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A behind-the-scenes look at everyday London life for an ex-pat family in this fascinating, historic, funky, fun city.
To market, to market, to buy a fat pig, home again, home again, jiggety-jig! Well actually, we didn't buy any fat pigs (the customs patrol at the airport would have frowned on that), though we did return home with a suitcase full of fun and distinctively unusual things (to the average tourist) after a ten day visit doing Everyday London with our daughter and her family in London, including a short getaway to Cornwall, England.
Being an island, England has wonderful sea salt and we always pick up enough Maldon Sea Salt to give as gifts and to keep us cooking till we return. Maldon, England is only 50 miles north of London and so this chef's choice salt is very inexpensive and readily available at every grocery store. With Cornwall surrounded by the sea on three sides, the Cornish are also famous for their salt, so a few containers of Cornish Sea Salt were tucked away among our other stash.
There's also unique glassware, fun bowls and miscellaneous "treasures" from the many charity shops (the equivalent of our thrift stores, but tiny, quaint and definitely one-of-a-kind) that line the streets of London. I have hard time passing by them without taking a quick browse; you just never know what you'll discover (plus they are among the few shops I can afford in London!).
Probably the strangest thing that found its way into our suitcases on this visit was thirteen pounds of Cornish slate! Slate? Oh yes, we fell in love with some slate place mats while in Cornwall and knew they'd be a lovely prop background for our Café photography. Be on the lookout, you'll be sure to spot these in future posts! The only problem was for poor Scott; we divided the four pieces between our two carry-on bags and, being the gentleman that he is, he's the one who hoisted those slate-laden bags into the airline's overhead bin!
Since we arrived home on Sunday, I've been to the grocery store, stocked the cupboards and my oven, dishwasher and KitchenAid are quite pleased to be back in commission after a ten day sabbatical. We've got a ton of Fall and holiday recipes planned for the weeks ahead, but we thought, along with a peek into our suitcases, we'd give you a glimpse of everyday London life. Nothing fancy or touristy, just a few of the unique aspects of ordinary life in this bustling city of 8 million. ................
In the past, I was always a bit envious of the children flying down the street on their scooters in everyday London. It looked like such fun. Annie, got a new scooter just before we arrived this time and it can bear an adult's weight! She so kindly allowed me to borrow it and I loved it! Even Papa Scott thought it was quite cool to scoot!
Because of the crazy traffic, another very common and popular mode of transportation are bicycles. Our son-in-law, Josh, rides his bike to work every day, 8 miles, right through the heart of London traffic. It worried me at first, but London drivers are highly trained to always be on the lookout for bicyclers and motorscooters, since there are so many. In fact, drivers are taught and trained to continuously check all of their mirrors while driving, mostly due to the abundance of cyclists on the roads.
We also happened to be there for some fun everyday London events the girls were involved in ..............
Because the houses are primarily tall, attached row houses in London, most families have little or no yards (gardens) for children to play in. The British solution? Tons of beautiful parks.
There's so much more to share with you about everyday London life, but I'll stop for now, since you and I both have lots to do. I'll leave you with a view from our tiny, charming room, way up on the 4th floor of our daughter's home. We have a wonderful vista; London rooftops, church steeples and a few modern skyscrapers. Some might not think it too exciting, but for Scott and me, it's quite enchanting. We call it our "Mary Poppin's" room and every time I look out at the slanted rooftop windows, I expect to see a chimney sweep. I always get the urge to start singing:
Be sure to check back on Friday. We'll be sharing just a touch more of our trip with a delicious Roasted Veggie Coconut Curry our daughter prepared for us on our first evening in London. It's loaded with wonderful veggies and fabulous flavor. I begged her to make it again before we left and we used that fun purple cauliflower you see in the photo above. Scott snapped a few photos of it up in the Mary Poppin's room, the only place that still had decent light. Annie was our photo shoot assistant, and a very good one at that!
You'll love it!!
Kyle says
Loved reading your post today with all of your family adventures, London style. Great looking scooters.
Monet says
Oh my goodness! What a beautiful beautiful family! You are a wonderful grandma. I loved seeing all these pictures...it made me miss our time in London. Thank you for sharing this with us. The happiness just emanates off the screen!
Veronica Miller says
Aren't you the coolest Grandma ever, scooting down the road with your girls? So cute! Love these gorgeous photos. Do you think you'd ever move there? I mean, isn't it hard to leave? It's so beautiful! Or is that just your husband's photography skills fooling me? 😉
Chris Scheuer says
That's a great question Veronica. I don't think we'd be moving there but we sure love to visit! We do have a little sweetheart right here in Raleigh, so that's a lot of fun too!
Mari @ Once Upon a Plate says
Oh Chris ~ what a DELIGHTFUL post! I enjoyed it so much, gorgeous photos and what a beautiful family you have --- I agree with Nana/Monique just above... great genes! 😀 This was a fun mini-vacation for me, thank you so much. xo
La Table De Nana says
I Love the family pics..
What genes!!!
It's so funny we had Oli (4) all day today..since 9..and I took pics of him on his bike..and with ducks etc..they are such munchkins and make my heart sing.
Every single one of you is beautiful:)
I guess I should look at the recipe now..
🙂
Lynn@Happier Than a Pig in Mud says
Looks like you had a fantastic trip Chris! All great pics, for some reason those olives really caught my eye:@)
Claire @ Claire K Creations says
Chris you are possibly the coolest and cutest grandma around! What beautiful photos and I can't believe the little man is so grown up already. Wasn't he only born two seconds ago?!?
Now.... a bowl of raspberries for $1.60?!?! I may have to fly all the way there just for those!
Gloria Baker says
what lovely Pictures Chris, your grandchildren are beautiful and you look amazing!!! xo
Liz Berg says
I love, love the top photo of you and your grandchildren on scooters! They must be thrilled when you come to visit...you packed a lot of fun into your London time 🙂
Meredith says
Thank you for this post! I enjoyed reading about everyday life in London. I went one time when I was 18, but now I really want to go back again!! I just love your recipes (especially your soups) and your blog. Thanks!!
Mary Callan says
Your grandchildren are gorgeous!! and thanks SO much for "taking" us with you to London - I do love to go back!!
Mary x
Kim G. says
I envy you with this trip, looks like lot of fun!
Lenia says
Oh Chris,this is your most beautiful post ever!I really enjoyed it!You are blessed to have such a nice family!Take care,dear!
Grace B says
Thank you for your delightful blog! This was inspiring on so many levels.
Grace B says
This was COMPLETELY delightful. Thank you for this post. I'm inspired and it makes me want to go visit London again! 🙂
Ginny says
Thus is my favorite post of yours EVER!!!! Your family is just beautiful, and I LOVE touring around with you. Your stories about the bikes are so interesting, I had no idea! And also that there are no school buses! The children's laughing faces are just wonderful! And my, that boat is so long!! She IS brave!! I think my favorite picture today is the wonderful one of all of you on the scooters laughing, AWESOME!!!!
Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl says
Your pictures made me smile so much, what a fun post! Loving those action shots - what happiness shoots through the pictures!
Elisabeth Foodandthrift says
Chris, thanks for sharing all the beautiful, and fun photos, love the idea of the bicycle rentals...would certainly take up that offer if/when visiting London. Your daughter and granddaughters are truly sweet and beautiful, and the market photos just blowing me away, Those purple cauliflowers are unreal, and the olives selection...oh, my! You all are glowing with happiness and joy...a 'lifetime full' of amazing memories! xo
Denise Browning@From Brazil To You says
Such lovely pictures, Chris! I am so happy that you are having such a fun time in London while visiting your family. Enjoy a lot!
Foodycat says
Beautiful pictures!
Charlotte Moore says
Such sweet memories with your grands.
Angie Schneider says
What a fun loving post, Chris. You have some really sweet and beautiful granddaughters. I really love the first photo of you and your 3 sweet gals.
Marina says
Hi Chris, what a lovely post! You made me smile with the opening line: to market, to market... I "sing" it each time I go to the Farmer's Market here in town. 🙂 The scooters, I think I am going shopping for one now! I was thinking of it for some time as Seattle has this crazy traffic and public transportation is a way to go, although sometimes you need to cover quite a great distance to a bus stop. I am inspired by your post! I am glad to be back to blogging and see all my friends! Looking forward for this delicious Roasted Veggie Coconut Curry! 🙂
Nora says
Hi Chris, thank you for sharing, i enjoyed looking (and reading) all the photos. You have a lovely family!
Danielle says
What a lovely post and such beautiful family photos! Love the scooting ones especially, and I love your positive take on this big old town! I live here and love the parks too, they are essential if you don't have a garden. I'm curious as to the market with the £1 bowls of fruit and veg and the purple caulies, would you mind hinting whereabouts this market is? Looking forward to the veggie curry recipe, the shot looks amazing.
Danielle says
Hi Chris, thank you so much for the information about the market and the helpful tip about the street, I had figured the general area (a lovely part of London) but had not heard of this market. It's on my list now as I also love the markets here, like you!
Danielle says
P.S. I forgot to say that I have been following your blog for a while and love it!
Chris Scheuer says
Hi Danielle. thanks so much for your kind words! We just love your city, as you can tell. 🙂 The market that's not far from my daughter's home, is the North End Road Market. It's open every day except Sunday and if you haven't been there, it's just amazing! That street is also lined with really interesting ethnic grocers, bakeries and meat markets. It's so fun!
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks so much Danielle! If you go to North End Market, the best day is Saturday as all the vendors are there 🙂