A heavenly morning it was for enjoying Hampstead Heath. The air was crisp, the luscious green pastures was welcoming people and their pets as the cityscape hid in the warmth of the distant haze from Parliament Hill. Even though the morning had just begun life was quickly taking shape and grew busier as various activity clubs strode into The Heath.
Here's my HD Youtube video of Hampstead Heath London
I had previously blogged about an afternoon weekday drop into Borough Market but this time it was an early Saturday morning visit to Borough Market and getting to the market really early does mean you avoid the unsurprisingly long queues and sea of people that converge on the market like a lunch time ritual.
Borough Market is located beside Southwark Cathedral at London Bridge and is a major attraction for both Londoners and tourists alike. It is the favourite food and vegetable market of some very famous household names and hoards of celebrity chefs and quite rightly so. There are three sections in the market (Jubilee, Green and Borough markets) and in each market you will discover fresh and natural produce and food sold by the same people that farmed and prepared them.
Here's my HD Youtube video of Borough Market
It was a beautiful sun-soaked Sunday as both Russians, Londoners and people from all walks of life joined in the celebration of Maslenitsa in Trafalgar Square. The lively folk music and dances took centre-stage amongst the busy family activity and souvenir stalls and while the traditional sweet and savoury blini (pancakes) sold like hotcakes (pardon the pun).
Here's a HD Youtube video of Maslenitsa in London
Together with Broadgate Circle Ice Rink, they will be the last of the London open-air Winter ice rinks that will close in a fortnight and reopen again next winter.
Here's a HD Youtube link of Canary Wharf Ice Rink
It's been a year since my first visit to the charming little Broadgate Circle Ice Rink. Apart from the construction rumble it is a delightful little round ice rink. There was a good turnout of skaters given that London was snowed in for the first time winter. The ice rink will only be open for two more weeks and will be one of the last two London open-air ice rinks to close this Winter - the other is Canary Wharf Ice Rink (which I will blog right after this).
These are your last 2 weeks to have a twirl or fall in the rink before it reopens again next Winter. It will be a wonderful outing for a romantic Valentine's day.
Here's a HD Youtube link of Broadgate Circle Ice Rink
Happy New Year to my visitors! 2012 will be a marked year of social change and positivity, buckle up!
The Somerset House open air ice skating rink is a major Winter attraction in London being situated just a short walk from the Oxford Circus high street stores and boutiques and Soho's pubs and restaurants. Only in Winter is the quadrangle courtyard with its wonderful fountains are transformed into an impressive ice skating rink.
Tiffany & Co. are the sponsors for the 5th year now and it's as magical and glamorous as ever. The DJed tunes and enchanting FX lighting set around beautiful enveloping historic architecture makes for a phenomenal experience.
Here's a HD Youtube video of the Somerset House ice rink
St Christopher's Place is a shoppers' retreat tucked away just paces of the extremely busy Oxford Street. Lined with a variety of modestly sized shops with their bright, oversized window displays it is lovely urban sanctuary off the beaten track.
Here's a HD Youtube video link of St Christopher's Place Christmas lights.
It was a blissful night with the dazzling London Eye Christmas lights illuminating the picturesque Thames River with a soft blue radiance. Awe and excitement emanated from its base as it turned gently before the passing crowds. It was clearly a sight to behold for it stood unwaveringly and with a great sense of pride.
Here's a HD Youtube video link of the London Eye Christmas lights and Eyeskate ice skating rink.
The Christmas lights on Camden High Street sparkled festively from Camden Market to Camden Lock. It brightened up Camden Town's irreverent everyday atmosphere. Tucked away from the High Street was the West Yard, popular for its open-air market stalls. It was beautifully lit in white and centred by a dazzling blue-lit tree.
Here's a HD Youtube video link of the Camden Christmas lights.
Nothing quite compares to the fun of ice skating in front of the monumental facade of the National History Museum. The ice rink is very popular with locals and visitors and provides for a relaxing atmosphere among the city's crawling traffic as it is among the largest open air ice skating rinks in the country - Hyde Park's Winter Wonderland Ice Rink is the largest.
A cafe bar overlooks the ice rink and is a great place for warming up or cooling down drinks before and after each hour-long skate sessions which run well into the night time. The cafe's balcony provides for an excellent view for those too afraid to skate and wish only to observe in the safety and comfort from above as newbie skater's stumble and fall.
Here's a HD Youtube video of the National History Museum ice skating rink
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