Bluebells, Champagne & Football

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It's mid-April and the commute has been doing its best impression of a creative writing exercise this week with engineering works on the Southeastern main line meant Sunday's Cannon Street services vanished entirely, and the weekday services from Monday through Friday were running on amended timetables. The sort of week where you arrive on the platform quietly proud of yourself for having checked the app first.

Imagine a vacation that’s not only transformative for you but helps open doors for the local women you meet along the way. That’s what Intrepid’s new Women’s Expeditions in Peru, Cambodia and Bhutan are all about.

Designed specifically for women travellers, these trips offer immersive local experiences that support women-run and owned businesses in each destination. With an expert local leader out front, you could trek the lesser-known Chinchero to Urquillos route in the Peruvian Andes alongside an all-female crew, dive into Cambodia’s street food scene on a women-run tuk tuk tour, or unwind with a traditional herbal hot stone bath at a women-owned farmhouse in Bhutan.

First launched in 2018, Intrepid’s Women’s Expedition range is designed to break down barriers, foster discussion and create meaningful connections for travellers and locals alike.

Find your next adventure

There are many, many bars in the City to grab a drink, from pints to cocktails in modern bars and historic pubs, many of which can be loud and packed. The Fortnum’s Bar however is in a pretty unique. Located in the Royal Exchange opposite the Bank of England on Threadneedle Street, this venue is a little oasis of calm, as not many people realise that you can even come in here. A flute of champagne is always welcome after a day’s work!

The Visit Chislehurst Motor Show is back on Sunday 7 June 2026, on High Street and Chislehurst Commons. Registration is now open for classic cars, supercars and bikes (£14 per vehicle). The day features a funfair, local stalls, fire brigade displays and a steam engine — the biggest motor show in the South East.

Sunday 7 June 2026, Chislehurst High Street & Commons. Register at visitchislehurst.org.uk

Demelza Hospice Care for Children, with locations in Eltham and Sittingbourne, has launched its Spring Appeal with a generous match funding pledge in place, every pound donated is being doubled, with a target of raising £50,000 in total for families supported across the region.

Match funding runs until the end of April 2026. Donate at demelza.org.uk/get-involved/spring-appeal/

We’re in the midst of some engineering works on the trains at the moment. Engineering works on the Southeastern network ran from Monday 13 through to Friday 20 April, with amended services across the board — and Sunday 19 April sees no Southeastern service at London Cannon Street at all (amended services run via Greenwich and Bexleyheath instead).

The Rotary Club of Chislehurst's Summer Fair is back on Saturday 13 June 2026 on Chislehurst Common — and stall pitch bookings are now open for anyone who fancies selling, baking, crafting or generally turning out for what's become one of the nicest days on the local calendar. Beer tent. Pimms. Funfair. The Rotary wouldn't have it any other way. More at rotary-ribi.org.

See you next, Friday!
Simon

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