miss b's quote

'I haven't been everywhere yet but it's on my list' Susan Sontag

Thursday 27 March 2014

miss b loves ......... an unexpected stay in London (Part 2)



Day 2 in London .... and it seemed as if spring had suddenly arrived ....with blue skies and temperatures in double figures!

A perfect day for a walk along The Thames!  The Tower of London looked stunning against the cloudless sky......


The Yeoman Warders in their striking uniforms are a symbol of London and not only guard the Tower but provide entertaining tours. They are required to have served in the armed forces for at least twenty-two years.



Of course they are more commonly known by their nickname ... 'Beefeaters.' It is thought that the name was derived from their position in the Royal Bodyguard which apparently allowed them to eat as much beef as they wanted from the King's table! 

The Middle Drawbridge is being restored and I like the way they have screened the building work with boards showing a timeline of the history of the Tower.



Cute little peep holes for nosey people like me!




Take a closer look ......




I headed over to the other side of the river, across Tower Bridge ..........



My next stop was the Design Museum to see a couple of exhibitions which really deserve their own post.......






There are so many casual restaurants in this area along the Thames with outdoor terraces....



and some of the best London views ......



Of course the trip included coffee and cake ........I tried to get to Bea's of Bloomsbury in time for a duffin .....too late again! They had sold out but the 'killer brownie' made up for my disappointment!


Belgian dark chocolate, peanut butter,
 praline, pecans and toasted cocunut!

Back on the tube .... I was on a mission to find West Elm, which has recently opened on Tottenham Court Road ......an area which is full of home décor stores including Habitat and Heals. 


It was tempting to completely change our colour scheme but I opted for a couple of cushions which would coordinate with our existing Laura Ashley striped ones.......



Time was running out ......but there was a plan! I had read great reviews about Honest burgers and I decided to try the Soho branch before catching the evening train home. 



 What a good choice! I'm very fussy about burgers but these were without doubt the best I have ever tried. Made from dry-aged beef from The Ginger Pig butcher and served with amazing chips sprinkled with rosemary salt. They're presented on greaseproof paper in a retro white and blue enamel dish (the kind used by my Grandma to bake apple pie!) with vintage style cutlery too.


The menu is short and simple with beef, chicken and vegetarian options but a word of warning. Honest is popular! We arrived early and a table was available thirty minutes later but by the time we left there was a two hour wait. However, you don't have to hang around as they send a text when it's time to head back ...... and it's a good excuse to have a wander around Soho!


The perfect ending to a very brief but worthwhile stay in London!




Click here to read about my unexpected stay in London (Part 1)


42 comments:

  1. Please, PLEASE - you have to try a duffin and let us know if it measures up... I can't stand the suspense!

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    1. I'm so curious to try one too. I shall just have to get there very early next time!!

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  2. It's been 4 years since my last visit to London and this post is totally making me want to visit again. Looks like you enjoyed some nice sunny weather and Honest Burgers sounds amazing.

    Rowena @ rolala loves

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  3. That is really "killer brownie"! Yum! What a shame for the duffins, I soon checked them what they are and sounds so delicious too!:) Btw, the cushions you took are very lovely and chic, also would love to visit the Design and go to Honest Burger, I dont eat meat but the vegetarian options should be great the same. Kisses! xo

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  4. I would love to visit London. Your pictures are beautiful.

    Tracy @ Sunny Days and Starry Nights

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  5. great photos! I would love to see London... one day maybe... :)

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  6. I love the Beefeater's uniforms! That's awesome that they have to serve so many years before becoming one. It makes it that much prestigious. I would've been looking through the peepholes too! Looks good. I love West Elm. I get their catalog. So many wonderful things there. Love those cushions. Ahhhh, that burger looks so good. I love the way they prepare it Miss B.
    http://www.averysweetblog.com/

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  7. Wow, Killer Brownie is the perfect name for this delicious treat! It looks absolutely amazing.

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  8. Amazing post miss b. My bf talks about Honest burger. Glad that you enjoyed yourself. I want to sit along the terrace and have lunch there, it looks great.The photo of The Thames ... is just incredible, perfect cloudless sky indeed.

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  9. this looks fabulous! I really hope to visit London in the next few years I am scared at how many photos I will take while I am there I can take up to 300 in one day in NYC! wonderful post as always! have a lovely weekend!!

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  10. Hi Miss B, thanks for your lovely kind words. You are an expert London city guide, would you ever consider moving there? Lol, thats a very interesting tale on how they got their nickname. The Design Museum sounds like somewhere Id like to visit. Oh no about the muffin, do you have to preorder them? Cant believe how popular they are! I could live in West Elm, so chic! Sounds like a great place to dine out for gourmet fast food. I enjoyed reading your opinion on my last post. Happy Friday Dear!

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  11. As much as I love to visit London, I'm not sure we would live there as our family and friends are in the North of England but the entertainment, choice of restaurants and shops etc is certainly appealing! As for the duffins, you just have to arrive early in the morning or they can now be ordered online. Thanks for your kind comment, Sam.

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  12. I agree I think London is so amazing to visit but I am not sure I would love to visit. I also love the Beefeaters uniforms always a symbol of London. I have promised myself next time I am in London I am going to visit museums. Have a lovely weekend.

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  13. Lovely post. The burger sounds mouthwatering especially after a trip around the design museum and all the shops.

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  14. Well I am totally smitten with London you are a lucky lady!!

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  15. Looks like such a fun trip! I can't help but notice the beautiful weather as Seattle is still grey and rainy ;( I like West Elm too. Your photos are wonderful! Thanks for the virtual tour:}

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  16. I like that they have little windows so you can peek in and see how the work is coming along, so cute and unique. That brownie looks and sounds delish!

    LittlePinkRainBoots.blogspot.com

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  17. Hi Miss B!
    I want to thank you for your kind visit and comment. Now I wanted to visit you wanting to enjoy the second part of your visit to London. I always loved those uniforms
    Have a good Day!!
    From Spain

    Luisa
    http://personallyselected.blogspot.com

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  18. I enjoyed reading this post just as much as part one. thanks to you, I now know why they're called beefeaters. Food wise, I must say that is one helluva brownie and that burger is definitely what I'd call gourmet as I too, am very picky about burgers. Thanks for sharing! Great post
    Keep in touch
    xx
    www.JuneWantsItAll.com

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  19. Lovely photos...hope you are having a good weekend!
    ~Anne

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  20. Great day and you were lucky to have a sunny weather! I didn't know why they are called "Beefeaters" so thank you for letting me know!:) The pictures are very nice and the killer brownie looks delicious!

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  21. Miss b love your travels! In the car today and read your post to all my boys. Made us miss London!! Love the tower. Only in England are the scaffolding cover cute!!! So fun. Xx

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  22. the guardian of the tower are handsome!
    perfect days!

    ciao

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  23. oh i miss london!! i loved seeing your recaps

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  24. Oh gosh spring has certainly not arrived in NY. This morning it even snowed a bit. But your trip looked wonderful!

    Allie of ALLIE NYC
    allienyc.com

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  25. Your stay in London sounds wonderful. I love that little colorful car displayed. The tower bridge is so beautiful, and the tower is such an old building. Oh brownies - my favorite dessert. This one looks yummy. You always have such cool pictures on your trips. Thank you for giving us a glimpse of London.

    love,
    ~Sheri

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  26. Great photos and post!!!
    Have a good week!!! and my g+ for you!!!:)))

    Besos, desde España, Marcela♥

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  27. ça me donne vraiment envie d'y retourner vite!

    http://clothespaper.com/

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  28. There's something about those pictures of the Tower of London with the bright blue sky that remind me of the Pope's Palace in Avignon, so beautiful and full of history :)

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  29. Thanks for stopping by dear...I value your opinion.

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  30. What a nice day! More often or not I am in London for work, so never really have time to stop and enjoy the city as much as I'd love to. Hopefully will change it this spring. Thank you for the photos! x

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  31. I wished really my visit in London in 1997 would have been as perfect than your short trip :) Thanks for the wonderful pictures!

    xx from Bavaria/Germany, Rena

    www.dressedwithsoul.blogspot.de

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  32. Oh if I could sink my teeth into that burger :o. London truly is a beautiful with so much history and architecture! Hope I get to see it in my lifetime! Thanks for sharing these pics with us! Living vicariously through you:)!

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  33. I studied abroad in London and I had the time of my life. Had no clue the draw bridge was being restored! Loving your photos...

    Xo, Amanda
    www.theamandakathryn.com

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  34. Oh my gosh that is too funny with the runner glove. I so wish to travel to London again.

    Allie of ALLIE NYC
    allienyc.com

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  35. great photos!
    following you via gfc and bloglovin now. hope you'll follow me, too!
    happy day!

    http://www.getcarriedaway.net/

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    1. Thank you for following along. I'll have a look at your blog when I get a moment.

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  36. Thank you for your comments. London never seems to lose its charm and popularity!

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  37. Hi miss b -- thanks for popping by my blog today! We really enjoyed visiting The Tower a few years ago when we were in London too. I just loved London and am keen to return!

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  38. The miniatur car is so cute :D

    WWW.PUTRIVALENTINALIM.BLOGSPOT.COM

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Thank you for taking the time to write a comment on my blog. I really do appreciate it. miss b

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