Snapshots of London

There's been something wrong, something that I couldn't quite get right in my mind, then the gas lamp was lit in my brain and it hit me!  It's been ages since the last time I jumped off the train at Kings Cross and walked my old home town's roads and bridges.  I needed my London fix!

This time though, my usual steadfast and reliable camera was going to have to stay at home and I was going to give my phone a test.  You see, I had a near miss in my car a few weeks ago and after x rays and a scan, it appears I have been walking around with a torn tendon and a broken bone in my shoulder!  Don't worry, I will survive and just thank my blessings that it wasn't a lot more serious. But, let's get back to the phone, it's great for quick shots and after editing with PicMonkey, here's what me, Miss Teen and a new one to you all, her friend Mr J decided to do on this warm autumn's day.

Firstly we felt the need to pop off to Oxford Street to look in the Lush store.  That distinctive, welcoming smell of home made toiletries, trying things out and being dazzled by the array of colour, smells and textures really is a wonderful experience.

How could you not go in to such a store.  Every Lush I have been in has always been so friendly and the staff are incredibly knowledgeable and helpful.

Oxford Street was busy, as usual, and above our heads the Christmas decorations were being put into place.  The picture I didn't get was of the workmen abseiling down the larger stores with strings of lights, ready to cloak them in curtains of light.

I suppose we could have stayed a bit longer but our original plan was to go along to Camden Town, so back down into the very warm underground and across London to this vibrant area.

It didn't disappoint!  No Santas this time (my last post is here), but extremely busy, probably more than it was last time.

The Mad Hatter was still here (I apologise to this family for putting this shot on who decided to take a selfie, but they were brilliant weren't they!).

The street was as vibrant as ever with its array of shops.

And of course, Camden Lock.  No narrow boats passing, just the odd duck and people jostling.

It was lunch time, and the diversity of the shops reflects with the diversity of food on offer too.  Very cramped, a 'just go with it' moment!  The trouble with diversity of street food, is that when you are hungry it makes decisions so, so hard!

Shall we go with Peruvian? Turkish? Mac and Cheese? Shrimp? Thai? Kebab? Quinoa (why?)? So many more, all offering a sample for you to try, and all cooked fresh.  

We went around again and nearly went for Peruvian as we hadn't tried that before - until I realised there were red kidney beans in there.  No, that decided that one.  Then, Jamaican!  Yes, that was the one with its jerk chicken and fried plantain.  It was delicious and perfectly cooked.  With bellies full, it was then time to have a look around the various markets.

The Stables Market is amazing and this is where I really missed by old faithful camera!  The original details are still there amongst the stalls, and to look down each alley was a sheer delight, not just with the colour and selection of goods on the stalls, but also the carvings and nostalgia associated with this area.  This is where the injured horses that were pulling the canal boats would be treated in the horse hospital in Victorian times.

Of course, you can't come to Camden without seeking out Amy Winehouse's statue!

I think because it was so crowded (and missing my camera), I was losing steam.  It was time to head off to the Thames, after all, I can't come to London without waving hello to the Thames could I?!

On the tube again, poor Mr J! and off at the Embankment with a quick walk across Hungerford Bridge to the South Bank.  

Again, another vibrant area of the City with various street acts and of course, the typical touristy views.

With the sun heading down it was time to think of home.  So let's walk some more!!  Across Westminster Bridge.

Down Whitehall and past Downing Street.

Down the Mall and into Green Park looking back at Buckingham Palace.

It was tiring (especially having to stand for a while on the train home!!), but we all thoroughly enjoyed it and my London fix was accomplished.

On other news, we have a birthday coming up... Miss Teen is going to be 16 next week!  I can't believe where the time has flown and how my baby has grown.  I'll be thinking about all the years while I carve the pumpkins and get the house ready for Halloween and the trick or treaters (or as she used to call them 'trickle treaters'.

I will do my best to catch up with you all this week once my painkillers settle in and give me a little bit of comfort... and sleep! And I can sit back on the bus and indulge myself in some blog reading while someone else drives!  I am thinking positively and as this street artist so brilliantly wrote...

You have to smile at the mirror for the mirror to smile back.

Have a Happy Halloween

ps. I am sorry for the photos and the variety of shapes, this post nearly didn't make it into blogland!