London: Tea Time in Wonderland

Looking up, I always fall in love with the red arches framing a galaxy of golden stars. Such an adorable metallic lace. During the week, this old market is busy with the gentlemen of The City. At the end of the day, it is quite something to see them all around the pubs, serious suits and shiny shoes, a pint in one hand, getting rid of their tie with the other. At week-ends, though, the place is completely deserted. I have glimpsed a few weddings going through, and even movies being filmed. I particularly remember a bollywood one mixed with bagpipe players… Take a Boris bike and ride through -  amazing feeling of freedom!

Leadenhall Market

No matter how long you spend in Hong-Kong – do take the time to stroll through one of the markets. The Yau Ma Tei ones continues through the evening and adds a fantastic conclusion to the day -  really worth the detour. Colours, shapes, scents… Nothing is “supermarket/European legislation calibrated” here, fruits and vegs well organised in neat pile on in bright bowls. Here and there, a cat surveys it all, indifferent to tourist melting at the cuteness of it. You will recognise some of the things arounds you -  grapefruit, star apple, lotus nuts, grapefuit, dragonfruit… But mostly, you will marvel at it all, wonder about the tastes, the way to cook, a thousand questions. Further on is the fish market – most are still alive, the crabs are already packaged to go and you will also see quite a few toads, even turtles. In some aisles, the fragrance of dried cod and shrimps is overwhelming. Amazement at every step. Ah, to bring all of this back home!

Last Sunday, St Pancras travelled back in time. ITV was filming a program taking place in the 1950ies and actors were buzzing around – tweed, hats, old-style umbrellas and suitcases, fur coats… Tourists were utterly mesmerized by the vintage cabs. In the nearby cafés, characters in beautiful clothes from the past were mixing with normal the everyday lunchers… This sums pretty well the magic of London, the freedom of it, the many currents of fashion. Now, what about you? Are you going to a Jubilee party this week-end? We have plenty of ideas to help you celebrate this 4 days treat in London!

Yummy time ahead:

* Celebrate street food form all around the world on Southbank.

* Love it or hate it? Will you go for the Marmite afternoon tea?

* Better than BBQ – try the clam bake.

* Dine in a secret garden.

Royal London parties:

June 02:

* Near Carnaby, in Newburgh street, enjoy the party and have a slice of the most excentric cakes.

* Gordon Ramsay too adds his touch to Jubilee festivities – live music and rooftop party at York & Albany.

* The festivities will really be royal at Hampton Court.

June 03:

* On June 03rd, The Book Club take over the whole street -  big screens and music included.

* Download this clever app to know the best places to see the pageant procession.

* On Bedford Square, there will be a 1950ies nostalgic touch. Oh, and even a spot of croquet.

June 04:

* The Water Poet proposes a delicious extravagance, BBQ, music, a vintage market in a Routemaster…

* Rock & Rule – the perfect rebel touch for the Jubilee!

Out of the ordinary:

* A cup of tea and a golf party on the roofs of Selfridges, anyone?

* Keats house opens their song and verse festival.

* Discover the Serpentine’s new pavillion -  Al Wei Wei worked on the design.

* Go shopping in an African themed market.

* How about helping create a giant corgi along the Thames?

Probably the best market in London. Start with the Hackney Homemade food market then walk down to the Broadway Market, a mere 15mn from there. A whole street turned festive with foodie treats but also vintage and craft stalls and even music. Oh and colours, cheerfulness, the feeling of being on holiday. Forget your diet: between seafood assortment, rainbow fudge, Jewish, vegan, indian specialties, fabulous cheese, delicious desserts you will switch constantly from savoury to sweet, sour to creamy, with no will to resist at all. What an amazing diversity here, all lined with cafés, restaurants, independant boutiques. On a sunny day, you could stay the whole afternoon. You can also walk down to the canal or get a Boris’ bike there.

Broadway market
Every Saturday on Broadway street, London E8, 09.00-17.00

Seeing this installation in the Fortnum & Mason’s windows, I immediately thought of Postcrossing. In a world where we all tweet faster than our shadow, this excellent website put postcard, pens and stamps back on the table. Set up your free account and you will get the address of a total stranger, a few lines describing their hobbies. Write a kinf note a little hello, good wishes for the day, a quote. Some time later, you will in turn receive a card from another total stranger. So much nicer than ads and bills when going back home…

St George’s day:
* Not to be missed on Saturday. For St George’s day, Trafalgar Square turns into a garden for an afternoon. Bandstand and 3D effect included.

Big screen:
* A movie? Yes, but with style at One Aldwych, martini included!

* Or see Hitchcock classics in London churches.

* Try Bugsy Malone at the Troxy. Not just the movie, the setting and the atmosphere. A fantastic experience.

Take the little ones along:
* On Saturday, ride on a vintage bus.

* Meccano fans, feel like a child again at the Kew Bridge Steam Museum.

Out of the ordinary:
* Have lunch at the Hackney homemade food market.

* At the Horse Hospital, play with the strange and the occult.

* Go for a romantic walk.

* A new exhibition space is opening in Covent Garden, dedicated to movie stars. Amazing iconic pictures -  a must see.

* To celebrate record store day, independant shops are planning free concerts and nice workshops. Have a look here.

A new arrival on the foodie stage.  Under the trees of St John’s church, the Hackney homemade food market is simply an adorable place to go. Not very big, sure, it has just started but trust me – whithin a year, it will compete nicely with the Broadway one. The atmosphere reminds me of village fêtes. Stall holders take the time to chat with you, share tips, laugh, uncover a pan for you to enjoy fully the fragrant dishes, get enthusiastic when you mention a spice. Relaxed and  very “real”. Food is prepared in front of you: croquettes, Japanese curry, Vietnamese baguettes, African delicacies, Mexican specialties, paella, gorgeous cheese, polenta, cannolis… You will follow one smell to another, getting hungrier by the minute and very soon you will be picnicking under the cherry trees.

Hackney homemade food market, every Saturday 11.00-16.00
Tube: Hackney central (but many buses stop there too), cross the street, you’re there.

I love April skies. Indecisive, tortured. A ray of sunshine, a shower of rain, the sudden music of hail. Of course, it may lead to a certain surcharge (shirt, scarf, hood, sunglasses -  be prepared for everything. In the same day.) But as dusk approaches, clouds take a velvety appearance, get painted with even brighter colours if only for a minute, like a luxurious marble… Get your umbrella and scroll down to discover ideas for your week-end in London!

That’s art baby!
* Rediscover London through photographs of its past at the Wandworth museum

* Be amazed by Cate Blanchett, on the stage of the Barbican for a few days only.

Yummy-time ahead:
* Fall for the “Afternoon tea in the park” hampers by Bea’s . Ah, if only we also could order some sun!

* This week-end, the Southbank market celebrates India.

* Dine as on the Titanic -  the final menu is recreated at Hix for the centenary.

* A mobile tea-room – love it! Follow it in Soho.

Take the little ones along:
* A delicious idea from Carluccio’s: a biscuit workshop for bakers-to-be.

* Take them to see the newborn ducklings -  nothing could be cuter.

Out of the ordinary:
* On Thursday, shop rock’n'roll at a cute themed vintage market.

* Abracadabra, have a look at the Magic Circle Museum.

* On Friday, indulge in a free concert at the V&A, a mix of jazz and Indian music.

* Every Sunday until the end of August, the Spitafields City Farm proposes an outdoor “eco-chic” market -  worth a detour if you are around Brick Lane.

* Did you know you can swap your books on Carnaby street?

* On Sunday, to celebrate the Olivier Awards, the place to be will be the Covent garden Piazza with performances from top West End shows.

* Or celebrate Thai new year at the amazing temple in Wimbledon -  exoticism guaranteed. Or just stop by at Trafalgar square.

There is something in the air. A softness, a lighter texture, a cheerfulness. Makes me feel like walking along a beach, breathe in the salty air, listen to the waves, maybe fly a kite. What about you? Doing anything nice this week-end? You can also fish in the ideas below!

That’s art, baby:
* Make a little detour to see those East London pictures of yesteryear.

* A new artistic venue, in a lorry container. Oh, and linked to a pizza bus, of course.

Yummy time ahead:
* A delicious idea to start the week-end -  every Saturday, there is a homemadefood market in Hackney

* To celebrate St David’s day -  Wales’ patron -  the Real Food Market on Southbank will put lots of Welsh favourites on their stalls.

* In Chinatown, you are gonna melt for those new treats on skewers. And they’re chep too!

* Caffeine alert. Oh, and there too.

Out of the ordinary:
* Before the Louboutin exhibition starts at the Design Museum at the end of the month, the iconic creator has redesigned the whole Concept Store and the surrounding windows.

* Hoorray, the Barbican week-ends are back! There will be urban stories, poetry, digital graffiti, live music and much much more.

* Oh! A new pop-up cinema. Saturday, if you have an appetite for it, you can go and see dracula. In a church, of course. No obligation to take a necklace of garlic along.

* The dancing theatre is inspired by the 1920ies this week-end.

Each year, rather than adding yet another toy to the house, I take my daughter to see a musical. Girly time and fabulous memories. The Cirque Invisible, the Lion King, the Wizard of Oz. This year,  Wicked put a spell on us. The theatre in itself is already magical, a different universe. Do take the binoculars (£1, one between each seat) to better see the details of the decors and costumes. The story? A different version of Oz, each role being reversed, sprinkled with formidable humour. Quick, go and see it!

Christmas is coming to town:
* Go gift hunting on that adorable Finnish market.
* Plenty of ideas at the Chelsea Physic Garden fair too.
* On the craft side, you will find real wonders at the Merry Magpie pop-up.

That’s art, baby!
* Nothing better than 4D projection to bring life back into a building.
* Is art really rubbish?

Yummy time:
* Burger revolution.
* It is winter time and Dickens then rhymes with punch and Courvoisier.
* Still on the Dickens’ theme -  opt for the pub crawl!
* Food allergies? Go and enjoy this free from festival.

Shopaholics, beware:
* Remember Upper Street? Great news -  they are having a sample sale of unique models this Saturday, up to 50% off the original price. Just go to Upper Street Studios, 1A Clarendon Buildings, 11 Ronalds rd, London, N5 1XJ. From 10.00 to 16.00, payment by card only.

Take the little ones along:
* Especially for adventurers-to-be: a tour of the HMS Belfast with a hot chocolate.
* This adorable kids festival in South Kensington should make the whole family happy.

Out of the ordinary:
* Le Cool and Fiji Water have thought of a wonderful winter stroll along a forgotten river -  click here to see the app / map, it’s all free!
* Underground tales, this way.
* Discover London… aboard a kayak.
* Manga fans, rejoyce: this one takes place at the British Museum.
* One of the mysteries of London…

I keep looking at my Filofax -  September? Summer has gone so fast.  Only one solution can balance this: shop. New work clothes, bags, accessorie, killer shoes. Autumn leaves will not slow me down. Alernatively, try those ideas to keep a sparkling mood!

* Make yourself all beautiful at this gorgeous vintage evening.

* Enjoy a crafty night market.

* Meat balls are the new trend and frankly, our mouth waters at the thought of those.

* Our youth video games music will be played by a classical orchestra on Southbank -  a great way to rediscover them.

* Start knitting and be part of a work of art at the Tate.

* Discover the smallest cathedral in London.

* Try those miniature games on Southbank for the biggest fun.

* Marvel at these childhood inspired posters at the London Transport Museum.

* Have mojitos and pizza aboard a double decker.

* Try urban gardening.

* Those nails of your could be masterpieces, you know.

* See London from above. Through fab drawing here. While sipping a cocktail here.

* We all have stoped at cafés just to use their free wifi. Well. now, we can go for a pint too.

* Mary Poppins might have been right about a spoonful of sugar but these days it is all about a spoonful of London honey…

Pssst:
* Be on the lookout -  Terry Pratchett will stop in London to talk about his new book in October. Tickets will be on sale soon.

* Harry Potter fans will want to book those tours organised by Warner too -  you will get closer to the sets.

* Is you company installing of those free hives? let us know! We’d love to write about it.

* Already dreaming of your next holidays? Have a look at www.AFerry.co.uk. This website is a fab way of finding the best ferry prices to France, Ireland and even Holland. Have a look here for ferries to France, my home country.