miss b loves ........an unexpected stay in London (Part 1)

Last week I had the opportunity to stay in London overnight and it's surprising what you can fit into a day and a half with just a little forward planning (the two hour train journey from home gave me enough time to write my 'to-do list'!) Impromptu getaways are often the best! 

Sometimes I enjoy being just a tourist again in London revisiting those special iconic places which draw the crowds ......

St James's Park is a favourite spot of mine and standing on the Blue Bridge over the lake there are two very special views of London......

Looking east towards the London Eye
 and the Horse Guards building

Grey clouds were beginning to form over the Palace yet it still looked stunning ......

Looking west towards Buckingham Palace

The Queen's Foot Guards in front of the palace were wearing their grey winter coats. They usually change over to the more famous red tunics in May just as we change our outfits according to the season, I suppose! 

I spotted four guards at the front of the palace which I believe means that the Queen was in residence. There are apparently only two if she is away!

A short walk through Green Park took me to Piccadily .....and I came across the new Maille Boutique......the first one outside France. There's one in Dijon and another in Paris. This stylish venue is home to the finest of French mustards .....

....and I had no idea there were so many flavours....including fig and coriander, pistachio and orange, gingerbread and chestnut ......and there's a permanant tasting area on the first floor.

Prune and Armagnac flavour to take home .... in its own posh bag!

The store stands at the entrance to the beautiful Piccadilly Arcade with its interesting mix of independent shops ....

Next stop... Fortnum and Mason. It's a few years since I last had a wander around this iconic store and I'd forgotten just how special it is, just oozing with character.....

These have to be the most colourful tins of biscuits ever with interesting flavours too ....rose, violet, ginger and chilli....

The store is all ready for Easter ........

I couldn't leave without making a small purchase from the tea department.....every type of tea you can imagine, all stored in huge blue tea caddies.

It wasn't easy making a decision but when I mentioned that we liked Assam, the sales assistant recommended Assam Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe and she explained that it didn't in fact taste of orange! I took her advice and how could I resist a tea with such a pretty name!

I'd read about a tiny coffee bar behind Selfridges. A quick journey on the tube and I was soon enjoying a fresh baguette and cappuccino at the Workshop Coffee Company where the friendly baristas take a pride in their work. Their coffee is roasted at the Clerkenwell branch and it's definitely a cut above a normal cup of coffee!

This area around St Christopher's Place is tucked away just off busy Oxford Street yet it feels quite cosmopolitan and is a great place for casual dining with outdoor seating and there are plenty of interesting little shops too....... 

One of my favourite Italian café restaurants, Carluccio's, has a branch here and they even provide blankets as London is still quite 'fresh' at this time of year! 

Well, that was my first half day in London ..... Please join me for Part 2 ....a walk along the Thames, a new home décor store and probably the best burgers in the city!