NYLON...In Heels!

35. Drink at the Notting Hill Arts Club.

So I'll keep it short and simple.  This 101 thing mission gets mixed reviews .  NHAC didn't deliver on the promised band or underground talent, but DID offer on a night of cheap drinks with good friends, a few push-ups and lots of laughs. 

Thanks to the every adventurous Button, Lorna, Jess, Martin, and Mike for joining me for round after round of 'no-name' beer and 'moscow mule concoctions'.  We may not have danced the night away... but we certainly drank it!

t just goes to show: 

"It's not where you are, but who your with that really matters." 

4. Be a groundling at the globe

This may have been the longest planned 'to-do' on the list!  When Jess booked her trip to London, she made a lil request that we save this one for her.  And so she came, and off we went!

I have a soft-spot for the Southbank and often find myself making excuses to peruse the area to get a glimpse of the Globe Theatre (not the original let me remind you).  But, with all my passion for theatre, literature, and the arts in general - I've not once thought to buy a ticket and go in.  Until now.

As the name suggests, a 'groundling' ticket means you are on the ground (or the yard) watching the play from standing room only.  The concept is the same it was in Shakespeare's 1600s as tickets are still cheap at only 5 GBP a pop and you stand for the ENTIRE show.  In the 21st century, however, we sophisticated Groundlings certainly don't swear or throw food at the actors and we most definitely don't stink!  

Anyway, I regress.  Our tickets entitled us to enjoy the three hour long performance of 'As You Like It'.  The play got FANTASTIC reviews and, while I won't bore you with the specifics ('cause you should go and do it for yourself) I'll just pause to say that we all whole-heartedly agreed.  Fast moving with a lot of wit, it (and some of the cute actors) won our hearts and we most definitely will go back for more!

Jess, Lorna, Jenny, Tamsin:  Thanks for Shakespeare-ing it up with me at The Globe!  And a huge thank you and dedication to Mr. Knutsen, a fantastic HHS teacher who taught us all to live, love, and learn about Willy the Shake.

"All the world 's a stage, and all the men and women merely players. They have their exits and their entrances; And one man in his time plays many parts" - ( Quote Act II, Scene VII).

34. Chill at the Big Chill House

What better way to kick off 'Selebration September' than with a few birthday drinks at the Big Chill House in honor of Lorna's September 1st birthday?  Sat in our own hidden alcove, the mid-week drinks were the perfect anecdote to ward off the early signs of post-summer blues.  This night out also marked the start of a busy social month as our last LON days draw near.

A shout out to Button and Clare for working their magic and getting the crew together to 'chill'.

38. Take in the view from Parliament Hill

 

There's a little story that goes... Long long ago (alright alright three summers ago!), when I first moved to London, Mike and I discovered Hampstead Heath and within it the magnificent view of London from Parliament Hill. 

One summer day (everyonce in awhile that season makes an appearance),we set up a picnic and hung out in the park watching the pooches and playmates frolicking in the fields.  That day we dreamed about how our life in London would pan out, and chatted about how before we left the LON we hoped we would have established ourselves enough to play in the park with a handful of mates, soaking up a rare sunny London day and taking in the view from the hill.

That dream became reality (how poetic!) two Saturday's ago during a day-long excursion to the Heath for Button & Wolfe's yearly birthday bonanza. The sun was shining, the wine, cider, and beers, were flowing, and games of cricket were in full circuit (Side Note:  Wow, I have friends and a husband who know how to play cricket!  That's almost a to-do in itself!). 

It was a "brilliant" day filled with "lovely" memories and more than succeeded crossing off this London to-do not for good, but for now.

 

A huge holla-back to Button, Lorna, Wolfe, Kate, Hannah, Tamsin, Jess, Bracey, John, Lex, Larissa, Dave, Jenny, and the rest of the crew!

 

23. Share a bottle of wine at Gordon's

"Friendship is like wine; it gets better as it grows older."

Established in 1890, Gordon's is the oldest wine bar in London.  Sitting in a cellar lit only by candle light, its the perfect place to sip on a glass of red after a long day and celebrate life, friendship and a birthday with friends.

Happy Birthday to Jenny who's celebration Lorna, Jenny, Mark and I toasted to at our cozy table for four.

27. Experience the magic of Heston Blumenthal at Fat Duck

There is one thing Mike and I had always said we wouldn't miss before leaving the LON - secure a coveted reservation and enjoy the culinary creativity of molecular gastronomist Heston Blumenthal at his famously fabulous Fat Duck.  So two months ago, with a little help from our Amex concierage, we nailed a ressie for August 18th and got the Illsley's signed on to keep us company.

The restaurant, which is ranked 2nd in the world and boasts three Michelin stars, is known for its menu of unusual dishes.  Our 14 course, four hour long gastronimc extravaganza included:

• "Mad Hatter Tea"
• "Sound of the Sea"  
• Salmon poached in Liquorice 
• "Not So Full English Breakfast" featuring Parsnip Cereal, Nitro-Scrambled Egg and Bacon Ice Cream, and Hot & Iced Tea
• Chocolate Wine Slush 

  











This supreme eating experience was technical perfection, playful, artistic, surprising and very tasty.  It can truly be defined as "food as theatre, theatre as food."

A Michelin Star and 10/10 to Nick, Erica, and Mike for making this foodie fantasy a reality.

11. Swim outdoors in the middle of Covent Garden

In a country where the weather forecast includes precipitation 85% of the year and the average daily temperature is never usually above 75 degrees Farenheit, you can imagine how often you DON'T go swimming outside in London.

Being our silly selves, Lorna, Jenny and I happily traded in a Friday afternoon of lunch at our desk to a leisurely paddle around around the outdoor Oasis Sports Centre pool - smack dab in the middle of Covent Garden. 

Luckily for us the sun graced us with his presence, but thank goodness for heated water! 

9. Take a London Ghost or Jack the Ripper Walk.

 

The East London I've come to know and love includes Brick Lane curry houses, shopping in Spitalfields, the Routemaster, funky nights out, and street art from the likes of Bansky.  After a trip down Shoreditch's memory lane a few weeks ago, I realize it's got a bloody and brutal past that I care not to think about during my daytime jaunts.

The "Official" Jack the Ripper tour did not disappoint... with tales of doom and gloom for the victims of this 1800s "Slasher" on a warm summer nigh with good family and friends - it is a skin crawling to-do that no LONer should miss. 

A big gut-wrenching thanks to Chase, Dani, Mike, Button, Lorna, Kirstie, and Jen for being brave souls and burning their soles all in the name of historical enrichment.

 

45. Try an Ostrich Burger at Borough Market

 

So I thought about listing all the reasons why I love Borough Market, and then I saw that someone already had (check out Food, Glorious Food here).  So hey, why reinvent the wheel, and just get on to the task at hand - telling you about my first foray of Ostrich Burger eating enjoyment.

For the past two yearsI have been subjected (in the nicest sense, truly) to the ravving reviews of the Borough Market Ostrich Burger by two of my favorite British boys Alex and Dave.  So, as a late addition to the list (and in honor of their gastronomic grumblings) I decided that I needed to put this burger to the test.

And the result: an absolute A++.  Ostrich meat (which Mike tells me I also enjoyed in S.A.) is a really lean tasty meat that may just be making it onto a grille near me soon!

A high-five to my Big Gay Bears Al and Dave for the Reco!

43. Climb to the top of the dome at St. Paul's

It’s London’s most iconic building, and an important landmark in religious history. And yet every day, millions of people take it for granted.  In fact for over two years I have shared this city with St Paul’s, making frequent trips past it on the way out for drinks or with friends passing through London, but I’d never been inside it.

My brother Chase, and his girlfriend Dani, came to London and agreed to help me check off this important icon from my list.  The morning they landed, off we went (what can I say, they are super travel troopers!)

The climb is divided into three parts:

1. The first section gets you to the whispering gallery which is to the interior of the dome where you can whisper on one side and the acoustics take it to the other side. 
2. The second part of the climb is 119 steps to the outside of the dome - and to some pretty sweet views of the City. 
3. Finally, there are 152 more spiraling stairs up the interior of the dome to the tippy top...but boy was view was worth the effort!

 The dome at St. Paul's has to be the greatest view the city that I've experienced thus far!  Infact, you don't just enjoy the view across town, but there is a small window that looks all the way down to the Cathedral floor!

There is a story that Christopher Wren sat up on Parliament Hill (#38.  Take in the view from Parliment Hill) to watch the removal of the scaffolding around St Paul’s dome – the second largest in the world after St Peter’s. If it collapsed, as many said it would, he had a carriage waiting to take him to the Channel. It didn’t, and now London has an amazing iconic Cathedral to admire no matter if it's from the top of the Dome or the top of the Hill.

A gold star to Dani, Chase and Mike for taking the St. Paul stair challenge with me!