As I sit here drinking my Chai Tea, nibbling on Coconut Thai Chicken Chips and can hear the whirring sound of my washing being cleaned mixed with the rhythmical tunes of Robbie Williams, I can reflect on the delightful weekend we have had.
Yesterday I was told to wear casual and warm clothes and be ready to walk for a while. I had to face the trick battle of 'do I wear my big white cardigan or do I wear my puffer jacket?' I decided on the cardigan and a backpack to house my puff. And thank goodness! In the famous words of my Mother 'the temperature drops dramatically' in this country.
We meandered through the Saturday Morning Market by the West Hampstead station, listening to a folk singer whilst eating an organic pork sausage in a onion smothered bun. We hopped on the overground and got off at Hampstead Heath. Very similar to West Hampstead, but houses the rich people who are too good to be living near Kilburn. The walk started off with a sprinkling of trees, then splashed out into a fully blown park. Bigger than Hyde park. There were dogs everywhere and beautiful birds that you don't see that often. We went on a bush walk and found ourselves surrounded by nature, not a building in sight! We walked past some ponds that they are preparing for the summer so that people can swim in them. There was a mixed pond and a men's only one. La de dah!
After many snaps and a quick look at a park map, we stumbled upon a giant mansion in a field. Kenwood house. It was built in the 1760's and remodelled in the 1790's. Gifted to the state in the 1920's. It was a very grand mansion and absolutely beautiful! The mysteries that London keeps hidden in the trees. After a quick ice cream in the garden cafe, we made our to Parliament Hill to get a magnificent view of the city. All of the main tourist attractions in one swoop; Big Ben, the London eye, the Gherkin, the Shard, and what we call The Sonic Screwdriver. It seemed so contrasted having my new home town that comes in different shades of grey (not 50), framed by green leafy trees. We walked our way down past The Stone of Free Speech, stopped to watch some 200m sprints, and came out amongst a flurry of Terraced houses.
We decided to be good and walk our way home instead of training. Turns out that there are castles just dotted about amongst the brick and tile of Hampstead. We popped into Habitat and got a new rug- exciting I know. But it really does tie the room together.
We came home to find new neighbours, Scottish, with a baby. This shall be interesting.
Sunday
Today was a calming and relaxing day. We made our way to St John's Wood on the bus. We walked for 15mins and came to Clifton Nurseries. A garden centre since 1850. It was a perfect haven surrounded by buildings that puts Notting Hill to shame. Magnolia trees were everywhere. We purchased our baby honey suckle plant and our bulbs to plant on our windowsill. I definitely believe that surrounding yourself by plants does something good for you. We were just 2 roads parallel to the Canal. The air seemed so peaceful around there and everyone had smiling faces. We found ourselves a floating canal boat that has made itself into a cafe. It was just screaming at us to have our afternoon tea there. So we did. Afterwards, the wind was getting colder so we walked the canal towards Paddington station and back to our beautiful home.
Labels: UK 2016
