London - It's Back On!

Wandering around London on an early summer's day reminded me of what I love about this city. It's been almost 4 years since I lived here and I appreciate it now that I've been away.

I'd simply taken it all for granted before.

1. The parks have got to be the distinguisher between here and other 'major' global cities. There are about 10 parks in Central(ish) London. My favourites include: Hampstead, Haggerston, Primrose Hill, Regents Park (anyone know why the amazing rose garden looks so wilted this year?) Some parks have Lidos in them, for swimming too!

2. Bikes are king - even the Barclays ones, you can hop on and hop off freely, and if it rains you can ditch 'em! (but you need to register in advance and get a key, not aimed at tourists yet!) Cycling along the canals is the best!

3. The crazy stuff you see - a double-decker bus that has been converted to a 'Bicycle Library' - where they will fix your bike whilst you relax on disused Tube seats, having a cuppa and reading from their collection of books or leafing through their vintage clothes; an extremely tall transvestite tottering on 4 inch heels, wearing a min skirt and a half-top but looking EXTREMELY insecure.

4. Weird and wonderful street art - from Wills and Kate on and up. Used for corporate branding as much as for indy establishments and self-expression.

5. The food and wine- has improved dramatically over the last few years. When I was a teenager you couldn't buy a pain au chocolate in London. We would bring them back from our frequent trips Geneva. How it's changed! The cafe culture- Broadway Market feels like a very boho Paris, with an East london vibe

6. Brixton Village - indoor market with lively cafes and restaurants, vintage and record shops. Very cool, fun and friendly. And delicious food, the cooks range from Thai grandfathers to sexy Italian pizza-makers.

7. The clothes- London has a completely unique fashion sense, especially in East London. To cool for school (blokes in fitted pants and leather shoes, gals in bright velour, flip flops and extremely square shouldered white synthetic long jackets. Everyone has interesting hair) and takes some getting used to for everyone else, even for West Londoners!

8. The music- the home of Spotify and Last FM, London has always been booming in sound. From Radio 3s incredible eclectic late night sessions to booming hip hop from cars driving by to all the music festivals in every park and town across the UK.

9. The art scene- Theatre- Lord of the Flies in open air at Regent's Park and 'Tender Napalam' - an incredibly powerful fringe theatre play where you could very literally feel the sweat of the two performers (amazingly passionate lovers) on your skin sitting on benches in the arches under London Bridge. And then going for oysters and a glass of rose afterwards. More on the exploding visual art scene in my next post!

I could go on, but will stop myself. London feels good. Right here right now.