In london, every Saturday morning there is a massive stampede. A rush of shoppers, antiquers (is that a word?), tourists, and what have you. They all funnel onto Portabello Road. Its crazy crowded, but crazy fun. Lots of highbrow stuff but even for those of us who dont want to drop a mortgage payment on a china teapot, there are more modest offerings. It’s a mix of stores and fleamarket finds set up on tables. It’s wall-to-wall people. And as luck has it, the posh flat where I’m staying is only a few quick blocks from the center of things. So off I head with a friend to scour the market for fun gifts, cheap finds, and interesting wares. It was a glorious sunny warm day during the morning. Almost hot. Well, for London standards I suppose it has been hot, espcially for April. I didnt buy much, but did purchase 2 wonderfully funky unique warm scarves. I know, I know, it’s coming up to summer, so I know I can’t wear them for another 5 months, but I couldn’t resist.
Of course, soon we find ourselves hungry and thirsty, and in need of a nice lunch. Everything is bursting at the seams with no open tables unless they are in the blazing hot sun. So we search around and come across a small little spanish cafe with 4 tables outside in the shade . We take a seat and order a tasting menu of tapas. And a pitcher of sangria. OMG, it was the best sangria ever. Perfect for the warm day. Then the food arrived. It was yummy (mostly). Not the best I’ve had, but certainly enjoyable. I sat and enjoyed myself for almost 2 hours. Struck up conversation with a woman next to me for awhile. Overall, a wonderful time of relaxation, great people watching, and time with a friend.
On the way back to the flat, my friend and I stop at the market to get a few groceries. When we walked out, torential downpour. What happened to the sun? Yikes. We sprint to Starbucks (1 block) so I can check email. There was no use in dashing the 2 blocks to the flat because within the first 10 seconds, we were drenched. So we embraced the rain and sloshed our way home to dry out and relax for the rest of the afternoon.
I’m now obsessed with developing the most awesome sangria recipe
If you missed it, be sure to check out the rest of my London adventure featuring music, shopping, and a royal wedding.
London Bound
An American In London
Hammer No More The Fingers @ Notting Hill Arts Club
Strummerville and Frank Turner’s 1000th gig
The Airborne Toxic Event @ Koko London
Superhero band Justice Force 5 in Camden Town
London and Royal Wedding Souvenirs
Kensington gardens and Afternoon tea at the Orangery
The Royal Wedding
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by leighann
2 comments
Afternoon Tea in Kensington Palace - [...] Royal Wedding Souvenirs [...]
Adelaide - Fun! Those masks were a wee bit creepy.