Proof we were There!

Big Ben

I had yet to see the iconic sights in London - Big Ben, House of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, the London Eye - as I knew with time this would be a tour I would take several times as others came to visit.  And so it goes, this past weekend we visited all the sites.  Even made it to Buckingham Palace, Harrod's, Picadilly Circus (a "circus" in London refers to what we would call a roundabout, or a road that goes in a circle and forms a sort of plaza), and topped it all off with delicious sushi (finally) in Soho.  After it was all done, about seven hours on foot.

All sights were of course impressive, but I should have probably done this tour before seeing the Duomo in Milan, because I'm not sure anything can beat that for architectural wonder.

The London Eye

The One and Only

Prego!

This week I had my second "business" trip out of the U.K. since moving over ... Milano!  Located in the center of the Northern part of the boot, well known for its fashion industry and the magnificent Duomo Cathedral.  There for just two nights, I again proceeded to walk around the old city center near the cathedral and major shopping areas.  Our hotel couldn't have been more perfectly located (thanks Nielsen!).

After we arrived Monday evening we started to take a stroll around, catching the setting sun on the side of Duomo.  I have never been so close to a building that made me feel so insignificant and in awe.  It towered to the heavens, with white stone, arches, spectacular stained glass windows, and covered with what has to be thousands of sculptures, and topped off with lace-like details picketing across the top.  We walked by it dozens of times, and each time I couldn't help but just stop and stare.  The inside was just as impressive - completely hollow, with very thin archways supporting the domed ceilings, and mosaicked marble floors and the stained glass - OMG.  Coincidentally this program was on PBS.  It helps to show just exact how the people would have done this 500 years ago without modern tools (but they did have a lot more patience.  NOVA: Building Gothic Cathedrals

That evening we found a quaint little Italian restaurant, got a couple great bottles of Nebbiolo (yummy!) and some carpacchio and burrata cheese.  Main courses were lamb and a squid ink pasta that I was so involved with I forgot to take a picture.  Our fellow diners were from Egypt, and very friendly.  We conversed for quite a while until the restaurant owner brought us out two huge glasses of Limoncello ... Gratzi!!  Such a happy night.

Next morning we set out to see the shopping scene, and man, is there one.  Streets lined with flagship stores for Versace, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs, Dolce and Gabbana (of whom Madonna is doing an ad campaign and looks freakin' spectacular) ... anyway, you name it they were there and I couldn't even afford to look in the window let alone take home a souvenir.  Anyway, fancy name brands are not really my thing, so I just went to get a chocolate gelato and marvel at the cathedral again.

From there I had to go the office, came back and we ate some pasta at a little cafe, and in the morning off to work, work, work.  It was a pretty basic meeting - everything went well with my pres, and they only did it about half in Italian (which I also can pick up about half of too, so there is hope I may be able to get some language skills down on that as well).  Looks like I'll be back here soon as well, as some interesting project ideas came up.  Prego!!

First trip to the Main Land!

Last week I had my first official "work" trip to Madrid - and first ever trip to mainland Europe.  It was somewhat a pleasure trip as well since we flew in a day early and did some sightseeing around Old Madrid before I had to head to the office and do the client meeting the next morning.

First, my flat is not exactly convenient to the airports in London - of which there at least five and all are about an hour and a half journey.  So any future visitors beware there are planes, trains, metro and buses involved.  However, we did make it to the airport in time for the flight (which was painfully delayed 2 hours!!), but all in all it was a really exciting trip.

Madrid is beautiful.  We stayed just off Plaza Santa Ana, which is a quick walk to the center of Madrid - Plaza del Sol and Plaza Mayor.  The latter is a HUGE square in the heart of Madrid that is extremely historic (at least that is what the guidebook said, and I believe my High School Spanish teacher Sra. Nelson said the same).

Museu de Jamon

However, what became the most central location of the trip was El Museo del Jamon (the Museum of Ham).  Never had I considered that so many pig legs would be in one location, and that they would be this tasty.  Once we dropped off our bags in the hotel, we were out the door (both hungry) and we just happened upon this Museu (if you will) that was full of Madrillenos (Madridians) standing up, eating "air dried ham" sandwiches and sipping beer/wine.  Score.  I myself ate there two more times (once for breakfast and the other way too late), and my other half - think he made it back two more times on top of that.

We walked the streets for a few hours, sat and had some wine, walked a bit more and finally ended up on the first night at El Mercado de San Miguel.  OMD (oy mio deus) this place is a mecca of goodness, up near the level of holiness of thou Borough Market in London.  I felt like a kid in a toy shop, eyes darting about, not able to decide what to have next.  What to get first was easy - big glass of Spanish Rioja.  After that, we nibbled on olives wrapped in sardines, cured fishes on toast, fresh oysters, chocolate and coconut truffles ... a then a bit more Rioja.  Wondered back through Plaza Mayor to our hotel (after a quick stop off for one more little bite at El Museu), where we had free glasses of champaign on the rooftop terrace and back to pass out.  Awesome experience, and so fortunate to share with my BF BF.

The next AM we had time to catch some cafe con leche and do some more wondering, where we hit Palacio Real and some other beautiful plazas and landmarks I can't name.  Then I had to head off to the office.  It is about 15 minutes taxi ride outside the center, and is very small (~20 people), but everyone was very nice.  I had been stressing about the preparation for this meeting since I did not get the data I needed for my presentation until the night before we left, but it all went fine.  You know those Latinos -  manana, manana.  The most impressive part for me was that I actually understood the entire two hour meeting that was conducted in Spanish.  Seems like I just may accomplish that little goal.  Heading back mid-November.

Like my Shades?

Should have bought these ...  Brick Lane Vintage Market.

My first guest!

Guess who arrived this weekend?  Right!  We made it the first three months apart, and now we have three weeks together.  Of course, the first order of business (after a nap to help the jet lag and a walk around to show off the neighborhood) was to get him on over to the Borough market.  With the Tower Bridge right there we did a little sightseeing tour, and then on to the good stuff!  We picked up greens, and salami, cheese, yogurt, squash ... all the pickin's for a delicious couple of meals this weekend.  Yeah!  I am so happy!

Fringe.

Time for a change ... another one.

Last Relo Purchase

Needs a little dusting.

The one last item I had needed for my flat was a kitchen table.  I have had two TV trays side-by-side since I moved in, and since the BF is coming Friday, the time had come to finally get it in gear (plus, now I can file my expense report).  Another auction house score!  Granted, this table has a few flaws, but for 80 pounds, this "late Victorian walnut centre table, octagon top, united by under tier on turned supports" is perfect for my little spot.  Also, it follows my theme of carved flowers, so I am happy.

I have also discovered Addison Lee - THE delivery service (goods and people) for London.  Only 11 pounds to get it home.  I did have to remove the top to get it in, but it is there now.  I shall eat my dinner on it tonight and not be called a scammer to get it home!

Reap the rewards!

Apple crisp ... a big one for the office, a small one for me to try out, you know just to make sure.  Yum, yum!  Worth getting soaked in the rain!!  Thanks to former neighbor in Logan for the recipe!

The sweater is finished!

Cowl Neck Sweater by Karen Clements

I cast off this AM, finished knitting on the bus home last night.  I have finally finished the sweater I committed to knitting for my friend that closed her shop and moved to LA.  Very sassy, off the shoulder design.  I think it is great ... so relieved to have it done so I can start on a bunch of new projects I have been drooling over!!!!  Yeah!!!!!

Hewitts Farm

Knockholt Train Station

To keep myself in the know about what is going on around time I subscribed to TimeOut magazine.  A couple of weeks ago they had a column about "Pick Your Own" trips outside of town.  Essentially these are farms you can go to that allow you to pick your own fruit and veg then pay for what you take.  Right up my alley!  So, I had been marketing the idea around the office and with the new friends.  Got a few bites, so we planned for this morning.  Now, of course, any sort of planned outside activity is a risk in London, as no matter what it looks like in the AM, there is always a 60% chance of rain - more than likely.

Pear Trees

Anyway, the joint philosophy of my compadres was that you can not let the rain deter you here or you'll never do anything.  Nonetheless, this AM the weather was spectacular.  Hewitts Farm is about a 30 minute train ride south of London in the direction of Kent (only 5 pounds).  They have 76 acres of PYO (pick your own) with apples, pears, squash, pumpkins, plums, zucchini, corn, cauliflower, broccoli ... and in the Spring looks like berries, etc. as well.  So, off we went - two new GFs and one flatmate's Mom "Ro" from Yorkshire England.

The harvest, with fields in back

Of course, as luck would have it, on the way out the weather turned and it proceeded to drizzle the rest of the trip - and what a trip it was.  So, the instructions to get to this farm were to walk out of the station, follow the footpath, go across the golf course.  A bit vague and unusual, yet possible.  However, we were OUT THERE.  Not much around (can't believe there was golf!).  Anyway, it took us a while of tracking around up and down hills and through a little brush (even after 2 phone calls to the farm), but eventually we got there soaking wet and already covered in dirt, so more or less ready to go pick our own apples and veg!

Scenic walk back

So, I ended up getting a large zucchini for some bread, plenty of apples and pears for some sort of sweet I am going to make tomorrow, and squash, cauliflower, beets for this week's dinner (all pulled right from the ground!!) al for 3.90 pounds (this is like 6 bucks and would have been probably triple at my beloved Brough market).  Very cool.  Though I was soaked and my feet were like big white prunes (ewww) when I got home, I had a great time and would certainly go back, hopefully when it is sunny and strawberries are in season!

Wapping

Friday night I got an invite to go to dinner out in Wapping ... this is a neighborhood on the East side of town, right on the river.  One of those hidden gem parts of London I think.  Not touristy, not in the guidebooks, farther out than most west-siders want to go, but wow ... loved it.  As I was walking down the street, wet from the rain earlier that day, lit with dim lanterns, it looked like what I would imagine old London would have been.  Also, a first, I had to take the "overground" train to get there.  Which is more or less kind of like the tube, but, well like the name suggests, is overground.  Public transport here is the bomb - this station is just minutes from my place.

The place is called the Wapping Project and is an old hydraulic power station converted into an artistic exhibition site / outstanding restaurant.  One of new Chicago gals lives right near by ...  the place is hip and we had spectacular food.  A very industrial, architectural design inside.  Right up my alley with natural, local preparation.  Had some smoked eel with a wonderful horseradish sauce, some bacon wrapped date, and for entre a sea bream with crab croquette.  And honestly for what it was, the price was in line.   Yeah!  A friend that likes to spend $$$ on spectacular food  ... oh, and she just did half iron man, so also encourgement for fitness focus.

Unfortunately the picks do not do this place justice, so just maybe you'll have to visit there with me to see it for yourself.  Happy, happy.

King's Head Theatre

I have been told that I must check out the theatre in the back of some of the pubs here in London.  Interesting, I thought.  There are of course thousands of pubs in London I am sure, and I did not know that some have small theatres in the back with low budget independent shows.  In my neighborhood is King's Head Pub, supposedly one of the best pub theatres in London.  I had looked at the flyer several times while walking about, because as coincidence would have it, it is set in Chicago and tackles the topic of race.  While I was out with a couple of my new GFs they also were interested, so we made a date for Thursday.  Just so happens a former co-worker of mine also moved to London this week so she came along as well.  Nice group of four somewhat strangers on the verge of new friendship went to see a play in London about their home town.  Happy.

The show made from a nice night out, controversial topic to discuss over our French food after the show, and I am somewhat surprised that in past couple weeks I think I have made some really good friends.

Cheers!

http://www.kingsheadtheatre.org/home/what-s-on/this-is-how-it-goes.php

Likely suspect ...

I think this fat boy ate the mushroom ... largest slug by far recorded to date in garden de Sarah ... too bad death was the penalty.