Tag Archive | London

Take Part: Books About Town – London

I am so jealous of Londoners right now! Out of all the adventurously painted things – literary benches of course had to be when I was gone. Grrrr.

Anyways, Books About Town is doing a wonderful thing placing literary inspired painted benches around the fabulous town of London. Put on by the National Literary Trust from Julu 2nd to September 15th – if you’re around be sure to take part in this celebration of London’s literary heritage!

There’s only 50 so this should be easy for those of you there! Happy hunting and happy reading!

Olympic Mascot Statues

Aug17

I am sick this week. Most likely the flu. In between coughing I’m sleeping. Nevertheless I wanted to share some things I’ve seen. The London 2012 Olympic Mascot’s Wenlock and Mandeville are terrible, but that’s not going to stop me from enjoying the 84 statues that are placed around London. They’re painted like some of the capital’s most loved attractions. Find the maps here, and they’re actually relatively easy to find unlike the others statues that have been around in the past. I hope to find more, but I need to get better first.

My total count so far is 21/84 and here are the best 10.

Diamond Jubilee

Jun14

I’m such a royalist. Red, white and blue everywhere. We don’t having anything that resembles bunting in America. Union Jack’s flapping in the breeze has been such a cheery sight for the past couple of weeks.

There’s nothing I can compare. As a Washingtonian, coming from the 42nd state admitted to the Union in 1889 (what do we know of age and history?), celebrating the Queen’s 60th year on the throne was important to me. 60 years is half of how old my state is! Well done Queenie!

I think it’s also the pride felt throughout the country. Pride at being English, pride at their sense of tradition, the pride I wish I could be apart of. Last year I braved the crowd alone to wave my flag and cheer for Wills and Kate. The warmth of the people banished away the April London Chill. Circumstances this year prevented me from joining the masses for the Diamond Jubilee Flotilla – a massive parade of boats along the Thames. It was almost more fun watching it on TV, although my flatmate and I did venture to the park only to find everyone had already rushed home due to the heavy rain.

I went to a party on Monday – proper English with spot on food, decorations and even paper masks of the royals. It was an absolute splendid time. I made lemon squares to add to the flavour.

It’s an astounding time to be living in London. How I hope to continue my life here, become established in a career, settle. I can’t complain that I’ve been given some of the best years to be living in this amazing city. The royal wedding, Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, and the 2012 Olympics, all I get to (or have already taken) part in. Three years. Moments in history that won’t ever be repeated. They’ve directly become part of my life. I’m incredibly thankful.

God save the Queen! Long may she reign!

Egg-travagance!

Mar8

The past two Saturdays have been delightful. Catching up with friends and wandering the streets of London are my ideal weekend excursions. I’ve been equally lucky with the weather, bright sunshine that even the bitter wind can’t ruin. Spring is trying to settle in and I adore it. With spring comes Easter, and although Easter traditionally is about Jesus, in America our focus is on chocolate and decorated eggs!

There’s a part of me that’s wired to this city. My friends routinely call me ‘the human GPS’. The multi-tasker I am, I relish in any London street challenge. In 2010, London hosted the Elephant Parade to raise awareness and funds for the Asian elephant (apparently the African ones are fine). There were over 250 elephants placed around the city as you can see from my blog’s banner. In the end I found 247, with one-day left to seek out the final three. However, I know how to prioritise and when the family I used to nanny for arrived on that final day, the hunt was over and I was proud of what I’d found.

My love for artistically decorated animals began in 2007. Pike Place Market in Seattle, Washington is one of our most beloved tourist attractions. When you go to Seattle, you visit Pike Place Market. In the summer of 2007 Pigs on Parade was back (after their original run in 2001) to raise money for the Market. There were 100 pigs littered around Seattle, and I became hooked on wandering the streets to find them whilst explore the city. I found 80.

With The Faberge Big Egg Hunt, the eggs are hidden around London, whereas the elephants and pigs were mapped out. As if this event couldn’t get any better in my eyes. 12 zones are outlined, with names of the eggs and their approximate location, but it’s vague and the eggs could be anywhere inside of a building, or outside surrounding it. There are 209 eggs and they’re only going to be around for the 40 days of Lent. Talk about a deadline! I love a timed assignment that gives you that productive feeling of achievement from working under pressure.

Thus the hunt is on, bringing me to places of London I haven’t spent much time in and providing the opportunity to take on this personal research project. I’ve found fifteen eggs so far, and I’ll be spending a few hours tomorrow hopefully covering a few zones that are closely connected. If I’m fortunate maybe I’ll be able to have a friend join me in this adventure. I’ll keep you posted.

If you could buy one of the eggs which one would it be and where would you put it? Personally I’d go for the Dinosaurs egg by Rolando Di Sessa Neto, although All the Stars, Moon and Sun by Ajay Padda would be great in any flat! And the Where’s Wally by Martin Handford is adorable! That egg is being moved around the city every few days. Will I be able to find it? Check back next week for an update.

To eggs and beyond!