Just Us and the Big City

A few weeks ago, the Ginge passed his membership exams and thankfully we managed to squeeze a couple of days off so that we could go to his admission ceremony at the Royal College of Physicians. It was an extremely proud moment for both of us. The Ginge was calm and confident as he collected his certificate, whilst I just beamed from the visitors gallery. It was lovely  to spend some time relaxing and wandering in London. Everything that happened, we needed; the opportunity to celebrate all of his hard work paying off, a chance to stay with dear friends,  Shakespearean belly-laughs watching Twelfth Night at the Globe and quiet moments with tea and a beloved view. Simple, spontaneous, familiar and exploratory with room for joy and calm in equal measure. Just after I took the last photograph, I realised my shoulders had dropped; relinquishing their usual tense grip over my body and giving way to relaxation. Sometimes it's hard to find moments like that, but when we do, our life truly feels so sweet.  

Photographs taken at Fleet River Bakery, The Royal College (old and new), 
Le Comptoir, The Globe and Tate Modern. 

Hey Nonny, Nonny

Last weekend saw us taking another lovely trip to the capital; this time, to see Catherine Tate and David Tennant in their last performance of 'Much Ado about Nothing'. The play itself is a firmly held favourite of mine - I spent hours of my teenage-hood daydreaming of playing Beatrice and marrying Kenneth Branagh. The production was excellent and had us in raptured stitches throughout. We met up with my darling sister an spent a delightful afternoon perambulating about in the sunshine with regular pauses for refreshment; barbecued ribs and salad at Camden Lock, cool, complimentary elderflower by the boating lake in Regent's park. We even had a bit of a boogie to the disembodied songs from 'Crazy for You,' coming from the open-air theatre. It was a wonderful weekend, except that it was far too short. The Ginge has been on nights this week, so we have barely seen each other since we got back, but we have got some exciting things coming up. We are in the process of renovating our house, starting with our bedroom. We have painted the walls (with the help of my lovely family) and have torn up the carpet to find some gorgeous, original floorboards, which are going to be sanded and sealed on monday. Can't wait to show you the before and after photos!  

Little London

I have never lived in London, but have always seemed to gravitate towards it. I love to dig down to the heart and soul of a place, especially one with so much history, and like nothing better than a wander and an explore. So, here are some snippets of two London visits we have made in the last few weeks.  

The zodiac clock at Hampton Court, where we spent a lovely, post-M25 afternoon on our way home from Sussex. 

An amazing light bulb at the Bloomsbury Bowling Lanes - a gloriously retro place to spend an evening. We actually went there for drinks with my lovely, childhood friend Krysia, but must go back there to bowl! 

Deliciously fresh juice at Greenwich Market. Mine's the pink one - beetroot and apple. Yum. 

A fantastic day out in the East End with great friends. 

I really want to get my hands on a Carrom Board.

A cake shop called Treacle, just for me. 

The strikingly colourful Columbia Road. The Ginge was very relieved that we had no room in the car, otherwise I might have gone a bit mad buying lavender, stocks and agapanthus. 

Scrumptious painted houses on Portobello Road.

My last-meal-before-I-die food would be Indian Street Food, most particularly the Calcuttan delicacy; the Kati Roll.  Until recently, I thought these were only available from their native city, however there is now a little place on Poland Street, which does a good attempt at the real thing.  

One of my favourite walks - Little Venice to Primrose Hill, along the Regent's Canal. 

Canal-side life looks idyllic. If I ever move to London, this might just be the way forward. 

I was so sad to see this shop all boarded up. It used to be the most perfect, old fashioned hardware shop. 

Who could resist a stop at Marine Ices on a hot day? Mine will be one scoop of Strawberry and one of Melon. The Ginge will struggle to decide, but will probably plump for the cherry.  

Who would go to Madame Tussauds? 

Fathers' Day Treats

What a lovely Fathers' Day we had, last week. It was the first full-family meet up we've since Easter and it was such a brilliant day, full of all the things I love. Seeing my amazing Dad. Moseying around the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, where we gazed, grimaced and giggled at the art, which we dismissed and fell in love with, in equal measure. Picnics on trains, brown paper packages, tied up with string. My favourite ballerina, Tamara Rojo performing Romeo & Juliet at the O2; a rollercoaster of elation and devastation, not a dry eye in the house. Indulging in a double Peyton & Byrne fest, once at the RA and again at St. Pancras; chicken and tarragon pie, fresh, summery salads and a massive slice of cake for the train. Savouring the happy, contented train journey home with the Ginge and my sister, watching sun-drenched fields flashing by. It was one of those days when you feel as though you are floating on air, when everything is right with the world and when, at the end of the day, you go to bed with a smile on your face and you cross your fingers that you will dream of the amazing things you have done, just so that the feeling will last a tiny bit longer.