London: Tea Time in Wonderland

Walking through Shoreditch, collecting street art like pop-up flowers in this urban jungle…

Funny how a station can come alive. St Pancras switched from just being a passing place – commute, drink a coffee, jump on a train or a tube – to being a place to experience too. There are two pianos in the hall, available for anyone to use and it is such a delight to hear amateur or “real” musicians playing a few notes on it, stopping you in your tracks, putting a smile back on your face. Until May 09, a free music festival gives a new vibe to the station too.

On the art side… Look up. Dream. Fly away. The famous olympic rings were recently replaced by a suspended work by Studio Orta, fluffy clouds reminding you there is more to life than work. A sort of flying carpet, a harmony between the outside world glimpsed through the glass roof or through the train windows and the dream ones, allowing you to escape a little while… St Pancras being now part of the London art trail, you can expect more of those in the coming years!

Look up -  terrace wires

On the Donegall Quay in Belfast, you will suddenly face a giant fish, 10 metres long, a surprising art work by John Kindness. A beautiful palette of blue, reminding of British china plates, each scale a tile showing a different illustration on the history of the city, from the Tudor till now. Newspapers, advertisements, engravings or paintings… like a mini-museum under the sun.

In the lounge of the South Place Hotel can be found real design gems, such as these shoes made entirely of wire. The artist, Cathy Miles, plays with dimensions, gives an incredible volume to emptiness, simply underlining the essential elegance. Fairy tale shoes. Have a look at her site -  no object seems to resist her magic.

A bookshop with style. Well, many styles, more reasons to love it. Here, you will leaf through classic and contemporary books as well as extraordinary limited editions. Sit down for a chocolate biscuit or maybe a glass of wine. Find vintage treasures on the shelves and even homemade marmelade jars. And some days, there are beautiful texts being read, or live music, or art exhibitions… A bookshop following the vibe of Soho and bringing to the neighbourhood its own bohemian poetry…

The Society Club
12 Ingestre Place
Soho
London
W1F OJF

Until now, I was completely immune to the Olympics. I really had no interest. But yesterday evening, going to Stratford, it hit me. Such a different atmosphere there than in the heart of London! The coming together, the diversity of nationalities in the streets, the huge-ness of it all, The Orbit shining in the sunset, the contrast between what used to be a normal neighbourhood and the size of the new constructions. And the vibe, the electricity in the air, the anticipation, the pride, the cheerfulness… It transports you suddenly, takes you by surprise. Are you in London this week-end? Scroll down for fun ideas!

That’s art, baby:

* On Thursday evening, the National Theater will be lit up in flames

* Sports the fun way -  Victorian inspired with a touch of fun and crazyness.

* Rediscover Bob Marley at the British Music Experience.

* At the Tate, art becomes planet-friendly.

Take the little ones along:

* The Natural History Museumwelcomes a new species -  lions made entirely of crochet.

* 99 tiny games have been hidden in London – time to go fun-hunting.

* Add a little colour to London.

Yummy time ahead:

* Crunch your way through the Olympics with these adorable themed biscuit.

* Or discover world cuisine through Global Feast, THE pop-up of the summer: 20 meals each dedicated to a different country.

Out of the ordinary:

* How about sailing along the Thames on dream boats?

* Too hot? Try this new pop-up spa which includes a bar.

* Listen. At 08.12 on Friday, thousands of bells around the country will ring to celebrate the opening of the Olympic Games.

* Print your own T-shirt at Levi’s.

* Pretend you are in Singapore.

* On Friday, watch the Games opening ceremony on a big screen at Victoria Park.

* Another street party? Yes, but a giant one on all Exhibition Road.

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Music Maestro! Liverpool street station gets all musical Thursday evening, the pianos are back on the streets and Friday evening at the V&A, jazz gets a lovely nigerian twist. Lovely free events to get your groove back… Scroll down to find more London week-ends ideas.
That’s art baby:

* Get a dose of Warhol at the Dulwich Picture Gallery.

* The old BBC offices in Marylebone become a secret garden and a pop-up theatre for the summer. Why not give it a try?

* For a little magic, go and see this art installation made entirely of kites.

* His names is Bond. James has his show at the Barbican.

Yummy time ahead:

* A new street food van, Speck Mobile, offers Austrian treats on the go.

* Fancy foraging but do not know where to start? Try this very clever bike tour.

Out of the ordinary:

* On Thursday evening, The Shard will illuminate the London sky with a laser web.

* The Old Vic Tunnels blooms into a fascinating underground garden.

* Match your nail varnish to your favourite London streets.

* Fan of the Future and Secret cinema? Well, welcome the new addition to their family, secret screenings in secret locations.

* Make a detour to enjoy the  Streatham Festival. Music, drama, theatre, fire themed dancing, comedy, creative workshops and even Ninja Knitters!

* H&M opens a sport pop-up shop at St Martin’s Courtyard. Time to get that credit card smoking.

* It is quite a party this week-end at Kensington Palace with lots of music and dances.

* Gentlemen too have their olympiad. Includes tweed, moustaches and hats.

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Behind stern buildings can often be found luxurious, soothing, green havens. At the Chiltern Street Studios, the tiny courtyard offers a transition between two worlds, details of another era, keys opening invisible doors, ivy like necklaces around vintage glass bottles. A welcoming chair, a bird singing cheerfully. Funny how a few square meters can be such an escape from the wild wide world outside. Do you have a secret garden in London too?

That’s art baby:
* After the elephants, the eggs… 75 phone booths have been redecorated and scattered around town. Happy hnting, until July 18!
* It is spring on the new facade of the Whitechapel Gallery – worth seeing.
* Yoko Ono opens her show at the Serpentine.

Take the little ones along:
* An architecture festival dedicated to kids? What a fabulous ideas. Look at the program for great workshops.
* Are you hunting the BT Artbox phonebooths around town? Now this one, with a knitted monster should really wow them.
* Cupcakes bloom in sweet bouquets at Mulberry Teacup – deliciously beautiful!

Music, Maestro!
* Musicals fan? Come sing and dance on Trafalgar Square this week-end.
* Exhibition Road has a fabulous musical day planned on Saturday -  check it out!
* Spitafields too celebrates music, with a street party on Saturday.
* Walk through Camden in the most musical way.

Out of the ordinary:
* On Thursday, watch Royal Ascot on the big screens at Canary Wharf.
* Kensington Palace will be open late next Friday for the most enchanting evening.
* Watch the sumos race.
* Fancy walking on the roofs of the O2?
* The Old Vic Tunnels turn into a holiday camp for adults this week-end – give it a try!

A little while ago, I was invited to the KLM evening with other travel bloggers. To present their flights to Amsterdam (no less than 79 each day from 16 UK airports), the team had invited us at De Hems, the only Dutch bar in town. Situated just outside the Chinatown, it makes you feel you have travelled around the word in a couple minutes. There, you can indulge in a Texel Wit with its touch of orange, a Witbier underlined with coriander notes, a Trappe Dubbel – liquid caramel – and so many more. Your mind will wander, dreaming of the famous Netherland breweries: Bavaria, Alfa, , Gulpener, Budels. You can already picture enjoying a pint along a canal… Remember, it is just a plane away! And if you are staying in London this week-end, scroll down for ideas.

That’s art baby:
* Try an art walk.
* Lovers of urban poetry and fascinating cartography, do have a look at the Mind the Map exhibition at the London Transport Museum.
* Artists to be will love trying this Damien Hirst style painting style.
* Add some magic! Wonderground on Southbank promises an unforgettable circus show tinted with a little Tim Burton.
* Street art goes digital with USB keys planted in walls…

Out of the ordinary:
* Indulge in a street food part in Camden on Friday.
* Or listen to storytelling for adults aboard a candlelit narrowboat.
* Discover the Alfie’s Antiques Market.
* Ever wondered what Covent Garden used to look like, when it was still a market? Have a look here.
* Oh, and do go there on saturday, there will be plenty of vintage routemasters.
* Decipher the London alphabet.
* Fancy a litteray afternoon in an orchard to celebrate the summer?
* On Sunday, Marylebone high street will turn into a giant party.

Buren dresses up the Grand Palais in rainbow colours this year. Behind this pop theme palette is a complex geometrical thought -  circles vs lines, reflections of mosaics on flashy discs, bright hues against discreet black and white lines, his signature pattern. It feels like walking through a magical forest, jumping from one sunshine ray to another, almost lying on the ground to watch the amazing staging. An opening offers mirrors on the ground on which you can stand and admire the metallic lace. Above you, the glass roofs creates a protective bubble, brings a little blue back to the grey sky. At night, giant lamps sweep the room, adding to the sureal atmosphere.

Monumenta
Grand Palais North entrance
Avenue G. Eisenhower
75008 Paris
Until June 21, 2012 – 5€

Note: just outside the exit is the Mini-Palais with a lovely terrace. Seduced by their idea of an ice-cream bar with amazing flavour, we expected a delicious time there but have been appalled by the service. Such a lack of politeness we finally took refuge at Lenôtre, a 5mn walk from there. The management have taken our remarks seriously and briefed their teams so the experience should now be perfect. If you do try it, please share your feedback!