IT IS ONLY the second week in January, and yet it feels like a lot more time has passed since the holidays. The decorations are still up and we're still turning on the white Christmas lights in the evenings, glittery in their delicate glass globes and strung along the archway of the built-in bookcase in the corner, instantly making things feel festive. For the past two weeks, it's been busy, busy, which is the reason why it feels like so much time has passed.
Here we are again at the beginning a brand new year. It seems everyone have spoken with is happy to leave the past year behind, for there were those in the throes of life transitions—be it a broken heart or career uncertainty, serious illnesses or loss, worries about the future and the state of the world in general.
FOR QUITE some time, we had intended to visit Primrose Hill, the charming neighbourhood in northwest London nestled between Camden Town and Regent’s Park. However, it was the opening of a new bagel shop on Regent’s Park Road that proved to be the incentive we needed to finally make the excursion.
When we booked our trip to London for the second week of December, we had no idea that a new variant was about to rage through the city and quickly become the dominant strain. We were both double-vaccinated, but were still very cautious and wondered if we should get the booster vaccination before we left.
"Have you ever thought that you would be living in Spain?" It's a question that P asks often, and my answer is always the same: no, never in a million years had I ever imagined that we would, on a whim, move here, having never visited before, and to this particular city, as opposed to the more predictable choices of Barcelona or Madrid. Not because it's not a wonderful place to live, to be sure, but because I (like many others, it would seem) had never even heard of Valencia before.
IN LATE MAY we went on holiday to the south of France for a few days, and then to Scotland for nearly a month. During that time, we ventured to England on day trips, and it was during this time that we fell absolutely in love with the English countryside and thought it might be fun to have a look at places that might be available in any one of the very quaint and utterly charming villages and towns we found along the way...
JUST A FEW SNAPSHOTS of the things we've been up to this past July, including a quick trip to Edinburgh that ended up taking longer due to the heatwave, so iced coffees on the morning of the day that we were supposed to return home; pink English roses in the bright June sun and Sweet Potato, Ginger & Garlic Tofu Stew (with Lime and Spinach) ...
. . . a glimpse at a few of the things that have been happening around here recently : an afternoon by the water with p and a few other lovely things . . .
AS PROMISED, the follow-up to Part One, this second instalment is a photo diary of our life lately, turning leaves in Hyde Park, beautiful Mayfair in the rain, the Viewing Poing in Richmond Hill, a festive cheese shop in Bloomsbury, an insanely delicious "luxury donut"...
THIS PAST WEEK, we were back in London, thinking it might be the last time in a long time again that we would be able to be out and about before another national lockdown. We were also there to celebrate the holidays and two anniversaries. When we were last here, it was May, and things were only tentatively opening up again. All the pubs and restaurants were outdoor seating only, which mean it was difficult to find a table without booking the good places in advance through an app. The weather was unseasonably rainy and cold and we wondered if it had been a good decision to come ...
IT HAS BEEN A WHILE since there was an update on what we have been up to lately. For those who follow along on instagram, you will recognise a few moments here & there, but for those who don’t, here are a few snapshots of stolen moments and cherry blossoms, heart-shaped sunglasses and life in square format . . .
WE HAVE been meaning to get to Hampstead for a while now, mostly for The Holly Bush, but also to have a look around the neighbourhood, which we heard was lovely.
IT IS THE HEIGHT OF SUMMER here, and all the days are draped in a wonderfully sultry heat. A time for roaming the winding city streets in billowy lilac-coloured chiffon dresses and espadrilles, drinking cava on leafy terraces and picnicking on strawberries and raspberries on the beach in front of the glittery Mediterranean. Here are a few favourite moments of life lately ...
. . . this past weekend, left the city behind for a leisurely countryside drive, a stop in the most quaint café [for coffee and an exquisite slice of apricot tart], and a day in the picturesque town of gullane . . .
ONE OF our favourite things to do in London is stroll the down tree-lined streets of Mayfair, amongst the Georgian townhouses with their grand façades, all intricate architecture and delicate wrought iron detailing.