Riddle and Finns: Definitely the Best Seafood Restaurant in Town

Personally, finding the right restaurant to eat in (except using a 2-4-1 voucher for the local Italian) is a hard task in Brighton. I am quite particular when it comes to spending my money on something which I could have easily of cooked myself for cheaper at home. However, this time round it was my boyfriend’s birthday so I felt more relaxed about pushing the boat out. We both had our eyes on Riddle & Finn’s – a ‘Champagne and Oyster bar’ located in Meeting House Lane (of the South Laines).

It comes highly recommended by foodies and even Gordon Ramsay so we tried it. They don’t take reservations so we turned up at about 7.30 pm on a Tuesday and got a bench at the back of the small restaurant (note, this may not be the best place for an intimate dinner as they tend to ‘share’ the tables and seats with other couples). In the window is a wet fish display, from which you can buy home supplies (much as at the Fishworks chain). The decor is classy, with candles lighting the majority of the room – and stone marble tables give the place an expensive feel. We ordered a bottle of Prosecco for around £30, which was beautiful (if a little over my usual price range!).

The waitress brought over a basket of condiments, freshly baked bread and mackerel pate which are given to each person at £1 per head (very reasonable). My boyfriend decided on Calamari to start which had the softest texture I have ever experienced. After this, the waitress brought over my clam and bacon linguine and my boyfriend’s colossal crab along with Samphire – a type of seaweed, for a side dish. Mine was extremely rich and I couldn’t finish it, despite my heads yearning. I watched on and drank the Prosecco as I watched my usually painfully chatty other half crack and dissect his meal to his heart’s content for the best part of 40 minutes. After he had finished, we sat for a few minutes and collected the bill from a somewhat rushed but friendly waitress.

All in all this was an amazing, and reasonably priced restaurant and comes highly recommended on both mine and my extremely happy boyfriends part. This Riddle & Finns, set up by the people behind a well-regarded brasserie down on Brighton’s beach called Due South, is intended to be the first in a chain along the south coast. Bon appétit!

Helpful Advice and Tips on Winning Back Ex Girlfriends

Losing the love of someone you love very much can be a devastating experience. Those who have had this experience are aware of the grief that is involved. It feels as though an important part of you is not there and it can be difficult to find the enthusiasm to get up and face the day without her love. Unsurprisingly it is not difficult to find tips on winning back ex girlfriends.

There are numerous articles and books dedicated to the matter of getting back with exes. Furthermore, your friends and family may also offer their suggestions. One of the challenges is that tips on winning back ex girlfriends can often be conflicting. How do you decide which tips on winning back ex girlfriends are worth using?  The truth is that winning back an ex can be challenging and if you go with your initial gut instincts you could actually steer her away for good. 

What To Watch Out For

One of the best tips on winning back ex girlfriends concerns pleading. The first thing you feel like doing is phoning or emailing her to tell her you still love her and cannot exist without her. Nothing will repel a woman faster than having her believe that you are desperate and needy.  If you get back with your ex it should be because you would like to be with her, rather than because you need her. 

Another of the more constructive tips on winning back ex girlfriends is to steer clear of using deceitful strategies. Bribery and blackmail should be avoided. Mind games and threats of physically hurting yourself should be avoided. Do not give her flowers or swear her that you are going to change. Do not date other women for the single reason of attempting to make her jealous. Women have seen these tricks and games and they will not be impressed by them.  

What You Should Do

If you bother your ex or refuse to give her any breathing space after you break up she will be glad that you are not together. Those tips on winning back ex girlfriends that suggest that you avoid all contact for a while are very valid. Give your ex a chance to miss you and wonder if she made the right decision when she decided to break up with you. Do not email her, call her or go to the areas you know she is likely to be for at least one month after you break up. 

Do ask yourself questions about why you and your ex broke up. What were the main reasons that the breakup happened? Were you thoughtful towards your girlfriend and did you pay due attention to the things she said? Did you devote enough time to her? Was there any flaw that she said you needed to fix? If you do not acknowledge the actual reasons for the breakup and make an effort to work on them there is no sense in getting back together. 

Of all tips on winning back ex girlfriends the most important is to avoid becoming depressed. Do not sit at home distressing about the past as this is counterproductive. In its place socialize and do the things you used to do before you were together. Be the man you where when she was first attracted to you.  If she eventually calls you then meet up with her and be friendly, but stay cool and collected. 

Hiking Adventures in Bali

Some hit Bali for the surf while others head out for a bit of relaxation on the beach and some passionate shopping. Then there are those who head to Bali because they want to explore the mountains. The mountains in Bali come from the volcanoes of the Ring of Fire so they are truly spectacular even if there aren’t too many of them.

Most of the mountains are in the northern area of Bali and there is a lot to do once you get out there. Some areas have a lot of lodging options and are great for spending longer lengths of time while other areas are just good day trips. You will need to explore different areas to plan out your vacation and select the best lodging options.

Just remember to pack some warmer clothing when exploring the mountains of Bali. Most people think of the sun, surf and sand when they head to Bali but it can be much chillier when you get up in the mountains.

To help you determine where you might want to explore in Bali, consider just a few possible destinations:

Gunung Agung

This is one of the biggest mountains in Bali and there is no lodging available. You can access the longest trail from Pura Besakih and that is also a great place to spend the night before you head out on the biggest hiking adventure in all of Bali. If you don’t think you can sustain a 5-7 hour uphill hike and make it back to your lodging point safely, then you can go to the southern point of the mountain for a shorter hiking route.

Gunung Abang

This is actually a hiking trail inside a larger crater called Batur. You can hike other areas of Batur, but what makes Abang special is the forest surrounding the trail. A lot of hiking in bali is done in the wee hours of the morning because there are no tress to shield from the intense sun and high humidity. This is one of the trails that you can actually enjoy during the day since the forest blocks the blazing sun.

You will need to bring your own water and refreshments since there isn’t much here for purchase. There is no lodging either, so you will need to stay in Penelokan or another community the night before or after. Head east out of Penelokan on the main road to find the access point into this hiking trail.

Gunung Batukaru

Stay in Sarinbuana if you want to hike in this mountain range because it is one of the more remote hiking destinations in Bali. Access can also be gained from Kuta if you are staying in that area. You will basically have to find the Eco Lodge and plan y our hiking adventure from there. This is a high mountain, so it may not be a good pick for those who without extensive hiking experience.

This mountainous area is known for maintaining jungle land, which is not easy to find in Bali anymore. You can even camp out in this area if you like to rough it and really get up close and personal with the natural environment.

If you are going to explore the Bali mountains remember to check the weather forecast before planning the exact day to hike. There are monsoons and other weather events that may make hiking undesirable on some days.