Mayfair

My friend, May, works in a high end gallery selling incredible (and very expensive) works of art and pieces of furniture that are like art. On the occasional Saturday, the gallery has additional viewing hours, and last weekend was one such date. Having heard quite a lot about the space and the pieces, I was eager to see it, so I left my flat and headed off to a part of London outside of my usual stomping grounds: 

The sky was a bright blue as I crossed the Thames

Signs of spring in Saint James Park

Facing back towards the City

Buckingham Palace across the water

Rather than heading towards Hyde Park Corner and entering Green Park or Hyde Park as I usually do, I crossed into Mayfair. Right away, the city has a different feel. It's less touristy than Central London and less chaotic than Southeast London (where I live). It's cleaner. More suave.

Classy window display you would NOT find in Camberwell

I found the gallery! SO. COOL. May showed me around. The pieces were just a tad bit out of my price range...

Pug. £44,100 

Chess Set. (I think) £24,000

Each light on this piece could be purchased
individually for £1,000

Ivory Wheel Thing. I can't read the price.
At least £25,000

There was also modern African art. This is made entirely of weapons. Boom. (Literally)

I wanted the Pug. I asked if they would accept a lower offer, perhaps £4.400000. They would not. Too bad.

I hadn't really thought through a plan for the rest of the day. May and her colleague were unsure of what to advise, but I told them I was happy to explore. It was sunny and beautiful outside. I was happy walking and seeing where I ended up!

Window art 

Classically London 

I spent quite a while inside this rare book store. There were original copies of some of my favourite children's books that cost upwards of £30,000. I'll add them to my Christmas list.

This couple (visible on the left) had just gotten married. The whole wedding party was on the Double Decker bus! 

The trees are just starting to bloom. In a few weeks, you won't be able to see the buildings surrounding the park. 

More art!

Somehow, I wandered my way onto Oxford Street.

You can tell we are not at the height of tourist season simply because I was able to take this photo without being pushed into the road by crazy people confused about traffic.

Liberty = SUPER famous department store

In all honesty, I had totally forgotten how to get to Soho. It's one part of London that I somehow consistently overlook. It's not huge, but it is quite hip and has two of my favourite things of all time: BICYCLES AND COLOURFUL BUILDINGS!!!

SOHO! Bikes, colourful buildings, people in very hipster outfits, lots of moustaches and thick glasses

Carnaby Street  

Window boxes making their seasonal debut

Cobblestone streets added to the colours and bikes = Extra points for Soho

Check out the name

LOVE London :-)

 From Soho, wound my way into China Town.

Typical London. Classical violinist on the left. Humongous dancing Panda Bear on the right. 

China Town 

Nearing Leicester Square

It took me a very long time to get this photo. Wanted the buses, blue sky, and building. The timing of the lights did NOT facilitate this picture.

Back in the heart of Central London, I found all of the tourists. Trafalgar Square was HOPPING. For the first time since September, the fountains were on!

Parliament in the background 

Walking down from Trafalgar Square towards Parliament and then over to the River.

As I was nearing the River, I found this man painting on a quiet street corner. I quietly observed him (and took photos of him shhhh). 

This was what he was painting

Not sure if you can see, but he's doing a damn good job! 

 And then I was back between Embankment and Waterloo bridge (north side)

Took a break to people watch in the garden

Flower beds have been planted...

...Now we just need the trees to bloom

After a wonderful afternoon of aimless wandering, I was ready to head home.

Call me a stalker, but this was just TOO CUTE! 

Back across the Thames looking at the Eye from the other side 

SE1 London Borough of Southwark = HOME! :-)

I reflected as I turned onto Westminster Bridge Road and crossed at St George's Circus.
1. It felt really nice to have been able to get myself around the city without needing a map or guide. I know I do that sort of thing all the time now, but there is something very special about feeling so comfortable here.
2. It's not exactly as classy as Mayfair, but getting back into Southeast London really felt like coming home

The end of my street