And then there's gourmet @ gabriel's

So I've been mulling over just how long it feels since I last wrote here with some semblance of regularity and whilst pouring over past posts, it dawned on me that I left you right here, on an incomplete walk along London's Southbank. Now, if Saturday was about the speediest sofa supper one can muster, today is about identifying what is irrefutably Italian in essence - Pizza Margherita at Gourmet Pizza Company. Now, don't get me wrong 'cause I'm all for doughy American crusts, rich Pizza Hut pizza sauce and an overload of melted, oozing cheese (mmmmmm) but it can be nice sometimes to go authentic too. This one, and Franco Manco's have stolen my heart. 
SL. x
Visit Gourmet Pizza Company at 56 Upper Ground, Gabriel's Wharf, London SE1 9PP

...and the Southbank itself

So here I am, one day later one week later as promised expected... but I reckon it's all worked out for the best; had it been a cold, rainy or windy day, I guarantee you'd've thought I'd lost my mind - it is about taking a scenic walk along London's Southbank, give me some credit okay?!

Southish London. I'm not overly familiar with it, no real reason to trek so far you see. If you draw a straight line between the West End and High Street Ken, that's preeeeeeetty much my half of the playground. North of the river, yes, I hear you, didn't think of it before. But. As I'm learning, slowly but surely, London Bridge, Borough Market, the Tate and Southbank beyond do have their own little lure going. An eclectic mix of old and ultra-modern. But as it's not awfully frequent I'm in those areas, I'm ever so slightly embarrassed to admit that I jump right onto the tourist bandwagon - y'know, clicking away like crazy with my camera, always carrying a backpack (hey, it's a long way away for me okay?!) - for let's face it, you can't be standing in absolute awe of the Shard if you're actually from only 15 miles away and you're wearing wearing formal workwear with stiletto heels. Too many 'weirdo' glances. Try it out, can be good fun. 

...Views from the Southbank Centre (and free pianos in empty ballrooms, what's this all about?!)... ...and sights closer to the ground... ...grab a Wahaca* mmmmm.... ...reconstructed history... ...and actual history... ...then there's shopping of course (for food, the best type uh-huh) ...*or maybe you want to hold out some pizza, proper italienne... ...before feeling like an ant before an elephant...
And let's not forget Gabriel's Wharf... back tomorrow, for SURE!  
SL x
P.S. Happy Friiiiday in advance, long weekend whoop whoop!

sl Days Out: Alchemy at the Southbank

So now. Before I ended up marvelling at the marathon in a brief but eye-opening moment of enlightenment, the fundamental reason for my so bravely foraging into London on Sunday in the first place. 
Alchemy at the Southbank Centre, I find out in hindsight, is now in it's fourth year running (almost at a close now though) - a celebration and summation of absolutely everything I love about the Indian subcontinent; vibrant explosions of colour in the way of art & fabric exhibitions, hustling-bustling crowds, highly skilled performers and then some. Of course if you've gathered anything in the time you've spent reading along with me, you'll probably have guessed what I found to be the crowning glory... Yup, THE most spicy, mouthwateringly tasty Indian food market you can imagine. Sizzling pau bhajis & refreshing lassi, pani puri prepared as you eat and clay-pot chai - HEAVEN. 
  As luck would have it, of course, I happened to be the very last Londoner to learn of this little treasure's existence... Friday, to be precise, which was exactly...err one day before the festival's last weekend. Bit of a 'do or die' situation really. Go on over and have a nose around the website, I think I've gotten back to you in the nick of time should you fancy catching the tail end - I'll be back tomorrow with some more. 
x
Visit the Southbank Centre on Belvedere Rd, London SE1 8XX. Closest tube station: Waterloo. 

The London Marathon

The snaking marathon could be clearly seen from the Southbank Centre... perhaps not so clearly in this picture though.

That I've gotten to the rather ripe age of errr... 21 (shut up) now and never braved London on Marathon Sunday is something, as I realised yesterday, I'm not really proud of. And neither, I realised too, did "staying in" all those years pay off particularly. Don't get me wrong, my fitness is appalling to the extent I'd probably collapse half-way through the warm up - so I do have colossal admiration for the thousands so very much more dedicated than I am. But it's just...well I guess I've always just chosen to send good wishes & heartiest congratulations telepathically you see. Let me explain. 

In the few days preceding the event, I've always felt an aura of anticipation is 'created' of what is to befall the city - "Half a million enthusiastic supporters will line the streets of London", "And now for the travel news, viewers are reminded that there will be station closures...", "Those taking part in the marathon can expect unseasonably warm temperatures..." Now. Let's be honest. It's pretty easy for such...erm, persistent updates to conjure images of being squashed and piled on overflowing platforms, waiting for already crowded, heaving trains. And that's even before you're squished and packed into one like a tinned sardine - under a bloke's sweaty armpit if you're really unlucky, it is unseasonably warm remember? - only to get out the other side and find pushing and shoving is the name of the game (Sorry if this sounds horrifically similar to your daily journey home).

Well, the marathon sure put me in my place yesterday. And though I do have to hold my hands up that we didn't actually go for purposes of watching it (more on that tomorrow) I saw London in a light that is wholly absent on the dreary, routine work commute each morning. There was euphoria, excitement and easiness. Was there commotion? Yes. But chaos? No. Was I in awe? Yes. But overwhelmed? No.

Were you watching?

xx