London is always calling us.

This weekend we went back to our long-time love London. I think we have gone every year since we got together, except last year for some reason. My husband lived there for 5 years, so knows his way around the city. So it was time to return! We took the kid and her step and jumped on the Eurostar. Taking the step with us, was the best idea we had and it made our weekend so easy and pleasant. She 'stepped' her way through the crowds, in underground stations, on Trafalgar square, Hyde Park, as if she did that every day. (The kid only stepped in our living room before this day, imagine that). I'm so proud of her. We did our regular tour - West End, Covent Garden- she was intrigued by all the music and spectacles on the streets. We went for a beer and a Pimm's in the Punch & Judy's, before making our way to Shoreditch to go eat at Dinerama. Dinerama is a Street food market in an old truck depot, with great drinks and food. I had delicious steamed buns with pork belly, braised lamb with a great coleslaw, a Thai curry and a great duck burger with fries sprinkled with truffle salt.

The kid ate 6 doughnuts with chocolate sauce, just like that. It made her night. (Maybe the fact that we passed by the Nickelodeon store and bought her Sky from Paw Patrol also helped)

After a good night rest in our wonderful hotel, we went for Sunday brunch at Blixen in Spitalfields Market. They had some original variations on normal brunch items and great juices (I had a pear, ginger and pineapple juice, so good). After brunch we went to our photo booth in the vinyl shop. We have photos of when we first went to London, photos from when I was pregnant and now photos with our little lady. Then the rain started pouring down, so we hopped one of the red busses and got off at Trafalgar Square and paid a visit to the National Gallery - always a good idea when it is raining, since it is free and they have some great art in their collection. No London without the rain.

Already making plans for next year!

More blogs on London here, here, here, here

 

 

 

 

 

Trains. Burgers. London

Early on Saturday, we got in our car and drove to London (for the wedding & some food). It seemed like a good idea (and a lot cheaper) and a bit of an adventure, so we were up for it. We made our way to Calais, got some coffee and breakfast, and got into the Eurotunnel car train. Olivia loved it, because she could sit in front with her daddy and pretend she was driving. 30 minutes later we were in Fokstone. Driving on the left is interesting, it's like you have to reverse your brain or something, so I was happy my boo is such a good driver! 

Lolo lived in London in the past, and he really made me discover the city and all the good things about it, like all the different areas with their own identity & local markets, the big green parks you find everywhere, the street food, the pub culture. We love it! 

It also was Olivia's first time in the UK. 

We definitely have to go back soon and discover some more.

 

 We went for lunch at Honest Burger in Clapham, because we had seen some instagrams of their food, and it just looked so delicious. And it was, the buns were perfect golden brown and light, not like the crappy ones with the sesame seeds you find here. The meat was nice and pink and the toppings delicious. The staff was so friendly too. Good choice we made!

 After lunch we drove to the hotel to get ready for the wedding and had a great day.

PS: I also wanted to share a little anecdote of our short trip to London. Yes, For those who know we - I did a Lisa.

After the wedding party, we drove back to the hotel (16 km) and all the way there I already felt that something was wrong, as if I had lost or forgotten something. So once arrived at the hotel, I searched my purse and found what was missing: My ID card and to go back home I really needed it, as they check your ID carefully. Of course I had nothing else on me with a photo ID (I like to travel light, you know), so the stress kicked in. We searched the car, the luggage, my clothes, everything & found nothing! Stresssss! I decided we had to go back to the wedding venue to go look for it. So back in the car with the sleeping baby and we drove the 16 km back to the venue.  In the car I called the hotel, the above mentionned restaurant, the wedding venue, nobody had found it. But of course I could be anywhere on the street, on the ground, wko knows. 

And the next day being a Sunday, I feared the worst!

Arrived at the wedding venue, they told me they did not find it, but I decided I wanted to check for myself. The first cushion I lifted, there it was! Big sigh of relief! I hugged and kissed everybody in the bar and left, to drive the 16 km back to the hotel!

My husband loves me but strongly advises me to take better care of my documents next time and not to throw them carelessly- the Lisa way- in my purse and also to travel with 2 photo ID's. Hihi.

The wedding where she got her groove on.

Last weekend we went to the UK wedding celebration of our friends Rob & Jennie, who got married officially in Melbourne last month and organised a party for their European friends in London. We were happy to be a part of this great event & wish them the happiest life together! Olivia was so pretty in her giraffe dress ( Me too I had a giraffe blouse :) of course) and she stole the hearts of many people, the little cutiepie. When it was time to dance, a very sweet girl took our daughter with her to the dance floor & all of a sudden this little girl turned into the star of the night, dancing the night away - learning new moves and teaching her dance routines to the other girls - spice girls, beyonce, you name it and she danced to it. It was so fun watching her try out new things and expressing herself in a whole new way. This girl is gonna be a party girl, I can tell you that already!

Thank you again for inviting us, Rob & Jennie! 

We had a wonderful day!