London sparkles

The view from my room. I am going to miss this more than words can say.

This week, one of my co-workers has left on holidays (To Mexico no less) *jealous grumble*. As none of us (the co-workers) can take over the position, we hired a temp. Temps can be a good or a bad thing, as 1/2 the time you get a complete ignoramus who should actually be slapped for their idiocy, and the other half the time, you get people you fall a bit in love with. Lucky for me, this week it's the latter.

Leila is a young woman (nearing 30, I don't know if I can call her 'young' when I'm only just 20) from the US. Unfortunately, I admit that I subscribe to the stereotypical belief that Americans are arrogant rednecks who don't belong on the planet (prove me wrong, I beg of you!), but this woman is fabulous. Sweet, charming, funny, she has that bubbly confidence that borders on annoying, and yet, is infectious. She's very new to London, and speaking with her has reminded me of all the wonders London has to offer a newcomer, how fabulous and interesting every single experience was. I hate to admit it, but I think I nearly forgot about that. And so, here are some of my favourite moments in London, things that are out-of-this-world special to me, though I can't say I'll always be able to explain why.

1. London Fields & Broadway market on a warm day

Broadway market is a small set of stalls that sell mainly gourmet food and retro clothes, (like every other market in London). Come armed with £15. Buy a cider from the off license, then browse the stalls for your brunch, take it to neighbouring London Fields, sit with friends, eat, relax, play ball. There is something so therapeutic about this, despite the fact that everyone else is out to do exactly the same thing. There is a Lido (public pool) should you miss swimming, and disposable barbecues from Sainsbury's are also common choices for picnic-ers wanting a cheaper, more interactive affair. London Fields also becomes home to little 'mini Festivals' fairly often, live music, craft stalls, cupcakes, it just makes the opportunity to indulge all the more perfect.


2. Notting Hill, when it's freezing.

Ok, ok, I admit. This gets automatic inclusion because it signifies the real (1) beginning of my relationship with mon amour. We met, had a quick coffee in a shop that hands out your horoscope (the 12th house, my horoscope was awful - will post later), a walk down a bizarrely empty Portobello Road (it was -3.C and a weekday around 5pm, if you want to avoid crowds follow suit!). Portobello Road and Notting Hill in general is absurdly beautiful at any time of day or year, but when it's quiet and empty you can identify with it a little easier, it's the charm that hits you rather than how crowded it is. Due to pure hype, why not stop at The Hummingbird Bakery and get yourself a lovely but calorific cupcake? I can also recommend dinner at The First Floor Restaurant on Portobello road if you're feeling like splurging on an amazing, heavy meal. Other than that, Notting Hill boasts antiques, art, and the ever-fabulous (particularly if you fancy yourself a bit of an art-nerd like me) Electric Cinema.


3. Primrose Hill

It's not one of London's most exclusive addresses for no reason. Strategically located to epic market and fabulous nightlife in Camden, Primrose Hill is more or less the Notting Hill of the North, maybe even classier. Regents Park road (which is your easiest route to Primrose Hill if you get off at Chalk Farm tube station and cross the bridge) is a wonderful street with upmarket patisseries and home ware shops. Not for the poor. Primrose Hill itself offers a gorgeous view over London, and is popular for picnics between friends and the wealthy to take their dogs and/or children.

The view from Primrose Hill

4. Regent's Canal

Regent's Canal connects Limehouse Basin in the East to Little Venice in the North/West. As I live nearby, I love to walk to Victoria Park, and run/jog/walk (generally walk) North from there. I am probably going to do this today in fact. The canal is full of barges (some beautiful, some desperately needing TLC), and the sidewalk is often occupied by the health nut running to work on weekdays. On the weekend, though, even the health nuts seem to be a little more relaxed, and you can take in the pretty views of the canal while you walk from, for example, Bethnal Green to Camden. If you have the time, it's lovely, and it beats taking the claustrophobic tube by a mile.

Regent's Canal

5. The Christmas lights in and around Oxford Circus

With the 'festive season' looming, so too is the dismal London weather. London however puts a good effort into ignoring this, covering the city (the hot spots being Tottenham Court Road to Marble Arch and down Regent Street to Piccadilly Circus) in beautiful Christmas lights. Try and avoid going on the first night if you are claustrophobic, the streets are so crowded they divert buses. But these are romantic and lovely and almost makes you forget that you can't feel anything below your knees.


I can't say that these are particularly unusual sights, but for newcomers I have to recommend them. Whenever I think of them, I feel happy and nostalgic and I'm sure they'll be some favourite memories of London that I can keep with me for the rest of my life.

It is a very cold morning in mid-October and winter is already making itself known. It is dark when I wake up and more or less dark when I come home from work. Being Australian, this was an incredibly hard thing to adjust to, and a very strong  urge to hibernate arises from within and is very hard to fight off. But, in an effort to make the most of my last months in this wonderful city - I am taking a leaf out of Leila's book:

In Winter, London might go dark - but it sparkles.

(1) - This was our first date after our incredibly un-romantic meeting. Maybe I will tell more later.