Late London summer

Every so often I need to take a sneaky weekend visit down to London. No seeing family or friends, just the chance to do lots of touristy things in the capital I know and love.

We travelled by sleeper, arriving in town on Friday morning, raring to go!

First we took a stroll from the hotel across Hyde Park....

I love the Peter Pan statue. However old I get I hope I never grow up entirely. The world should have a bit of wonder to it whatever your age.

It's worth looking around the edge of the statue for all the cute animals.


We then headed on to Westminster Abbey. Meant to go in 12 years ago - today was finally the day.

No photos allowed inside, but here's a few I took whilst queueing to get in.

We took the guided tour - well worth the extra cost as you get a lot more from your visit (secret areas and all).  Especially if you're a history buff like me. From Kings & Queens, to scientists to Poets' Corner: everyone is here.

We headed to Southbank for lunch at the stalls there. I had a big seafood paella.

But we were pretty knackered after an early start so we headed back to the hotel for a nap and then to..............

  

My favourite musical in the whole world!

Plus some awesome Chinese at this place.

Day 2

Another busy day. Fancied trying out London walks based on some recommendations. Good chance to learn more about the city, particularly some lesser explored areas. We went on the Notting Hill walk

 This area of London now is of course super posh and super rich, so we admired lots of fancy streets and celebrity houses in the sunshine.

It was a sunny Saturday and the market was just too manic, so we retreated to a nice little bakery for lunch.

That afternoon our feet had just about recovered to head for the Tate Modern. Another one on my list.

Turns out, I'm not one for modern art. Not even in a laugh at it kinda way. Just doesn't make sense to me.

The big atrium was impressive though. Good for people watching

My favourite of the lot. Entitled "grey". How is this art exactly??

This was actually pretty cool

 

Now that's art to me. I'm clearly a traditional girl!

That evening we headed to Belgo in Covent Garden for beers and frites

With waffles to finish obviously!

Day 3

Final day in London we went along to the Science Museum. First time I've been since I was about 10. One of these enormous places you can only see a fraction of in a few hours. We lasted as long as our feet could last.

As you can see, we covered space, time, geometry and alchemy!

After all that science, it was time for fancy pub grub and the train home.

Nice little gastro pub off Kensington High Street. Good place to get Sunday Roast Beef plus extras.

So long London! Until 2013. xxx

A return to blogging

So my last post was mid-October - 3 months ago. How the last few months of 2012 went. Unfortunately for me it was a whirlwind of work, separated by a few busy but wonderful weekends, leaving precious little time for anything else.

And the list of blogs I meant to write has grown longer and longer!

- A weekend in London in September
- Going back to Coventry to visit our old friends in October
- Hallowe'en weekend
- Scottish beer festival and a weekend in Aberdeen in November
- Christmas/December and all it's festivities
- My current OU course....

They're the obvious ones, and that's before I touch on reading, films and baking!
As you can see - no time for blogging once all that was done.

As for right now, my life is looking like this:

Reading...................

A second chance at Eden

Finally I have met the challenge set by hubby a year or so ago to read a Sci-Fi book. It's only a short story, but I made it to the end all the same.

Good book, but nope, I'm not a sci-fi girl.

George R. R. Martin

Finally jumped on this band waggon, and oh, it's really good to be on board. Just starting Book 2.


Watching.....

A lot of Big Bang Theory! Quickly heading towards the current series. Mid-way through Series 5 now.

How to train your dragon
Love this film. Will have to buy the books, even if they're written for kids 1/4 of my age.

Game of Thrones
As above.


Hobbit
A fine looking film, great cinematography, great casting. Will wait for parts 2 and 3 to comment fully on this new trilogy though.



Learning........

World Archaeology (OU course A251). All about the start of human civilisation across the world. Was feeling a bit much, but my latest set of results are warming me to the course!


Baking......

Christmas goodies! Stollen, cranberry and brandy cupcakes, ginger cake. And cooking up some fine venison stew too.


Many more cookbooks in the Christmas haul this year - not sure what to make next!


Walking..........

Alas, nowhere at the moment. My knee has played up again and left me unable to go very far. Coming back to life slowly.



Waiting for.......

Les Miserables at the cinema. I love this musical with a passion - I really can't wait to see it!


Brussels
European mini-weekend at start of February. My first trip to Belgium.

Spain (?)
Current plans afoot for a break abroad early 2013. This one is the front runner at the moment.


Resolving.......

That if I want to change,  I should just go ahead and do it and quit whining. Bit of watching about the philosophy of self on Ted.com has made me realise we are not as set in our ways as we'd like to think.

Otherwise health and loved ones are the key priorities in life. The rest is all just noise.

Happy 2013.