London | 2011

Apologies to all my Bookface friends that got inundated with every step I took in London.  It was an incredible trip.

And it was a quick trip.  Just 5 days total - 2 days of travel - so, really 3 days.  And 2 of those days I was on my own.  And I managed the underground totally solo (gave myself lots of air high-fives), which I thought was a pretty big deal.  Granted, the tube is easy.  London has signs that actually mean something and are helpful, as opposed to the signage I'm used to here, which are in some confused Yankee gibberish.

Allow me to share some of my highlights......oh, and all images taken by my own hand and phone.

Day 1: Tate Modern, St. Paul's Cathedral, Occupy London

Tacita Dean | 35mm projected on 45' wall

Ai Weiwei | Sunflower Seeds

This was, perhaps, one of the most moving pieces I saw at the Tate Modern and it just doesn't translate in a photo.  Just imagine a pile of seeds, maybe 20' in circumference.  And then realize that each, individual seed is handmade of porcelain and hand painted.  And then google Ai Weiwei.

View of St. Paul's Cathedral from Millenium Bridge

Organized, orderly, and clean Occupy London surrounding St. Paul's

Day 2 | Lucian Freud, Francis Bacon, Mallais, and a walk

London cab.  Round and roomy.  And polite.

Tate Britain

Lucian Freud  

Francis Bacon | Three Studies for Figures at the Base of a Crucifixion

Sir John Everett Mallais | Ophelia

Enormous handblown chandelier 

Parliament

Big Ben through the gate

Big Ben not through a gate

London Eye, Big Ben, Londoners

Pretty Red on Black

The View from The National Gallery

Day 3 | Random Sites

The Victoria Tower Gardens

See if you can find: dingly dell, haunch, rump

Yeah, apparently I don't smile so much when I travel.

Un Mois en Europe

Aaaaand we're off.  Heading back to Brussels with trips to London, Paris, Frankfurt, and maybe Zurich, ending with a sweet week in Florence. Four years ago we spent nearly two months in Brussels.  Last year, it was just a week.  I think a month will do us just fine.

I'll try to keep blogging....mostly with those random finds, discoveries, and oddities I come across.  The kids are older now, so I'm expecting it'll be a little easier - but then, that's probably a mistake.

A bientôt.

Les Maisons en Europe

Brussels

Amsterdam

London

Berlin

Switzerland

Florence

Paris

We are heading back for month of July this summer. Kids aren't so thrilled, but what do they know.  They know exactly nothing, that's what they know.  Actually, they know that the yogurt tastes way better in Belgium.  And they know that it's rainy and cold in July.  Aaaaaand they know that if you don't watch your step, you'll probably step in dog poo.  But maybe with more travel, we can be sure to show them clean sidewalks (London), yucky yogurt (Italy), and sparkling weather (Paris).

Do You Suck or Chew your Candy?

image | hoohoo house

On my list for our trip to London, maybe something for the kiddie-winkies? On Columbia Road, where nostalgia meets vintage, a candy shop that's all about spun sugar and Charlie Bucket.  With names like: chocolate jazzies, spogs, and acid drops I'm sure we could find something....maybe something that's even better than "Ice cream, lollipops, and treacle tarts....all free today!" (go on, click the link - it'll take you right back to your 8 year old terrified self).

Perfect Summer Kicks

I think I just found the perfect gift for Father's Day::


Because he'd never wear them and I would.


From Paul Smith, for £80 or $117 US.

Wet and Dry

From LONDON UNDERCOVER comes clever, dry wit and fish and chips for your rainy day. (image from NYMag)














Or beans and toast.

Quintessentially British.

Embracing my inner Libertine

Maybe 20 years ago, I had this ridiculous 8 hour layover at Heathrow. And instead of even more sitting, I decided to fake British-ese and 'have a go' at the London Underground. My destination? Liberty of London.

I wanted to see for myself....

all the pretty flowers.

To me, it was Anglo-classic at it's very best.

(all photos from Blog Liberty)