Basildon Park

One of the things I love the most in the UK are the grand mansions and their spectacular gardens, open to the public thanks to the National Trust. I have visited a few in my almost seven years in the UK, the most recent being Basildon Park.

Dog not included.

This reading corner really makes me want to move in... I wonder what they would think of that!

Easter lives on at Basildon Park!

I'm free tonight, yes!

Soo cute!

We had cream tea... oh those scones and cream... divine!

a British education

Costa Coffee at Gatwick Airport

Oh.my.god. Am I one of them?

This is the question I've been asking myself since I had a heart warm moment on seeing Costa Coffee at Porto Airport.

I am a fan of Costa's. I am. And the only coffee parlours I like more than Costa Coffee are the independent ones. What I see as the proper cafés.

Cafés (and bakeries) are abundant in Portugal. You find one in every corner and much like the British pub, most people have a local café where everyone knows them and they know everyone. It's a good feeling! Coffee chains are only just appearing in Portugal and the majority of said cafés are independent (not a word we use in Portugal, as that's what's expected anyway!).

I'm a big fan of the Portuguese approach to cafés (and bakeries, let's not forget the bakeries) so it was a huge surprise to me to feel cosy at the sight of a Costa Coffee at the airport. I'm now very concerned about my Britishness levels!

notes from a Saturday in London

The Erratic Photographer and I are lucky enough to know a very private small not-in-business travel agent - Rabbit Tours - which occasionally takes us to London for some photographic fun and cultural exploration and good food, all seasoned with lots of interesting chats.

This Saturday, Nicky and I left for London at 9:00 and found ourselves in London Paddington at 10:00 greeted by a pair of fluffy rabbit ears!; gotta love living in Oxford, where you get the quality of life and the proximity to London, oh yeah!

Being the keen coffee lovers that we are, we headed for Carluccio's in Notting Hill. The latte was amazing and I can apologise for the lack of pictures... you know how it goes... girl really wants latte, latte arrives, girl has face-wide smile, girl drinks late, girl notices she has not photographed latte but oh it is too late now. I did photograph the place though, how nicely composed it? If like us, you arrive there at this bizarre hour between breakfast and lunch, panic not; ask for their eggs benedict and enjoy!

We left Carluccio's and walked to Portobello Road market. There was a lot of walking involved this Saturday, the good stroll-y type of walk which is just my thing! The whole world in vintage format seemed to be on sale at the market, but I managed to shop with my eyes only. Until we saw one Hummingbird Bakery. The Hummingbird Bakery is heaven on earth in the form of cupcakes. Their red velvets just smile at me, sweetly. I resist them not! Again, no photos of this... please read explanation (or excuse!) above. Ta.

Walking around Notting Hill, we were reminded of how beautiful the London outside the monuments and landmarks is. And just as I was thinking there was so much pink around the place, we see a street (or several) of happily coloured façades. I could so live there... I think!

We then went to the Museum of Brands, Packaging and Advertising and all I can tell you is: GO! It's a wonderful trip down memory lane and what a piece of history they have there! And there is a 2 for 1 offer for rail travelers, so we only paid £3.25 each for our tickets. So very worth it! No photos allowed.

Our next stop was the Tate Modern and Damien Hirst's exhibition there. I had been wanting to go to the Tate Modern for a while now and Rabbit Tours got on the case. I really liked it and will definitely go back. As for Damien Hirst... well... I really really like the spots, they're just brilliant! The majority of his other work though, not my thing really (to put it nicely). I couldn't look at the sheep nor the cow and the flies provoked stomach turnings. The butterfly room was sweet.

If we walk slowly and chat a bit more, dinner time will call. With this in mind, we headed to Vapiano's, for some nice food and a bit more chatting. I guess by now you can tell we talk a lot; yep, we do!

How was your Saturday? Hope you had a lovely and colourful day, preferably with yummy lattes and delicious food, covered in wonderful chats :)

eye candy

Hyde Park waking up.

::inspiring Mondays::

This was the first Monday in October and it was hot. Proper hot. Indian summer, at last! This Indian summer I never really believed in until a week ago, and now I do. For it is real! A meteorological phenomenon, wikipedia calls it, and I agree. And love it!

I am 31 years old. And I have at last learned to appreciate what I have and realise that the little things you may moan about today you may come to miss tomorrow. Sounds so simple and yet realising this makes me feel I've achieved something great. And therefore I have, as LMJ's opinion of her own accomplishments is important. 

:: Indian summer. but of course!

:: Bristol.

:: vinho verde with friends.

:: sunbathing on the balcony.

:: massages.

:: Little Brother's emails. I think you'll really like this.

:: calling my parents just now. I miss them. and Dad asking me about the weather, of course!

:: friends recording series for me because they know I'll like it.

:: Spooks. Spooks on a big screen.

:: baby kittens. life is indeed beautiful!

:: water.

:: sunshine. oh the sunshine!

:: cycling.

Today this list could go on and on. I think it's trying to compensate the fact that on this Monday, my friend T. was not on the train... life goes on and his most certainly will, just as he deserves. And I'm so happy for him... it's just that my mornings just got a little less bright, a little less Dutch, a little bit different... and that is what saudade is all about.

How was your Monday? Inspired? Inspiring? Filled with new beginnings and sweet expectation?


Little note: I had a bit of a play with the photo in Photoshop, but turns out I prefer the original (no edit whatsoever). I still put the edited version on Flickr, if you want to comment.

dreaming away in Oxford

I love Oxford. Sometimes, I need to remind myself of it. Today is as good a day as any and I even have excellent news. I am the proud winner of a spot at Shooting the Breeze - a film photography e-course! Yes, me. Moi. Myself. And I.

I had been flirting with the course for ages, then it opened, and Suzie had this giveaway and I won. Oh life is so good, don't you think? It starts in September and I really cannot wait! Thank you very much, Suzie.

How about you? Would you like to join me there? I bet you would! It would be great to have your company there.

::inspiring Mondays::

Mondays are no day to do cleaning and sorting, LMJ! And so I have done none of that, for I'm not one to disobey popular wisdom! Instead, I have been sorting photos. Yay! I've done the most recent ones bar Brick Lane and the family holiday portraits. Not bad, LMJ, not bad. Little pat on the back for LMJ. 

I love London. I like it's moody sky and diversity of peoples. I like the imposing and grandiose buildings and its little streets filled with colour. Odd that this may sound, I feel welcome in London. London was my first experience in the UK and I have always wanted to come back, it has always been such a friendly place to me. In spite of what people say. Yes, London is beautiful and big and small and busy and quiet and I love it.

The photos are a little bit of what Brick Lane represents to me. I have read the book by Monica Ali. When the sun rises, it rises for everyone. Brick Lane is having the power to look up and smile, when you may think you don't have many reasons to do so, especially when you think you don't have many reasons to do so. Brick Lane was one of those books that made me think and feel; the real Brick Lane did the same.

:: wandering around Brick Lane ♥

:: Vivian Maier's exhibition

:: E. is coming to visit in 2 days! ♥♥♥

:: learning to live with my photographic style :P

:: best running mates ever. are mine. Nicky and J.

:: sitting on the grass.

:: did I say E. is almost here to visit? yay! ♥

:: a very special request of which you will know more about on the 15th July.

:: ice cream ♥  

What has inspired you this Monday? If your answer is nothing, have a little bit of ice cream and try again :)

fascinators at Ascot

LMJ and Nicky and a bunch of their friends (for they actually have a real life in the real world) went to Royal Ascot. For those of you wondering, it is a posh event that has been posher and has horses racing at specific points. One could say one is there for the races and betting, but one is there for the wonderful opportunity it offers for people watching and fashion commenting. My goal this year was to be brave enough to ask people to photograph their fascinators. And I was. LMJ scores! Yay!

Are you prepared for LMJ's collection of fascinators? Sit back and enjoy!

How pretty is she? And this fascinator? So bold and... stunning, yes, that's it.

Her Mum made this fascinator especially for her. Superb! It was so beautiful and artistic and special!

Really liked the different style of this one, very traditionally and slightly 1950s. Her cheeky smile made my day!

Another stunner. What a face, I tell you. Again, a very bold fascinator giving such depth to the whole look... beautiful!

Daring, to say the least. Really brings out the dark dress with the unusual shape and bright pink!

The loveliest "me? oh yes, thank you" I've had all day. Love the sweet look and the really fashionable fascinator. Class, people, class!

This lady was adorable and bubbly and wore pink like no other. The fascinator is ever so flashy but it really suited her style. You go, girl!

Another bright colour bringing out a dark outfit. You know what? It works! Have you seen the cheekbones? Hollywood, please.