You can find this market in the eclectic heart of Notting Hill. Hidden between the sought after, picturesque, terraced villas and the many Charity Shops. Portobello Road becomes a flower bed of stalls. They make a unique blend of edible and inanimate purchases. Unless you are wanting to spend all your money on food, make sure you have breakfast before you start to peruse. The delicious smells waft down the street, grabbing your attention so the workers don't have to. There are giant woks overflowing with colour and texture. Tables covered in fruits and vegetables, with only 67% that I could recognise. Fresh breads from around the world warming your insides and bringing a gentle smile to you face.
Further up the road is where you get the antique or collectable item that you have always wanted. You could get lost in between the people looking for the one prog rock record that they have heard of, looking like they are in the know. Walk past the young couples that have saved for months to afford the golden candlesticks that will look so good on their table. Be mesmerised by the groups of aspiring film camera buyers. Or be swept up by the multi cultural tourists who are drinking out of coconuts. You can either peruse the stalls or walk through the maze of secret shops. Each with their own trinkets or vintage items. There are vases that are older than New Zealand. Ornaments and radios that go through the ages. Paintings, maps, newspapers, bedside tables, watches, anything you could want. Dresses that survived the Second World War, and would be so beautiful in your closet. Most of all, jewellery. Each necklace or ring telling a story about their previous owners. That's why I love antiques. I want to know where they have been, who owned them, and how did they get here. You could get lost in the market all day, or until, your belly is calling out for Fish and Chips from the pub up the road.
Columbia Road Flower Market
Spring, that precious time of year when the cold is going away and the sun is trying to peep out from behind the clouds. When the flowers are blooming, making even the most boring of roads look nice. Wouldn't it be nice to have this all year? Well on a Sunday out in East London, you can. Because of this, it is quite a popular market. You will need to get there early, information that I did not follow. I was kicking myself as the crowd came to a stand still many, many times. None of that matters when you are surrounded by this many flowers and succulents. A Mexican wave of roses, carnations and hydrangeas. The scent is as sweet as candy floss. The workers are bantering with the shoppers, making the sweet transaction of money for flowers before you realise that you already have two other versions of blush pink peonies. When you feel like your arm is tired from carrying too many bouquets, take a left down the alleyway to get to the quaintest cafes. Listen to the soundtrack of the buskers while you wait in a very long line to get a cupcake or slice from LilyVanilli, or spend half your morning waiting to get a free table at S.Jones.
Make sure that you wear your Sunday best. Everyone is dressed in the latest trends, looking straight out of a magazine. Especially while the sit at their cafe table eating Avocado on Rye.
When you're ready to head back to the train, walk down on the outside of the stalls. There are plenty of tiny shops and art galleries, overflowing with cute gold and pastel items. Make sure you don't look out of place and grab a fresh juice from one of the many stands, it will go nicely with your takeaway cup of crumbed prawns. In my opinion, there is no other way to spend your Sunday Morning other than hanging with the cool kids on Columbia Road.
