Smelling the Roses

I have always loved living on the Thames, but sunny days like this, where I can leave my front door and arrive at Hampton Court in just under two hours, makes me feel a lucky girl indeed. 

Hampton Court famous for Henry VIII's Royal abode is strikingly beautiful. The red bricks against the blue sky greeted me after walking alongside the palaces long walls for almost an hour. It took my breathe away.

It has been a place I've been eager to visit for a while after becoming head over heels in love with Phillipa Gregory and her novels on woman from our past. My latest obsession is the cousins war she writes about and portrayed so well in The White Queen shown on BBC at the moment! Her novels are so addictive, you really have to pick up one today if you haven't given her a go yet! I thought after reading all about Henry's grandparents/parents in the Kingsmaker I might get something out of visiting Hampton. I was a wee bit disappointed on that front. It's very gimmicky and basic information supplied but still its an amazing place to while away an afternoon....

Chatting with Francesca and picking fresh blackberries along the way..

And finally arriving to this! Told you...striking.

Being a cafe/cake reviewer I have to admit without too much guilt that one of the main reasons for my visit to these historical places is the fab cafes they give us! They never disappoint and leave me in a state of confusion over what to actually buy.

So after meandering through the roses, we gravitated to the cafe. Naturally.

I went for a prawn baguette and I NEVER eat prawns.It just looked that good. Francesca opted for a salad/vegetable combo with smoked salmon. There was a creamy chicken and sweet potato stew that will be my reason to return here. The tickets to get into the palace are pricey at £17 so I wouldn't do that again but I will definitely visit Hampton Court just for the cafe and beautiful rose garden.

So my post title is smelling the roses. I don't think I've ever smelt roses before?! Why, I don't know! Or maybe they've never smelt this good! I couldn't stop smelling all the different roses as we passed. 

Oh the Dahlia's! I swear by it that will be my daughter's name. 

Hampton Court is for the history buffs, the foodies, the plant lovers and the people out there that just want to be surrounded by beauty! It's a place for all types and ages so why don't you plan your visit while the sun is still out for us all. Apparently they nuture the oldest vines in the UK on their grounds that grows dessert grapes every September. I'd say that would be a good time to visit so you can smell the roses while eating the sweet grapes of the palace.

Have a fun Bank holiday my lovelies! Look forward to hearing about what you get up to :)

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Peonies and Roses at Columbia Road

Where better to spend a perfect sunny day in London? Amongst the cockneys, peonies and trendies of Columbia Road of course!

There's a few things in life that can make me feel instantly happy! One of them is falling asleep with Lotti on my chest with her nose touching my face, Sunday mornings - period and a gorgeous bunch of flowers. So I meandered through the crowds trying to find me some pretty pink roses.

Mission accomplished after about 5 minutes. I got drawn in by one stalls banter with the customers and compliments to the ladies - well you got to grab compliments where you can sometimes :)

I find the boutiques around Columbia Road so fascinating! The products are so individual and you can pick up some lovely pieces for your home. If you're looking for a unique pressie for anyone you're sure to find one here too. There is garden accessories for your granny to embossed romper suits for the new bambino in your family. Today, however I was finding the crowds a little too much and fancied just relaxing in the sun rather than rumaging inside the shops in the shade!

Lily Vanilli's
This little teashop Lily Vanilli's Bakery epitomises the East end. With its industrial feel for a back drop - steel chairs, chalk boards, wooden benches. To its vintage by gone era accessories. The Vanilli's sign is totally awesome right?! I want one.   

I perched up on a bar and had some chocolate and pomegranate cake with some Peppermint tea taking in the bustling atmosphere. Every place I go to, I always take something away with me, a new idea or touch to add to my own tea shop one day. Lily Vanilli had that friendly smiley vibe I imagine mine to have but mainly the neon sign! Oops I have mentioned that! 

I have had some down time this week - nursing a flu, lack of energy syndrome and indulged in some duvet days so explains why I haven't been blogging to you of late. But I'm back in the world of living and have some pretty good posts coming up. One is of a Ham House trip and wait for it.....The Ritz!!! How excited do you think I am about this on a scale of  1to10? 10 being - jumping in my chair while squealing as I type - kind of excited. A dinner party with my lovely neighbour this week ended up in a club being born - The GATA club; The Grand Afternoon Tea Association. Where better to start than the Ritz - noone could deny a bit of old school glamour from time to time right!?

Better scrub up a little better than I did for today's jaunt. Maybe I should buy a brand new dress. Any outfit idea's for me?

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