Category: London

March 2, 2013

We Won!!!!

Surprise, joy and jubilation! Last night was our annual, infamous school quiz…a small bubble in the context of the world, but a special night for us…160 people, twenty tables of eight, each with a theme.

And what a difference from last year: Last year was our first year and we were as green as a mermaid’s tail..we had nary an inkling of the extent people would go to, the competitiveness, the style…if I said Henry the eighth with wives (including man dressed as a wife) complete with suckling pig, it might become clearer…we also came second from last in the actual quiz..the wooden spoon would’ve been more impressive…sigh.

This year we decided to turn on the glam – there really was only one option…Downton Abbey…First stop was ‘Angels’ in Shaftsbury Avenue – fancy dress shop and costumier – where we spent a very silly afternoon rummaging through their racks…and then before we knew it the big night was upon us..

The ~~girls~~ Ladies

~~The Blokes~~ ~~Their Highnesses~~ The MenThe gorgeous Lady Su

Below stairs tickled us to bits!

Me with an unruly headband – even managed to trap it in a car door…

I can’t tell you how strange it is to have the parents taking over the school hall, all dressed to the nines and…with alcohol! We even had Bella’s teacher handing out shots!
Our beautiful table complete with crystal glasses and decanters…very civilised.

The beautiful Lady Mandy…

Lord and Lady of the Manor

Some of the competition with a particularly fetching bearded lady!

Check out the shoes!

There were cavemen, disco divas, horses, Alice in wonderland and much much more..

Where’s Wally?

So did we win the quiz?

You must be joking!

We won BEST DRESSED!

After that, fuelled by our success the night rapidly descended into depravity.. I have a strange memory of eating a bug from the ‘I’m a Celebrity get me out of here’ table…and asking the caretaker to be my head gardener…

So now the planning starts for next year…I’m thinking Mafia and their molls complete with horses head?….can’t wait!

Laters, Kate xxx

February 19, 2013

My Local

The Lavish Habit in Balham – part of my slavish habit of the week as I kick back a frothy cappuccino and crucify a croissant…their toasted coconut bread with maple syrup is honestly to die for…and not only good food – sit on a chair, like it? buy it! What could be better?

xxx

February 5, 2013

A day in London

Saturday was one of those days – the husband was away at the Rugby (good game, they won, smiles all round) and the weather was a bit blue, a bit grey and very cold. So where better to drag the kids to than a trip to the Southbank? Except that’s not exactly where we intended to go – the initial thought was for Portabello Market, but hey, throw in the circle and district lines not working and we become ever adaptable, particularly when one is standing in the middle of Victoria Station thinking I have two small children to impress with my inventiveness…we took the 507 to Waterloo.

But the Southbank is a little – rather big – gem hidden in the depths of our urban jungle. If a stranger to London wanted an itinerary for a single day I would always say head to Waterloo, get out and start walking to Greenwich along the Thames and pass a multitude of wonders: The Tate Modern, HMS Belfast, Borough Market, The Design Museum and a host of others.

Heading off with Charlie carrying all his toys in fetching bags.

Can you see what’s in them? Dinosaurs!

My daughter the papper!

First stop the amazing food market on Belvedere Road at the Southbank Centre. It is the perfect pits stop: Beautiful breads, fresh smelly cheeses, street food to die for, somethings ready to go, others ready to cook, tastes and aromas to make any heart sing.

I treated us to some of these. Delicious eh? The kids refused to eat them – I swear mine are the only children that would turn their noses up at Spanish doughnuts dunked in melted chocolate. It was a hardship, but I ate the lot…

Here! Another random find on our ramble – and very close to the Hayward Gallery where the Light Show is on. Really worth a visit, but more of that on another post.

Bella and Charlie were bemused by the boat left stranded on the top of the Queen Elizabeth Hall. In fact it’s London’s most exclusive hotel room – when you stay you get to raise a flag to signal you are there. You can only hope the bed is down the other end.

A wonderful busker that made me laugh. Every time he puffed, fire appeared. I did busking in my youth, many moons ago. And never involving fire.

A much needed hot chocolate stop. It was freezing!

You never know what you are going to see next..

We threw our coins. And then the tide started coming in..

Time to clear away..

And head home with the knowledge that in simple things you sometimes find the world. Kate x

January 28, 2013

Fuerzabruta

To indulge the creative brain cells and shake things up go to Fuerzabruta at The Roundhouse, Camden Town – a retina-searing sensory overload of unrestrained emotion. If you get the chance – GO!