I love visiting London, particularly if I’m able to travel there by train. On each occasion, my excitement mounts as we draw nearer to Paddington as there is always something new to discover in the big smoke, whether it is a ‘must have’ item of clothing (Oxford Circus is my first stop, for Top Shop and Uniqlo!), or a fascinating exhibition or show. Travelling by tube is the quickest way of getting from A to B if time is short but the best way of seeing London and really experiencing it is, like anywhere, by foot.
If you happen to wander down any side street from the main thoroughfares of the city, you’d be surprised not only by the relative calm and quiet, but also by the interesting architecture that you’d find. I had some time while I was in London last winter and decided to walk back to my hotel rather than catch the tube. It was a fair distance but very much worth it.
The rows of red brick houses in a residential area just behind the main shopping areas of Knightsbridge were a sight to behold – what a lovely place to live! Row after row of multiple storied terraces snake around the back streets, perfect examples of Victorian architecture.
They remind me of typical Amsterdam canal houses!
Just look at this doorway too:
Not far on my walk, the shape and look of the buildings changed. The ornate design of these streets gave way to the more subtle charm of beautifully presented Georgian period homes, of which this was a lovely example:
It’s hard to believe that such homes lie only a stones throw away from the hustle and bustle of the city!
On my travels I was also excited to happen across the Bibendum restaurant, of Terence Conran fame. See the wonderful stained glass windows featuring ‘Bibendum’ himself, otherwise known as the ‘Michelin Man’. I love that he is holding a cigar, just like Mr Conran is wont to do:
I would have liked to have had the opportunity to have stopped for a bite to eat or at least to have viewed the interior, but I was in a bit of a rush by that point, what with all my walking and pausing to behold the interesting sights. Oh well, there is always next time…
This was at the Hotel Angeleno, Los Angeles (apologies for my posing!). The bed was huge, like sleeping on a cloud with the white fluffy mattress and duvet, and the headboard was smooth suede. The walls were covered in buttermilk wallpaper and there was a lot of leather.
Hennessey House’s ‘Paisley Room’, Napa. We had the smallest room in the place but it was very comfortable for one night. A very well run and well-presented Queen Anne style guest house and the decor was extremely in-keeping with the style of the house.
Ah, the Water’s Edge, Tiburon – a dream of a bed, which was a problem as I didn’t want to get out of it. I had to though, to jump on the ferry to San Francisco! This room was large and very luxurious with a huge bath as well as this huge bed! I loved the patterned blanket at the end of the bed and, again, the wealth of leather.
This was the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach, the last hotel of our trip. The decor was light and bright with warm wood and colour accents, as well as unusual touches such as these stone shell lamp stands. The plain white fluffy duvet was present here too, as was the deliciously comfortable mattress.
This time I’m not talking about wild flowers, but gold old dahlias. I got this little bunch for £2.50 from a flower stall in Bath last Thursday and they are still very much going strong! They are so pretty, the pleasure they are giving me is priceless!
