acechick

London Tuesdays

The computer is in the shop. The CD/DVD drive hasn't been working since the hard drive was replaced in the Great Crash of 08.

It took a while to notice that something was amiss,, then a bit longer to care, and then of course came the Big Trip... so I've only just got around to doing something about it. And was duly chastised by Diego at the Genius Bar for being so slack (umm kid? I've been using macs since before you hit primary school, so quit the attitude & fix the bloody machine).

So we're looking at a minimum of 5-7 working days. Meanwhile I'm using the iPhone app to publish this, which of course is no fun in the typing department.

I did however get to Seven Dials today & took pics for LT. Which you will be able to see when our normally scheduled programming returns.

London Tuesdays

Although my French class is on Wednesdays, I figured the Institut Français and South Kensington tube station interesting enough material for London Tuesdays.

(OK, I'm lazy. But this is all you get.)

The Museum of Natural History at the end of the road.

Situated on the top floor of the Institut is the café (deliciously yummy food) and outdoor area.

With views over connecting buildings (some of which also occupied by the Institut).

I love looking at the beautiful signage on the tube entrance. "The ironwork is a fine example of the Arts and Crafts style, which was fashionable in public architecture at this time." (South Kensington Underground Development Action Group)

This station was built by the Metropolitan Railway in 1868. It's one of the first examples of an arcade being built at a station.

This tunnel was created at the time that the museums were built.

The District line platform itself is not at all underground-like.

cycling along the canal

We cycled to the gym at Canary Wharf today, following pretty much the route I used to take to work (but continuing along the canal to the end).

This is where a WWII bomb was found in 1997, during construction of the building on the left.

We were shocked to see earthmovers and apparent construction in the parkland near the The Palm Tree. You can see more detail on Google Maps (including the warehouses that were demolished to uncover the bomb).

It seems that a footbridge is being built to link the park to one on the other side. So not that sinister.

In addition to the swans, we saw a turtle! Very unusual.

Toward the end of the route is this building that has me intrigued.
The side of the building reads:

"The house they left behind". I love it!

Bluebells

The bluebells are out in Wanstead Park!

Occurs for just a week or two each year.

Hopefully they'll still be around next week. We'll be back to check.

My strange dog

Rosie got up from her cushion next to the heater, stretched and walked the 2 metres over to her other favourite (downstairs division) place to sleep, the brown chair.

For some reason, she paused at the smaller orchid and took a bite out of the leaf!

A big crunch as though it was a stick of celery.

And then continued on to the brown chair.

Handbag Heaven

The Wednesday night knitting group took advantage of the free cocktails and canapes at Liberty and Marc Jacobs presents Handbag Heaven do.

The cocktails weren't very interesting and the canapes were bleh... but the bags? WERE DREADFUL. Check here for the full collection. Although there are one or two on his site that I wouldn't give back if given for free, Liberty seemed to get the worst of it.

Lots of beautiful people (look, it's Ginger Lucy!) and a really simple DJ (at back). There were a couple of photographers none of whom took my photo!

The (middle) floor was blocked off for the event.

So of course we retired to the knitting section. Which has sadly been relocated yet again. Shame, because the last place was brilliant, lots of space and light.

Bloody Liberty.

[Happy birthday Lara!]

London Tuesdays

The joy of London Tuesdays usually lies in what I find en route to other destinations.

Having missed knitting at Foyles, I convinced Fred to come into town with me to buy my French textbook at Cutler and Grant. While there, we decided to see the Kuniyoshi exhibition at the Royal Academy.

Walking this route, (the detour was lunch) I noticed this view of Nelson's Column and um... something behind it (can't be Westminster, can it?)

More interestingly, just before the Royal Academy I noticed this little street:

Housing a rather grand building:

There was no hint to what it might be apart from the brass plaque stating "Albany House".

I've now discovered that it was designed by Sir William Chambers (of Somerset House fame) in 1771–4 for the first Lord Melbourne. The Duke of York bought it, went bankrupt and it was sold off as 69 flats in the early 19th century. The term "Bachelor of the Albany" was used for "man about town". As far as I can work out, it's still residential apartments.

I peeked in the doors and could see through the building toward a long covered walkway. It seems it stretches the entire block, with another entrance on Burlington Gardens.

And then on to the exhibition.

Easter

Easter wombat: Breezy Bree came over for a marathon session of Season 2 "Top Design" viewed on the appleTV. This machine rawks now that we have the new telly. Ended up with sore bum and sugar overload. Success for Easter!

pub lunch

We took our pub lunch a day early this week. Not because of Good Friday but because the cleaner came late and we wanted to get out of her way (we spent the morning at the gym).

Back at the Royal Inn, they usually have one sandwich option. Today was roast beef with horse radish (always with a side of chips).

Rosie was very keen to try some.

filming

This film crew have been all over the village today.
On the way to the park they were at the south end and by the time I got back they had moved to opposite our flat.

Fred seems to think it's for a mobile phone ad.

And in totally unrelated filming, these enormous lights were erected outside the pub.

Maybe I could get a job as an extra?