Tales of walking, eating, watching and playing. Vintage treasures and simple pleasures ... the things that make her happy.

Tuesday 20 November 2012

The big city

Whilst little man enjoyed fun packed days of adventure and heroics, 
the VJ’s spent a few grown up days in the capital.

They had booked an early morning train,
but arrived at the rural station to find it had been cancelled.  
With an hour to wait for the next one, 
they took pleasure in the unexpected ‘spare time’
and read their books on the quiet platform.  
Rare autumn sunshine warming, 
melting the frosty blanket covering the neighbouring fields.
From London Paddington and on through Hyde Park, 
admiring the moneyed of Mayfair, 
smiling at the tourists surrounding Buckingham Palace.
Admiralty Arch -
recently sold to a Spanish property developer,
who plans to turn it into a luxury hotel.
The new war memorial in Green Park, a 9ft high bronze sculpture,
dedicated to the 55,573 young men of Bomber Command,
who lost their lives in WWII.
A lump rose in her throat as she watched a frail gent
 place a hand written dedication onto the plinth - 
heartfelt words to a long lost friend,
along with a small bottle of Guiness.
 A sea of poppies outside Westminster Abbey.
V&A image
As the air dampened, they retreated to the splendour of the V&A museum.
She spent time on her own at the Ballgown Exhibition.  
Chiffon, lace, silk, taffetas and foil.  
Velvets, feathers, sequins and fur.
Elegant, revealing, demure, surreal.  
Traditional and contemporary from the 1950s to the modern day. 
The talent of Rhodes, Hartnell, McQueen, Chalayan and many more.
Wandered the fashion hall.  
Adored Dior. 
 
Later that evening they wandered across Westminster Bridge ...
Jostled with party goers and revellers ...
... and stumbled across an interesting Indian restaurant,
with double decker booths.
They climbed a ladder.  Perched aloft with hi-line view. 
Consumed poppadums, dosa, rogan josh and sides, with a beer or two.
The next day dawned bright.
They puffed their way to the top of Hampstead Heath.
London's skyline stretched out for as far as the eye can see.
Running down the hill like children,
joining the crowds in Camden Town ...
and Carnaby Street ... 
An hour spent in Liberty.
 
The London rush ...
Christmas lights glow.


35 comments:

The Dainty Dolls House said...

This looks wonderful..really enjoyed all the pictures! So pretty :) Hope you have a great day :) x

http://laviedunenouvellefemme.blogspot.co.uk/

Flaming Nora said...

Wow you really packed it all in. Top times.

the vanilla squirrel said...

....wow what a fabulous day.....dreamy....brought back a lot of lovely christmas memories for me...i used to work at the london palladium for a while and liberty's was my 'local'........so magical at christmas...thank you for warming my cockles on a wet and windy afternoon x

Tangled Sweetpea said...

Looks like you had a wonderful time, fabulous photos.
Victoria xx

Marigold Jam said...

Looks like fun! Glad you enjoyed your trip. There's definitely something special about London isn't there?

Hesta Nesta said...

Lovely post, it made me realise how much I miss London, especially nearer to Christmas. I was a Mod in the early 80's and haunted Carnaby Street most weekends! I used to love buying the roast chestnuts from the street sellers in the run up to Christmas.
Glad you had a wonderful time.
Jo xx

Vix said...

What a fantastic way to while away the hours. x

Shortbread and Ginger said...

Oh, its ages since I've visited London - you have put me in the mood for a little trip!
Liz @ Shortbread & Ginger

June said...

Great photos. Haven't been to London at all this year ... I've missed it!
June

Outcast said...

This is an awesome piece of writing, sunshine in Winter is a great thing because we're able to appreciate it so much more. The visit to London seems like a lot of fun too, I love the lights, nowhere's better than London.

Kristie said...

Marina,

Your trip looks so lovely! I love the sneakers mounted on the outside of the buildings...very cool and FUN. The London Rush hour, Christmas lights glowing and those red double decker buses bring me great pleasure to look at. What a great way to spend a few days! :)

Thanks so much for sharing your trip with us! :)♥♥

Jelly Jam said...

Looks like you had a great child free time. So did I! I think I took a similar picture of the very same merry-go-round on Sunday night but the Eye was lit blue instead!
I went to see the Pre-Raphs at the Tate - fantastic!
Ellie
x

erleichda said...

Hello Marina,

thanks for taking us with you ;)

*Maristella* said...

Wonderful London!!! Noi ci siamo stati lo scorso anno, magnifica!!
Hughs adn kisses, *Maristella*.

Vintage Sheet Addict said...

Wow, it all looks lovely, great time! :)

Maria said...

Hi Marina, always think you need bags and bags of energy and lots and lots of pennies for London, but it is a wonderful city to visit!
Love the Liberties tea room, we paid that a visit in September.
I bet it all looks fab for Christmas now!!
Sending kind regards.
Love Maria x

nilly said...

You've given me a brilliant idea - I'll take Mr N on a tour round my '60s London haunts - you've pictured quite a few of them on this post!

Tricia said...

Just decided I have got to get my passport updated. Would love to get back across the pond for a long visit. Hopefully sooner than later. You inspired me....

Country Cottage Chic said...

What a great post! I haven't done the annual Christmas trip to London this year so it was lovely to see your photos.

Jayne

ted and bunny said...

London is so lovely, especially when you have the perfect antidote home to come back to!

Gretel said...

After reading about the memorial, I have a lump in my throat too now...

Tina said...

How wonderful!! I just adore London and in special Camden town. xx

Miss Simmonds Says said...

A perfect London weekend! You lucky things. London does have the ability to feel magical despite how aware you are of it's seedy side xxx

Sylvia said...

Looks like you had a wonderful time, lovely post !
Nice evening,
Sylvia

Rosemary said...

Whilst the child is away the grown ups play - you had a good time taking in so many interesting parts of London. The Liberty shop is always a must for me.
Wonderful photos particularly the night time ones.

...Nina Nixon... said...

So many pictures I recognise from a trip we did with the little ones in the Summer...and some we just didn't (I) have the chance to do.

Nina x

BusyLizzie said...

Lovely to see you too last week. sorry i din't have time to stay & chat. Looks as if you had a wicked time in London. xx

magie said...

Looks like a wonderful trip around London. It has been years since I have last been myself. Thanks for sharing the photos, I really enjoyed them :)
Magie x

The Custards said...

How lovely this is - memories of my 'golden days' 20 years of living in London and part of it in Kentish Town so I was a regular to Camden Market...still have some bits that I bought there...more second stuff back then I think (early days of Red or Dead too!). Love the twinkly binkly lights. Thank you also for kind comments on my blog - not sure why I am a 'no comment' do dah here. Perhaps I am keeping an air of mystery and not evening knowing it!!! I will see if I can fiddle to change that.
Have a lovely day and keep warm
Best wishes
Jenny

The Custards said...

Terrible spelling....
Best wishes
Jenny

The Cloth Shed said...

What a fabulous trip to London. I can't believe Admiralty Arch has been sold for re development...how can that be?
Love the Indian restaurant concept. I hope the waiters managed to carry the food and drink up those ladders without any catastrophes...and you managed to climb down safely after a few beers!
Julie x

The Custards said...

PPS - shed a tear at the thought of the Guinness and re: Admiralty Arch - this surely is the Architectural equivalent of Crusty Alltop!!!

valerierbrems said...

Looks like you had a wonderful time!

Cuby said...

Fabulous photos to illustrate a short but so well used time, thanks for sharing it.

HWIT BLOGG said...

looks like you have a wonderful time...I wish I could be there...I LOVE LONDON!
Take care, have a nice weekend!
Titti