Hey everybody 👋 I hope that summer is treating you well. Hard to believe it is around the halfway point. Steve and I were talking yesterday about our UK pet sits in late Aug / early Sep and how they will be a little different than hanging with Louie now. 🍁
Back to the travels ...
I created a Google Map to get a better idea of how our growing list of activities were in relation to each other to help plan our excursions. Since we were pet sitting, we had a 4-5 hour window to be away and since our travel was typically 30-40 minutes each way, we had to plan carefully to make the most of our time. Focus post with current London transportation tips coming soon.
We ventured into the West End to see The Comedy About Spies set in the 1960s. We enjoyed the cast and the theater more than the play but it was a good time. We arrived early enough to enjoy a drink in the beautiful theater bar. 🍸
The theater itself was also quite beautiful. 📸
We walked to the train station after the show and the city was hoppin'! These photos don't really capture how many people were out at 10pm on a Wednesday. 🕙
We biked over to a very crowded Camden Market the next day (crowds not included in the photos). 🚲
We hiked up to see the city skyline view from Primrose Hill. Alas, there was not a puff of wind for the kite. 🪁
Thanks to a post by Hannah at Art Distance, we learned about Cecil Court and made a visit on beautiful (if a bit warmer than usual) day. 📸
Had to check out the map store ... 🗺️
... which also carried gorgeous prints. 🖼️
More shops. 🛍️
The Choosing Keeping paper and writing tools options were endless. ✍️
And the award from the most pub flowers goes to ... The Crown and Anchor! 🌺🌸🌺🌸🌺🌸
We walked over to Covent Garden which was a fruit and veg market in the early days. 🥦
We had a yummy lunch at the top floor of the Piazza Terrace (top floor Royal Ballet and Opera House) overlooking Covent Garden. 🍽️
The tiny desserts (honey cake and apricot coconut mousse) were scrumptious. 😋
I am not sure I understood this ad but hey, it was good to see Colorado brands in the Underground. 🍻
Lounging Louie (not on the sofa). 💙
We went back to the West End to see Ewan McGregor in My Master Builder in an even more beautiful theater. The cast were terrific and the play was interesting with plenty to discuss afterwards. 🤔
We saw this walking back from the Queen's Park Sunday Market. Looked like someone put a VW bus in the dryer and a Fiat bus came out. 🤭
We rode bikes out to Ealing to visit Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery. Focus post about the art installation coming soon. 🚲
Pitzhanger Manor, located in Ealing, London, was the country home of Sir John Soane, one of the most influential architects in British history. After acquiring the estate in 1800, he undertook extensive renovations, transforming Pitzhanger into a showcase of his architectural style, featuring neoclassical elements and innovative use of light and space. Completed in 1804, it became Soane’s residence, embodying his unique design vision.
Sir John Soane designed and built many other well-known architectural works in London and around the UK, including the Bank of England, Dulwich Picture Gallery, Pitzhanger Manor, and his former home and office in Lincoln’s Inn Fields, now the Sir John Soane Museum.
We were so intrigued by this visit that we are going to try to see more of his architectural work while we were in London.
Came across this Wimbledon viewing area in Ealing. 🎾
