Category: visits
Linking to NY! x
I know..cryptic eh? But New York is five hours behind…. And we have a little adventure to go on before the magic happens!
Laters, (At say..2.00?!) Kate x
Introducing the kids to Anarchy..
On Saturday we headed into Trafalgar Square to witness the Flash Mob International Pillow Fight. Even the street performers were prepared…
It was a rather delicious event..the Police weren’t happy. Boris had done his best to call the whole thing off…but to take action against a pillow fight? It would be like aligning with Putin…
Have I shrunk?
The power is strong with this one..
Charlie telling Darth Vadar he loves him..
We then headed up to Oxford Street and couldn’t help notice the speed of the Jeremy Scott rip-offs…
Our destination?….a Victorian men’s toilet..
Now converted into a supercool cafe called ‘The Attendant’ complete with table-urinals and handwarmers.
At the exit was a writing wall..
So Bella added Graffiti to the days lessons of life…
Laters, Kate x
Dr James Barry x
Last week I was very fortunate to visit The Old Operating Theatre Museum and Herb Garret just by London Bridge with the wonderful Julie from Vintage Attitude. Hidden away, up a steep spiral staircase and nestled in the dark timbers of the attic of an old church the museum is caught in a sleepy, rather delicious time warp.
It was part of St Thomas’s hospital – a hospital that was described as ancient way back in 1215…
On one side is the herb garret and apothecary. And on the other – the oldest surviving operating theatre in Europe.
What stories these walls could tell.
But what really caught my eye was this picture of James (Miranda) Barry, an amazing woman who overcame the general prohibition on women studying Medicine by disguising herself as a man to become the first female British surgeon. Barry qualified in Medicine in 1812 and went onto train as a surgeon at St. Thomas’s. In January 1813, she qualified as a Regimental Surgeon at the Royal College of Surgeons and over the next fifty years she rose through the ranks to become Inspector General of the Hospitals in the British Army. No mean feat – and she must’ve been good because in Cape Town in 1826 this vegetarian, teetotalling surgeon performed the first documented successful Caesarean Section where both mother and baby survived. Barry even met Florence Nightingale during the Crimean War, who noted in her memoirs:
‘He kept me standing in the midst of quite a crowd of soldiers, Commissariat, servants, camp followers etc every one of who behaved like a gentlemen during the scolding I received while (she) behaved like a brute…After he was dead, I was told that (she) was a woman..I should say that (she) was the most hardened creature I ever met.’
Barry spent most of her laters years with her constant companion and manservant John (in the picture with her above) and it was only on her deathbed that she was finally discovered to be a woman. Barry was buried in Kensal Green Cemetery in London in 1865.
What a truly remarkable human being with an incredible story of which this must only be the very tip of the iceberg..an unsung heroine who surely should at the very least share the same historical podium as Florence Nightingale?…I am desperate to know more and now feel compelled to visit Kensal Green Cemetery to find her grave…I can’t help but wonder which name is on her headstone?…and what it might say?
Laters, Kate x
Rain, Rain Go Away..
It’s dismal in London with driving rain, strong winds and the knowledge that we’re no longer in the land of fairy lights, pine cones and endless glitter. So I thought what better time than the New Year to break the diet fall off the wagon get even more depressed give me a facelift to give the Blog a facelift?
I’m liking the new size of pictures..
Means you can now see the clouds reflecting in this one.
And this tree.
This is our new pond on the Common. Has the ducks mighty confused.
The weather means the sky has been turning all sorts of colours.
At least we’ve all been safe at home, snuggled up – next week it’s back to the daily grind and the school run…weather please, please improve otherwise I’ll be investing in a fisherman’s sou’wester. And a boat.
Laters, Kate x
Happy New Year!! xxx
Happy New Year!!!
Laters, Kate x
Oooops I did it again…
Such a beautiful jacket non? Vintage 70’s, never been worn – was left over stock from a shop that when it closed down got packed away in an attic..light weight wool with that gorgeous navy edging…it was crying out for a new home and a bit of love…it would’ve quite frankly been cruel to walk on by…and the best bit? A mere £15……..sigh. Gotta seize these opportunities when they presents themselves hashtag you always see the best stuff a) When you’re not meant too or b) When you’re broke.
I bought it at a Christmas vintage fair in Belsize Park last weekend where I was very lucky to meet up with the lovely blogger Gabrielle from Wee Story Book.
Who can resist a cup a tea in a proper china and a good gossip surrounded by delights?
There were little secrets in every corner waiting to be explored.
And live music.
This was a fantastic stall selling everything from Pucci to Gucci..Crystal the stall holder really knew her stuff.
Just a lovely day to pretend to Christmas shop and buy more stuff for me and dip into power of the Blogging Community. I hope we do it again in the New Year Gabrielle!
Laters, Kate x
Just for Jackie! x
A virtual visit to my local!…The Lavish Habit in Balham – part of my slavish habit of the week to 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?
Laters, Kate x
An Urban Adventure..
Yesterday I met up with the lovely Kaori from Twist and Turn for a Mystery Tour around London..
We started in the atmospheric Borough Market. A foodie and visual delight, particularly at Christmas..
Then we headed towards London Bridge and the Thames, past the Shard – Kaori thinks the Shard looks just like Sauron’s Tower from Lord of the Rings. She’s not wrong!..it looks almost unreal next to the traditional Georgian houses.
Just passed London Bridge is the Peter Layton Glassblowing Studio and Gallery. A warm (particularly given the freezing wind) and wonderful place where you can watch the artists at work as well as buy their work. (Go this week and there’s mince pies and mulled cider as well!) When the kids can be trusted I will be buying one of their exquisite baubles, they look like suspended bubbles of glimmering oil…covetable.
Their work ranges from Huge installations to delicate pieces of jewellery, including an artist specialising in sea glass.
They also offer hands-on experience days to have a go yourself.
Check the website for more details.
We did more..we headed on to the Design Museum..but I’ll leave that for another day!
Laters, Kate x
A Family Wonder Event x
On Saturday we had an early Christmas present..a family day out at the Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park courtesy of ‘Fairy’, Bella and Charlie’s wonderful Godmother. Such a brilliant idea…memories are so much better than bits…honestly, she is the best!
We all went ice skating on the Wonderland ice rink and watched Charlie demonstrate his natural kamikaze skills..
And Bella showed her elegance. They both have regular lessons so they left us for dust.
We couldn’t have picked a better day.
Spot the extrovert.
We’d been before – 2 years ago..but this year was different. The traditional was everywhere, like this fire pit..specially designed for roasting marshmallows..how special?!
Charlie and Bella with Fairy doing just that!
Which meant there was always a sweet smell of smoke on the air mixed with mulled wine and chocolate….
Who needs to go to Germany when Germany’s in London?
Too much information..
There were also playthings for the adults..depending on how many bratwurst sausages you’d eaten..and how much you minded them repeating..
We also had a very funny trip into the freezing Magical Ice Kingdom to see the ice sculptures (NB There’s also an ice bar..cheaper than a trip to the infamous Ice Hotel)….but apologies..all my pics are blurred as I was laughing too much….at the end is an ice slide….suffice to say unless you had the right coat on (Fairy) it was more of a bottom shuffle (Husband)…
It was a delicious, delightful, delectable day to savour for a long, long time..
Kisses to our amazing Fairy! – memories are made of this.
Laters, Kate x
Le Shopping..
Shopping in Brighton is a smorgasbord of instant gratification.
With Delicacies round every corner.
I found my Vintage 501’s at Dirty Harrys on Sydney Road..great selection, impeccable service..and all 3 pairs (!) (one shorter to roll, one in dark navy *rather lush* and one long pair)..came to the grand sum of £35!
So I added in a pair of battered cowboy boots..
And a beautiful vintage silk kimono from Wolf and Gypsy (well worth a visit).
much cake and tea was had in celebration.
After which The Husband wanted to buy me this.
I wanted to buy him this…
My favourite place for lunch or High Tea..not posh, just warm, genuine and eccentric.
With doughnuts the size of cannonballs. Who could resist?
And these catseye sunnies somehow just purred their way into my possession..
Just the perfect place, with the perfect company to gently put the world to rights.
Can I go again?
Laters, Kate x
Maison Bentley Style 