Where to eat in Melbourne – Neapoli Cafe Wine Bar

Neapoli Cafe Wine Bar is one of those hidden Melbourne treasures that, unless you know it’s there, you’ll never find it. Melbourne’s made its name with this kind of paradox. The whole city’s full of little bars, cafés and shops that are hidden to the outsider. And as an outsider, it still puzzles me how … Read more

European Romance: Essex and home again

So here we are. The final leg of our journey. We’re in Essex with Mum and Dad, and a welcome plate of good ol’ fish ‘n’ chips – just the way we remember them. Delicious!  We take a trip around Colchester, following the tourist trail. The new multi-million pound art centre is a bit of a … Read more

San Diego Cigar Bar Tour

San Diego – in the whole of the US – has the best tobacco laws. In California, it’s still legal to smoke inside, but only places like tobacco stores. You can’t eat or drink in there. San D takes it one step further. Providing the main product you sell is tobacco, you can get a special licence … Read more

Razorpit razorblade sharpener – shave yourself a fortune!

I hate buying razorblades. It’s so expensive it’s almost cheaper to buy a brand new razor – at least you get a few new blades with it. Mrs Romance sometimes buys them for my birthday or Christmas… yes, it’s an underwhelming gift idea, but it’s a pretty good stocking filler. There is an alternative, however. … Read more