#3 A Weekend Well Spent.

The third installment of A Weekend Well Spent. A series of mini-guides to London and some things I'm loving that week.

I’m feeling, dare I say it, festive. It has come as an unexpected but pleasant surprise after a weird and unsettling couple of weeks since being made redundant from my job. I’m excited about the Christmas trees going up in all of the parks and the gloriously tacky blow-up Santa decorations in people’s front gardens. My neighbourhood seems to have a real penchant for these and, honestly, J’adore. I’m excited about baking and silly films and pubs and the week I spend at home with my family over Christmas. There are so many good things to come.

I suppose what I’m really getting at is that I’m feeling hopeful. I’m not someone who believes that everything happens for a reason. In fact, I believe lots of things happen for no good reason at all. What I do believe in, though, is the pendulum swing of life and that there really is always so much good to come.

Now, on to some of that good stuff:

What are we cooking:

It’s been freezing in London, and no, I won’t stop talking about it. This type of weather calls for nourishing home cooking. This Anna Jones recipe became a bit of a staple in our house last winter, and I don’t think this season will be any different. It’s her quick squash lasagne from One Pot, Pan, Planet.

Where are we eating:

Monohon in Old Street. I got the Abura Soba, and it was delicious. We went on Saturday night, and it was busy, so be prepared to wait.

Jin Bao in Kew. We came out of the wrong exit when we got to the station, and I couldn’t be happier we did. Jin Bao is a tiny restaurant a few steps from the station serving Northern Chinese dishes. The prawn and chive baos were so good! I’m desperate to go back to try the Wonton soup.

Where are we getting coffee:

BLAS is Victoria Park’s newest coffee spot. It’s in a renovated kiosk at the top end near where the Sunday market is. The staff were so nice, and the coffee was lovely. Much to my delight, they stock pastries from Forno. The pistachio cornetto is actually incredible. I’m salivating just thinking about it.

Where are we walking:

Kew Gardens. We ventured over on Sunday, and it was such a good day out. The tube ride was long but painless. I got to spend an hour reading my book, which was heaven. Walking out of the Kew Gardens exit at the station was like stepping onto a Richard Curtis film set. It’s all posh grocers, cafes, and Aston Martins if you catch my drift.

It cost around 15 quid to enter Kew Gardens and we spent a couple of hours wandering around the trees, catching the last of the golden leaves.

What are we reading:

The Hobbit! I love reading fantasy around this time of year.

This is another reread for me, but I want to read the Lord of the Rings series, and I feel it is only fitting to start from the beginning.

That’s it for this weekend! x