Monday 18 October 2021

London September 2021 - River Cruise, & Juliet, Pretty Woman & More

 Hi, it's been a long time again hasn't it?! I was very unsure whether to even write this post actually as blogging just isn't at the forefront of my mind anymore but I still love looking back on old posts, especially more personal ones like this so even though it's taken a little while, I still wanted to write this. About 18 months later than planned, George and I finally got to go on the London trip we had planned and it was so worth the wait. When we first went in lockdown we all naively believed it really might just be 3 weeks and part of me really clung onto the hope that our April 2020 city break would still go ahead but clearly it didn't and it kept getting pushed back and pushed back. Luckily after re-arranging about a million times, September 2021 was the lucky month.We ended up going for 3 nights which was perfect as by the end of it my feet were absolutely dead and I don't think could have walked any further but it also meant we got to see so much and really take our time. There wasn't really any time to do anything on the first evening due to when we arrived but we gained an extra morning so the next day we got out early and headed to Borough Market. This is one of our fave places in London and we always end up making a visit. To be honest it was a little disappointing this time though. Maybe it's just the after effects of Covid still? There were far less stalls than usual, a lot of the ones that were there were quite samey and it just didn't have the same atmosphere it normally does. That being said we did try some amazing food, the main thing being a Moong Dal Dosa from Horn OK Please. This is honestly one of the best things I've ever eaten and I would happily go back again just for that.That afternoon we had booked to go on the London Eye River Cruise. This ended up being absolutely brilliant and I'd do it again in a heartbeat. It's only about 40 minutes long which I think is perfect really as you see so much but it doesn't drag. It starts at the London Eye and takes you along the River Thames showing some of London's most famous landmarks like the Houses of Parliament, St Paul's Cathedral, Shakespeare's Globe, Tower Bridge and lots more. The tour guide really knew her stuff and was funny too and we both left having really enjoyed ourselves. The weather wasn't amazing that day but luckily the rain held off for the boat trip and London is beautiful regardless so it was nice to just sit and take it all in. Tickets are about £13pp and I couldn't recommend it enough.That evening after a stop at Whole Foods and Creme Cookies, we finally got to see our first theatre show in almost 2 years. I was lucky enough to be invited to see & Juliet when it was first showing in Manchester in 2019 (you can find my blog post on it here) and it was obviously one of the shows we were supposed to see last year as it had transferred to the West End. It was completely worth the wait. I think it's possibly my new favourite musical as I'd go back and see it again and again. The cast are just insanely talented, the music is incredible, the set, just everything about it. The atmosphere was on another level and it just felt really special being back in a theatre. The next day started by venturing out to Notting Hill which is one of my fave places in London. Maybe because I've watched Paddington and Nothing Hill so much. It's just such a calm place, or at least it has been whenever we've been and there always seems to be something new. We had to pop into the actual Notting Hill Bookshop while we were there and I loved the idea of their 'Blind Date With A Book'. We both picked one up and I can't wait to read mine, it's an author I've not heard of before so it's such a fab way to discover books you might never have picked up before!We then went to Old Spitalfields Market for the first time and I can see this becoming a new regular spot of ours when in London. The most incredible food, we were absolutely spoilt for choice. 

That evening after a wander around Covent Garden, one of the most beautiful places in London, we went to see Pretty Woman the musical. Pretty Woman is my all time favourite film so I was super excited to see this. Again, it was just lovely to be sat in a theatre, there really is no feeling like it. It was so nice to hear all of the famous lines from the film and the cast again were amazing. Bob Harms who we actually saw in Come From Away a few years ago, steals the show but Aimie Atkinson, Danny Mac and Rachael Wooding aswell as the whole ensemble are just brilliant. The more I think about it, the more I just want to go back and see it again.I think both & Juliet and Pretty Woman were the perfect shows as our first ones back after Covid and lockdowns etc. I think everyone just appreciates everything so much more than before so the atmosphere is only even better, you could even tell the casts in both shows are just happy to be back doing their job! 

Like with any trip, it went too fast and I already miss it but luckily we'll be back in December so it's not too long to wait. I love London all year round but when the Christmas markets are on and everywhere is just so festive, it's only even better so I'm so excited. 

Where's your favourite place in London?

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