Category Archives: England

April 18, 2013 · 1:59 am

Friday night at the Pub, London style

Friday

Natalia and her friend, Carol, found me sitting in Starbucks at a window seat happily trying to sketch the building across the street. We headed off to some new bar that had amazing views according to Carol.

the inside out building central London

I hadn’t realised that London is becoming well known as housing quite a large number of unusual buildings. The “Gherkin” is famous I think but we also passed what they called the “inside out” building where all the pipes, lifts etc are on the outside of the building.

We waited outside the building for about half an hour for entry into this trendy new bar, caught the lift to the 39th floor, spent 10 minutes trying to find a space to stand or sit comfortably and then gave up and decided to leave. Before we left I made a trip to the loo and found the amazing views they were on about – took a couple of pics out the bathroom window – typical, hey!!

the Gherkin from a new 39th floor bar in London

Anyhow, we then zigzagged around the banking district where the girls pointed out a number of interesting places and bars. I know I haven’t frequented bars in capital cities for many years and things could have changed but I found it astounding the number of people standing outside the bars drinking and talking.

We ended up at a bar next to the Spitalfields markets for a few hours before heading home again on the tube. London keeps surprising me in so many ways, even late at night in the East end I felt totally safe.

Nat’s suburb of Leyton looks a little down at heel on first impression, is hugely diverse culturally but is so very quiet I had no trouble sleeping in every day – oh, that’s right, I have no trouble sleeping in any time….

Friday night crowds outside the pub in Leadenhall Markets, London

Frying Pan Lane (taking pic while walking = out of focus, sorry)

More interesting buildings in London

London by night

Some interesting feature in central London

Friday night drinks, puts a different slant on our saying “one for the road”

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Filed under England, Mid-life travel, Travel

Tagged as Gherkin, London, older female solo traveller

April 16, 2013 · 1:07 am

A good find – Somerset House

Friday

I hadn’t thought how I was going to fill my afternoon until Natalia finished work at 6 so wandered along Southbank for a while then crossed the Thames again and came across a place called Somerset House.

I’m sort of kicking myself now as there was a Picasso exhibition that I was too stingy to pay to see – don’t you hate that? You make a decision about something then later on think you should have done the opposite. Oh well, if I’m not completely over art exhibitions when I pass through again on my way to Europe I’ll go see it. I think it runs until the end of May.

But I did spend a good couple of hours taking in the Landmark: Fields of Photography exhibition.The collection is loosely landscape based but you won’t find your average landscapes here, there’s some pretty amazing pieces amongst them.

As per usual with me, I’d have a hard time deciding whether it was the exhibition or the building that fascinated me most. It’s an absolutely huge but quite lovely building built around a central square. The square has 55 fountains sprouting from the ground and apparently in winter is used as an ice skating rink.

The courtyard of Somerset House, The Strand, London

As I was making photos in the square a couple walked by who caught my eye – they looked just how I imagine Londoners dressed many years ago. I love seeing old people wearing what we’d class as vintage clothing but to them are just their normal clothes. Ummmm, maybe I’d better be careful here – I could be one of those people sooner rather than later!!

A great coffee, a piece of home-made cheesecake, a seat outside overlooking the Thames towards the London Eye, weak sunshine with no rain or wind, a magic way to top off a lovely visit.

Pickeld things and the eye in London

Friday

I love the London tube system, it’s so easy so find your way around. Even with a problem on the line I was going to use I still found my way to the Natural History Museum without any trouble.

And, they have underground walkways from the stations to keep you out of the terrible weather.

But, they also have school holidays…… not the best time to go to the Natural History Museum – didn’t think that one through very well did I?

Natural History Museum, London

I was visiting for the building, not the contents, but I found some interesting displays as well as plenty of stunning architecture. Just goes to show you should always approach things with an open mind doesn’t it?

So, after a few hours there I braved the wind and rain again and found my way to Westminster. Rather than go looking at the Abbey I walked across the bridge to Southbank for a ride on the London Eye.

As I crossed the bridge an old gentleman started playing the bagpipes, he was so cute in his kilt and special hat with an overcoat on because it was so cold. But I also felt sorry for him if he is busking in such terrible weather to make ends meet, or it would be nicer if he just loves performing and it makes him happy. Either way I gave him some pounds for the enjoyment he provided.

Bagpipe busker near Westminster, London

The line-up to buy tickets was longer than the line to go on the ride itself. I happened to be behind a family with a small boy in a wheelchair and in front of an older couple with their grandson so I’m not sure if they thought we were all together or not but we had the pod to ourselves. All the other pods had probably 12 to 15 people in them so we felt rather priveleged and had a lovely time swanning around taking photos wherever and whenever we felt the urge.

The rain was only on and off and didn’t affect our views too badly, the company was fun and even though it’s a totally touristy ride I thoroughly enjoyed it.