Visit to London

Straight off the train at Euston, I was met by my dear friend.  The first thing we did was to go down to the Underground Station where I bought my Oyster Card.  I'm sure they have been going some time, but this was my first time in London when no cash would be accepted on buses, so I needed my own Oyster Card.  I feel quite proud of my card.  I wonder if there is a way to find out how much cash is left on it?  I've just checked and there are many ways to do this!

Vicki took me to one of her favourite new places not far away.  She had been clever and booked us in, otherwise they were turning people away.  At first it was pretty noisy inside so we opted for a pavement seat for coffee and cake, but moved inside when it was time for lunch.

We shared a Mezze and then I had chicken parcel with a salad, and Vicki had a fish dish.  Their dishes are delicious, and their cakes and bread are great with wonderful ingredients.  I often wish I could have the recipe and replicate something at home, and Honey & Co have produced their own Cookery Book.  Vicki had a copy back at the flat so I have copied down a couple for me to try.

It felt really warm in London, and I found the underground rather hot, so was pleased that I had layers on, which I shed along the way.

During the afternoon we visited Jack's grave where we did an autumn tidy up.  Squirrels had buried over 20 huge conkers, and as Vicki does not like spiders, took a few home to place in each room.  Well it might be an old wives tale, but I think Vicki will feel that Jack is helping to keep the spiders away!  I placed them in my pocket with a hole in it, so I had to fish them out from between the lining of my coat.  I must really repair that hole!

On Friday we had a trip out to the Antiques market at Bermondsey, and as we were heading towards the Centre of London, I got this shot of the Shard, as we were making for the Fashion and Textile Museum.

Also on the way, I kept stopping to view the various warehouses on the south side of the Thames, now converted to maybe more salubrious uses.

Along the way we asked a Postman where the Fashion and Textile Museum was, and I was completely surprised when he did not know where it was, since it turned out to be only a few metres from where we were standing on the same road.

No photographs were allowed, but I did take this one of a Sandra Rhodes Handbag in the Shop.  I like the pattern.

The exhibition: Chanel to Westwood was fascinating, and I was amazed at some of the pieces from the 1920's and 30's and can see where some of the current trends originated from.

On our way we passed just by the Shard

We walked a little further to Borough Market, where we were impressed by the displays of fruit, veg, fungi, etc.  It is quite a temple to food, and there were many outlets where you could pick up food to eat there and then, which we did do and then found a spot overlooking the Thames to eat our lunch.

We had great views and watched a sailing boat pass through Tower Bridge

On the other side we walked around the Tower to see the poppies

Vicki cooked a particularly delicious supper, starting with a dry sherry and smoked anchovies on toast, followed by roast duck, and roasted pumpkin and a watercress salad.  Followed by delicious petit fours which I made up with small cut pastries which we had bought during the day.

Saturday saw us put our best foot forward for a walk on Hampstead Heath just a short way from the flat.  We had been across a couple of days previously, but approached it from a different angle.  There was a bad foot, the one with a blister on heel, which meant that we took a bus a little way to make our walk to Kenwood House a little easier!  I found Hampstead Heath charming, just like the countryside in London.  People were out walking, running, sitting on benches chatting, walking dogs, children were cycling, and there are even a few swimming lakes!

What a wonderful place: Kenwood House has recently been refurbished  and I loved the building, and its paintings and furniture.  Just imagine, the details on this full length portrait, carpet and stocking and shoe....

and a decorative edge of a small table.

I arrived back safely from my trip to the Capital...and spent the next day pottering in the garden!