What's Past is Prologue

When many of the world's greatest churches and cathedrals were being built, the idea behind the architecture of these churches and cathedrals -- with their flying buttresses and vaulted ceilings -- was to be a grand express of God's awesome power.  St. Paul's Cathedral is no exception.  Its intimidating dome looms over the London skyline, while its innumerable columns support its massive structure.

After spending time at the Cathedral, I walked over the Millennium Bridge to the Tate Modern.  This art museum is arguably one of the best modern art collections in the world.  The building that houses the art is abruptly modern, with very little decoration.  No surprise that it is a former power plant.

I spent a couple of hours in the museum, and as I walked out, I looked over the Millennium Bridge at St. Paul's Cathedral.  The bridge connects the ancient and the modern.  Each day, quite literally, people travel back and forth between the past and the future.  The bridge reveals a stark rendering of a choice we have to make almost daily -- How much of the past will I carry with me as I move forward?  Or will I move forward at all?

A Taste of Seasonal Britain

A dear friend recommended the restaurant Bumpkin to me, and I had the loveliest time there the other night.  It is a fashionable restaurant with several locations in London, and I visited the one in South Ken.  The restaurant offers seasonal fare and draws upon Great Britain's own products.

The inside of the restaurant is a bit dark -- but in a cozy, warm sort of way.  It has a very English countryside look to it, which, of course, I absolutely adore.  Furniture and fabrics are layered, and there's just a touch of quirkiness.  Little vases of flowers that looked freshly picked from someone's garden were sprinkled around the restaurant.

This macaroni and cheese was pretty darn incredible.  The short, fat pasta was great with the Béchamel-like sauce.

A salad made of peas, "broad beans" and asparagus with a tomato dressing.  I think broad beans are lima beans -- still learning some of the local words!  There wasn't much to this salad other than the ingredients I listed -- and that was perfect, because I could really taste the fresh vegetables.  A wonderful evening, and I look forward to going again soon!

Columbia Road Flower Market

This past Sunday, I went to the Columbia Road flower market in northeast London.  It was a bit of a hike from where I'm staying, but well worth it.  I always enjoy discovering new parts of a city, and this area was lively, diverse and had real heart to it.  The flower market is held every Sunday and is about two or three blocks long.  The market is lined with dozens of stalls, and it is packed to the gills with people!  

I loved this guy.  Full of laughter and constantly moving -- and could you just die for his outfit?!

This seller kept yelling, "OMG! Lilies for a fiver!"  He was a crowd favorite and sold lots of plants.

This young girl was sweet and well-mannered.  She quietly offered flowers and quietly took people's payments.

Peonies are a hugely popular item at the flower market.  Nearly every flower stall sold large amounts of them.  Most of the peonies were the lighter pink color -- but there were some white and magenta ones as well.  Everywhere I looked, it seemed that someone was carrying away a bunch of them.  By 12:30, one stall already was sold out of peonies!

If they run out of peonies, just buy a tree.

The Sweets of South Ken

Well, I haven't even been here a week, but I've already acquainted myself with most of the sweet shops surrounding the South Kensington Tube station.  I plan on conquering the remaining ones next week.  May I present to you Hummingbird Bakery, Osborne's of London, Gail's and Scoop?

I consider myself a bit of a cupcake aficionado, and let me say, Hummingbird Bakery does not disappoint.  It is the first cupcakery in London and always is full of people.  It offers standard flavors such as chocolate, vanilla and red velvet.  It also creates new flavors such as the American Brunch flavor below.  It's Wimbledon season around here, and Hummingbird Bakery got into the spirit with these fantastic tennis-themed cupcakes.  They tasted scrumptious as well!

This ice cream truck is parked on Exhibition Road, which is the road you walk up from the South Ken Tube station to Kensington Gardens and to Hyde Park.  I'm pretty certain their products are made out of either whole milk or legit cream, because the ice cream is very rich.   And consequently, addictive.

Oh, Gail's.  Where do I begin?  I love this darling, little bakery.  It is perched right on a corner and opens up to the bustle of the South Ken area.  I've tried the carrot cake and the shortbread cookies -- both were delicious. Its packaged baked goods make great gifts for visitors or hosts.  It also offers great options for a light lunch for a picnic in Kensington Gardens.

If you don't have time to skip over to Italy and have some gelato, never fear -- South Ken brings you Scoop! This place always has a line out the door, and for good reason.  It has a couple of dozen flavors.  I died and went to heaven when I ordered Bacio and Tiramisu.

What are some of your favorite sweet shops where you live?  What are some of your favorite sweets to eat?