Yoghurt jars, pastel colours and birch trees
Way to soon and finally my last weekend in London arrived.
Friday:
Me and Pia started the day with some last days shopping in Southside. Converse and Body Shop products to bring home, check. Then we went on to my absolutely favourite foodshop Whole foods. Lip balm for mom, check.
Outside they'd made a flag out of youghurt jars and inside it was full of amazing food, just as always.
Opposite of Whole foods there is a church squeezed in between the traffic and the houses and just below in the corner is a tiny flowershop. I always thought that looks so sweet.
We continued walking up north and passed by this amazingly british pub full of flowers.
After a short walk we ended up in Notting Hill with it's colourfull houses.
And a couple of walls with street art, like "Made you look".
What I like the most tho are the houses in different pastel colours. Why don't we use a bit more colour in Sweden as well? It makes the world seem so much brighter.
We ended up in a little shop with all sorts of fun stuff: stickers, framed photos and sayings, and bags that we bought two off. One for me and one for Alena.
In the evening Karolin and I had tickets to see "Comedy of errors" at National Theatre. It was a Shakespeare play which made it a bit hard to understand at first but as soon as we got used to the language we got quite a few laughs.
In the pause we sneaked out on the balcony and found an absolutetly amazing view over the river thames and both of the banks.
We also found one of the eggs from the big easter hunt. They're really scattered all over London.
After the play we walked over one of the bridges and finished the evening with a nice dinner on strand.
Saturday:
Since it was my last Saturday in London we of course had to start with Borough Market. And by we I mean Pia, Alena, Sanni and I.
It's one of the thing I'll miss the most, to walk around among the stalls and look at and try everything.
Then when you've decided what to eat you can sit down by the big church, eat your food and enjoy the sun.
Since the spring had just arrived and the cherry trees had blossomed it was the perfect day to do exactly that. And maybe find something little special in the tree.
I also found this frog on one of the walls of the market and realised right away that it must be marked after me. All of you who know my middlename and some swedish can figure out why.
After walking about the market for some time we continued along the southbank. We passed by Tate Modern with all the birchs, the millenium bridge and St Pauls Cathedral on the otherside.
We took a tiny break on the sweet little yard hidden somewhere between London Bridge and Waterloo.
And we found the egg that must be the most London of them all, before ending the day with a brownie and coffee by the water in Waterloo.
Even if it was the end of the day the Saturday most certainly continued. After a quick shower I took my beloved 87 to central london to join Karolin's birthday dinner and then back to have one last night out with my girls. I manage to snap a photo of the Opera house, but I'm afraid that's it for the evening.
Sunday:
Unfortenately but as planned I had to spend most of the sunday trying to pack all of my thousand belongings in one big and one small suitcase. Can't exactly say that I managed but I did get all of my stuff to the family's place and then most of my stuff to Sweden. Luckily for me I had my amazing friends helping out so the day didn't feel quite as wasted. I also had time for a lunch with the family and the new aupair Nikolina and in the end about half an hour to sit outside in the park and enjoy the beatiful wheater.
Still in the evening it was nice to forget everything about packing, walk three minutes to the closest pub and together with Emelie, Nikolina and her friend Jona try to answer the unbelievable hard questions in the Pub quiz we'd decided to try out. We won the last place with 6 out of 40. Our name was "Don't blame us, we're from Sweden".
xxx
Friday:
Me and Pia started the day with some last days shopping in Southside. Converse and Body Shop products to bring home, check. Then we went on to my absolutely favourite foodshop Whole foods. Lip balm for mom, check.
Outside they'd made a flag out of youghurt jars and inside it was full of amazing food, just as always.
Opposite of Whole foods there is a church squeezed in between the traffic and the houses and just below in the corner is a tiny flowershop. I always thought that looks so sweet.
We continued walking up north and passed by this amazingly british pub full of flowers.
After a short walk we ended up in Notting Hill with it's colourfull houses.
And a couple of walls with street art, like "Made you look".
What I like the most tho are the houses in different pastel colours. Why don't we use a bit more colour in Sweden as well? It makes the world seem so much brighter.
We ended up in a little shop with all sorts of fun stuff: stickers, framed photos and sayings, and bags that we bought two off. One for me and one for Alena.
In the evening Karolin and I had tickets to see "Comedy of errors" at National Theatre. It was a Shakespeare play which made it a bit hard to understand at first but as soon as we got used to the language we got quite a few laughs.
In the pause we sneaked out on the balcony and found an absolutetly amazing view over the river thames and both of the banks.
We also found one of the eggs from the big easter hunt. They're really scattered all over London.
After the play we walked over one of the bridges and finished the evening with a nice dinner on strand.
Saturday:
Since it was my last Saturday in London we of course had to start with Borough Market. And by we I mean Pia, Alena, Sanni and I.
It's one of the thing I'll miss the most, to walk around among the stalls and look at and try everything.
Then when you've decided what to eat you can sit down by the big church, eat your food and enjoy the sun.
Since the spring had just arrived and the cherry trees had blossomed it was the perfect day to do exactly that. And maybe find something little special in the tree.
I also found this frog on one of the walls of the market and realised right away that it must be marked after me. All of you who know my middlename and some swedish can figure out why.
After walking about the market for some time we continued along the southbank. We passed by Tate Modern with all the birchs, the millenium bridge and St Pauls Cathedral on the otherside.
We took a tiny break on the sweet little yard hidden somewhere between London Bridge and Waterloo.
And we found the egg that must be the most London of them all, before ending the day with a brownie and coffee by the water in Waterloo.
Even if it was the end of the day the Saturday most certainly continued. After a quick shower I took my beloved 87 to central london to join Karolin's birthday dinner and then back to have one last night out with my girls. I manage to snap a photo of the Opera house, but I'm afraid that's it for the evening.
Sunday:
Unfortenately but as planned I had to spend most of the sunday trying to pack all of my thousand belongings in one big and one small suitcase. Can't exactly say that I managed but I did get all of my stuff to the family's place and then most of my stuff to Sweden. Luckily for me I had my amazing friends helping out so the day didn't feel quite as wasted. I also had time for a lunch with the family and the new aupair Nikolina and in the end about half an hour to sit outside in the park and enjoy the beatiful wheater.
Still in the evening it was nice to forget everything about packing, walk three minutes to the closest pub and together with Emelie, Nikolina and her friend Jona try to answer the unbelievable hard questions in the Pub quiz we'd decided to try out. We won the last place with 6 out of 40. Our name was "Don't blame us, we're from Sweden".
xxx
Pigeons, old books and ballons
Another sunday. Not just a regular sunday though. It's the sunday before my last sunday in London. One week left until I'll pack all of my things and move out of the flat to spend the last days at the family's place. One week until I will have spent my las weekend in London. One week until I'm writing my last weekend update.
Friday:
I started my weekend with a delicious breakfast: Youghurt with applepure, bananas and blackberries, two knäckebröd with sprouts or jam, apple and mango juice and tea. Perfect before working out at the gym, which even though I just had a bad cold went quite alright. After a shower I got on the train to Balham for lunch and coffee with Pia, Alena and Sanni. Then back on a train, tube this time, all the way up to Camden Town to meet Judith who I used to go to primary school with about ten years ago. She had her flatmate Sara with her and we walked around on the Market for a while, freezing, buying food and looking at all the weird stuff they sell. When we were so cold that we could barely stand it we took a bus to their place. We drank tea and talked about nothing special and suddenly it was evening and time to go home, which can only mean that we had a really nice time.
Saturday:
Saturday started with a brunch with Karolin by Covent Garden. The place seemed very promising but turned out to be amazingly slow and with coffee that only tasted of milk.
But even so we had a really nice time and at the end got served some delicious pancakes and bread with compote.
When Karolin needed to go home to study I met up with Pia (surprise?!) at Piccadilly Circus.
We sat at the foot of the statue for a while enjoying the sun and looking at tourists and pigeons.
Then we walked on to Green Park, bought some food and enjoyed it outside.
The predicted rain was very hard to spot on the sunny sky.
We went on a bus and ended up by a gigantic building that I've never seen before, apperantly Westminster Church.
Then we went on another bus and came to Waterloo.
Just by the river they have flea market where they only sell old books, I always feel like buying a book when I'm there but have so far not found anything I want.
On the way back home we passed by The royal waterloo for children and women. I'm guessing that it's now opened for all people or maybe not opened at all. Anyhow I think it's really nice that they've kept the exterior.
In the evening we went to Koko in Camden. It was absolutely crowded and almost only french people in there, kind of weird.
On the dancefloor they threw out gigantic ballons that everybody tried to catch. It was fun seeing the ballons bounce against the walls of the old theatre.
Sunday:
Since I'm moving and have lots of things to take care of next sunday I of course had to spend this one at my favourite sunday place Brick Lane.
Sanni, Carla, Alena and Pia (who were sitting next to me) came with my to enjoy the amazing food. I had the best thing you can have there: Turkish gozleme (which is kind of like a bread) with spinich and cheese.
I also finished the weekend with knäckebröd with sprouts, this time together with a butternutsquash soup. After skyping and writing this it's now time for bed to get some energy for my last regular working week.
Sleep well! xxx
Friday:
I started my weekend with a delicious breakfast: Youghurt with applepure, bananas and blackberries, two knäckebröd with sprouts or jam, apple and mango juice and tea. Perfect before working out at the gym, which even though I just had a bad cold went quite alright. After a shower I got on the train to Balham for lunch and coffee with Pia, Alena and Sanni. Then back on a train, tube this time, all the way up to Camden Town to meet Judith who I used to go to primary school with about ten years ago. She had her flatmate Sara with her and we walked around on the Market for a while, freezing, buying food and looking at all the weird stuff they sell. When we were so cold that we could barely stand it we took a bus to their place. We drank tea and talked about nothing special and suddenly it was evening and time to go home, which can only mean that we had a really nice time.
Saturday:
Saturday started with a brunch with Karolin by Covent Garden. The place seemed very promising but turned out to be amazingly slow and with coffee that only tasted of milk.
But even so we had a really nice time and at the end got served some delicious pancakes and bread with compote.
When Karolin needed to go home to study I met up with Pia (surprise?!) at Piccadilly Circus.
We sat at the foot of the statue for a while enjoying the sun and looking at tourists and pigeons.
Then we walked on to Green Park, bought some food and enjoyed it outside.
The predicted rain was very hard to spot on the sunny sky.
We went on a bus and ended up by a gigantic building that I've never seen before, apperantly Westminster Church.
Then we went on another bus and came to Waterloo.
Just by the river they have flea market where they only sell old books, I always feel like buying a book when I'm there but have so far not found anything I want.
On the way back home we passed by The royal waterloo for children and women. I'm guessing that it's now opened for all people or maybe not opened at all. Anyhow I think it's really nice that they've kept the exterior.
In the evening we went to Koko in Camden. It was absolutely crowded and almost only french people in there, kind of weird.
On the dancefloor they threw out gigantic ballons that everybody tried to catch. It was fun seeing the ballons bounce against the walls of the old theatre.
Sunday:
Since I'm moving and have lots of things to take care of next sunday I of course had to spend this one at my favourite sunday place Brick Lane.
Sanni, Carla, Alena and Pia (who were sitting next to me) came with my to enjoy the amazing food. I had the best thing you can have there: Turkish gozleme (which is kind of like a bread) with spinich and cheese.
I also finished the weekend with knäckebröd with sprouts, this time together with a butternutsquash soup. After skyping and writing this it's now time for bed to get some energy for my last regular working week.
Sleep well! xxx
The time, easter eggs, diagon alley and a basement
I want to have every weekend documented when I move back to Sweden because it is so much fun to look back at it later. So even though I know that it's already a new weekend this is all of the photos from last weekend. I must warn you if you're planning to look through all of them though: there are loads! (Almost never ending)
Saturday:
Without planning so we got stuck at Pia's friday evening, watching movies and laughing about absolutely nothing and since just the thought of getting to the train made me unbelievebly tired I decided to stay over. So in the morning we could just walk straight to Bertie&Boo for a coffee and flapjack to take away.
After a short busride to Elephant and Castle we walked on towards the river and passed by theese blue men climbing up the wall. We tried to join them but didn't really manage...
A few more steps and we were at one of my favourite places, Borough Market. We bought a juice and a baguette each, sat down on a wall and enjoyed the sun and food.
Then we went on to the next market with train. It was Greenwich Market and I found a pair of nice sunglasses, prefect for the sunny day.
We walked through Greenwich and watched the old buildings...
...parked bikes...
...and british flags on lamp posts.
Until we ended up in Greenwich park with a rasperry sorbet each in our hands.
"Hmm, which one looks yummier, mine or hers?"
It was an absolutely amazing day with a blue sky, sun and 16 degress. Two tiny little kids were running around chasing a boll and all around us were people having picnics.
Even so we got a bit cold after sitting in the grass for to long and decided to "climb up" the hill. The view up there was quite remarkable.
Besides it's the very place were they keep time, and not just any time, The time. Also known as GMT. Suppose you all know what it means?
There was quite a few people up there as well. Tourists, inlines-trainers, and sun seekers.
And of course there was loads of beautiful, big, old buildings which most certainly is remarkably important in some meaning, no idea in which tho.
Some of them were even harder to know in which way they were important. Actually I'm not even sure if this is a building, maybe just a gigantic sculpture?
In the evening Pia, Alena, Sanni and I went to see the "Legally Blonde" musical as we gave that to Pia on her birthday. It was quite funny, very similar to the film except from that they had a whole song about "Bend and snap". Since we already were in central we of course also had to take a glass after. First on the most british pub you can imagine and then on a very fancy bar in soho.
While walking through London we found about five easter eggs spread out on different places. It's a big easter egg hunt all over central London now, apperantly you can win quite a lot of money.
Sunday:
Probably the day when I've been up and away the earliest on a weekend. Up at 9.30 and in central before 11am. I had a very good excuse tho, another thing we've been looking so much forward to, the Muggle Tour (Harry Potter for those of you who are not that in to it). This is our guide Hana outside 12 Grimmauld Place, the Order of Phoenix's headquarters.
This flower shop were used to film the entry to the diagon alley. By the way, about five photos forward are only about Harry Potter so unless you're a total nerd like me you could just scroll down a bit.
It was really nice cause Hana brought photos from the film so that we could actually recognize the wall that they used.
Apparently they used the stairs inside of St Pauls cathedral (in the background) many times, for example walking up to professor Trelawney's class.
Westminister tube station were used in Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix when Harry and Arthur Weasley are going to the Minister of Magic but are not aloud to use magic. They closed the station for a whole day while filming which is quite remarkable considering how many people that are crossing there everyday.
To be honest I don't really know what she said about this specifik view, but of course the Thames and many of the bridges are used in the fifth film when they are bringing Harry to Grimmauld Place.
Here they filmed the sixth Harry Potter. Ron is standing at that corner when they are using polyelixir to become people that work on the Ministry of Magic.
And just around the corner is were the guest entrance to Ministry of Magic is, it's suppose to be a telephone box, but unfortenately they just brought it there for filming so it's no longer there.
We finished the tour on a very small street with almost only bookstore which was the inspiration for diagon alley. Sorry about the photo, I know it's a bit weird if you look at the girls, something with the camera I suppose.
Alright, anyone who scrolled down, I'm done with the nerd things now. To be honest it's mostly for me to remember, might not be very intresting for you.
After the tour we bought some food and sat down in St James Park for lunch, we ate and talked for about one hour...
...until walking further in to the park.
Even there we found a couple of eggs, one in the middle of the pond.
We ended up, well we actually intended to end up, it wasn't by mistake, at Buckingham Palace.
Sanni, Alena, Carla and I. Pia were the photograph. All of us more or less Harry Potter nerds.
After walking through St James Park, Green Park and parts of Hyde Park (yes, it is kind of far) we decided to go to the Museums. First we took a peek in the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Even though just walking in the entrance gave us these amazing views we felt like it was way to much to comprehend in the single hour we had before closing. So instead we walked to the science museum just around the corner and did a test to find out who we are. Would have been convenient if they would have told me what I'm gonna become as well, so I don't have to figure that out by myself.
My plan was to go home after the museum and have a quiet evening but since I didn't feel like going home at all I instead ended up with the other girls on a pub were I ate a vegetarian sunday roast. Also something you should try in London, just beacuase it's so british.
After dinner we went on to another pub and ended the fabulous weekend with listening to a fantastic band called "Robbie Boyd Band" down in the basement. Do I have to mention that I was pleased with the weekend?
xxx
Saturday:
Without planning so we got stuck at Pia's friday evening, watching movies and laughing about absolutely nothing and since just the thought of getting to the train made me unbelievebly tired I decided to stay over. So in the morning we could just walk straight to Bertie&Boo for a coffee and flapjack to take away.
After a short busride to Elephant and Castle we walked on towards the river and passed by theese blue men climbing up the wall. We tried to join them but didn't really manage...
A few more steps and we were at one of my favourite places, Borough Market. We bought a juice and a baguette each, sat down on a wall and enjoyed the sun and food.
Then we went on to the next market with train. It was Greenwich Market and I found a pair of nice sunglasses, prefect for the sunny day.
We walked through Greenwich and watched the old buildings...
...parked bikes...
...and british flags on lamp posts.
Until we ended up in Greenwich park with a rasperry sorbet each in our hands.
"Hmm, which one looks yummier, mine or hers?"
It was an absolutely amazing day with a blue sky, sun and 16 degress. Two tiny little kids were running around chasing a boll and all around us were people having picnics.
Even so we got a bit cold after sitting in the grass for to long and decided to "climb up" the hill. The view up there was quite remarkable.
Besides it's the very place were they keep time, and not just any time, The time. Also known as GMT. Suppose you all know what it means?
There was quite a few people up there as well. Tourists, inlines-trainers, and sun seekers.
And of course there was loads of beautiful, big, old buildings which most certainly is remarkably important in some meaning, no idea in which tho.
Some of them were even harder to know in which way they were important. Actually I'm not even sure if this is a building, maybe just a gigantic sculpture?
In the evening Pia, Alena, Sanni and I went to see the "Legally Blonde" musical as we gave that to Pia on her birthday. It was quite funny, very similar to the film except from that they had a whole song about "Bend and snap". Since we already were in central we of course also had to take a glass after. First on the most british pub you can imagine and then on a very fancy bar in soho.
While walking through London we found about five easter eggs spread out on different places. It's a big easter egg hunt all over central London now, apperantly you can win quite a lot of money.
Sunday:
Probably the day when I've been up and away the earliest on a weekend. Up at 9.30 and in central before 11am. I had a very good excuse tho, another thing we've been looking so much forward to, the Muggle Tour (Harry Potter for those of you who are not that in to it). This is our guide Hana outside 12 Grimmauld Place, the Order of Phoenix's headquarters.
This flower shop were used to film the entry to the diagon alley. By the way, about five photos forward are only about Harry Potter so unless you're a total nerd like me you could just scroll down a bit.
It was really nice cause Hana brought photos from the film so that we could actually recognize the wall that they used.
Apparently they used the stairs inside of St Pauls cathedral (in the background) many times, for example walking up to professor Trelawney's class.
Westminister tube station were used in Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix when Harry and Arthur Weasley are going to the Minister of Magic but are not aloud to use magic. They closed the station for a whole day while filming which is quite remarkable considering how many people that are crossing there everyday.
To be honest I don't really know what she said about this specifik view, but of course the Thames and many of the bridges are used in the fifth film when they are bringing Harry to Grimmauld Place.
Here they filmed the sixth Harry Potter. Ron is standing at that corner when they are using polyelixir to become people that work on the Ministry of Magic.
And just around the corner is were the guest entrance to Ministry of Magic is, it's suppose to be a telephone box, but unfortenately they just brought it there for filming so it's no longer there.
We finished the tour on a very small street with almost only bookstore which was the inspiration for diagon alley. Sorry about the photo, I know it's a bit weird if you look at the girls, something with the camera I suppose.
Alright, anyone who scrolled down, I'm done with the nerd things now. To be honest it's mostly for me to remember, might not be very intresting for you.
After the tour we bought some food and sat down in St James Park for lunch, we ate and talked for about one hour...
...until walking further in to the park.
Even there we found a couple of eggs, one in the middle of the pond.
We ended up, well we actually intended to end up, it wasn't by mistake, at Buckingham Palace.
Sanni, Alena, Carla and I. Pia were the photograph. All of us more or less Harry Potter nerds.
After walking through St James Park, Green Park and parts of Hyde Park (yes, it is kind of far) we decided to go to the Museums. First we took a peek in the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Even though just walking in the entrance gave us these amazing views we felt like it was way to much to comprehend in the single hour we had before closing. So instead we walked to the science museum just around the corner and did a test to find out who we are. Would have been convenient if they would have told me what I'm gonna become as well, so I don't have to figure that out by myself.
My plan was to go home after the museum and have a quiet evening but since I didn't feel like going home at all I instead ended up with the other girls on a pub were I ate a vegetarian sunday roast. Also something you should try in London, just beacuase it's so british.
After dinner we went on to another pub and ended the fabulous weekend with listening to a fantastic band called "Robbie Boyd Band" down in the basement. Do I have to mention that I was pleased with the weekend?
xxx
The today, snogs and candles in cups
Today, Thursday the 23rd of February, it's exactly one year since I arrived to London. If I remember it correctly I was already up in Lukas bed by this time, exhausted from all the new impressions. It's also exactly three weeks until I'm leaving and moving back to Sweden. By this time then I'll be on the airplane halfway there. This day has been proofing it's extraordinarity with 16 degrees plus and sun. I've been walking around in only t-shirt without feeling even a little bit cold. I'm also celebrating or mourning (depending on how you see it) with babysitting my little ones, it feels absolutely right considering it's because of them I'm here.
Anyway, I thought I'd use the time to finally upload the photos from last weekend.
Friday:
I started with dragging Pia and Emelie to the gym for a two hours long workout, only way to not feel guilty about all the unhealthy things we're eating during the weekend... No, just kidding, but it's always nicer to workout with others. After that Pia and I had lunch at my place, took the bus to Oxford Street and fought with the crowds for a while before giving up and walking down to Soho for a nice and quite italian dinner. We finished the day with a guilt-free snog (frozen youghurt) while walking down to leicester square and reminding us about how wondefully crowded and alive London always is on a friday night.
Saturday:
After showing the flat and having breakfast with Nikolina (who is the next aupair) I took the train to Borough Market to meet Pia. Our plan was to have the best tasting baguettes, which we did, and then take of to Greenwich, which we didn't. It was rather cold and windy so we changed our plans.
So instead we went to Westfield mall to do some shopping. I found nothing. Or well, I did find some shoes that I want, but since I don't know if I'll have enough weight I thought I better wait with buying them until I've packed.
Walking home I realised that it was quite beautiful outside. After a bit of resting Pia joined me again, we had dinner and got ready at my place.
And then spent the rest of the evening on the good old Grand. As you can see it's situated in an old theatre which I think is quite marvelous.
Sunday:
Since Pia slept at my place we where up and away rather early, well, at least for a sunday morning. The plan for the day was my favourite sunday-routine.
We started at Colombian road flower market.
If you look around a bit you can find hidden cafés, street musicians and tiny yards filled with old things for sale.
You can also find loads of really cute stores where you usually want to buy everything but don't really need any of it.
Like all of this.
Even in the darkest places you can find some light, Anne Frank is a perfect reminder of that.
The next stop was Brick Lane with lunch and after coffee with the yummiest thing ever, Malaysian Pancakes. I've asked Pia to send me baguettes from Borough Market and these when I move back to Sweden.
The last stop was the icing on the cake, or the dot on the i as we say in Sweden, pretty much what made an already perfect day even better. We spent the evening in Balham with Alena and Carla, first and Bertie and Boo's where they had candles in cups, and then dinner at an Italian restaurant.
Now I think the parents will be here any minute so I'm gonna finish this post. Hope you're all very weel!
xxx
Anyway, I thought I'd use the time to finally upload the photos from last weekend.
Friday:
I started with dragging Pia and Emelie to the gym for a two hours long workout, only way to not feel guilty about all the unhealthy things we're eating during the weekend... No, just kidding, but it's always nicer to workout with others. After that Pia and I had lunch at my place, took the bus to Oxford Street and fought with the crowds for a while before giving up and walking down to Soho for a nice and quite italian dinner. We finished the day with a guilt-free snog (frozen youghurt) while walking down to leicester square and reminding us about how wondefully crowded and alive London always is on a friday night.
Saturday:
After showing the flat and having breakfast with Nikolina (who is the next aupair) I took the train to Borough Market to meet Pia. Our plan was to have the best tasting baguettes, which we did, and then take of to Greenwich, which we didn't. It was rather cold and windy so we changed our plans.
So instead we went to Westfield mall to do some shopping. I found nothing. Or well, I did find some shoes that I want, but since I don't know if I'll have enough weight I thought I better wait with buying them until I've packed.
Walking home I realised that it was quite beautiful outside. After a bit of resting Pia joined me again, we had dinner and got ready at my place.
And then spent the rest of the evening on the good old Grand. As you can see it's situated in an old theatre which I think is quite marvelous.
Sunday:
Since Pia slept at my place we where up and away rather early, well, at least for a sunday morning. The plan for the day was my favourite sunday-routine.
We started at Colombian road flower market.
If you look around a bit you can find hidden cafés, street musicians and tiny yards filled with old things for sale.
You can also find loads of really cute stores where you usually want to buy everything but don't really need any of it.
Like all of this.
Even in the darkest places you can find some light, Anne Frank is a perfect reminder of that.
The next stop was Brick Lane with lunch and after coffee with the yummiest thing ever, Malaysian Pancakes. I've asked Pia to send me baguettes from Borough Market and these when I move back to Sweden.
The last stop was the icing on the cake, or the dot on the i as we say in Sweden, pretty much what made an already perfect day even better. We spent the evening in Balham with Alena and Carla, first and Bertie and Boo's where they had candles in cups, and then dinner at an Italian restaurant.
Now I think the parents will be here any minute so I'm gonna finish this post. Hope you're all very weel!
xxx
15 teabags and 311 steps
Another weekend has passed by and now I might only have about four or so left, really weird. I think I might have to plan them a bit. Even though I do actually feel like I've done most of the things that I want to do while I'm here so it should be fine, no regrets! Well then, this weekend.
Friday:
I had pretty much the perfect Friday, very chilled but still with a lot going on. I got up rather early, even though I wasn't working I'd told Nathalie that I would come with her to have a coffee with the new aupair. Just to get two opinions and to help put with Siri in case she got bored. She seemed really nice and were also very intrested of the job so I think she will probably be the one after me. She even followed me home just to see the room that she could take if she wants to. When she left I made a chocolate cake and then took off to the gym to meet Emelie, it is so much more fun to work out when you're two people. After the gym I'd invited Josefina and Linnea for a swedish fika, Emelie also stepped by for a while and helped me make a blueberrie cake. So we ate two different kinds of cake, drank coffee and just sat in the livingroom talking for hours. Around 8pm I almost had to push them out since I had to meet Pia and Alena at sainsburys. They also came to my place but for dinner and to watch "One day", and then of course to just talk about nothing and everything until about 1am when they took the bus home and I feel asleep.
Saturday:
Pia met me by the shoppingcentre and we took our favourite bus, 87, in to central. We started of at apostrophe to get some soup. Lunch is necessary when you have a big mission ahead of you. This is the view we had from the café, not to bad or what do you think?
When we stepped outside we realised that just next door was the Twinings shop which I´v never seen before. Maybe not so strange cause we were as much in the middle of nowhere as you can be in the most central of central London.
The whole shop were filled with teabags and teapots. I bought 15 different teabags for 1.50, mostly for the memory.
After about half an hour walking, passing by St Pauls Cathedral and Millenium Bridge, we were standing at the foot of our mission for the day. Monument. We wanted to reach the sun.
There is 311 steps, all of them going around and around and around, and the further you get the more narrow it gets.
Pia needed I tiny break in the middle (or to be honest I asked her to sit down so I could take a photo).
Finally up there we realised that it was absolutely worth every single step cause the view was amazing. Here you can see the tower bridge.
The pointing building in the middle, which I always forget the name of, was Julian (the dad) part of making. Don't know in which way, but something in the architecture cause that's what he does.
If you look closely you can see London Eye at the far right.
The best part where that we did reach the sun. I stood the for a while just enjoying the feeling when it hit my face.
One last photo before walking the 311 steps down.
You might think walking down should be easier but the thing is that I was so focused on the next step and not missing it and fall down that I got totally dizzy.
But we managed to get down and even got a certificat.
"This is to certify that Katinka Fernström Richter has climbed the 311 steps of the Monument"
After stoping by Borough Market real quick I got on the train to go home and found a handprint on the window. The evening was spent on a quite unforgetable goodbye party for Josefina who is now going to Nepal for four months.
Sunday:
Me and Pia got on the 87 again, passed by the filming of James Bond, and got of at Covent Garden where we met Karolin and her friend Andrea. We had a lovely lunch at a not so lovely reastaurant, very nice food but not as nice staff.
:
When we were absolutely full Karolina showed us this wonderful new opened shop.
I couldn't resist and left with a really sweet little bag...
...full of swedish sweets. You wont know until you're without it for one year how good it is.
xxx
Friday:
I had pretty much the perfect Friday, very chilled but still with a lot going on. I got up rather early, even though I wasn't working I'd told Nathalie that I would come with her to have a coffee with the new aupair. Just to get two opinions and to help put with Siri in case she got bored. She seemed really nice and were also very intrested of the job so I think she will probably be the one after me. She even followed me home just to see the room that she could take if she wants to. When she left I made a chocolate cake and then took off to the gym to meet Emelie, it is so much more fun to work out when you're two people. After the gym I'd invited Josefina and Linnea for a swedish fika, Emelie also stepped by for a while and helped me make a blueberrie cake. So we ate two different kinds of cake, drank coffee and just sat in the livingroom talking for hours. Around 8pm I almost had to push them out since I had to meet Pia and Alena at sainsburys. They also came to my place but for dinner and to watch "One day", and then of course to just talk about nothing and everything until about 1am when they took the bus home and I feel asleep.
Saturday:
Pia met me by the shoppingcentre and we took our favourite bus, 87, in to central. We started of at apostrophe to get some soup. Lunch is necessary when you have a big mission ahead of you. This is the view we had from the café, not to bad or what do you think?
When we stepped outside we realised that just next door was the Twinings shop which I´v never seen before. Maybe not so strange cause we were as much in the middle of nowhere as you can be in the most central of central London.
The whole shop were filled with teabags and teapots. I bought 15 different teabags for 1.50, mostly for the memory.
After about half an hour walking, passing by St Pauls Cathedral and Millenium Bridge, we were standing at the foot of our mission for the day. Monument. We wanted to reach the sun.
There is 311 steps, all of them going around and around and around, and the further you get the more narrow it gets.
Pia needed I tiny break in the middle (or to be honest I asked her to sit down so I could take a photo).
Finally up there we realised that it was absolutely worth every single step cause the view was amazing. Here you can see the tower bridge.
The pointing building in the middle, which I always forget the name of, was Julian (the dad) part of making. Don't know in which way, but something in the architecture cause that's what he does.
If you look closely you can see London Eye at the far right.
The best part where that we did reach the sun. I stood the for a while just enjoying the feeling when it hit my face.
One last photo before walking the 311 steps down.
You might think walking down should be easier but the thing is that I was so focused on the next step and not missing it and fall down that I got totally dizzy.
But we managed to get down and even got a certificat.
"This is to certify that Katinka Fernström Richter has climbed the 311 steps of the Monument"
After stoping by Borough Market real quick I got on the train to go home and found a handprint on the window. The evening was spent on a quite unforgetable goodbye party for Josefina who is now going to Nepal for four months.
Sunday:
Me and Pia got on the 87 again, passed by the filming of James Bond, and got of at Covent Garden where we met Karolin and her friend Andrea. We had a lovely lunch at a not so lovely reastaurant, very nice food but not as nice staff.
:When we were absolutely full Karolina showed us this wonderful new opened shop.
I couldn't resist and left with a really sweet little bag...
...full of swedish sweets. You wont know until you're without it for one year how good it is.
xxx
Water reflections, wizard watching and war
Friday:
First free friday after the holidays and I used it to really take my time in everything I did. Sleept until 11, ate breakfast until 12 and then took care of all the boring stuff. Cleaning, gym, foodshopping and washing clothes. In the evening I got rewarded by watching The Iron Lady in Chelsea with Pia, Alena and Sanni. The photos are taken when I was waiting for the bus, it was rather cold but wonderful view made it quite alright.
Saturday:
Pia, Alena, Sanni and I started up in the morning with a big brunch to prepare ourself and get lots of energy.
Might seem a bit silly for some but for me and Pia it was a really big day. We had planned since August to do a Harry Potter Marathon and it was finally going to happen. We started watching at 12.30 on Saturday and was finished at 7.30 Sunday morning. We saw all of the eight movies with just one halfhour break to get som food.
Just inbetween the second and the third one Alena got upstairs and started screaming of happiness. It was snowing and London seemed even more like taken straight from one of the movies.
Sunday:
When all of the movies was finished we sleept for 2,5 hours until ten and then got up and went to Bertie's & Boo's for breakfast.
Since we all realised that we couldn't go to sleep until the next evening (which is right now) we decided that we better making something out of the day.
So we took the bus to Imperial War Museum.
It was quite fascinating, especially the part about the holocaust, even though I've heard about it so many times before it still seems so unbelivable.
After that I figured I had done enough for the day and took the train back home. For some reason I haven't been that tired though, everything has felt just like normal, except from maybe a couple of extra laughs and giggles.
xxx
First free friday after the holidays and I used it to really take my time in everything I did. Sleept until 11, ate breakfast until 12 and then took care of all the boring stuff. Cleaning, gym, foodshopping and washing clothes. In the evening I got rewarded by watching The Iron Lady in Chelsea with Pia, Alena and Sanni. The photos are taken when I was waiting for the bus, it was rather cold but wonderful view made it quite alright.
Saturday:
Pia, Alena, Sanni and I started up in the morning with a big brunch to prepare ourself and get lots of energy.
Might seem a bit silly for some but for me and Pia it was a really big day. We had planned since August to do a Harry Potter Marathon and it was finally going to happen. We started watching at 12.30 on Saturday and was finished at 7.30 Sunday morning. We saw all of the eight movies with just one halfhour break to get som food.
Just inbetween the second and the third one Alena got upstairs and started screaming of happiness. It was snowing and London seemed even more like taken straight from one of the movies.
Sunday:
When all of the movies was finished we sleept for 2,5 hours until ten and then got up and went to Bertie's & Boo's for breakfast.
Since we all realised that we couldn't go to sleep until the next evening (which is right now) we decided that we better making something out of the day.
So we took the bus to Imperial War Museum.
It was quite fascinating, especially the part about the holocaust, even though I've heard about it so many times before it still seems so unbelivable.
After that I figured I had done enough for the day and took the train back home. For some reason I haven't been that tired though, everything has felt just like normal, except from maybe a couple of extra laughs and giggles.
xxx
Chinese lanterns, tomatos and a nanny-get-togheter
Since I just found out that my two german darlings are looking at my blog now and then I'm doing an effort to write in English. In that way I also get to practice my writing skills. Any how, here is my last weekend in wonderful London.
Friday:
After work and gym I dragged Pia with me in to town to get some of the London feeling. I kind of need to go to the central now and then to remind me of that I'm actually living in London.
We started with a smoothie at Joe & Juice and then walked down through Soho to China Town, where it was decorated with lanterns 'cause of the chinese new year.
When we had walked all the way down to Trafalgar Square we got on the 87 and went to my place. Finally at home we lit some candles, drank the, ate nutella on "knäckebröd" and watched a rather bad movie.
Saturday:
We started the day at our favorite market: Borough Market.
Pia and Alena were walking around tasting everything, or at least looking at everything.
While Karolin was more in the buying mood.
She walked around for quite a while and looked at all the nice vegetables.
After the market Pia, Alena and I went shopping in a giant shoppingcentre, no photos were taken then though. Completely tired from the crowdiness (can you say that?) Pia and I went home to me for dinner and a quick shower before we met up with Karolin again for a drink at The Exhibit in Balham. I was a bit surprised to see that it was actually crowded also in there, even though we were in a little suburb to London.
Sunday:
I woke up, did a bit of laundry and cleaning and then went back to Balham again for a coffee at Bertie & Boo with Pia and Lisa.
The rest of the day I spent at a lunch that turned into a dinner at Firdo's with some nannies from my area. We watched a movie, ate lots of snacks, played cards, did the shisha, and talked. And since her mom loves cooking (and wouldn't agree to let us just have pizza) she made the most amazing indian food, we even got some to take home since she thought we didn't eat enough. So that's what I had for dinner today and now I'm going to bed.
xxx
Friday:
After work and gym I dragged Pia with me in to town to get some of the London feeling. I kind of need to go to the central now and then to remind me of that I'm actually living in London.
We started with a smoothie at Joe & Juice and then walked down through Soho to China Town, where it was decorated with lanterns 'cause of the chinese new year.
When we had walked all the way down to Trafalgar Square we got on the 87 and went to my place. Finally at home we lit some candles, drank the, ate nutella on "knäckebröd" and watched a rather bad movie.
Saturday:
We started the day at our favorite market: Borough Market.
Pia and Alena were walking around tasting everything, or at least looking at everything.
While Karolin was more in the buying mood.
She walked around for quite a while and looked at all the nice vegetables.
After the market Pia, Alena and I went shopping in a giant shoppingcentre, no photos were taken then though. Completely tired from the crowdiness (can you say that?) Pia and I went home to me for dinner and a quick shower before we met up with Karolin again for a drink at The Exhibit in Balham. I was a bit surprised to see that it was actually crowded also in there, even though we were in a little suburb to London.
Sunday:
I woke up, did a bit of laundry and cleaning and then went back to Balham again for a coffee at Bertie & Boo with Pia and Lisa.
The rest of the day I spent at a lunch that turned into a dinner at Firdo's with some nannies from my area. We watched a movie, ate lots of snacks, played cards, did the shisha, and talked. And since her mom loves cooking (and wouldn't agree to let us just have pizza) she made the most amazing indian food, we even got some to take home since she thought we didn't eat enough. So that's what I had for dinner today and now I'm going to bed.
xxx
Udda tekoppar och ensamma spiraltrappor
Nu kommer helguppdateringen, bättre sent än aldrig. I fredags jobbade jag så då hände inte så mycket spännande. Var i och för sig på bio med Pia på kvällen och såg "War Horse" som jag verkligen kan rekommendera. Efteråt kändes det som att jag suttit och hållit andan under hela filmen (2 timmar), väldigt gripande och vacker. Resten av helgen hände det här:
Lördag:
Jag tog med mig dem här två tjejerna och begav mig till Richmond som jag hört av flera skulle vara väldigt mysigt.
Efter en timmas bussfärd för att komma dit så satte vi oss på första bästa café för att äta lunch.
Stället hette "The Tea Box" och hade, liksom namnet avslöjar, massa olika teér som serverades i udda koppar och med en "tea timer". Väldigt mysigt.
Efter lunchen promenerade vi genom stadskärnan och bort mot Temsen. Vi passerade en stor äng..
...och ett gammalt järnvägsspår med vackra valv.
Längst vid Themsen fanns det massa husbåtar och en fin promenadväg.
Det var ganska fint att gå där och titta på människorna, båtarna och fåglarna.
Efter ett litet tag kom vi till en skylt där det stod "café" med en pil in mot det här pyttelilla valvet. Jag tyckte det såg väldigt spännande ut och ville såklart gå dit.
Valvet visade sig bara vara en gångväg under vägen medan själva caféet låg uppe på en kulle.
Det visade sig vara ett fairtrade café...
...med en veganmeny...
...och massa rolig inredning. Inte helt illa.
Resten av dagen gick vi runt i Richmonds stadskärna och tittade i lite butiker. Kvällen spenderade vi hos Alena med paj och film.
Söndag:
Dagen började med brunch på "Le Pain Quotidien" vid London Bridge med Karolina. Yoghurt med bär, croissant och cappucino. Är det helg så är det.
Mätta och belåtna gick vi runt lite i området som är fullt med gamla vackra byggnader och historiska platser. Bland annat fanns där mitt i alltihop en ensam spiraltrappa.
När det var dags för Karolina att åka hem för att helgfixa så åkte jag till Balham och mötte upp "tyska maffian" som jag så fint kallar dem. Jag hittade dem såklart på Bertie and Boo där dem är som fastklistrade. Vi gick runt lite i Balham och gick sen till en pub för att se Arsenal mot Manchester United eftersom Pia är ett stort Arsenal fan. Och ska vi vara ärliga så finns det ju inte något mycket mer engelskt att göra än att se fotboll på en pub. Tyvärr vann fel lag och jag åkte hem för att sörja, eller snarare mysa med te, choklad och fin musik.
xxx
Lördag:
Jag tog med mig dem här två tjejerna och begav mig till Richmond som jag hört av flera skulle vara väldigt mysigt.
Efter en timmas bussfärd för att komma dit så satte vi oss på första bästa café för att äta lunch.
Stället hette "The Tea Box" och hade, liksom namnet avslöjar, massa olika teér som serverades i udda koppar och med en "tea timer". Väldigt mysigt.
Efter lunchen promenerade vi genom stadskärnan och bort mot Temsen. Vi passerade en stor äng..
...och ett gammalt järnvägsspår med vackra valv.
Längst vid Themsen fanns det massa husbåtar och en fin promenadväg.
Det var ganska fint att gå där och titta på människorna, båtarna och fåglarna.
Efter ett litet tag kom vi till en skylt där det stod "café" med en pil in mot det här pyttelilla valvet. Jag tyckte det såg väldigt spännande ut och ville såklart gå dit.
Valvet visade sig bara vara en gångväg under vägen medan själva caféet låg uppe på en kulle.
Det visade sig vara ett fairtrade café...
...med en veganmeny...
...och massa rolig inredning. Inte helt illa.
Resten av dagen gick vi runt i Richmonds stadskärna och tittade i lite butiker. Kvällen spenderade vi hos Alena med paj och film.
Söndag:
Dagen började med brunch på "Le Pain Quotidien" vid London Bridge med Karolina. Yoghurt med bär, croissant och cappucino. Är det helg så är det.
Mätta och belåtna gick vi runt lite i området som är fullt med gamla vackra byggnader och historiska platser. Bland annat fanns där mitt i alltihop en ensam spiraltrappa.
När det var dags för Karolina att åka hem för att helgfixa så åkte jag till Balham och mötte upp "tyska maffian" som jag så fint kallar dem. Jag hittade dem såklart på Bertie and Boo där dem är som fastklistrade. Vi gick runt lite i Balham och gick sen till en pub för att se Arsenal mot Manchester United eftersom Pia är ett stort Arsenal fan. Och ska vi vara ärliga så finns det ju inte något mycket mer engelskt att göra än att se fotboll på en pub. Tyvärr vann fel lag och jag åkte hem för att sörja, eller snarare mysa med te, choklad och fin musik.
xxx
Prislappsskräp, karuseller och opera
Dagarna gick så väldigt fort när jag var i Stockholm så jag har ju inte ens hunnit skriva om mina sista dagar i London när fina Amelie kom på besök. Hon kom först på lördagkvällen så under dagen hade jag tid att springa runt och göra ingenting och allting som alltid behöver göras precis innan hemfärd och jul och sånt. När hon kom åt vi middag på Nando's, lämnade hennes saker hos mig och gick till närmsta pub. Det fick räcka för den dagen. Söndag gjorde vi desto mer...
Då tog vi tunnelbanan från Clapham Common (med världens smalaste perrong) rakt igenom hela stan och till Old Street.
Därifrån promenerade vi till Colombian Road Flower Market och gick in i alla dem små fina affärerna, inklusive en gammeldags godisbutik.
Efter det var det såklart Brick Lane som gällde. På vägen dit såg vi en skylt där det stod "Pop up Christmas Market" men det visade sig vara ett galleri och vad jag kunde se fanns där inget juligt allt.
Där fanns mest intressant konst, som prislappar på skräp.
Snart hade Amelie blivit lika läskig som tavlorna så vi gick vidare för att äta.
Vi tittade på marknaden, köpte julklappar och hittade streetart på varenda vägg.
Kvällen spenderade vi på Winter Wonderland i Hyde Park.
Det var iskallt och hur mycket människor som helst men vi höll humöret uppe.
Överallt fanns karuseller och åkattraktioner, pubar och värdshus, och allt lyste.
Det var kanske inte den mest stämmningsfulla julmarknad jag har varit på men ändå kul att ha sett.
När vi kom hem hade vi adventsmys och tittade på julkalendern. Vilken väldig tur jag har haft som har kompisar som också vill titta på julkalendern fast vi fyllt 20 och mer.
Resten av dagarna jobbade jag men kunde umgås med Amelie på kvällarna. På måndagen bjöd hennes förra aupair barns farfar Bob (han som jag flög med) oss på musikal, vi såg Phantom of the Opera. Den var ganska bra men lite svår att följa med i. Efteråt satt vi på en pub och pratade ett tag. Bob visade oss foton från när han flög över Europas högsta berg. Där har ni beviset på att det inte är försent med något förrän ni har dött, 70 plus och flyger själv i ett hemmabyggt plan över gigantiska berg. På tisdagen nöjde vi oss med middag på en av restaurangerna där jag bor och gick sedan hem för att packa. Onsdag var Amelie med mig på jobbet några timmar innan hon åkte mot flygplatsen och ett par timmar efter det tog jag mig till en annan flygplats och flög hem till Sverige.
xxx
Då tog vi tunnelbanan från Clapham Common (med världens smalaste perrong) rakt igenom hela stan och till Old Street.
Därifrån promenerade vi till Colombian Road Flower Market och gick in i alla dem små fina affärerna, inklusive en gammeldags godisbutik.
Efter det var det såklart Brick Lane som gällde. På vägen dit såg vi en skylt där det stod "Pop up Christmas Market" men det visade sig vara ett galleri och vad jag kunde se fanns där inget juligt allt.
Där fanns mest intressant konst, som prislappar på skräp.
Snart hade Amelie blivit lika läskig som tavlorna så vi gick vidare för att äta.
Vi tittade på marknaden, köpte julklappar och hittade streetart på varenda vägg.
Kvällen spenderade vi på Winter Wonderland i Hyde Park.
Det var iskallt och hur mycket människor som helst men vi höll humöret uppe.
Överallt fanns karuseller och åkattraktioner, pubar och värdshus, och allt lyste.
Det var kanske inte den mest stämmningsfulla julmarknad jag har varit på men ändå kul att ha sett.
När vi kom hem hade vi adventsmys och tittade på julkalendern. Vilken väldig tur jag har haft som har kompisar som också vill titta på julkalendern fast vi fyllt 20 och mer.
Resten av dagarna jobbade jag men kunde umgås med Amelie på kvällarna. På måndagen bjöd hennes förra aupair barns farfar Bob (han som jag flög med) oss på musikal, vi såg Phantom of the Opera. Den var ganska bra men lite svår att följa med i. Efteråt satt vi på en pub och pratade ett tag. Bob visade oss foton från när han flög över Europas högsta berg. Där har ni beviset på att det inte är försent med något förrän ni har dött, 70 plus och flyger själv i ett hemmabyggt plan över gigantiska berg. På tisdagen nöjde vi oss med middag på en av restaurangerna där jag bor och gick sedan hem för att packa. Onsdag var Amelie med mig på jobbet några timmar innan hon åkte mot flygplatsen och ett par timmar efter det tog jag mig till en annan flygplats och flög hem till Sverige.
xxx
Choklad, brysselkål och hemligheter
Lite sen helguppdatering den här gången, dessutom med ovanligt få foton. Men bättre än inget ändå.
Fredag:
Eftersom jag fått ledigt en eftermiddag för några veckor sen så jobbade jag fredag förmiddag. Efter lunch tog Nathalie över barnen och jag gick ner till gymmet lite kort, var egentligen alldeles för seg för att gå dit. På kvällen kom Pia hit, vi fixade lite mat och åkte sedan till Streatham för att se New Year's Eve, mysig film!
Lördag:
Jag tog det jätte lugnt på morgonen, fixade med lite hemligheter och "skype-bakade" med släkten. Framåt lunch åkte jag in till Waterloo. Där sprang det runt massa tomtenissar så i väntan på Pia, Alena, Sanni och Karolin så tittade jag på dem och funderade på vad fasiken de gjorde där. När vännerna tillslut kom åt vi lite lunch på EAT (alltid samma goda soppa) och gick den på chokladfestivalen som vi hade åkt dit för. Det var massa marknadsstånd och provsmak på minst hälften av dem. Tur att det var mest mörk choklad, annars hade det blivit för sött. När vi trängt oss förbi alla stånden var vi allihopa stelfrusna men ändå nöjda. Medan de andra bestämde sig för att åka hem så hoppade jag på tunnelbanan (för att värma mig lite) och åkte till Seven Dials. Där fixade jag ännu fler hemligheter och promenerade sedan ner längst Covent garden och Strand och sen över bron tillbaka till Waterloo för att ta tåget. Fotot är taget från bron, utsikten där att jag alltid måste stanna och ta minst ett foto. Senare på kvällen mötte jag upp Josefina i Clapham Common för några drinkar.
Söndag:
Kvart i tio ringde alarmet och halv tolv var jag vid Oxford Circus för att möta Karolin. Både Oxford Street och Regents street var avstängt för trafik under hela helgen på grund av julshoppingen, så det var på något underligt sätt tomt men samtidigt proppat med folk. Hur som helst så var vi inte där för att shoppa utan för att äta brunch på Joe and The Juice. Därefter tog vi tunnelbanan till Liverpool Street och promenerade bort till...
...Colombia Road Flowers Market som nu är del av min ideal söndag i London. Vi tittade på blommorna, tittade i affärerna, lyssnade på flera gatumusikanter och kom fram till att det var just precis där och då som vi njöt allra mest av London.
I jakt på en bankomat gick vi först förbi en hel hög med brysselkål. Jag hade helt ärligt inte en aning om att det är så här dem växer. Sen gick vi förbi...
...ett shoppingcentre gjort av boxar som jag aldrig tidigare sett. Ganska häftigt var det. När vi fått tag på lite kontanter gick vi till Brick Lane och åt massor av god mat och fyndade mer hemligheter.
På kvällen hade jag adventsmys och fixade ännu lite mer med mina hemligheter. Och sen var helgen huxflux slut. Hur var eran helg?
xxx
Fredag:
Eftersom jag fått ledigt en eftermiddag för några veckor sen så jobbade jag fredag förmiddag. Efter lunch tog Nathalie över barnen och jag gick ner till gymmet lite kort, var egentligen alldeles för seg för att gå dit. På kvällen kom Pia hit, vi fixade lite mat och åkte sedan till Streatham för att se New Year's Eve, mysig film!
Lördag:
Jag tog det jätte lugnt på morgonen, fixade med lite hemligheter och "skype-bakade" med släkten. Framåt lunch åkte jag in till Waterloo. Där sprang det runt massa tomtenissar så i väntan på Pia, Alena, Sanni och Karolin så tittade jag på dem och funderade på vad fasiken de gjorde där. När vännerna tillslut kom åt vi lite lunch på EAT (alltid samma goda soppa) och gick den på chokladfestivalen som vi hade åkt dit för. Det var massa marknadsstånd och provsmak på minst hälften av dem. Tur att det var mest mörk choklad, annars hade det blivit för sött. När vi trängt oss förbi alla stånden var vi allihopa stelfrusna men ändå nöjda. Medan de andra bestämde sig för att åka hem så hoppade jag på tunnelbanan (för att värma mig lite) och åkte till Seven Dials. Där fixade jag ännu fler hemligheter och promenerade sedan ner längst Covent garden och Strand och sen över bron tillbaka till Waterloo för att ta tåget. Fotot är taget från bron, utsikten där att jag alltid måste stanna och ta minst ett foto. Senare på kvällen mötte jag upp Josefina i Clapham Common för några drinkar.
Söndag:
Kvart i tio ringde alarmet och halv tolv var jag vid Oxford Circus för att möta Karolin. Både Oxford Street och Regents street var avstängt för trafik under hela helgen på grund av julshoppingen, så det var på något underligt sätt tomt men samtidigt proppat med folk. Hur som helst så var vi inte där för att shoppa utan för att äta brunch på Joe and The Juice. Därefter tog vi tunnelbanan till Liverpool Street och promenerade bort till...
...Colombia Road Flowers Market som nu är del av min ideal söndag i London. Vi tittade på blommorna, tittade i affärerna, lyssnade på flera gatumusikanter och kom fram till att det var just precis där och då som vi njöt allra mest av London.
I jakt på en bankomat gick vi först förbi en hel hög med brysselkål. Jag hade helt ärligt inte en aning om att det är så här dem växer. Sen gick vi förbi...
...ett shoppingcentre gjort av boxar som jag aldrig tidigare sett. Ganska häftigt var det. När vi fått tag på lite kontanter gick vi till Brick Lane och åt massor av god mat och fyndade mer hemligheter.
På kvällen hade jag adventsmys och fixade ännu lite mer med mina hemligheter. Och sen var helgen huxflux slut. Hur var eran helg?
xxx
En namnlös bro, rött tegel och en pysslande räv
Även om det är väldigt trevligt med gamla minnen (kanske mer för mig än för er) så kanske ni vill veta vad jag har för mig här och nu också? Det är ju trots allt därför jag har startat bloggen. Det har varit fullt upp hela veckan. I tisdags hade jag min sista grammatik lektion, igår var jag och bowlade (se upp släkten för nu har jag övat!) med Ung i London och nu ikväll har jag varit på The Ship och tagit ett glas vin med Emelie. Men det jag tänkte skriva om är fredag - måndag eftersom jag hade besök från Göteborg då.
Fredag:
Det var fina Amanda som kom hit för en långhelg i det som i våras också var hennes hemstad.
Efter en gigantisk frukost och lite shopping på oxford street åkte vi ner till Borough Market.
Vi köpte varsin otroligt smarrig macka och gick sen runt och tittade på julpyntet och provsmakade lite allt möjligt.
Med varsin varm äppelmust i handen promenerade vi sen vidare längst southbank.
Vi gick över den bron som jag alltid tror är waterloo bridge men egentligen heter något helt annat och fick en väldigt snygg vy över London Eye.
Efter att ha promenerat runt lite i Soho var vi så trötta så vi köpte med oss mat från Princi och åkte hem och tände ljus, tittade på film och hade det mysigt.
Lördag:
Precis som förra gången jag skulle till Harrods så tänkte jag helt fel så vi åkte till South Kensington. Men eftersom det är ganska runt att gå runt i det området gjorde det oss inte så mycket.
Efter en kort promenad hamnade vi dessutom på Harrods i alla fall. Där var det precis så kaosigt som det går att tänka sig att det ska vara en lördag några veckor innan jul; det gick knappt att röra sig. Amanda lyckades ändå, efter lite beslutsångest, köpa med sig en burk te.
När vi åkte uppåt för att titta på julavdelningen hörde vi plöstligt operasång och insåg snart att det faktiskt stod en livslevande operasångerska på en liten balkong och sjöng. Det är nog bara på Harrods du kan vara med om det.
När vi hade fått nog av kaoset tog vi oss vidare till nästa kaos på Oxford street, men smet snart upp till ett litet lugnare café. Jag kan nu stolt berätta att jag har hittat ett nytt favoritställe; Joe & The Juice.
Efter att ha samlat lite energi tog vi oss ann kaoset igen och sprang i lite mer butiker och gick runt i Soho.
Middag åt vi på Byron i Soho där de har en projektor på väggen som visar gamla filmer och boxningsmatcher.
Resten av kvällen spenderade vi med att se "My week with Marlyn" på en gammal biograf i Notting Hill. Lite då och då kunde vi känna och höra tunnelbanan dundra under oss.
Söndag:
Eftersom jag hade gjort en sådan mysig upptäck helgen innan så var vi ju tvungna att börja söndagen just där, på Colombia Road Flowers Market.
Bara att gå runt och titta på alla färgerna och höra dem skrika "two for a tena" är ju så mysigt.
Ännu trevligare är att vad som helst kan dyka upp. Vad sägs om en räv som sitter i ett fönster och pysslar?
Det visade sig vara en liten butik en trappa upp där räven satt och sydde.
När vi skulle vidare gick vi vilse lite och hamnade i en rondell med massa fina hus i rött tegel runtomkring.
Vi gick ännu mer fel och hittade fler fina hus.
Tillslut hittade vi i alla fall till Brick Lane. Vi fick i oss en efterlängtad lunch och gick sedan runt och fyndade lite småsaker.
Eftersom jag skulle jobba dagen efter nöjde vi oss med en middag på kvällen och åkte till den lilla hemliga franska restaurangen som jag har varit på ett par gånger nu.
Måndag:
Amanda spenderade nästan hela dagen med julklapps shopping inne i stan, så så fort jag hade slutat så kom jag efter. Vi åt middag på en italiensk restaurang och spenderade sen lite tid inne på Waterstones och Selfridges.
För er som vill ha den korta versionen så hade jag helt enkelt en väldigt mysig helg med massa prat, julshopping, mat och julkalendern varje kväll. xxx
Fredag:
Det var fina Amanda som kom hit för en långhelg i det som i våras också var hennes hemstad.
Efter en gigantisk frukost och lite shopping på oxford street åkte vi ner till Borough Market.
Vi köpte varsin otroligt smarrig macka och gick sen runt och tittade på julpyntet och provsmakade lite allt möjligt.
Med varsin varm äppelmust i handen promenerade vi sen vidare längst southbank.
Vi gick över den bron som jag alltid tror är waterloo bridge men egentligen heter något helt annat och fick en väldigt snygg vy över London Eye.
Efter att ha promenerat runt lite i Soho var vi så trötta så vi köpte med oss mat från Princi och åkte hem och tände ljus, tittade på film och hade det mysigt.
Lördag:
Precis som förra gången jag skulle till Harrods så tänkte jag helt fel så vi åkte till South Kensington. Men eftersom det är ganska runt att gå runt i det området gjorde det oss inte så mycket.
Efter en kort promenad hamnade vi dessutom på Harrods i alla fall. Där var det precis så kaosigt som det går att tänka sig att det ska vara en lördag några veckor innan jul; det gick knappt att röra sig. Amanda lyckades ändå, efter lite beslutsångest, köpa med sig en burk te.
När vi åkte uppåt för att titta på julavdelningen hörde vi plöstligt operasång och insåg snart att det faktiskt stod en livslevande operasångerska på en liten balkong och sjöng. Det är nog bara på Harrods du kan vara med om det.
När vi hade fått nog av kaoset tog vi oss vidare till nästa kaos på Oxford street, men smet snart upp till ett litet lugnare café. Jag kan nu stolt berätta att jag har hittat ett nytt favoritställe; Joe & The Juice.
Efter att ha samlat lite energi tog vi oss ann kaoset igen och sprang i lite mer butiker och gick runt i Soho.
Middag åt vi på Byron i Soho där de har en projektor på väggen som visar gamla filmer och boxningsmatcher.
Resten av kvällen spenderade vi med att se "My week with Marlyn" på en gammal biograf i Notting Hill. Lite då och då kunde vi känna och höra tunnelbanan dundra under oss.
Söndag:
Eftersom jag hade gjort en sådan mysig upptäck helgen innan så var vi ju tvungna att börja söndagen just där, på Colombia Road Flowers Market.
Bara att gå runt och titta på alla färgerna och höra dem skrika "two for a tena" är ju så mysigt.
Ännu trevligare är att vad som helst kan dyka upp. Vad sägs om en räv som sitter i ett fönster och pysslar?
Det visade sig vara en liten butik en trappa upp där räven satt och sydde.
När vi skulle vidare gick vi vilse lite och hamnade i en rondell med massa fina hus i rött tegel runtomkring.
Vi gick ännu mer fel och hittade fler fina hus.
Tillslut hittade vi i alla fall till Brick Lane. Vi fick i oss en efterlängtad lunch och gick sedan runt och fyndade lite småsaker.
Eftersom jag skulle jobba dagen efter nöjde vi oss med en middag på kvällen och åkte till den lilla hemliga franska restaurangen som jag har varit på ett par gånger nu.
Måndag:
Amanda spenderade nästan hela dagen med julklapps shopping inne i stan, så så fort jag hade slutat så kom jag efter. Vi åt middag på en italiensk restaurang och spenderade sen lite tid inne på Waterstones och Selfridges.
För er som vill ha den korta versionen så hade jag helt enkelt en väldigt mysig helg med massa prat, julshopping, mat och julkalendern varje kväll. xxx
Murgröna, risgrynsgröt och en knug
Glad första advent! Jag har tyvärr inte lyckats köpa några ljus till min lilla adventsljusstake som jag fick av farmor när jag var i USA för två år sen, men jag har i alla fall massa tända ljus och har ätit saffrans gifflar. Så lite julkänsla i alla fall. I övrigt har dagen varit ganska långt från julig. Jag och Pia möttes upp vid ett för upptäcksfärd i det soliga och varma (för att vara slutet av november i alla fall) London. Vi tog northern line upp till Old street och letade sedan rätt på dagens mål; Columbia road flower market. Där gick vi runt ett tag, njöt av solen, trängdes med människor och lyssnade på de skrikande försäljarna. Vi gick också in i massa små söta butiker som låg längst gatan. Jag köpte en liten murgrönsliknande sak för en pund så nu har jag det ännu hemtrevligare i mitt lilla rum. När vi tyckte att vi hade sett allt så promenerade vi ca 10 minuter ner till Brick Lane. Som jag nämnt tusen gånger tidigare så är det absolut bästa söndags sysslan. Vi köpte massor med mat, inklusive världens godaste malaysiska pannkaka med äpple och kanel, och gick därifrån proppmätta. Vi fyndade båda lite småsaker på marknaden och tog sedan bussen hem, helt slutkörda.
Columbia road flower market
Små söta affärer med små söta saker i.
Igår träffade jag Karolin i kaoset på Oxford street, vi tog oss snabbt upp på en liten tvärgata och hittade ett lunchställe. Efter två delade mackor och varsin cappuccino bestämde vi oss för att ta en kort vända till Scandinavian Kitchen när vi ändå var så nära. Jag gick därifrån med risgrynsgröt på tub (jag vet, inte så kul med tub, men bättre än inget) och pepparkaksdeg. Så nu jäklar ska det bakas med barnen, fast jag har en känsla av att det mest är jag som kommer göra bakandet och dem ätandet... Sen fortsatte vi i samma skandinaviska anda och promenerade förbi oxfordsstreets kaos, julavdelningen på liberty, folkmängden på carnaby street och slutade på Nordic bakery. Där köpte vi en gigantisk kanelbulle att dela på som inte alls var som en riktig svensk kanelbulle. Men det luktade åtminstone gott därinne och bullen var faktiskt god ändå. Vi gick vidare ner mot Charing Cross där vi skildes åt, hon tog tåget och jag gick mot Waterloo för att ta mitt tåg. Dock fastnade jag ett tag på vägen eftersom dem hade en stor julmarknad på southbank. Jag gjorde ett än så länge hemligt fynd och åkte sedan hem. På kvällen gick jag, Pia och Alena till vad som nu känns som vårt stammisställe, Grand.
På Scandinavian Kitchen har dem ett foto av den svenska "knugen".
Utsikt från Waterloo Bridge
Julmarknaden
Och utsikten från Southbank. Helt sjukt att det här är min vardag nu!?!
Fredag vet ni ju redan vad jag gjorde. Förutom att jag träffade Pia när jag äntligen kom fram med den sega bussen. Vi gick runt i shoppingcentret ett tag, lagade och åt middag hos mig och tog sen varsin öl på den lokala puben som jag nästan kan se från fönstret. Väldigt behändigt.
Nu är klockan bara 21.00 här, fast i min värld känns det mer som 23.00, så jag tänkte borsta tänderna och sen krypa ner i min säng och sova. Hoppas ni där hemma har haft en trevlig helg!
xxx
Columbia road flower market
Små söta affärer med små söta saker i.
Igår träffade jag Karolin i kaoset på Oxford street, vi tog oss snabbt upp på en liten tvärgata och hittade ett lunchställe. Efter två delade mackor och varsin cappuccino bestämde vi oss för att ta en kort vända till Scandinavian Kitchen när vi ändå var så nära. Jag gick därifrån med risgrynsgröt på tub (jag vet, inte så kul med tub, men bättre än inget) och pepparkaksdeg. Så nu jäklar ska det bakas med barnen, fast jag har en känsla av att det mest är jag som kommer göra bakandet och dem ätandet... Sen fortsatte vi i samma skandinaviska anda och promenerade förbi oxfordsstreets kaos, julavdelningen på liberty, folkmängden på carnaby street och slutade på Nordic bakery. Där köpte vi en gigantisk kanelbulle att dela på som inte alls var som en riktig svensk kanelbulle. Men det luktade åtminstone gott därinne och bullen var faktiskt god ändå. Vi gick vidare ner mot Charing Cross där vi skildes åt, hon tog tåget och jag gick mot Waterloo för att ta mitt tåg. Dock fastnade jag ett tag på vägen eftersom dem hade en stor julmarknad på southbank. Jag gjorde ett än så länge hemligt fynd och åkte sedan hem. På kvällen gick jag, Pia och Alena till vad som nu känns som vårt stammisställe, Grand.
På Scandinavian Kitchen har dem ett foto av den svenska "knugen".
Utsikt från Waterloo Bridge
Julmarknaden
Och utsikten från Southbank. Helt sjukt att det här är min vardag nu!?!
Fredag vet ni ju redan vad jag gjorde. Förutom att jag träffade Pia när jag äntligen kom fram med den sega bussen. Vi gick runt i shoppingcentret ett tag, lagade och åt middag hos mig och tog sen varsin öl på den lokala puben som jag nästan kan se från fönstret. Väldigt behändigt.
Nu är klockan bara 21.00 här, fast i min värld känns det mer som 23.00, så jag tänkte borsta tänderna och sen krypa ner i min säng och sova. Hoppas ni där hemma har haft en trevlig helg!
xxx
