Good heavens it’s blustery out today!! I can feel the house shaking in the wind. 🙂 Later this week I hope to take you on a tour of my little farm in Australia. AFTER I put away the laundry and tidy up the mail and hide the vacuum cleaner. 😉
Until then I hope you will indulge me in one more jaunt through the streets of London. (click to see Part One and Part Two)
My friend Olga is in London right now, and this morning she wrote:
“I fell through the rabbit hole and am in a Wonderland,
the land of hobbits, elves and fairies.
Breathtaking green hills and grey skies.
And every time I take a walk, I think I’m going to run into Jane Eyre or Mr. Darcy, or the White Rabbit, or Elijah Wood.
Just call me Alice…”
I know exactly how she feels.
Until last year, I’d only known London through my imagination, shaped by a plethora of books, movies, plays and people that made this city into something dreams are made of.
No doubt London has its seedy side, its faults and foibles like any city, but there is so much more to love.
London pubs. They were everything I had ever dreamed of with jolly bartenders, cozy places of dark wood and cracked leather seats, cute old couples sitting across the way from young families sipping tea or a group of construction workers having a pint after a long day. They are convivial and communal, and I absolutely love them.
Red telephone booths. Red double-decker buses. Even cherry red doors. Since red is my favorite color, London made me a happy girl indeed.
London Museums. I don’t think London has as many (or as strange!) museums as Amsterdam, but the ones they do have are breathtaking in their scale and scope. And best of all, they’re FREE. My friend Katy and I spent several happy hours wandering through the British Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum, and didn’t see even a sliver of the wonders they hold.
Afternoon tea in London. I am a tea girl through and through. Though I’ll happily down espresso in Italy and cafe au lait in Paris, it is tea that I drink every single day.
My favorite tea memory in London was when Katy and I met up with my beloved brother Ryan and our dear friend (and fellow Travel Belle) Cailin and her husband who were visiting from their hometown of Toronto, Canada.
We gathered at a cafe in Covent Garden and had such a great visit as we downed pots of cream tea.
London flower stalls. I grew up watching “My Fair Lady” more times than I can count, so I admit my heart gave a happy little lurch when I saw this stall along the street. If only Eliza Dolittle would’ve popped out singing “All I Want Is A Room Somewhere” – my happiness would’ve been complete.
London institutions. I already mentioned the Victoria and Albert Museum, but we also got to see other London landmarks like the infamous (and enormous!) Harrod’s. I knew it was big, but I had no idea how big until I stood outside and craned my neck up to see the top. Wow.
More tea. After all that walking and museum-perusing, Katy and I were in dire need of another cuppa. This time we splurged on a gorgeous strawberry tart to go with our Moroccan Mint Tea, then sat back and indulged in some rather fabulous people watching.
London Underground. I love taking the Underground. Absolutely love it! And in London it’s extra special because somehow, even though I’d never been there, I “knew” nearly all the stops: King’s Cross, Piccadilly Circus, Covent Garden. A combination of Harry Potter and a lifetime of reading British novels made these names feel familiar and loved.
Katy and I took the Underground and trains all over London – she’s a wiz at navigating tunnels and stops – and I couldn’t help but grin when I heard those oh-so-familiar words: “mind the gap.”
If you could go to London tomorrow, what is the first thing you’d like to see?
Your blogs make me smile!
The first thing I do when I go to London is tube over to Kensington and sit at Kensington Gardens near the Palace. I think I do that because on my first trip to London, Ken. Palace was my first major landmark. Since then, no trip to London is complete unless I do that.
I love that idea, Dawn! 🙂 I didn’t get to see Kensington Gardens on my trip but will definitely make sure to go there next time. 🙂
Thankyou for taking me on a tour of London, albeit virtually! Afternoon cup of tea and another gorgeous post to transport me instantly to another space and time. Thankyou my gorgeous friend! xx
I’m so glad you liked it, Tanya! 🙂 Hopefully one day soon we can have that cup of tea in person. 🙂
Love love love your photos Krista. Makes me want to jump on a train and head right up there today! Your favourite colour is red! Mine too, that made me smile 😉 Thanks for sharing your beautiful pictures, that strawberry tart looks divine 🙂 I love your clothes too, that scarf is so colourful (and you have a red handbag!)
We’re even more kindred spirits than we thought, Cathy!! I love that. 🙂 Hopefully next time I go to England I’ll be able to go adventuring with you too! 🙂
My first thing would be to see Borough Market again and have a coffee at Monmouth Café. 🙂
After seeing your pictures of Borough Market, I HAVE to go there too, Zita! 🙂
This is so utterly perfect, Krista! You helped me to see London through fresh eyes when you visited and again now. It is very hard not to love this city at the moment, but your pictures and memories paint the very best version of it – LOVE!
Oh Katy, I shall forever be grateful to you for introducing me to London. 🙂 You made so many dreams come true and I loved it! 🙂
For a moment I was back in London! We were there earlier in the year for the first time in three years and I played tourist again. It is such an exciting city. Thanks for taking me back there!
You are SO welcome, Jenny! 🙂 I loved YOUR pictures of England. Amazing how pictures can transform your day and make you happy, isn’t it? 🙂
My favourite colour is also red! I have not been to London since our daughter moved to Hong Kong so thoroughly enjoyed my virtual visit today, thanks.
How fun, Linda! 🙂 I didn’t realize your daughter was in Hong Kong – no wonder you are drawn there! 🙂
ok i’ll say it, the inside of a favorite pub cuz i’m with you, its one of the very best things about england. a walk along the thames on a sunny day might be next and the v&a third. (couldn’t possibly stop at only one “first thing”!) thx, for putting a smile on my face first thing on an l.a. morning! xo!
I’m so glad you love the pubs too, Paradis. 🙂 There’s no better place for cozy chats with good friends. 🙂
I’ve only been to London once, right after the the 2005 bombings — what a time for a first visit! It was kind of amazing, actually, to see the famous English stiff upper lip. But we never got a chance to ride the tube, since all the central underground stations were closed. Some day I hope to go back and see the city under “normal” conditions. 🙂
Oh wow, Amy, that must’ve been such a strange yet inspiring experience. I can’t imagine! I hope you get to return one day and explore the beautiful aspects. 🙂
I’d really love to see to see those red telephone booths before cell phones force them out of existence!
Ohhh, I never thought of that, Joanne! I hope they stay forever. 🙂
LOL – some SUN! ;o) It is a marvellous city, isn’t it? I remember thinking that the Tube is the best invention in the world ever – and some days when I am standing sweatily on a stationary train in a tunnel in the middle of rush hour, I have to remind myself of my early fascination…! 😉
YAY! Best London day ever!! I’m so happy we met up there. You ladies are fantastic friends 🙂
Those pubs totally make me think of Harry Potter! That strawberry tart looks divine, hope you enjoyed every mouthful! 🙂