Two busy weekends

I started writing this on my train back to Glasgow, after two nights in London. My second short trip in ten days! I had a really lovely weekend in Aberdeen, visiting Annie. I am so glad I went, I really enjoyed Annie’s company, she is fun, clever and has lots of interests so there is always something to chat about. The divine entities lording over the trains were not kind that weekend, the usually direct Glasgow to Aberdeen train was not running because of engineering work. I had to travel through Edinburgh, which added time to the journey. The train was packed but I found what must have been the only seat leftI did find a seat though. I shared the carriage with a dozen or so of football fans, they got drunk very quickly and were singing enthusiastically but badly. Annie picked me up and we picked up lunch at M&S. I was keen to see Annie’s flat because when I last saw it, the previous tenant was living there and it was a tip, and a bit smelly, too. Now, it is a cosy home, tidy and clean and nicely decorated. Annie lives frugally on her meagre salary and choses not to use the heating but I had my down sleeping bag, which was cosy and doubled as a cosy blanket on the sofa. We went for a walk to see a seal colony in the afternoon. I’d never seen as many seals in one place, they were fun to watch. For some reason I can’t remember we looked up the seal skeleton and they look just like any other mammal when reduced to their bones. I don’t know what I was expecting really but definitely not long leg bones. We walked along the beach for a while, then returned to the flat for a tea and later, a glass of prosecco. I booked us a table at the “Silver Darling” where we enjoyed a nice dinner of oysters, scallops and mussels (Annie) and fish cakes and lemon sole goujons with skinny fries. I slept like a log and started Sunday with coffee and poached eggs on sourdough. Annie’s own, it was delicious. We went shopping and explored the city centre, even had coffee outside on a sunny bench. The train back was rerouted through Fife, still the engineering works but at least no change of trains. 

I worked flat out for three days then packed my neat overnight bag again for a trip to London. I really enjoyed the Stitch Festival last year and wanted to go again. I also wanted to go the ballet. I did both, indeed I went to two ballets! It was not clear until Thursday morning if my train would depart from Glasgow Central, or Motherwell, which is where the London trains terminated while Central was closed. It is still mostly closed but some of the platforms on the side of the station not affected by the big fire I told you about last time were re-opened and some London trains were scheduled from Glasgow Including mine. I spent the whole trip watching This Farming Life and The Chelsea Detective, and knitting. I checked into my reasonably priced hotel near Euston station and went for a long evening walk in Regents park. Then I made my way to Sadler’s Well for a performance by the English National Ballet, called Body & Soul. It was amazing, contemporary and fresh. I really loved it. I can’t really describe it, very unusual. I had seen another really unusual ballet at Sadler’s Well back in November, definitely a place to bookmark for future trips. On Friday I went to the Stitch Festival, which I enjoyed very much. I did not buy fabric! I had a list of haberdashery items that I need so focused on that. I spoke to several Great British Sewing Bee  contestants (including one winner), which was nice. Me being me, I didn’t let on I knew who they were. I always assume being celebrity is a bit tiresome. I also visited the stands of my two favourite fabric shops that had stands, Fabric Godmother and Guthrie & Ghani. After three walk arounds, I called it a day and left. I left with sewing labels, a pattern notcher, short sock knitting needles (Frankie chewed mine) and a flex hemmer (a bendy silicon ruler) to help with curved hems. My sewing themed day was not finished of course because it was only just after lunch… I decided to visit Ray Stitch in Islington, just around the corner. . It is a beautiful, small shop with knowledgable and helpful staff. I bought zips and lining for a messenger bag I want to make and a pattern that I did not need but wanted. I then took a bus into the centre of London because I wanted to continue my sewing away-day. Fabric and haberdashery shopping is not great in Glasgow. I went to a Fan Trimmings, a place full of buttons and feathery trims and stuff. Then I popped into MacCulloch & Wallis for a wee browse. I got a selection of machine sewing needles and a measuring tape. I forgot to stock-up on interfacing, shame. On my way back to the hotel, I popped into Liberty’s because it would be rude not to. I rested for a wee couple of hours, then ventured back out for another ballet, this time at the Royal Opera. The performance was Giselle. The dancing was superb but to be honest, the story a bit boring. But I came for the dancing and I was happy. Having said that, the prices for the Royal Opera are extortionate. Sadler’s Well is much better value for money but less elegant and grandiose. It is a vibrant place, for sure. I took the underground back, a mistake because it was absolutely packed and I nearly got my hand stuck in the door. Painful. I had no particular plans for Saturday and enjoyed a slow waking up. I checked-out of the hotel (leaving my overnight bag) and walked over to Fitzrovia where I had brunch at a trendy place called Caravan. Smashed avocado on sourdough with spicy crunchy chickpeas and two poached eggs. Then  meandered over the Marylebone and walked the High Street for a bit of window shopping. From there I walked to the National Portrait Gallery where I enjoyed the contemporary sections and an exhibition by Catherine Opie, which I absolutely loved. Her portraits are so vibrant and beautiful and also really emotionally engaging. I then walked back to my hotel, narrowly avoiding being caught in a big anti-war protest, to retrieve my bag and going to Euston station for me train back to Glasgow. 

I had just a really nice time in London! I don’t like to be idle and I always pack my days with adventures, not keen to waste a single minute. Tiring but also refreshing. I enjoyed two very different ballets, saw a beautiful exhibition and spent time browsing fabric and haberdashery at the Stitch Festival and around central London. Perfect. 

I didn’t take many photos, which I regret a little but I was too busy having a good time!

Thanks for visiting 😊