out on stage for the first half. He shared witty stories about being in an inter-racial relationship, a recent gig he was booked for for 200 bishops, his experience doing jury service, and a recent air fryer advert that has been doing the rounds. 


Following the interval, and a few more jokes and heckles with Laura Lexx, Glenn Moore then took to the stage. Albeit not from the side of the stage. His routine focussed on his experience living with his brother during lockdown and the breakdown of his relationship with hilarious, genuine laugh-out-loud moments scattered generously throughout. There were crude jokes, political jokes, hand signals, the lot. The time absolutely flew by and I would absolutely go and see him on tour again. 


Having never been to a comedy show before, I am wholeheartedly converted. Elliot and I laughed throughout the entire thing. The jokes were just our humour and the time absolutely flew by. 


I'd highly recommend going along to one of Wiltshire Creative's Comedy Clubs, tickets start from just £15! 

Houdini's Greatest Escape at Salisbury Playhouse

PRESS TICKETS

New Old Friends' latest production (produced in association with Yvonne Arnaud Theatre) made its way to the Salisbury Playhouse this week and we were lucky enough to catch it whilst it was on. There were just 3 showings of 'Houdini's Greatest Escape' in Salisbury but they are touring various venues with the show until June. This is a new play written and directed by Feargus Woods Dunlop and here is what I thought...

Harry Houdini and his wife Bess have been performing their tricks for years. An opportunity then arises for them to be picked to perform for the King. Alas, things are never quite that easy... 

The Houdinis are framed for a crime they didn't commit. 

Without giving too much away, the plot involves their run-ins with a local gang, their competitor a Spiritualist named Agatha, and their involvement with the police. 

The show is made up of a cast of 4 people and the set is simple yet incredibly clever. Whilst Ben Higgins (Harry Houdini) and Lydia Piechowiak (Bess Houdini) were brilliant, I have to take a moment to give credit to Adam Elliott and Kirsty Cox who played SO many roles in the production. 

If there was one thing I didn't enjoy so much in this show it was the 'Nelly the Elephant' segment. I don't think it needed it and it felt a bit silly, but other people were laughing away. 

This thriller includes lots of slapstick comedy and I thoroughly enjoyed the storyline. Houdini's Greatest Escape is touring until the 30th June including shows on 17-18th May in Southampton!


Have you seen Houdini's Greatest Escape?

One Last Push at Salisbury Playhouse Review

One Last Push at Salisbury Playhouse Review
Photography by Craig Fuller


PRESS TICKETS

A play about childbirth... An interesting concept, huh? I never like to do too much research before watching a play in case of accidentally ruining it for myself, so I had absolutely no idea what to expect from this new comedy by Chris Chibnall when we took our seats in Salisbury Playhouse. The idea for this play was inspired by the story of Chibnall's youngest son's birth and is just one of his comedies based around big life events.

Set in Jen and Mark's new flat, the play focuses on the last few days before their first baby arrives. Like with anything, no matter how many books you've read, classes you've attended, or how hard you've tried to plan something, things never quite go smoothly...

With ongoing renovations, an estranged parent, a badger (yes, really), a parent live-streaming, and a deflating birthing pool in the mix, this certainly can't be considered a calm and tranquil setting for an ideal home birth.

The play is funny, littered with crude jokes and the acting is superb. With 3 of the cast members having appeared in Call the Midwife, 1 in Casualty, and 1 in Holby City it's fair to say that Jen (Laura Main) is in safe hands. Huge credit to the crew involved with this production, taking on hoses and leaking pools in live theatre is no mean feat. 

We thoroughly enjoyed our evening and would definitely recommend watching this play as part of its world premiere in Salisbury! One Last Push is running at Salisbury Playhouse from Thursday 15th February – Saturday 9th March and tickets start from just £13. 


Have you seen One Last Push yet?

Dick Whittington at Salisbury Playhouse Review
Dick Whittington at Salisbury Playhouse Review
Photo courtesy of The Other Richard

press tickets 

I'm happy to declare the festive season officially open, Elliot and I went to see the panto in Salisbury last night! Dick Whittington opened at the Salisbury Playhouse on Saturday 25th November and, having not been to the pantomime since I appeared on stage at our local ones many many years ago, I wasn't entirely sure what to expect. Wearing my best Lidl Christmas jumper (the only acceptable get up for an evening of panto), we headed to our seats totally unaware of what was to come...

And, spoiler, we were VERY pleasantly surprised. The cast was brilliant, the costumes were amazing and the dance numbers were a right hoot. Without ruining the story too much, Percy Rat was by far our favourite character, and his jokes were right up our street. Read: crude. 

With the bright colourful sets, costumes, and dances to entertain the youngsters and a healthy dose of adult humour sprinkled in for good measure, this truly is a good evening out for all the family. 

Elliot and I went just the two of us and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. This panto certainly isn't just for kids. I mean, the lad's name is 'Dick', the jokes almost write themselves. 

Dame? Check. 'It's behind you'? Check. Audience singalong halfway through? Check. Actually funny jokes? Check. Brilliant cast? Check. This panto had it all and has definitely changed my perception of what a panto is like. 

If you've not, like me, been to the panto in years but want a joyful evening out, definitely check out Dick Whittington at Salisbury Playhouse this Christmas. We had a truly brilliant time and weren't the only ones there without children in tow!