My first trip to Europe was in 1997. Rory and I visited France, Italy, Spain and Switzerland. Since then, I’ve been to many other countries and some of the world’s greatest cities, yet I had not made it to London! I’m lucky to have friends who live in and near this amazing city, and many other friends who have spent time there, so I arrived with quite a list of recommendations for sights to see, neighborhoods to roam and restaurants to eat in. I stayed with Gabrielle and Andy, who live in the charming little town of Henley-on-Thames, about 30 minutes drive, or 1 hour train ride, west of London. On Sunday, my first full day, we drove into the city. Gabi and Andy were both generous hosts and amazing tour guides!
Columbia Road Flower Market is a great place to spend a Sunday. Flower and plant vendors set up shop on a street they share with some great little jewelry and houseware shops. This little band braved the cold and light rain to entertain shoppers outside the coffee shop.
This was the sign inside the little cafe. We ducked in for coffee and pastries while we thawed out.
I loved the wreaths with fall fruits and pine cones. How festive!
Gabi bought some gorgeous orange roses.
The produce vendor is one of many along Brick Lane.
Brick Lane Market is more than just a flea market. There are all sorts of food vendors selling baked goodies and ethnic cuisines, including Indian, Thai, Japanese, Ethiopian and Mexican.
After lunch, we braved the crowds in the Sunday Up Market and Old Spitalfields Market. There were a lot of booths with great independent artists selling everything from clothing and jewelry to home goods and retro items. What a fun way to spend a weekend!
When we’d had our fill of shopping, Andy gave me tour of the city. We drove across the Tower Bridge to the South Bank for great views of the skyline.
London Bridge - this modern bridge is the latest. There have been many replacements over the last 2,000 years.
Westward view along the Thames from just outside the OXO Tower.
After a dinner of fish and chips with mushy peas (which tastes better than it sounds), we continued my tour of London’s major sites. This is the London Eye, the biggest Ferris wheel in Europe.
A tour of London would not be complete with a Big Ben sighting!
