A Trip to Denmark Street and Covent Gardens

Originally Denmark street was laid out in the 17th century and named after King George of Denmark. In the 19th and 20th centuries it became a hub for sheet music sales, instrument shops and music publishers and in the mid 20fh century it attracted many famous musicians. Some notable names are David Bowie, Elton John, The Rolling Stones and the Sex Pistols.

Today Denmark is still home to many instrument shops and recording studios but the surrounding area has been demolished and redeveloped.

After exploring the street and checking out the guitars at No Tom Guitars we were in pursuit of lunch. We walked down some small streets with very trendy shops and we ended up in Covent Garden.

By the time we decided on Buns and Buns for lunch it was already mid afternoon so we only ordered a couple appetizers so that we wouldn’t spoil our appetites for dinner. A bit pricey but very tasty. https://www.bunsandbuns.com/

A Surprise Visit to Abby Road

then lunch in a pub and a walk through Hyde Park

Kevin decided to surprise me with a secret itinerary into central London today. We walked to the Arsenal Station and took the Piccadilly line to Green Park and then transferred onto the Jubilee line. Three stops later we got off at St. John’s Wood.

As we started walking Kevin hesitated for a moment and checked his phone for directions. A kind man asked if we were looking for Abby Road. Our destination was no longer a surprise but I was very moved by Kevin’s plan. He knows that I was and still am a big Beatles fan.

The famous crossing on Abby Road

The actual studio is heavily guarded but there is a gift shop that is open to the public.

We considered going to some of the other iconic Beatles landmarks but they were all very far apart and not easy to walk to so we opted to get some lunch instead.

We headed to Bakers Street and had a nice meal at the Allsop Arms. I had the steak sandwich and lemonade and Kevin had the chicken BLT and a non alcoholic Peroni.

The forecasted rain held off and we made our way south to Hyde Park. We entered from the north east side and continued along the path towards the Serpentine Lake. As we got closer to the lake we were happy to see benches to rest our weary feet.

After a short rest we continued heading south to the south end of Hyde Park.

On the way out of the park I saw the rose garden and suggested to Kevin that he could rest some more while I quickly checked out the flowers.

All in all it was a great outing and when we got home Brendan cooked us dinner and Sevin set up her hairdressing parlour and gave Oma and Big Papa a makeover. If our son shares his photos with me I might share them with you. All I can say is that it was crazy fun and there was a lot of laughing.

A Walk Through Camden Passage in Angel

closer to home

We didn’t want to go too far afield today because we had to pick up Sevin from school. After a good hearty breakfast at the flat we headed out to catch the #4 bus to Islington Green.

We stopped in Waterstones bookstore to look around and purchased a couple of paperbacks. After that we were desperate for a coffee and we stopped at the same coffee kiosk that we went to the last time we were here. Once we were satisfactorily caffeinated we continued our journey down Camden Passage.

We stopped in a great cheese store and purchased some yummy cheeses made in Britain. One of the cheeses, the cheddar to be exact came from a dairy in Devon. The cheese monger told us that he had been to that dairy and he claimed that the owner knew her cheese as well as she knew her cows. She has a herd of over 100 cows and she has named each one.

Before heading home to pick up Sevin we stopped at Cass Art to pick up more sketchbooks and watercolour paper. All in all a very enjoyable afternoon.

Pull Up a Seat Challenge at the Quilting Show – March 29, 2025

thanks to Xingfu Mama for hosting Pull Up a Seat https://xingfumama.blog/2025/03/28/pull-up-a-seat-photo-challenge-2025-week-13/

It was a little too chilly to be sitting here today but it would have been nice to take a load off after seeing the Quilt Show here. While I’m here I’ll also share a few photos of some of the amazing quilts that were on display.

Pull Up a Seat and Enjoy the Art

thanks to Xingfu Mama for hosting Pull Up a Seat https://xingfumama.blog/2024/09/06/pull-up-a-seat-photo-challenge-2024-week-36/

Last week my husband and I went to an opening of a show to remember and enjoy the works of the late Canadian artist Tom Hodgson. We thoroughly enjoyed the show and appreciated the seating where one could enjoy the art in comfort.

Monday Murals – Street Art from Brick Lane, London

taken back in May, 2024

Brick Lane is a famous street in the East End of London. If you’re a fan of graffiti and street art, then you’re in the right place – Brick Lane is famous for it. It has a large population of Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi immigrants and if you’re after a good curry this is the neighbourhood to travel to.

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The Numbers Game – #145

thanks to Judy for hosting the Numbers Game https://judydykstrabrown.com/2024/06/02/the-numbers-game-24-june-3-2024-come-play-along/

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Meal in a restaurant (outside of course) during COVID
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Shawl that I had just finished knitting
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View of the city from Centre Island
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View of the dock at Centre Island from the ferry
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Home on the Island
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I’m a Fan of….Everything Scottish

thanks to Jez for hosting I’m a fan of….https://jezbraithwaite.blog/2024/05/27/lensball-shots-re-imagined-as-ai-artwork-in-my-fan-of-series-6/

After our trip to the UK I’ve decided that I love Scotland and can’t wait to go back. Here are a few of my favourite images from our six days in Edinburgh, Dundee and Perth.

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The fancy pubs in Edinburgh
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Haggis baked in everything
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Victoria and Albert Museum in Dundee
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Teatime
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Fun Sculptures in Dundee
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Getting together with our son at V&A Dundee opening
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Sculptures in Perth
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One of the best restaurants that we experienced in Scotland in Perth
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View of the Tay in Dundee

Pull Up a Seat Photo Challenge from Peggy’s Cove

thanks to Xingfu Mama for hosting Pull up a Seat Challenge https://xingfumama.blog/2023/10/27/pull-up-a-seat-photo-challenge-2023-week-43/

Peggy’s Cove is a very beautiful but rugged seacoast tourist attractions. Recently a boardwalk and fenced deck was built to keep tourists safer and more comfortable. They don’t discourage you from walking right up to the lighthouse but they do post warnings that people have died on these rocks. I thought the seating was a nice touch.

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