Little London Recap

I am lucky enough to visit London annually with Rom since his family is nearby. I’ve been over many times (I think 7 now) and try to do something new each visit.

Amanda Palmer (Photo: The Guardian)

Our stay in London started with a bang when we took in a show by one of my idols, Amanda Palmer! It was even more than I thought it would be. She sang, took requests, answered questions, read from her book, and was joined on stage by several guest performers. She sang a capella, sang duets with a guest, accompanied herself on piano (her main instrument) and included a few ukulele tunes. She performed Dresden Dolls material, solo material and covers. She talked a lot and was funny and irreverent (all the more so for being in a church). It was a brilliant show! My pictures were crap so if you’d like to check out the visuals, go here. She played for two nights and I wish I had seen both!

We then had two full days to play with, and here’s how they went:

Day 1

Rom on Denmark Street. He has one of these guitars, but not the 4599 pound one 🙂

Picked up tickets to see the musical The Commitments that evening, shopped near Covent Garden and Seven Dials (people lined up down the street for Monmouth Coffee – has anyone tried it?)

Museum of Childhood. Lots of interactive stuff and play areas but also very simpatico for adults.

Wonderful morning at the V & A Museum of Childhood. I was worried it would be over-run by children (LOL!) but it is very appropriate for adults. The main exhibits were the history of toys and the history of the nursery, and there was a temporary exhibit of how Alice in Wonderland influenced fashion and pop culture. We liked the cafe, and the toy/bookshop was surprisingly restrained. We loved this place!

Portobello Market, Notting Hill

To Notting Hill for the afternoon to check out the Portobello Market. We churlishly did not look up landmarks from the movie. I thought this market was great: antiques, vintage and estate finds. The perfect step up from Camden Market when you’ve grown up a bit 🙂 I devoured a massive homemade doughnut. Jam-filled, nom nom!

Had a fabulous casual dinner at Food for Thought, a veggie mainstay, before the show. Upon our return to Canada, I read that the spot closed permanently just a few days later! I hurriedly ordered their cookbook online. We had time to look around the new-and-improved Foyle’s book store.

At the Palace Theatre

The Commitments was based on the book and the 1991 movie. As a show, it was pretty much a soul music revue. As when we went to see We Will Rock You, it was a fun night out, short on emotion and plot but long on entertaining tunes.

Day 2

En route!

A trip to Kew Gardens (Royal Botanic Gardens). Here are things I liked:

Gigantic oak tree

The horse chestnut trees in full bloom

Canopy walk!

Lily pads as big as wading pools!

And Rom’s favourite sight – an ice cream truck like the ones he remembered from his childhood

After many hours of exploring, we walked along the Thames riverbank to Richmond for shopping and dinner. A lovely relaxing day!

The next day was all rush rush to the airport, and the next day after that, back to work. But we had a great “City Break” after our two weeks in the countryside!

If you travel, do you like vacationing in the city or country?

PS: Of note: No rain!