tasting food and mad crowds
Another busy day in London!
Yesterday, we visited museums. The men folk went to the Natural History museum and the Science museum, taking their picks here and there. Annie and I went to the V&A to see the shoe exhibition (very interesting) and to design a teapot on a computer on the ceramics floor. Yes, slightly random but it was fun.
We did't feel like spending the day indoors today. We started late and visited Borough market for a bit of food tasting. It was delightful. We had a pick and mix lunch: an oyster here, a macaron there and some pretzels and chocolates in between. We tested every single honey at the honey stand -twice- and bought an old favourite (acacia) produced near where my paternal grandfather family comes from in the Piedmont (Italy). I quite fancied buying some mushrooms but we are determined not to cook this week. I really wanted taste a little at every stand. Borough market is lovely to visit but maybe not ideal for the practical housewife. We all liked it there.
After the market we hopped on a bus that took us deep into London's heart. Exploring by bus is a good way to avoid the crowds and seeing lots at the same time. I have to admit, I find London a bit hectic. It is so so busy! I imagine being inside a beehive must feel quite similar. Still, there are interesting sights and people watching is not without its charms either. Richard is an excellent guide and knows his way around. He is full of interesting information you wouldn't get from a regular tour guide, for example 'This is St. Thomas hospital. I used to come here on Friday nights for nurses disco'.
We walked down Regent Street, ventured into the smaller streets behind and did a bit of window shopping and some real shopping for essentials, like Ordnance Survey maps and socks. Annie and I explored the household floor at Liberty's. Richard told me that his mother sometimes left him there to wait when he was little so she could do a spot of shopping. He informs me that the fabric bolts were quite comfortable to sit on. I looked into a few fabric shops on Berwick Street to see if I could buy lining for my duffle coat. The one I liked came in at £59 per metre. The second one I liked was a mere £135 per metre. I ordered some grey brushed cotton on Ebay instead.
We wandered through Chinatown towards Covent Garden to see a couple of street entertainers. Those guys that never move or seem to sit on nothing are astonishing. It was quite difficult to get the little ones to move on. The unicycle artist and knife juggler was good, too. Eventually we went back to Chinatown for an early dinner, then we took a bus home to our three story house in Kennington. It is so good to come back to a house rather than hotel! I am once more propped up in bed, with tired feet and a head full of images. They'll probably appear in my dreams, jumbled up with a bit of weird thrown in.
Have a lovely day tomorrow! We sure will. Cxx
Oh my gosh, the Borough Market! Next time we go to London we need to eat our way through it.
ReplyDeleteI have never been to Borough Market, it looks like a dangerous place for the wallet! London is a very busy place, like your beehive analogy, it's too much if you are not used to it.
ReplyDeletesounds like a great day you had, love the market style of eating!
ReplyDeleteI love Borough Market, temptation at every stall, as are the shops at convent garden. £135 per metre I would want 10 metres for that. How the other half live, I can only dream... Take care and enjoy the rest of your break away.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds as though you are really making the most of every minute. I love Borough market!
ReplyDeleteFantastic photos, glad you're having a good time. I especially like Richard's lovely memories, I'm imagining a sweet little boy sat on a roll of Liberty fabric. Bet you wouldn't be allowed to do that now. And the nurses disco sounds like it was full of happy memories for him too... CJ xx
ReplyDeleteHey Christina,
ReplyDeleteI love visiting big cities for the vibe, but love to scuttle back to St Ives. I'd love a pic and mux lunch; all those wonderful stalls of food must have been a real pleasure to pick from. I've never been to Liberty's. I imagine it's a magical place.
Leanne x
As you have read, it is good to visit cities and give the little ones the bigger picture. I wouldn't know where to start with all the food - such a variety. Jo x
ReplyDeleteI'm enjoying reading about your time in London so much, Christina. I have never been there but it has always been my dream to go. Hopefully someday I will have the chance. Liberty is high on my list when I do!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds fantastic!!! The market looks incredible, so many amazing foods to try. Liberty is fabulous isn't it! I haven't ever tried perching on the fabrics though - too busy admiring them!! Hope you keep enjoying! xx
ReplyDeleteI love London, it sounds like you're having a wonderful time!! The shoe exhibition sounds fascinating, and the pictures of all the food are amazing :) Have a great rest of the trip! x
ReplyDeleteWow, it sounds like a wonderful trip, so much to taste, see and do. Have fun.
ReplyDeleteMeredith
Oh, how I wish I could have gone with you! The foods from the market look amazing and yummy, too! Sounds like you are having a wonderful time. Greetings to you from southern California :)
ReplyDeleteLovely photos Christina. I can imagine just how busy it must all be now, it is a long time since I have been over that way. Great market photos Yum!
ReplyDeleteWhat an adventure! Your pictures made me hungry. I love going to street markets like that. Enjoy the rest of your time in London!
ReplyDeleteGood idea to get a house and stay a bit longer than a pricey hotel based trip would allow. Getting out of the central tourist area is nice too -see how real Londoners live. Sounds like you are having a great time. I've never been to Borough Market - very appetising pictures.
ReplyDeleteI am suddenly very, very hungry. My youngest son was very impressed by the photo of the suitcases full of macaron. That's his idea of heaven!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoyed Borough Market. We used to like going there, although as you've said, not really an ideal food shopping place for the practical housewife. Yes, London is really busy. We'd love to take our girls back and show them around but we're waiting til they're a bit older so they can enjoy it too. I really want to take them to Covent Garden and show them the church in Maiden Lane where we got married. X
ReplyDeleteWe have been to London twice recently and not got to Borough Market, despite staying very near last time. We are going again shortly and must get there- my mouth is watering at your photos!
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