Janice

24th December 201729th December 2017

Jolly old Christmas

Saturday, 24 December, 2017

I feel very fortunate not having to deal with rushing around to buy lots of presents, not having to visit too many people, and generally not needing to stress about Christmas. I also greatly appreciate the British sense of humour at this time of year, or any other for this matter.

When grocery shopping is a Must, the humour on this list is very much appreciated.

And, in case, I get weighed down by the issues that face the world these days, it’s good to be reminded of the really important problems reported on the front page of this newspaper:

We braved the damp, chilly weather for a visit to Walthamstow. Alas, although determined not to give in to the possible depression these grey skies may bring, our exploration fizzled rather than sparkled. Walthamstow put on an amusingly tacky show – it doesn’t look as hokey in the photo below!

And we watched the very British tradition of queuing to jam into the shops before the general closure of shops and transportation on Christmas Day.

Things were coming along in the flat, though. Just a bit more cleaning and it may even feel like Christmas.

And some Christmas eve baking – of mince tarts, sausage rolls, and anchovy cheese straws definitely helped things along. (My baking style is rustic!)

On Christmas day, Krish made dinner (something that has always been my domain but happy to give it up this year.

Dinner was pork tenderloin, stuffing balls, roasted potatoes and brussels sprouts, some apple sauce, cranberry sauce ( like both!) and some kosher pickle. It may look beige, but it was truly delicious!

A hot water bottle each, some hot chocolate with liqueur and the night was complete.

21st December 201729th December 2017

Winter Solstice at Newington Green

Thursday, 21 December, 2017

Today was the Winter Solstice, shortest day of the year. They are indeed short days now, the sun rising around 8 and setting before 4pm

Every Solstice and Equinox for many years I’ve taken part in a Flickr photo group called Day in the Life of. It’s now called Another Day in the Life of. At any rate, I rarely miss it even if my photos of the day are all taken inside my flat. Trivia: The tag we have to use – DILO – is the source of amusement to my friends. Dilo, guys – there is no extra D in there.

I thought I’d share the photos of the time I spent in Newington Green, meeting my friend, Juliet. Let’s make it a photo essay but read to the end where I’ll put a little bit about the fascinating history of the area, first mentioned in the Doomsday book of 1086.

**Newington Green Fruit and Vegetables**

17th December 201728th December 2017

A fast visit to Spitalfields Market

Sunday, 17 December, 2017

On the run up to Christmas, there’s one place I wanted to visit and that’s Spitalfields Market. It was raining and cool but it takes only eight minutes by train from Hackney Downs, our nearest train station, to Liverpool Street, the closest station to Spitalfields. There’s so simply no excuse to stay away!

(This history: “Spitalfields takes its name from the hospital and priory, St. Mary’s Spittel that was founded in 1197. Spitalfields served as a microcosm of this polyglot society, the ‘melting pot’ fusion of east and west. Historically, it has played host to a transient community – primarily for new immigrants. From its small beginnings in the 17th Century, Spitalfields Market blossomed…trading six days a week. By 1876 the market had fallen into decline”…a former market porter called Robert Horner…started work on a new market building which was completed in 1893 at a cost of £80,000. The market moved to Leyton in 1991 but at the end of 2005 the Spitalfields regeneration programme restored the original market area. Today it’s filled with “designers / makers and artists selling fashions, homewares and accessories or a treasure trove of vintage and antique clothing, furniture and other wondrous oddments!”

**Bronze Sculpture** – must find out the story behind this

This was going to be a whirlwind visit, and I’m sure I’ll be back many times to talk more about Spitalfields but today I walked through, had some lunch, looked at some stalls and left! I was puzzled to see that so many new official looking freestanding kiosks had sprung up and wondered why they were there and if they were permanent. While I love food, I’m not happy with how so many London markets are turning into overpriced food courts. I didn’t let this take away from the charm of this lovely market, part old, part new, always thriving as it changes day to day.

**The market was ready for Christmas. In the bottom photo a large pile of Christmas costumes was ready for who knows what to come.**

I had a coupon for Wagamama so had a small lunch, or at least I thought it might be a small lunch since I chose a child’s meal. Mistake! There was too much food. The ramen was way too big for a child and was bland , flavoured only with Sriracha sauce. The hirata buns (bao) were as nice (and as tiny) as always and could have been enough! Lesson learned. Not a huge fan of Wagamama but a coupon is a coupon and the service was fast and friendly. Free lunch!

Continue reading “A fast visit to Spitalfields Market”

15th December 201728th December 2017

Christmas in London’s west end – part deux

Friday, 15 December, 2017

My experiences of Christmas time in the city are diverse. I’ve spent time in London, Toronto, Budapest, Berlin, Birmingham, Lincoln, Bath, Orange County, and San Francisco – at Christmas or in the lead up to Christmas. Cities have unique ways to display their affection for the season and all of them have been magical in their own way.

I expected Germany to be go more spectacular and their markets were indeed quite lovely but surprisingly understated. On my list is a visit to the Nurnberg Christmas market, which I hear is the most famous of all German markets, dating back at least to the 17th century. I’ve been to Nurnberg and I know the setting would be perfect.

Budapest at Christmas has been the most special time for me, especially when the days are shared with Chanukah. Both festivals run side by side and intermingle. Perhaps later this year I will go back there and travel on to Nurnberg from there. On my list!

But I’m not here to talk about Budapest right now. London!

I wonder what New York City Christmas is like. Judging from previous visits, I suspect it’s pretty full-on and perhaps flashy. London is also full-on but in a delightfully understated way despite all the colour and light. Somehow it feels natural to see the Christmas scenes in a city that has no snow and can otherwise be shabby. And Christmas is everywhere. Turn a corner and there’s more. Overhead, along the streets on railings and windows, hanging from balconies, glimpsed through doors and windows. Christmas takes over.

I was determined to see the things I’d missed on my last visit. And, although I did cover quite a bit of ground, I know I still didn’t see it all. I did my best! Following are more photos than you may care to see…

14th December 201722nd December 2017

Quick visit to Whitechapel, The Geffrye Museum and Dalston Eastern Curve Garden

Thursday, 14 December, 2017

Christmas is ever closer! It feels like I haven’t been out as much but in fact, looking back over the last week, I’ve seen and done a lot. I’ve just had my second cup of tea and am ready to share.

On Thursday, we had a great day quite locally. It’s days like this that help me understand why we are still here in the east end (for some, a no-go zone) and not moved on.

I had a list of things I’d like to do and, amazingly, we did them all. First we went back to Ambala in Whitechapel and bought samosas, pakora, and three kinds of sweets. From here we strolled over to Middlesex Street (Petticoat Lane) so that Krish could check out the runners’ shop. We were surprised to see that there are new buildings still rising out of what used to be a slum area. The fact they are going to be so tall made me a little sad. Slums are not a good thing, even cleaned up, but these higher buildings will definitely change the neighbourhood – the look, the feel, the real estate value, the lifestyle, the inahbitants, the visitors – immensely. Change is inevitable.

Sweets at Ambala, Whitechapel

We jumped on a bus to the Geffrye museum. The Geffrye Museum isn’t a well-known one. Most visitors to London wouldn’t have it on their radar, but it’s one of my very favourites. The museum explores ‘the home’ from 1600 onwards. It does this with ‘rooms’ displayed as it would have been at the time. The museum itself is housed in 18th-century almshouse buildings. At Christmas time, the rooms are decorated as they would have been in that era. I’ve been there every year that I’ve been in London since 2002 and, although I can skip through faster these days, I don’t tire of it.

That day there was a craft fair. We browsed but didn’t buy. Crafts are deservedly but prohibitively expensive these days. Then we did a high speed run through of all the rooms! Zoom!

The Almshouses - Geffrye museum site — **The Almshouses – Geffrye museum site**

Christmas interiors at the Geffrye - guess the era! — **Christmas interiors at the Geffrye – guess the era!**

Which is your favourite?

There’s something fantastic about free museums. It gives a more casual atmosphere to things and allows you to dip in and out of them over the year and not become bogged down in the experience. London is special for this.
Continue reading “Quick visit to Whitechapel, The Geffrye Museum and Dalston Eastern Curve Garden”