Victoria And Albert

Forgot to upload yesterday- must be getting tired from so much to see... I wanted to visit the Victoria and Albert museum.  We had a cuppa in the stunning tea room as well as viewing the medieval section- I took notes to re plan that fantasy- I have a writing day coming up tomorrow so will really work on this novel/ idea that has been evolving for three or more years.

The mosaic floors were beautiful and everyone wanted to catch some sun in the courtyard area.

Sights of London

Saville Row, Carnaby Street, Hamley's toy shop, Illustration Cupboard, Golden Square,
Liberty.  What a day sightseeing- if only I could shop and shop...

Kensington

We went with Rochelle to see the wholefoods shop, then explored a beautiful church and had lunch in the park attached to the church.   We were surrounded by very old headstones, tulips,  and a red robin.

Part of the coffee display at Wholefoods- there was even a cheese room with green pieces on some cheese (not a fan of this kind of cheese) fish from Cornwall, sardines, etc.
Even a display of fruit from Thailand.

 What a great blessing to have a daughter show us the ordinary places around Kensington- soon we'll hit the tourist spots.

West Kensington

Some random photos from our first day in London.  A glorious spring day- squirrels, a red robin, jonquils, and fragrance from blossoms- I wish I knew all the names.  And that red letter box!!!

first touch down

Singapore airport.  Our first trip overseas.  The cleaniness and design of the airport was impressive.  The 29C heat was stiffling and we come from a hot summer.

  It was a great decision to stop over- 8 hours is enough on a plane- we slept soundly and were re-energized enough to tackle the 13 hour trip from Singapore to London.  Today we step out and have a look locally around West Kensington.

What a great advertisement for recycling- taken in Singapore airport.

Happy Easter

It's that mellow April weather, the thought of catching up with family, the Good Friday fish, the Easter egg hunt and the renewal of life, of hope.  Its my kind of Easter, just before we head off into our first overseas trip.  I hope to start a new blog for travels.  More later...

Book fair

It's held every Easter and its for charity.  I love it.  This year I was convinced that I wouldn't have time to go.  I'm usually one of those who lines up outside ready for the first day's opening.

But I can't go past the historicial, the quirky.  The book that might just hold a gem.  In the weeks leading up to the book fair, I donated about seven bags of books.  I really pared back.  I read, then turfed books which I might have garndered from this self same book fair 15 years ago.

I've been re-reading classics like 'Pastures of the blue crane' Joan Aitken, Lloyd Alexander,  Leon Garfield, Elizabeth Goudge.  I have to read, read.  I've stopped my library borrowing for the moment- we head overseas in a matter of days, so I've been challenging the books on my many, many bookcases to justify their dust- gathering tenure.
There are gaps appearing; there is half a shelf to store transformer toys, a castle, a cash register, cars- all for the grand children.

And I did restrain myself- just a few books bought- simply becasue I only had an unexpected few minutes to attend the book fair...amazing place and so many families encourageing children to buy a book, or a child sitting in a corner reading.YES.  After all the books might set us back 50c a copy!!!