I have to confess that I didn't take many photos in London but I am full of mental images! We had a great time, walking, talking and walking, going to places from the past and to completely new ones thus making the whole trip a completely new experience to remember. The hotel was great, stylish and very clean but with small, essential rooms and with a green policy that I think is great as well. It was good to retire there in the evenings and I even got to see Julie and Julia, I didn't feel like seeing it but I am happy I did because the parts with Meryl Streep are so good, both because she is a good actress but also because Julia Child is/was such an inspiring person. The food blog parts I didn't like, I found them boring and I wish they had just made a film about Julia Child instead, it would have gained a lot from that in my eyes. See, I did find something to complain about.
I managed to meet up with an old food blogging friend, Johanna from thepassionatecook, a truly lovely woman who I hope to meet soon again! Maybe we will if the logistics over here work because there is a European food blogger's conference 4-6 June in London.
But we didn't only walk, we ate and drank as well. My birthday dinner (because this was a birthday gift trip) was at a really nice restaurant, About Thyme. Good food for very reasonable prices in a nice place and above all, incredible service, they made us feel as if we were dining in a three star restaurant! It was a memorable evening. I also spent enjoyable hours sipping cocktails in the Aethenaum hotel in Mayfair with K and a very old friend that I hadn't seen for 20 years but it was as if we had met yesterday, that is how it is with true friends I find, you just go on where you left it.
Yesterday I was supposed to meet up with the food photographer Marie-Louise Avery (who I regard a bit like my guru) in her studio but I, my stupid twit, forgot her mobile number and I couldn't get into my email account from the hotel so I did some sentimental walking on my own in the basking spring sun. And then I went home and it is so nice to back with my family. And with you too!
I'm pleased to hear you enjoyed your trip and had a very pleasant birthday! Your photographs remind me of my year in London. This is exactly how I remember it.
ReplyDeleteWelcome back! I love the early springness of your photos, such a beautiful time of year.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you had a good time. I would love to meet Johanna too, her blog has such creative recipes. Your photos are beautiful too. No trips to London for me this summer, but next year I really must come to Europe!
ReplyDeletehttp://merisi.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteWonderful postcards from London, telling of Spring!
I am so glad you had such an interesting break from the everyday.
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ReplyDelete<span>WOW! I love London. I think my heart belongs there. Don't know why. People are so kind...</span>
And your pictures! Gorgeous! Delightful!
<span>I agree totally with you about "Julie & Julia". Glad to read your opinion; I thought I was the only one to think that only te "Julia" parts were great. </span>
Spécialiste de l'éphémère
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Glad you're back! Sounds like you had a lovely trip.
ReplyDeleteWelcome back and Happy Belated Birthday! Spring time in London. I've been to London twice in my life and each time in the spring. Thanks for the memories.
ReplyDeleteThank you, I'm happy that our views concord!
ReplyDeleteThank you Marsha!
ReplyDeleteoh you must! Johanna is so nice and she overloaded me with gifts!
ReplyDeleteThank you-grazie!
ReplyDeleteI'm happy I'm not alone, thanks for letting me know and for your kind words!
ReplyDeletethanks, I'm happy too!
ReplyDeleteThank you Janet!
ReplyDeleteOh it's good to have you back - loving these shots of london the actually have flowers growing there! spring! lovely. i was hoping the i would finally meet johanna in june but she's ditching us again!
ReplyDeleteGlad you had a nice time and have returned safe and sound. Happy Birthday!
ReplyDeletePaz xoxo
So pleased you had a brilliant time, and meeting up with friends too! You certainly ate and drank in some fine places :) you deserve to .. it was your birthday!!
ReplyDeleteEek - I was 45 mins away on a train! \i could have stepped in and showed you my fave Plague pit! ;o) xx
ReplyDeleteSo pleased to hear you had a lovely time, I was thinking of you and wondering what sites you were seeing and friends you were meeting.
ReplyDeleteFunny I only just saw Julie and Julia too, last night in fact! I totally agree.. I wanted more of Julia Child, bless her! And much less of Julie and her blog, it all seemed so false and stupid, I couldn't read her book, couldn't make it through the 1st chapter even!
Det låter härligt Ilva! Och grattis på dig!
ReplyDeletePS Jag tror jag gillade filmen bättre än dig.
what wonderful pictures, ilva, as usual... make me see my city in a different light!
ReplyDeleteit was wonderfult o finally meet you , we must do this more often - unfortunately, the food blogger conference falls on a weekend when i'm holidaying in andalucia, but i am sure we'll find another occasion soon!
i will definitely pay about thyme a visit too, it sounds wonderful!
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Welcome back! Loved the report and photos.... agree with you on the Julie and Julia movie, I could not get enough of Julia, but was "done" with Julie after 5 minutes :)
ReplyDeleteLovely post - I had fun going through the photos spotting where you were =) Such a shame you didn't let me know earlier, we could have met up while you were here. Maybe at FBC? x
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