weekend sights

This weekend was  such a treat to have our friends Eric and Anna down from Durham to play in London with us. I feel as if throughout the entire weekend we were able to view the London sights from all the best angles. Ben and I love having guests and enjoyed getting to show them around the city.

Anna and Eric arrived on Thursday afternoon and we were able to make a dinner in before heading a few streets over to Gordon’s Wine Bar, the oldest wine bar in London. It was our first time visiting and Ben and I are now increasingly excited to return back to when the weather gets warmer. We most certainly will be ordering a cheese board and sitting on the terrace. I’m envisioning the whole sunset over the Thames, late summer night feel. The inside cellars are candle lit and the bar offers quite the selection of wine. Overall, a night well spent.

Friday, unfortunately I had to work (womp, womp), but Ben, Eric, and Anna got to play in the city and go for a run through Regent’s Park along the canal. That evening, we headed to a Mexican dinner at Benitos Hat in Covent Garden and showed them the ever so popular Porter House, enjoyed gelato at La Gelateria (thanks for the suggestion Ellie!), and met up with a few more friends at our flat.

Saturday was for walking around to see all the major sites. After a bit of an accidental lie in on Ben and I’s part (oops), we started off the morning a little later than expected. This was well compensated with a full English breakfast and coffee before making our way over to see Big Ben and Westminster. Ben and I should really head that way more than we have considering it is right around the corner from our flat! Lovely clock that Big Ben is.

We then made our way over the Thames past the London Eye to make a stop at Real Food Market for lunch. Oh how I love that market, and I was a little too ambitious on ordering the spicy curry. Holy hot, like fire breathing dragon hot. But still delicious none the less. After allowing the curry and lunch to warm us up a bit we continued down along the Thames and popped on into the Tate Modern. We gave the modern art a very (very) quick glance as we rode up the escalator to one of our favorite spots for tea. (Ben and I have really come to have a strong appreciation for tea. How British of us.) The cafe at the top has the perfect overlook of the Thames and St. Paul’s Cathedral. We were even able to snag five chairs which is about as unheard of as a day without clouds here.

Our favorite engaged friends ;)

We crossed the Thames and made our way back to the flat just in time to fit a afternoon nap in and relax for the afternoon before heading back out for the night. Saturday night was a success. Oh my. Let me tell you about Sky Garden. You head to the 35th floor or something like that and step out into the most beautiful view of the city. A complete 360 degree view of the city surrounding you while you walk through terraces and loads of greenery. I wish pictures gave the slightest glimpse of what a dream this place is. They really know how to set the scene and give quite the ambiance with the lighting, suspenders, music, and design.

Oh I do love ya London!

What a group I tell ya. So fun to all be able to hang out in London.

Then came Sunday. As I have said before, another Sunday means another market. This week we found a new farmers market that just opened, Slow Food and Living Market. A whole new feel of a market compared to others we have been to. Nested in the courtyard of the Rosewood Hotel, it has almost a Parisian feel. Fruits, vegetables, breads, cheese, chocolate,and wine. You name it, they’ve got it.

I also fully appreciate how beautiful the market was despite the rain). Flowers everywhere, quaint stalls, and friendly faces made for a great Sunday.

We snagged a loaf of rosemary bread to accompany dinner than night and all was well.

Weekends are my favorite, especially when we have friends in town.