Columbia Road and Vicky Park

On Sunday, we boarded the tube just a couple of stops as we had planned to visit the flower market and shops on Columbia Road.  The weather was unbelievable - so lovely and warm.  The flower stalls are amazing and reasonably priced too with plenty of customers.  Beware though, some of the stall holders get very annoyed by photographers - which is a shame as I would never have discovered this place if it had not been for the lovely photographs on blogs.  It seems that some businesses are averse to free advertising! 

I loved everything about Columbia Road (although it was too crowded to have a good look at everything)

I loved this paint effect on one of the shops.  It was simply years and years of layers of paint just sanded away.

The atmosphere was enhanced by the lovely music and singing of these two ladies.

Yes we did, and no we didn't (go in and buy anything!)

We loved all the shops - all so very individual.

A lovely lady was selling these home made donuts from her front door -with chocolate or salted caramel fillings - yes we did!

There are so many gorgeous places to eat and drink.  Every where was very busy with Londoners and tourists enjoying the first really Spring day of the season.

After we had explored the area around Columbia Road, we decided to walk back to our hotel and where we had left our car.  Walking in London is very easy as it is mainly flat.  We knew that we could get back through Victoria Park as we had explored the park earlier.  I had never heard of this park before we visited the East End, but it is very special place as Queen Victoria gave the park to the people of the East End for recreation.

It is lovely and well kept and was very well used by families etc on this most gorgeous of days.

I loved this water fountain that had been provided by Baroness Angela Burdett-Coutts back in Victorian times - when most houses would not have had clean water.    I have to confess that we decided to sit and relax by the side of the pools that surrounded the water fountain - and found ourselves there for a couple of hours just observing everyone enjoying the park.

There are so many interesting things dotted around the park - like two of these alcoves that were from the 2nd London Bridge that used to span the Thames.

We slowly meandered back through Hackney and over the canal, back to the car and onwards home.  Once again, we had thoroughly enjoyed our weekend in our capital city.

London Walk - Waterloo Sunset

Keep up!! Nearly finished!  

From Fleet Street, we zipped through Theatre land and Covent Garden which was so mentally busy I couldn't wait to get away from it!  Then onto Trafalgar Square which was also heaving, but plenty to looks at, so we lingered.

 Our weekend had featured a fair bit of Nelson and and I vowed to learn a bit more about him.

 I thought this bit of lunacy was funny!

 We hurried through the very spectacular Admiralty Arch - I believe that there are plans to turn this into a hotel.  I doubt whether I shall be able to afford a brief stay here!

 We admired the architecture of the buildings on the Mall

 Sauntered across Horseguards Parade...

 ... onto Whitehall.

 I wanted to ask a Bobby to pose in front of "Pleb gate" but hubby advised against it!  He does try to keep me out of bother.

 We admired a bit more Lutyens...

 Then crossed Westminster Bridge - back to the Southbank.

 We resisted the thousand of second hand books under the bridge....

 ... and then slowed down a tadge as we noticed the sun starting to set on the river.

 It was beautiful... truly gorgeous.

 We noticed that the tide was coming in quickly, and we just managed to catch the sand sculptures on Bankside Beach.

 We sat for a while soaking up the lovely atmosphere.  I remember taking a trip to London when I was in my 20's and our tour guide told us that London in those days (the 1980's) didn't make the most of it's river.  You couldn't walk along it's banks back then, but I am thrilled to see that this has all changed and hundreds of people lined the banks and sat sipping a glass of wine, eating a picnic or just sat chatting on this perfect evening.

We had wanted a day along the Thames, and had no firm plans as to what we would do with our day.  We had just "gone with the flow" and discovered some fabulous places, and added a few more that we wanted to see next time.
We had just one more day in London before we left - so I'll show you where we went later.  Go put your feet up now - you deserve a cuppa if you kept up with me!! Once again we managed more than 10 hours mainly on our feet!

London Walk - Part 2

Are you rested?  Then we'll move further along.  After a wander around Borough Market, 

 .. we made our way past the Globe.  I've still not been in, so I must make sure that I do next time.

 I loved the girls on  a hen night/day with their emerald balloons.

 Once again, we crossed the river - over the Millenium Bridge.

 This is where we were heading - up to St Paul's Cathedral.  You can spot a few more balloons!

 I have never done a Fire of London tour, so that is also on my list for next time.  (Upholders were Upholsterer's in case you were wondering - thank goodness for Google!!)

 St Paul's did look gorgeous against the very blue sky.  We discovered that the newish shopping centre behind St Pauls has a roof top terrace that you can look down from, so we detoured around there for a while too.

 And then we headed up along Fleet Street.  The former Reuters building was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens.  (I'm a bit of a sucker for all things Lutyens).  I believe that this is now a restaurant.

 And we happened upon one of the many homes of Dr Samuel Johnson.

 And we were delighted to find this little plaque about the Sheffield Telegraph - still going today (by the skin of it's teeth!!)

 There are so many amazing buildings in this area that are no longer used for their original purpose, but they are trly beautiful with such wonderful detail.

 I couldn't resist snapping the Routemaster bus!

 And then we discovered the Church of St Clement Danes - famous for its "Oranges and Lemons", and also for it's connection to the RAF.  Outside stood the statues of Arthur "Bomber" Harris....

 ..and Hugh Dowding .

Hubby spent a while looking around the church as he does have an interest in all things World War 2.  We were serenaded by a beautiful German choir as we walked around as they were rehearsing for an evening event.  The church had almost been razed to the ground in the London blitz by German bombers (they have photographs on display of this terrible night), and we also read about the protests by the Germans in 1992 when the statue of Bomber Harris was erected as he was blamed for his raids on Dresden and other German town, so the music of the choir was poignant and very moving when all that bad history was taken into consideration.

I would highly recommend popping into this gorgeous church if you are near.

Stay with me - we are nowhere near the end of the day yet, but I thought you might need another rest!!