London: Tea Time in Wonderland

Get out of the too touristic Southbank. On a sunny day, walk along the Thames but around the Hammersmith Bridge. You will glimpse rowing boats racing by and will fin plenty of pubs with a view (like The Dove) along the way…

A little bit of spring, of blue skies, of sun – oh, how you long for the week-end… Get on a bike, escape, ride along the Thames, sit under a tree. From a dream to another, I somehow ended up on Beg Bicycles – a vintage and romantic style, very inspiring. This, my friend, calls for a picnic…

St Patrick’s special:
* See life in green on Saturday at the Water Poet: yummy Irish treats, lots of Guinness to celebrate St Patrick’s day and the match Ireland-England.

* The Roundhouse also has planned a fantastic afternoon of Irish music.

* Do it at least one in your life -  wear everything green you own then go and see the parade on Sunday. Then party on Trafalgar Square.

* Still on Sunday, why not listen to gaelic songs?

Yummy time ahead:
* Yo Sushi fan? Don’t forget their birthday this Thursday, at their Soho location. The plates will be 97p each, quite a deal!

* Sunday, stop at Gino and try their ice-creams. Inspired by the Japanese festival for cherry trees in bloom, they have created a green tea-white chocolate flavour. And a miso-caramel one. If you’d rather have something a little more classic, why not go for the peach-champagne?

* Plan your next pub crawls.

Take the little ones along:
* It’s spring at the Somerset House -  the yard will be blooming with 10000 sculpted daffodils.

* Take them to an opera they are sure to love – Alice in wonderland with absolutely wow costumes.

Out of the ordinary:
* Thursday evening, go and listen to the Philharmonia Orchestra for free.

* Friday evening, indulge in a regression evening. DJ and childhood game. Well, an adult version of them.

* Order a pizza and kayak your way to it.

* On Saturday, sing French songs on Trafalgar Square with 9 free concerts throughout the day.

* Street art lover? Did you know there is now a London app?

* Another London -  every Monday evening, you can visit the London library.

* Kings Cross station reopens on Monday -  beautiful curves. Don’t miss it!

Sometimes, in the most  routine-like day, a message comes your way. Get your energy back and go London-hunting!

That’s art baby:
* Dive back in the Titanic universe at the  National Maritime Museum.

* Find faces (and smiles!) in the objects surrounding you.

* Dream of the long gone London. Nostalgic and beautiful black & white photographies.

* Love Louise Bourgeois? See some of her work at the Freud Museum.

* Tip your hat to Marilyn.

Yummy time ahead:
* Celebrate Holi, the Indian feast of colours. Dishoom will be all decorated with beautiful kits and each guest will receive a traditional cake at the end of their meal. On March the 08th, the pavement will be rainbow like, stop and have a look!

Take the little ones along:
* Make them revise the alphabet.

* Did you know the London Transport Museum opens its depot once a month? There is another world of treasures to be discovered there…

Out of the ordinary:
* For its late opening on Friday, the British Museum turns Arabic.

* On March 09 and 10, be a party animal in the Old Vic tunnels. Disco zoo, animal cinema, all night popcorn and candy floss. Don’t forget – no amimal costume, no entry.

* Chess + boxing = chessboxing.

* Going on a date? In the cinema category, try the Aubin. Like the Electric Cinema, you will find extra comfy leather armchairs there. But with cushions and blankets for that cocoon effect.

* Go to a different London – Curiocity’s vision of the city is sure to amaze you.

* Sweeney Todd gets all musical.

* Have a look at this fun blog on London. We love the post on the London rooftops as golf courses.

Does not ring a bell? Oh, but you do know this artist. You admire his work each time you step in the V&A: this huge octopus like glass chandelier is one of his creations.

The Halcyon gallery has quite a few of his sculptures on show at the moment and I have been wowed by those. Photos are not permitted and those on the website do not reflect how impressive the colours and shapes are. The glass seems to have a life of its own, a movement, a will to bloom into flowers, fly towards the sky or burst into flames at the top of the stairs. Such expression and strength in a material which could shatter so easily!

The sight makes you wonder whether you have opened the door to another dimension. Shouldn’t there be an intriguing music in the background? Are those goin to move any minute? Those are made for spectacular places and appear regularly in sumptuous botanic gardens, taking their place naturally in luxurious flora. As in the Kew Gardens Victorian architecture a few years back. If you fancy a full size feel, make a detour to Park Lane and gasp at the Torchlight Chandelier, just in front of the Dorchester. Particularly beautiful at night, it seems to control the whole space.

Contemporary, yes. Lovecraftian, almost. Out of this world, really.

Halcyon Gallery
Chihuly - until March 31, 2012. Free.
144 – 146 New Bond Street
London W1S 2PF

The most beautiful flowers are those blooming forever. On greyish days, I dream in front of this paper lace work by Rob Ryan. Of escapes to the seaside and spring valleys. A few seconds of sweetness before reality kicks in. Somehow, it proves even more efficient than chocolate.

That’s art baby:
* Rediscover Picasso at the Tate.
* Add a touch of surrealism with Chihuly.

Take the little ones along:
* Saturday, learn how to make 3D pancakes. It’s free.
* Also on that day, try the apple wassail at Camden’s Natural Reserve.
* The Duck Tour now proposes a James Bond theme.

Love, Love, Love:
* Victoria & Albert, a royal love -  fabulous animations.

Out of the ordinary:
* Saturday, go clue hunting in Shoreditch.
* Or sing at the pub. At the Coach & horses, it has become a tradition every Saturday. They even have a piano.
* Prepare your own potions.
* A little London love.
* See a movie. On a roof. In a theatre made of reclaimed material form the olympic park.
* Camelias are in bloom at the Chiswick House – gorgeous!

I love, in the British language, the expression Paint the town red. Fits London so well. This colours is already pretty iconic but oh, my, in this pre-Valentine-day period, it seems it is the only one around…

That’s art, baby:
* Rediscover the Sunday times mythical pictures at the Saatchi.
* Get your own pop-up London. To get it from Amazon, click here.
* London artist add a touch of blues to the capital.

Yummy time ahead:
* Pssst -  get your coffee at Salt and get a breakfast treat free this week, from Thursday to Sunday.
* Taste the Chelsea Physics Garden’s honey.
* Liquorice and sweets fans, rejoyce.
* It’s the last straw (almost) in Soho.
* The new fun way to eat cake is here.
* Gospel, brunch and a view.

Take the little ones along:
* Sing along the Gruffalo.
* At the Somerset House, the kids craft workshops will be about mirrors and marble effects.
* Kids have their own festival on Southbank.

Love, love, love:
* You probably do not know her yet. Lili Bé is one of the most talented froggies I know and she illustrates London and life with a smile. In French, but still, take a look at those limited edition posters and tell me you do not fall for it. I would love to have this a a bag too. Don’t you?

Out of the ordinary:
* The end of the world is getting nearer.
* Let your heart beat for flamenco.
* Find love heart sweets irresistible? Well, at the Jewellery school on Sunday, you can make you own charm one.

An Argentinian dream with Midnight Tango. Such a glamourous, seductive dance. Dresses seem to be flying around the dancers. And when the music speeds up, so does your heart, and so do the heels on the stage. Exceptional skills, not only of  Strictly Come Dancing’s Vincent and Flavia but of the whole troup. Do go and see it.

That’s art, baby!
* Knitting obsession.
* Step back in David Lynch‘s world.
* Redefine art.
* A poetic page.

Yummy time ahead:
* A special one for meat lovers.
* A suivre, donc! Try Pierre Hermé‘s new macaron: Jardin enchanté (Enchanted garden). Lime cream, a heart of cherries, a touch of Espelette chilli to wake up the tastebuds. There will be a different edition on the garden theme every month – do not miss any!

Love, love, love:
* Add some glitter with Tatty Devine on Thursday.
* 50 romantic ideas in London.

Take the little ones along:
* Get those roller skates out and spend a disco time with the family.
* Re-celebrate the Chinese New year.
* The Somerset House too has craft workshops for kids this week-end

Royal London:
* Discover Queen Elisabeth II’s life through Cecil Beaton’s pictures of her. At the V&A until April 22, 2012.

So British:
* The best pubs in London? Click this way. Cheers.
* This week-end, your pint could also be rock’n'roll.

Out of the ordinary:
* Daniel Radcliffe fan? Meet him Thursday evening.
* Walk through Dickens‘ world (free, no need to book)
* Street art gets colourful with Jimmy C.
* London plays the high tech card (yeah, it seems we have a budget for that)
* Saturday, see the best slices of Bollywood movies.
* Meet the London clowns and tip your hat to Grimaldi.
* Follow the street art. Litterally.
* Tropical extravagance at Kew Gardens.
* After the Chinese New Year, the Russian one. This will be on Sunday and on Trafalgar.
* Snowdrops are already blooming at the Chelsea Physics Garden.

A tiny art gallerie has opened in Covent Garden. They have fascinating representations of cities, black & white and suddenly a rainbow of tints, as if the colours were the ones telling the story. Have a look at the Delicate Mayhem Gallery, 3 Russel Street next time you are around. Nice to see some art in that neighbourghood!

That’s art, baby:
* Facebook inspires street art.
* Rainbow of colours with David Hockney.
* 21st century art: 3D printing.

So British:
* Become a cricket fan.

Sing it:
* Keep a coin for the juke box.

Take the little ones along:
* Street art: follow Stik around.
* Sunday, robotic camera workshop.
* In honour of the musical Mathilda, Roald dahl fans will not resist the stupendous afternoon tea.

Yummy time ahead:
* Hate detoxing? Oh but it can be quite fun at The Botanist et au Chiswell Street Dining Room.  Until February 12, you can sip  on Lemon Aid (white tea sirup and apricot infused gin), de Green Business (vodka, cucumber, basil, spirulina) et Hazy Days (gin, green apple liqueur, fresh ginger, goji berries). We promise those are filled with good things for you!

Out of the ordinary:
* This Thursday evening small is beautiful and fun at the Wellcome Collection.
* Still on Thursday, stop at the Imperial War Museum for a free movie.
* Nostalgic touch -  see a silent movie at the Barbican.
* Note the London tips of the fantastic Luiz Hara.
* Galop at the O2.
* You might think it is Halloween with this coffin exhibition.
* Discover Three Mills Island.
* The Take-away shop proposes to share… anything from anedotes to skills vis London histories and craft. I tip my hat to that.

After a few days in India, the British rain had quite faded my cheerfulness.

A visit at Carom painted my day in bright colours. This bar, right in the heart of Soho, mixes the most exotic cocktails with ginger, rose, litchee, cumin, jasmin, lemongrass… Sun in a glass. Let me warn you -  there is no stopping at one either so do come with (many) friends to sip through quite a selection. My favourite -  love at first sip – remains the Bangalore Cooler,in which fresh cardamom is crushed then mixed with whisky, pear, maple syrup. A little marvel and a wwonderful occasion to taste an Indian whisky too – Amrut. Golden, warm, fruity. I ordered a bottle online on my way back home -  say it all.

And if you’re looking for a festive time -  ask about their cocktail masterclasses. How wonderful to see the bar from the other side, learn a few tricks, invent your own signature cocktail. Mine was a dance of saffron gin, rose syrup, lime and orange juice. A liquid Turkish Delight. I was so taken in the atmosphere I was slightly disappointed not to see any palmtrees in the street…

The Christmas touch:
* Beware, Santa invasion!
* Be generous too! Bring your unwanted gifts at the Etsy grotto. They may well make the happiness of another kind heart.
* A Christmas tree by Lanvin? Wow.

That’s art, baby:
* East Berlin steps in Shoreditch.
* Rediscover Dickens.
* Space Invaders invasion at the Outsiders.

Yummy time:
* Fancy a pint of cider?
* Add a slice of Caraibean in your winter.

Take the little ones along:
* A wonderful atmosphere: the Somerset House organises free storytelling under the gorgeous Tiffany Christmas Tree.
* Skate for free at the Scoop -  slide along!
* Nostalgic moment: a Muppet Show movie.

A touch of magic:
* Moomins arrive in Covent Garden.
* For gentlemen who prefer to wait the very last minute to do their Xmas shopping -  book now!