LANDAN.

I went on a lovely adventure to London this week.

The thing I love most about the capital is that it is right on my doorstep. For a small fee, I'm free to visit a whole new world. So this excursion, my London buddy Danielle and I covered quite a bit of ground! Taking the Circle to Notting Hill Gate, we headed to Portobello Road market. Gems and jewels glistened in all their antique beauty, I wanted to buy it all! Sadly I was only window shopping, but I could have bought every silver ring in my sight!

Then we headed from Ladbroke Grove on the Hammersmith and City to Baker Street - quick change for the Jubilee Line to St. John's Wood. Here I had one of my favourite London experiences – Abbey Road. So we all know Abbey Road, don't we? It's the road that hosts one of the world's most famous recording studios and was the setting of The Beatle's greatest selling album Abbey Road. 

Well I was just taken aback by it all. Now it sounds a bit weird, getting excited about a zebra crossing...  Who am I kidding?! I do love me some civil engineering ;) 

But no seriously, it wasn't so much the zebra crossing, but you do get this sense that some amazing things have happened here. I just felt a bit overwhelmed standing outside the studios, where Graffiti laced the white walls surrounding the car park. Messages of love and companionship written over and over. Someone writes "Thank you for saving my life every day,"it just really made me feel a bit warm and fuzzy inside. 

                        

The benchmark for music, generations on was set here at Abbey Road. Watching Jay Z being interviewed by Zane Lowe at this very location just a few days ago, it all felt surreal! I kept thinking, "WHAT IF I BUMP INTO ZANE LOWE?!" chugging chewing gum just in case such occasion arose. It really is the place where magic happens. 

So there were teams of people standing either side of the crossing, waiting for their moment to retrace the iconic footsteps of their idols. Waiting and waiting for the opportune moment to strike, this craze overtook their inhibitions. Stepping in front of red buses and white vans so nonchalantly, they took their stance and stood so boldly ready to be snapped. You had to laugh. There were people that wouldn't usually cross a road ten times in five minutes. There was one woman with big bouncy red hair who just strolled her way, back and forth, milking the opportunity like it was HER CHANCE TO SHINE, photobombing everyone else's claim to fame. I didn't do the whole picture shebang, I didn't want to inconvenience anyone! The impatience of the cars backlogged behind was just too much to take. Danielle however, had no shame... so here she is!

After that we jumped on the Jubilee to London Bridge to head to Borough Market. Now, being an avid foodie myself I was far too excited about this. Food from around the world, Turkish to Spanish to the New Orleans, there was so much choice we had no idea what to choose. So we went for possibly the most british thing on the menu... Fish and Chips! Sitting in the Fish! restaurant, we ordered what was actually my most expensive fish and chip experience I've ever had. Beer battered cod with home made chips, mushy peas and home made tartar sauce... all rolling in at a staggering £17!! Not to mention £5.50 for a bottle of New Forest Cider. Ok, so it was pricey, but it was an experience. And it was THE BEST FISH AND CHIPS I HAVE EVER HAD. So no regrets! I loved it!

I loved the market in general. I just get so excited by food (hence the WeightWatchers venture lmao!) I actually just want to be the next Nigella. AND! Can I just say I have never seen so many good looking men selling food... Food Journalism HERE I COME. 

And quite rightly so, a wonderful meal deserved a wonderful walk to let it all go down. Jumping on the Jubilee to Waterloo, quick change on to the Bakerloo to Regent's Park we landed in paradise. We walked around Queen Mary's Park, where rows and rows of beautifully pruned roses framed the walkways. The sweet perfumed scent of happiness filled the air on the wondrously, hazy day. Reaching an oasis, the benches around the pond were so welcoming. Danielle and I sat, watching the world go by, watching the birds duck and dive and the wildlife flitting around us. I really got the sense of the awesome power of nature and the insignificance of man (name that sketch!).

No, but really, it was just a lovely place to be. Nice atmosphere, good company. It was so nice to see families out enjoying the sun and each others' company. So you know what girls are like, there's only so long you can walk around in unsuitable shoes before you take them off... so we got the feet out whilst sitting on our bench, and this guy walks past by himself and looks at our feet. Now I thought by his expression he was judging us... and then I look over to see him on the bench next to us with his feet out too. How about that for community spirit?! He looked so content! Trendsetters or what?! 

So it really was a gorgeous day, and we were absolutely cream crackered! I was back home and in bed by about half 8 haha! 

I think next on my London Bucket List is: Petticoat Lane, Brick Lane (when it's actually open...), Greenwich Planetarium, THE REST OF REGENT'S PARK and Little Venice. 

I just love London! I'd love to live there one day, so perhaps I'll work towards the dream ;)