Underground Supper Club

Oh London...you're full of new experiences in so many ways. Specifically (and I can't say I saw this coming when I decided to move about 8 months ago)...the underground supper club.

What is an underground supper club you ask? It's basically a dinner party of strangers...at a stranger's house. It's quite popular in London and there are many to chose from. Upon reading about this phenomenon I decided to give it a try (seemed like an interesting way to meet people after all) and ended up at The White Room supper club on Friday night.

It just so happened that this evening was oriented towards singles (or at least non-couples) so groups of friends did attend, though I was not the only person who arrived solo. The menu was interesting with some appetizers, carrot soup, mackerel over lentils, halibut with lynchee (or an impressive looking lamb roast if you wanted meat - note earlier blog entry) and brownies with white chocolate ice cream for dessert.

Though there were some personalities I could have done without - I had a surprisingly good time. Conversation tended to focus around travels since so many in the room were from other countries...Australia, Sweden, Cyprus, Italy - to name a few. It was a long night - but full of laughter and I have no doubt I'll be giving supper clubs another try down the line...

Lambing Season

As you ride the train into Wales, you are struck by the gorgeous countryside. If you're (un)lucky enough to be traveling during sunrise you get a special treat to see the mists rising over the rolling hills with a gorgeous old castle or church thrown into the mix here and there. You're also struck by the plethora of sheep.

Now...I love sheep (the photo at top is of my slippers). So when I was informed lambing season had arrived - I admit I did swoon a bit. Added to this special time was the recent realization that one of my new clients is a sheep farmer on the side - and he shared more information than I ever wanted on the sheep herding business (yeah, I'm not in DC anymore).

I'm not too thrilled with this new knowledge. I was sad enough when, upon seeing the sheep next to the facility where I'm working (yes, they're that close) - my colleague says "mmmm...don't you just see those babies and think about roast potatoes and gravy??"....er....no, can't say I do.

Stay strong little lambs...some of you lucky ones will grow to sheep-hood.

Weekend in Zurich

Oh Switzerland - with your majestic peaks, adorable houses...and CHOCOLATE (though I recall many clocks too). Just back from a great weekend in Zurich with my friend Susie - where we explored the city on foot, boat and tram. Considering the truffles involved it's a good thing there was plenty of walking.

I arrived late Friday where Susie was lovely enough to have waited for a midnight dinner. With this view waiting for us I'm glad we went out!

The language in Zurich is primarily German - which (in my mind) didn't bode well for vegetarian food but I had 2 of the best salads yet in Europe and we went to an awesome vegetarian restaurant for dinner Saturday (Hiltl for anyone traveling to Zurich).

But back to the city - Zurich is small, but pretty. Mainly oriented around the river and large lake (pictures below). We had a great time walking through the downtown, eating brunch at Sprugli (most famous chocolate shop and had hot chocolate of course) and then a lovely boat ride around the lake. Sunday dawned bright and sunny again so we headed up Zurich mountain for lunch with a gorgeous view of the city!

A Day in The Cotswolds

I took a day tour up to the Cotswolds this weekend (Saturday) and it was lovely. It would have been lovely for no other reason than it rained all day in London and yet we had gorgeous weather only 90 minutes north west of the city - however the Cotswolds themselves were gorgeous. The Cotswolds is an area of Britain made up of adorable little villages, rolling fields and farm land and often termed "the heart of England." We first stopped in Bibury (first two pictures) for a quick walk.

We then spent some time in Bourton-on-the-Water (which was my favorite) a small village that really exemplifies what you might expect from a town in the english countryside.

Our last stop of the day was in Stratford on Avon (if you're thinking Shakespeare you get a gold star) for a tour of the museum and tea. We didn't get much time in this town and I'd definitely like to return - ideally in the summer for some theatre and additional time to walk along the water.

Borough Market

I went to Borough Market yesterday for the first time and it was glorious! It probably helped that it was one of our first truly spring like days - with the sun shining and weather warm enough to just need a light jacket. Borough Market is in the Borough district of London, just opposite the river from the Tower of London. It's one of the largest (if not the largest) for fresh produce, meats, cheeses and all kinds of delicious prepared foods.

Who doesn't like a market that tempts you with glasses of prosecco from the tap as you walk in?!

It's a fun setting next to a beautiful old church and yet underneath a freeway overpass. There's a gluttony of prepared foods to grab for a snack or lunch - PieMinister (hot, hand pies), veggie burgers, fish and chips, prepared salads, chorizo sandwiches and so much more. I went for a glass of sparkling cider to enjoy while I walked around (below).

Sadly the market is only open Thursday-Saturday or I'd be here every day!

24 Hours in Paris

In reality I was in Paris for 3 days - but discounting a wet arrival evening and 2 days in the office - I was left with 24 hours from Friday evening to hoping the train back Saturday night to reacquaint myself with the sights, sounds and (most importantly in my book) tastes of Paris :-)

I started off with a lovely wander through the Jardin des Tulieries and watched the sunset with the Eiffel Tower as a backdrop - spectacular to say the least and definitely put my in the Paris mood.

From there a walk (really a hike once you hit those stairs) up to the Sacre Coeur - which has always been a favorite of mine in the city. It was especially nice since I arrived around 9pm and it was much quieter than I've had the chance to enjoy it before. Of course - March isn't quite tourist season yet either.

Saturday dawned bright and chilly - but I took a recommendation from a friend and rented a bike for the day to easily get around to the places I wanted to visit. A great option I can't recommend enough - though today (Sunday I'll admit my legs don't quite agree). The chapel below is St. Augustin, which is where my hotel was for the entire stay - a great location, not far from the Champs Elysees and right on a train stop.

A true highlight of the day for me was Notre Dame - which, I have seen over past visit to Paris but somehow (over 17 years) I've always arrived when some type of construction was occurring and seen the front with scaffolding and never been inside. Well, it didn't disappoint when I went in for a visit today - I'm glad I made the effort to swing down to that area for a visit.

I then grabbed some bread and cheese from the market at St. Germain and what trip is complete without at least swinging by the Eiffel Tower - add in a lovely picnic - and it was a perfect way to end the day. Hoping back on the bike, it was back to the station for my late train back to London.

Eurostar to Paris!

Just a quick note - I jumped on the Eurostar from St. Pancras in London today and quickly (and oh so easily) arrived in Paris. Though I can't say I'm thrilled with the weather (seriously, 2 months in London with barely any rain - just to be greeted my a very wet day in Paris) I can't rave enough about the Eurostar experience. Looking forward to the trip back on Saturday - and future travels! :-)

Fancy Dress

Thankfully I realized before I attending the "fancy dress" party in Wales that fancy dress = costume here. As many of you know, I'm not really a costume fan (which is an understatement really). But upon receiving an invitation to celebrate the 30th of Helen C in Cardiff it seems I would have to get in the spirit - and if the "spirit" is a sparkly pink cowgirl hat and gingham...then in the spirit I did get :-)

Camden Market

I spent last Sunday with my friend Melissa and her work friend Eryn taking a visit up to Camden Market in north London. It was fantastic! Truly an eclectic market it was much bigger than I expected - and overflowing with international food stalls, crafts, clothing, music, etc. We tried just a sampling of the cuisines but it included: falafel, crepes, fresh orange juice, made to order mac and cheese, peruvian potatoes, chocolate covered fruit, samosas...i'm getting hungry again just writing about it!

We didn't try these - but they're called "dutch dippers" and basically look like little pancakes that they smother in nutella (and strawberries if you ask, which - of course you would). Next time!