10 thoughts you always have during a package holiday

The last few years I'd been very anti-package holidays. Instead wanting to really 'travel', soak up the European cities I've seen pictures off and finally get off the continent. But last week I took my first package holiday to Mallorca for five years thanks to a friend's wedding. It took me right back to my childhood and teenage years - and it was glorious.

1. One of the biggest decisions to be made is whether to have a cheese toastie or a cheese and ham toastie for breakfast.

2. You start to judge a restaurant on if they sell 'English bacon'.

3. Fanta Lemon and Lays Paprika crisps are a match made in heaven.

4. That hour sleep you have between having a shower and getting ready to go out will always be the best kip all holiday.

5. You become addicted to applying after sun after the shower. Often applying two coats just to make sure you go really brown.

6. Aloe Vera gel from the fridge feels like absolute heaven on sunburn.

7. You rage at the idiots who get up early to save the sunbeds by the pool with their towel. Then give in after the first day and join them -whilst absolutely hating yourself for joining in. 

8. Getting up really early every day despite having an almighty hangover because you're so desperate to not waste the day. Then regretting it as soon as you start hearing the screaming children enjoying themselves on the beach.

9.  Going out on the strip is just like being at home again with the same music, same shot girls and same grime. The only difference is the sun is shining.

10. You will always burn yourself on the last after getting too cocky. Every damn time.

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Restaurant review: The Good Egg, Stoke Newington, London

The Good Egg is a restaurant that's been on my list to visit for a good few years. The Jewish eatery, basing its menu on Tel Aviv street food, has won lots of praise for its brunch menu. But the original one is based in Stoke Newington, an area of north London not known for its transport links so I've never made it down to the area. But this year I'm keen to explore parts of London I've not been to before so we arranged a day out with Hannah and her boyfriend Steve to hunt for records in charity shops, go on a mini bar crawl and stuff our faces.

Located in Church Street, a road in Stokey that's known for delicious places to eat, The Good Egg is famous for having large queues but luckily we only had a ten minute wait when we arrived. Settling down we scoured the menu and decided on a few dishes to share. I opted for the the vegetarian option   of the Jerusalem Breakfast with crispy halloumi. A feast consisting of little versions of the breakfast plates on the menu. I adored the delicious dips of whipped green feta, house Labneh and beats and dills. They were so addictive. I just wish there was more of the pita bread to dip. We shared a spicy halloumi Shakshuka which was a little too tight on the cheese for my liking, but still pretty tasty, and fluffy cornbread paired with a herby spread.

Service was brilliant, prices were very reasonable and the food was amazing. If you're looking for something a little different from the bog-standard brunch places then The Good Egg is your guy. You can't book at the Stokey branch but they have another one more central in Kingly Court where you can. I'm desperate to go back and sample the dinner menu. The short-rib shawarma is calling my name!

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A Bank Holiday Monday in Margate

Something strange happened last weekend, the bank holiday was a scorcher. I don't think I can remember a bank holiday when it hasn't rained! So we did what all Brits do when the sun decides to appear - we went to the coast!

Margate had been on my list to visit for ages. Situated in Kent, it's been nicknamed Shoreditch-On-Sea thanks to the abundance of hipster shops and restaurants that have opened up. Despite an 90 minute car journey taking three hours, we arrived to a cloudless sky and the sun beating down on our faces ready to stuff our faces with ice cream and chips.

On first impressions Margate was a bit meh. It wasn't any different to any Essex seaside towns I'd been too and I wasn't quite sure that it was worth the trip. I'd wanted to visit Fort's Cafe for breakfast so we made a beeline for some grub. Service was pretty slow but the food was delicious. I highly recommend the Welsh rarebit if you ever find yourself in this part of the world. We ended up on the 2p machines in the arcades and took a wander along the seafront before stopping for a Diet Coke on a terrace overlooking the sea. It wasn't until we were on our way back to the car that we stumbled across the old town. This was the part of Margate that I had been looking forward to seeing!

It was chock-a-block of cute vintage shops, delicious looking restaurants and quirky looking buildings. We went rummaging and came out with a couple of records for our collection and a scoop of the most delicious ice cream. So creamy. Annoyingly I can't remember the name of the shop but it had a great vintage shop next door so keep an eye out for that! I wish we'd had more time here and it's 100% the place I'd head back to first if I find myself in Margate again. I'm not sure I'm in any rush to go back but I feel like I'm missing the appeal somehow. Maybe I should go back so I can finally see what the fuss is all about!

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