Where were we?

Oh yes, we were collecting the turkey, weren't we?  Quite a lot has happened since then, I must say.

What once looked like this,

looked like this on Christmas Day.

Today, this was the dreary outlook.

But have we had fun?  You bet!

We kicked off with our traditional Christmas Eve cheese fondue, taking our traditional time-delay photo.  Unbelievably, this year we all managed to make our photo face at the same time.

Then, a huge mystery parcel appeared under the tree.  I was told it was for me!

After opening stockings full of sweets, useful gadgets and interesting bits and pieces, we exchanged presents and shared the cooking duties between us.  Somehow, it was stress-free and actually rather fun.  Whatever happened to those heavy-duty catering responsibilities of old?

Santa had a great selection of books for me this year, together with a new camera and an "everyday" watch.   But of course, I was desperate to learn what was in the big package...

Coffee is served!  (will that be long, short, cappuccino, macchiato or latte?)  Since I'm the coffee drinker in this household, it really is "my" present and a real indulgence, too.  It even grinds the beans, clever thing!

But I completed the Christmas jigsaw alone this year: Edward was busy catching up with his writing and trying hard to read all five books of a series he found on Mark's shelf.  We took him back up to London on Monday and he's spent a couple of short days in the office, dealing with the deluge of emails which have accumulated over the few days he's been away.  He's also had chance to initiate his Christmas present today - I guess the days of the big Lego kit are long gone!

We prepare for a houseful of friends for the next few days by making ballet shoes soaking butterbeans!

With every good wish for a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year!

Waitrose, Stroud, 8am

Plenty of turkey for all!

No, she wasn't really buying them all but packing them for customers to collect later.  It's a crisp and very icy morning here but we've been there, got the bird and can now settle in until the ice and snow has gone.

With all good wishes for a very Happy Christmas and a prosperous and Peaceful New Year.

Yet, in the dark streets shineth

Looking out of the window just now, I simply had to take a photograph of the inky blue sky.  The moon was there in a classic shape with (I think) Venus shining nearby.

Lovely.

Sights like these almost always provoke a memory; this time, one of a conversation between a five or six year old Edward and his Grandma as they walked home from, I think, Hull Fair. Mark and I walked close behind them, within earshot of their conversation. 

The sky was of a similar colour, the moon shining brightly and the single spot of light sufficient to prompt comment from my Mum,

"Oh, look at that beautiful star, Edward"

"Well, Grandma, it's not really a star you know, it's a planet.  I think it's Venus"

Result, one speechless Grandma who never made the same mistake again - and of course, one of those family sayings which gets trotted out whenever there's a single star (or planet) in the sky, whether it be Mars, Venus or whatever, because we are really not known for our astronomical knowledge however much we boggle at the night sky on evenings like these.

Not to mention the fond memory of one small boy - soon to be 25 - and his devoted Grandma, who we miss especially at this time of the year.

Come for another walk, part two

Refreshed?  Rested?  Off we go again.

The next part of our route takes us through Exchange Square, amongst the busy office workers to Liverpool Street Station, from where we could catch a bus and save our feet for another day.

I'm not sure if station buildings have always been so fascinating or whether the refurbished St Pancras has simply raised my awareness, but I thought Liverpool Street Station was looking particularly good this afternoon.  What do you think?

We were headed for the National Portrait Gallery, to see art we knew and loved and perhaps encounter one or two new people?

Sure enough, there was an interesting photographic portrait competition on show, with images to admire and to provoke conversation.  We also rather enjoyed the Twiggy portraits, admiring how beautiful she remains!

Feeling a little weary, we settled into the Portraits cafe on the top floor of the gallery, for  a restorative cup of tea and watched the sun go down over the city.  There, far in the distance, we could see Westminster, where, we hoped, Edward would be gathering his things together in preparation to meet us for dinner.

Down in the Square, we stood and listened for a short time to a somewhat dishevelled group sing a few carols by the Christmas tree, then set off, past the Bear in the Square to walk and build up our appetite for dinner. 

Window shopping around Jermyn Street and Bond Street wasn't quite in the same league as Fifth Avenue but we enjoyed the visual feast nevertheless.

We particularly liked the Christmas lights in the streets around here this year, all on a similar theme of white shapes.  Here in Albemarle Street, the icicles are fun in a drippy sort of way, whilst over in Oxford Street, there are umbrellas to deal with that.

Dinner at The Albemarle was terrific.  The food and the company were so good that we totally forgot to look at the artwork!  We'll just have to go again...

Come for another walk with me

this time, in London, where I've been spending a few days with my Californian friend, Mary.

Let's start in Whitechapel Road, near the surprisingly smart apartment we've called home for the last few days.  Here's an interesting archway to whet our artistic appetite.

with a map, to get our bearings.

First stop, The Womens Library, to visit a fascinating exhibition about Feminism in the '70s.  I take so much for granted but am grateful to those women who worked so hard to ensure that I am able to do what I do today.  Equally interesting for me is the styling and design of the exhibit itself as well as one or two particularly eye-catching pieces

"Setting a table is a form of Art to a Woman" - an embroidery by Berta Freistadt, c1975

Next stop, the somewhat apropriately named Petticoat Lane market area, looking a little forlorn today and highlighting the huge contrasts in this area, between the new and shiny and the faded, down at heel.

Working our way through the old streets in and around Aldgate, we pay particular attention to the walls

Let's turn down Fashion Street and head for Brick Lane.  As we walk along, we'll notice how the old facades hide altogether different structures behind them and how the old traditional buildings are accomodating new, technology-driven business.

Here, at the junction between Fournier Street and Brick Lane, the barriers around some roadworks provide a canvas for art.

All around us is evidence of the many layers of community history.  Does it provoke similar curiosity with you?  We want to learn more about the people who have lived and worked in the area, to find out about what they did and how they lived.

Let's step inside this shop full of marvellous things we are so happy to own - and yet more that we covet.  Polly George's ceramics, gorgeous letterpress cards and intriguing jewellery with hidden meanings.  A conversation about lovely things is a delight and it's hard to leave but we must move on.

Before we do, we'll spend a while admiring the shop next door, the Brick Lane Gallery.

then we'll offer a reminder to "look up!".  When art is all around, it's easy to miss all kinds of fascinating sights.

Crossing Commercial Street, towards Spitalfields Market, we're starting to feel a little hungry.  Shall we look for somewhere to eat lunch?

Something tells me that this is becoming quite a smart area now.

and yet around every corner, there's a surprise.  Once inside the market building however, we're spoiled for choice - pasta, noodles, wholefood, Spanish, Indian, Mexican or...

Leon

We'll sit and take a break over lunch.  Join me again in a while and we'll continue our journey.