What has exceeded your expectations

[DenisetheMenace]

On the back of another thread, what has exceeded your expectations.

If I may, I’ll kick off with The Lost Gardens of Heligan, St. Fagans Museum, Tokyo, Michelangelo’s David, Tintagel and Porthminster Beach Cafe in St. Ives.

That made me lol @Hellocatshome

Ellis Island
Really interesting, best thing about NY by a mile

Plus another yes for the Porthminster Beach Cafe

That looks great @bizzieb33
I’ve made a note.

Schitts Creek
Oat milk
Dark chocolate Bounty bars

The Grand Canyon and Niagara Falls. Moscow, St Petersburg and on a really personal level, my grandsons. I was a single parent so I didn't get much time to stop and enjoy my child but now I'm retired and not the primary caregiver it's absolutely wonderful spending time with these two little people. They're gorgeous and funny, loving and just amazing.

Las Vegas - went with exh who had never been to the States and Vegas was his first choice destination expecting to absolutely hate it. Quite the opposite. I think it's an amazing place - low end or high end pools, bars & clubs, theatre, food, and music & bustle everywhere. Loved it!

Actually, thinking about it, the town I live in.

I knew the town as my kids went to school here, but we lived in the sticks. I moved here with reservations.

But I absolutely LOVE it. I live on a quiet 1950s estate, but within fifteen minutes walk in one direction I’m in a wood, another direction I’m on the Wolds, and in another I’m in the middle of the town. I can pop to the greengrocers, butcher, bank, coffee shop, art galleries, newsagents - we even have a cinema/gig venue and our own music festival.

I can go open-water swimming in a nearby lake, we have nice pubs and restaurants. I even get my milk delivered!

It’s so nice to be part of a community, and to be able to walk around rather than getting in my car every time I need something. We had the opportunity to move a little while back and after looking around, decided that actually, we couldn’t imagine wanting to be anywhere else. A real surprise.

Almaty in Kazakhstan. Warm and friendly people and the contrast between the extreme heat of the city and the view of snow covered mountains was amazing.

Majorca. We'd always avoided it, having only seen the touristy bits on television, but then I won a week's holiday there so we went. The interior of the island is beautiful.

Payments

For those asking me what the scrub is for KP, I’ll attach a pic. It’s bizarre and really does warm up as you rub it on, it doesn’t stay hot for long but it’s weirdly comforting 😂 anyway, I slather a chunk of it on and really scrub away with what I call a floofy poofer- no idea what this is actually called, you know one of those bath scrubber things? And rinse off - moisturise afterwards because I’m quite harsh with my scrubbing and I’m suddenly smoother than a baby’s bum. And the results last for ages before you need to repeat the process.
Wasn’t expecting much but was really surprised!

FFS - Palymra,Syria not payments. Sadly not sure if it still stands but breath taking

@weareallpassengers

seal sanctuary in Skegness. .we had a brilliant morning there

Oh it's lovely isn't it! I love seals and their beautiful big brown eyes. So worth it for a lovely day out.

My daughter🥰

Having a dog. He's the best

The Martha Brea River in Jamaica was beautiful, absolutely breathtaking. I can’t wait to go back!

Beauty Pie subscription - thought it might be a bit of a gimmick but everything is brilliant.
Our cats - thought they might be a bit annoying but got them for the kids really. They have brought us so much joy, especially over lockdown.
Living by the sea - has changed my life for the better, I had no idea how much I would love the sea and the beach.
Giving up booze - thought it would be difficult and boring but it has made me really happy.
Hastings - loved it.

Lesbianism.

Lisbon. DP and I booked it as a cheap getaway before Christmas a few years ago; we had no expectations whatsoever. It was great!

The d'Arcy Dalton Way

My gorgeous little dote of a hamster. She was a rescue and has my heart completely.

The kids love her but I love her. Never expected that.

A Pelaton - I have always hated exercise but, since it arrived, there hasn't been one day I have not used it.

@biggreengrinch

My gorgeous little dote of a hamster. She was a rescue and has my heart completely.

The kids love her but I love her. Never expected that.

Oh, what type of hammy? As you can see, I'm a fellow fan.

Northumberland
The Yorkshire Sculpture Park
Whitesands Bay in Pembrokeshire
Broad Haven in Pembrokeshire
The Conservatory at The Barbican
Snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef
The Brontë Parsonage
The Estorick Gallery in Islington
Oxford (Philip Pullman fans)
The Scottish Gallery of Modern Art in Edinburgh
Liverpool
The Angel of the North
Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser
Neom Candles
Neom diffuser
The Hepworth Gallery
Melbourne
Tony’s Chocolonely chocolate
Devon Wool mattress topper
Devon Wool pillow
Veja V-10 Vegan trainers
Falke wool merino tights
Edinburgh
Wetherspoons by Waverley Station in Edinburgh
Liz Earle botanical perfumes
John Lewis cashmere scarves
Happy Socks socks
Kanken backpacks
Rains waterproof coats
Solovair boots
Anglepoise lamps
Pompeii
The Royal Academy
Twinnings Earl Grey tea bags
Persephone books
The Phoenix subscription for the children