goddesstogo and mr. goddess's big London adventure (an ongoing tale)
Oct 22nd, 2010, 03:08 PM
#422
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,860
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
gtg - I would love to meet with you. However, my time in London is really busy and I am meeting several other people there. So I doubt I could make lunch. I will just have to know you through this lovely trip report.
ltr and I are on the same flight and should be able to have our mini-gtg in transit. This would never have happened if we weren't both reading your trip report.
ltr and I are on the same flight and should be able to have our mini-gtg in transit. This would never have happened if we weren't both reading your trip report.
Oct 22nd, 2010, 07:07 PM
#423
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,248
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
GTG, I LOVE the V&A. It may be my favorite museum, period. So glad you're getting to enjoy it so much! (And don't you love buying things for nephews? I just have one who's about to be two. I bought him a board book in Vancouver, and he goes "Aunt Jenfer!" whenever he pulls it off the shelf. Can't wait till he has the attention span to listen to the whole Paddington book I got him last time I was in London!)
Oct 22nd, 2010, 08:48 PM
#424
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 876
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
GTG it would be wonderful to meet up with you and others in London. I have plans on Saturday Nov 13 and Monday Nov. 15, but outside of that,I am pretty open.
Since I love scone, but don't know what clotted cream is, I think we need to have that at the GTG. It sounds very decadent.
Who else is up for a GTG?
Since I love scone, but don't know what clotted cream is, I think we need to have that at the GTG. It sounds very decadent.
Who else is up for a GTG?
Oct 23rd, 2010, 08:18 AM
#425
clotted cream....mmm....
imagine thick pouring cream [actually it should be too thick to pour] but with an edge to it, and occasionally a crust too. this is produced by heating the cream to evaporate some of the liquid. Here's a picture:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/clotted_cream
imagine thick pouring cream [actually it should be too thick to pour] but with an edge to it, and occasionally a crust too. this is produced by heating the cream to evaporate some of the liquid. Here's a picture:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/clotted_cream
Oct 23rd, 2010, 03:00 PM
#426
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 23,813
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
jent, I do love buying things for the little ones (a girl and two boys) but I find it so much easier to buy for the girl. I have to be careful to keep things fair and even or at least to buy things they can share. I also have to remember that I have to carry things home with me!
ltr, I'm just in the process of planning our Barcelona trip but I think we'll be back by the 12th. How about lunch? Maybe someone who lives here can join us and take us to someplace we'd not know of otherwise.
Anyone up for lunch?
ltr, I'm just in the process of planning our Barcelona trip but I think we'll be back by the 12th. How about lunch? Maybe someone who lives here can join us and take us to someplace we'd not know of otherwise.
Anyone up for lunch?
Oct 24th, 2010, 07:57 AM
#427
Maybe someone who lives here can join us and take us to someplace we'd not know of otherwise.>>
GTG I'd love to, but I won't be in London then.
if you are short of somewhere to visit, and it's a nice sunny day, try the "Temple", south of fleet street. go at lunchtime, and you can eat your sandwiches in the lovely Inner Temple gardens. all of the buildings are barristers' chambers, and if you find Dr. Johson's buildings, you will see the chambers of John Mortimer [who I don't need to tell you was the author of the Rumpole novels, as well as being a leading QC]. You can also have a look at Temple Church, which rumour has it features in a certain Dan Brown novel.
Venture back across Fleet Street by Temple Bar [the entrance to the City of London] into the faux-gothic pile that serves as the Royal Courts of Justice [aka "over the road" to the lawyers appearing there] and you may be able to squeeze into one of the appeal courts [up the stairs on the right, towards the back of the building] and hear a criminal appeal. look on the notice boards in the centre of the entrance hall to see which court might interest you. some libel trials can be fun too.
take the back exit to the building and you end up on Carey Street - not literally I hope, as it is used as another term for being bankrupt.
GTG I'd love to, but I won't be in London then.
if you are short of somewhere to visit, and it's a nice sunny day, try the "Temple", south of fleet street. go at lunchtime, and you can eat your sandwiches in the lovely Inner Temple gardens. all of the buildings are barristers' chambers, and if you find Dr. Johson's buildings, you will see the chambers of John Mortimer [who I don't need to tell you was the author of the Rumpole novels, as well as being a leading QC]. You can also have a look at Temple Church, which rumour has it features in a certain Dan Brown novel.
Venture back across Fleet Street by Temple Bar [the entrance to the City of London] into the faux-gothic pile that serves as the Royal Courts of Justice [aka "over the road" to the lawyers appearing there] and you may be able to squeeze into one of the appeal courts [up the stairs on the right, towards the back of the building] and hear a criminal appeal. look on the notice boards in the centre of the entrance hall to see which court might interest you. some libel trials can be fun too.
take the back exit to the building and you end up on Carey Street - not literally I hope, as it is used as another term for being bankrupt.
Oct 24th, 2010, 08:04 AM
#428
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,588
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The Temple Church is very interesting church, built by the Knights Templar in the 12th century http://www.sacred-destinations.com/e...-church....try and erase Dan Brown's dreadful book from your memory! A friend of mine was married there.
My Mum was also brought up in Fleet Street...and not many peeple can say that!
My Mum was also brought up in Fleet Street...and not many peeple can say that!
Oct 24th, 2010, 11:38 AM
#429
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,699
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Temple and Temple Church are great suggestions. I went as part of a London Walks tour and all the street noise melts away after you enter. Inner Temple is also where Twelfth Night by Shakespeare was first performed.
Oct 24th, 2010, 03:18 PM
#430
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 23,813
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks for the Temple Street suggestion -- sounds interesting!
Nice day today. We went to Spitalfields Market. We started off by walking down Petticoat Lane just because we were passing by but didn't find that too interesting. Spitalfields had more of what I was expecting at Covent Market -- some very nice craftwork. We ended up buying a small piece of artwork and had an interesting chat with the artist. I'm tempted to call it a print but it really isn't. The artist, Jenny Rose, explained that it was actually a collage but waxed. It's hard to explain -- there are words coming through images. Not even counting any photos which may come out half decently, I now have several items add to my small but growing art collection and which will be nice memories of this visit.
Late in the afternoon, we took the train to North Dulwich to have dinner at the home of one of my SO's former students, who has been living and working here for over 20 years now. She and her husband have a lovely home and it was nice to have a meal not cooked in a restaurant or by us, and there was lots of good chat. Before dinner, we went up to their allotment has a beautiful view of London and which is abundant with all manner of vegetables. This is always fascinating to me. I can't grow a thing. It's taken me 25 years to figure out which plants will live in my garden despite me. As far as farming goes, I just assume that fruit and vegetables grow on the supermarket shelves in the produce section, watered periodically by those little spray-y things. We came home with garlic!
Nice day today. We went to Spitalfields Market. We started off by walking down Petticoat Lane just because we were passing by but didn't find that too interesting. Spitalfields had more of what I was expecting at Covent Market -- some very nice craftwork. We ended up buying a small piece of artwork and had an interesting chat with the artist. I'm tempted to call it a print but it really isn't. The artist, Jenny Rose, explained that it was actually a collage but waxed. It's hard to explain -- there are words coming through images. Not even counting any photos which may come out half decently, I now have several items add to my small but growing art collection and which will be nice memories of this visit.
Late in the afternoon, we took the train to North Dulwich to have dinner at the home of one of my SO's former students, who has been living and working here for over 20 years now. She and her husband have a lovely home and it was nice to have a meal not cooked in a restaurant or by us, and there was lots of good chat. Before dinner, we went up to their allotment has a beautiful view of London and which is abundant with all manner of vegetables. This is always fascinating to me. I can't grow a thing. It's taken me 25 years to figure out which plants will live in my garden despite me. As far as farming goes, I just assume that fruit and vegetables grow on the supermarket shelves in the produce section, watered periodically by those little spray-y things. We came home with garlic!
Oct 24th, 2010, 04:35 PM
#431
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 752
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Dulwich has an art gallery http://www.dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk/
Oct 25th, 2010, 01:06 AM
#432
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Babycham? Definitely no longer traditional, even in these straightened times!
Bonfire night is a great thing, and I think partly why Halloween isn't as big here as in North America.
The nearest display to West Hampstead is in Roundwood Park on the Saturday, to the north of here. It's a 15 minute walk from any tube station, but is a good display.
The big display at Alexandra Palace has been cancelled this year due to lack of money. The largest display in London is south of the river on Blackheath - this was under threat again due to lack of funds, but is going ahead. I usually go to this one, but as it clashes with Roundwood Pk, I'll probably give it a miss. Crowds can be in excess of 50,000 but it is pretty spectacular.
oh, and Fortnum's over Harrod's every time
Bonfire night is a great thing, and I think partly why Halloween isn't as big here as in North America.
The nearest display to West Hampstead is in Roundwood Park on the Saturday, to the north of here. It's a 15 minute walk from any tube station, but is a good display.
The big display at Alexandra Palace has been cancelled this year due to lack of money. The largest display in London is south of the river on Blackheath - this was under threat again due to lack of funds, but is going ahead. I usually go to this one, but as it clashes with Roundwood Pk, I'll probably give it a miss. Crowds can be in excess of 50,000 but it is pretty spectacular.
oh, and Fortnum's over Harrod's every time
Oct 25th, 2010, 02:02 AM
#433
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 23,813
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
F&M is definitely in the cards but not till later on -- might as well wait till the Christmas decorations are up, I think.
MG, yes, we were driven past the gallery on the way to the allotment but it's unlikely we'll get back to Dulwich (Dul-ich? Dulch?) in the daytime hours. Besides, we haven't even been to the British Museum yet. Plus I hear we have to go to the John Soane Museum, so now that's on our list, too.
I have to give some thought to bonfire night.
MG, yes, we were driven past the gallery on the way to the allotment but it's unlikely we'll get back to Dulwich (Dul-ich? Dulch?) in the daytime hours. Besides, we haven't even been to the British Museum yet. Plus I hear we have to go to the John Soane Museum, so now that's on our list, too.
I have to give some thought to bonfire night.
Oct 25th, 2010, 06:09 AM
#437
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 23,813
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
John Soanes is a definite. I've read about the candle tour and it sounds intriguing. Severs House also has a candle tour.
We haven't yet been to Hampstead Heath -- can you believe it! What bad residents we are. Maybe the fireworks would light a fire under us (har har). Is Bonfire Night the 5th or the 6th?
We haven't yet been to Hampstead Heath -- can you believe it! What bad residents we are. Maybe the fireworks would light a fire under us (har har). Is Bonfire Night the 5th or the 6th?
Oct 25th, 2010, 12:47 PM
#438
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 29,611
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Am really enjoying this. Neat that the GTG is engendering shared air trips!
My DH and I spent about 4 nights in Barcelona-I'll find my notes. Do remember that our faves were the mercato and the Gaudi apartment.
There have been many warnings about pick pockets. We traveled the metro daily and had no problems. Of course, we hardly ever looked like tourists-just poor people!
My DH and I spent about 4 nights in Barcelona-I'll find my notes. Do remember that our faves were the mercato and the Gaudi apartment.
There have been many warnings about pick pockets. We traveled the metro daily and had no problems. Of course, we hardly ever looked like tourists-just poor people!
Oct 25th, 2010, 03:36 PM
#439
<<Thanks for the Temple Street suggestion -- sounds interesting!>>
GTG - it's actually THE TEMPLE and it's just south of FLEET STREET. Don't know if there is a Temple Street but if you try to get there, almost certainly you'll end up in the wrong place!
and i don't want to appear picky, but Twelfth night was first performed in MIDDLE Temple Hall [not Inner Temple, which is a different Inn of Court, albeit just a stones' throw away]in 1602.
GTG - it's actually THE TEMPLE and it's just south of FLEET STREET. Don't know if there is a Temple Street but if you try to get there, almost certainly you'll end up in the wrong place!
and i don't want to appear picky, but Twelfth night was first performed in MIDDLE Temple Hall [not Inner Temple, which is a different Inn of Court, albeit just a stones' throw away]in 1602.
Oct 25th, 2010, 06:09 PM
#440
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 752
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re Hampstead Heath - you can follow Roger Ebert's book - and here's a blog about walking in London where he mentions it. http://blogs.suntimes.com/ebert/2010...und_londo.html
