Tag Archives: London

Jul5

Leighton House

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Frederic Leighton 1830 – 1896 was a Victorian painter.

His home in Holland Park is open to the public.

It contains many drawings and paintings.

His house was luxurious, he entertained guests often.

Only his bedroom was tucked away and was very modest.

He was well off, travelled often

and added to his house

the Arab Hall,

He built it 1882

‘for the sake of something beautiful

to look at once in a while’

It caused a sensation.

Leighton had the tiles and textiles brought over

from North Africa and the Middle East.

For Frederic Leighton,

drawing was like a science.

He drew his models first nude ,

then ‘dressed’ them

after he studied the flow of the dresses on women.

A garden at the back of the house

was perfect for a break.


He recalled his parents' requirement 
that he only pursue art 
if he could achieve eminence.

Frederic Leighton

It was a very interesting visit,

a little gem in the heart of Kensington, Holland Park /London

Pictures by me and my sister on mobiles.

Jun21

Mud maid in London

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Through my friend Sally in Cornwall I heard about Twigmaid

a smaller version of the Mudmaid in the Lost Gardens of Heligan.

The courtyard behind St Martins-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar Square

was transformed for the Lost Oasis. Click on the word for the link.

This Heligan-in-the-City is a beautiful green retreat

in the heart of London with a bar, guest chefs, music and events.

I have been there yesterday noon, enjoyed a wonderful Cornish burger

in the sunshine with music.

Cider braised pork burger

It was a great tasting burger.

The Twigmaid is fantastic.

So beautifully made.

It was a wonderful day in the city.

Do visit if you can. It is on til August.

They do walk- ins as well if you cannot book.

Mar14

In the big Wheel

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Another day out in London

I love London.

Well, the London Eye was built in 1998 .

Only in the year 2000 it was opened for the public.

There are 32 capsules in total;

one for each of the London boroughs. 

For superstitious reasons they are numbered up to 33,

with capsule 13 left out for good luck.

Fascinating London Eye facts below!

It was the World's Tallest Observation Wheel. 
It Wasn't Meant to Be Permanent.
It Offers Unrivalled Views of London. 
There are 32 Capsules but no Number 13.
The Capsules Travel at Walking Pace. 
It Was Built in Pieces Across Europe.
It has been in numerous films and TV shows. 
It is lit up every year for the New Year.

On top of the world 

 
Even on a cloudy day 
the blue sky
is still there. 
All pictures taken by me  with  Google Pixel

Mar1

Outing with celebrities :-)

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London has so much to offer and

sometimes you need to step out.

We wanted to see the limelight and have fun.

Meeting the famous was fantastic.

I shared a Marmalade Sandwich with Paddington

I shook hands with all James Bonds.

Barrack Obama
Helen Mirren
Jimi Hendrix
David Bowie

I played piano with Elton John

I took E.T. out for a ride

Enjoying a word with Dame Judi Dench …

… and with Sir David Attenborough

I drove round the Universe with the Star Wars guys

my wonderful Harrison Ford

There were plenty more

from the Marvel films,

stars, politians and royalty.

We spent a great time with all.

 
Surround yourself  
only with people
who are going 
to lift you higher.

Oprah Winfrey
All pictures taken by me Madame Tussauds with  Google Pixel

Oct6

Fassade in London

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London always surprises.

Behind a fassade

you find another big building.

I am so happy they left that beautiful fassade

and built the big buiding behind it.

I love the contrast of old and new.

You don’t need a fassade

Be your true self.

always. ♥


To be yourself 
in a world 
that is constantly trying 
to make you something else 
is the greatest accomplishment .

Ralph Waldo Emerson

In between all the glass the little church.


London
is a city of contradiction
and chaos
but that's what makes it 
so thrilling and alive.

♥ I love my London ♥

Picture taken by me Google Pixel

Aug31

Beautiful High Garden

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A little secret tip,

to find a nice rooftop garden in London is at

120 Fenchurch Street.

The Garden is located atop the Fen Court building.

At 15 storeys up it offers exceptional 360-degree views

and it is free to go up.

When you come up the view is fantastic.

You can walk around for an allround view.

Bring a picnic, it has plenty of benches for your lunch.

Beautiful Wisterias hanging and many more different flowers.

Plants and high buildings are good motives.

I love the reflection of the clouds and buildings.

Bees are counted and marked.

Can you see the white dot?

I’ll leave you with

roses, pollinators and sunshine. 

"In the heart of the city, 
my terrace garden is a patch of serenity, 
a reminder 
that even small spaces can hold vast beauty"

Pictures taken by me with Google Pixel

Aug10

The Outernet

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Yesterday I visitied Tottenham Court Road,

I used to live very close to it back in the 80’s.

With Tottenham Court Road being a major Underground station

also for the Crossrail , known as Elizabeth Line, it is a new huge station.

When you come out of the deep station

you walk straight into the Outernet.

The Outernet is the most visited cultural attraction in the UK,

an immersive entertainment district bringing together

breath-taking arts,

culture and music experiences for all the family.

All four walls and the ceiling are just huge screens and

you are right in the middle.

It keeps changing often, every 5 to 10 minutes.

I walked in for the ‘Enchanted Forest’

With a QR code you can be part of the screen

and play or just move on your phone.

The follow up was the well known Tetris game.

It is quite anamazing experience and it is free too.

don’t forget to see it when you visit London.

Pictures taken by me with Google Pixel

Mar24

♥ Memories made ♥

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Don't wait for the perfect moment -
Create it.
Every day is an opportunity
to make 
beautiful memories.

We went out to a concert in the beautiful Royal Albert Hall

in South Kensington / London.

A perfect venue for music.

Spring is here too. What a great tree.

We were here to see the Mountbatten Festival of Music, featuring the Massed Bands of His Majesty’s Royal Marines.

The festival was super, the musicians were fantastic we listened to outstanding performances of the bands and soloists. It was a night to remember.

*****

This year it included the performance of my favourite Composer

Thomas Bergersen

whom I have followed since 2011,

you can see posts about his music on my blog.

Every year they played some of his music, this year he was invited to London to perform himself.

Thomas enjoyed playing his composition “Impossible” with the band thoroughly.

The next day we went to the ” Victoria & Albert Museum “.

Come with me to one of the most beautiful coffee shops in London.

There are three different Victorian rooms with tables.

The tiles showed all seasons and every month had its’ own tile.

This room was rather dark with lovely fruity patterns
The main room

Happiness is found in simple things.
Walking through a garden,
 seeing the stars, 
listening to music, 
and going to a coffee shop.

♥ It was a weekend to remember ♥

All pictures taken by me on Google Pixel

Sep29

Ageing gracefully :-)

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We wanted to go to an ‘Ageing well’ event in our town this Sunday.

On the way to the bus I checked the leaflet again.

It is actually next Sunday. Oups

Since we already were at the busstop

We decided to visit a small castle

‘Severndroog Castle’ in the neighbourhood.

We were very happy I made a date mistake. 🙂

Severndroog Castle

Really small but sweet with fantastic views.


It was a good mistake to make.
We enjoyed our impromtu visit 
and the stunning views.

It has amazing views over London.

Shard to Canary Wharf.

We could see far,

it does not come out on the mobile phone pictures though.

Shard and the London Eye


Mistakes 
are the portals of discovery.

Pictures by me on Google pixel phone

Mar22

Short outing – London

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On my way to the Embassy

I walked through Green Park in London.

Green Park is green 🙂

Now in Spring are various Daffodills out..

I passed lovely old houses

and the Hotel I used to work, long time ago.

The Athenaeum Hotel

I walked through Wellington Arch

and saw a Royal Coach.

Wellington Arch

Saw some of the few of the old Telephone boxes

Typical English street

Even a brief visit is wonderful in London.

Always keep your eyes open for beautiful things.


We should walk in such a way 
that every step can bring us to the here and the now. 
Walking is the best possible exercise.
Sometimes a short walk down memory lane
is all it takes to appreciate 
where you are today.