It’s dark before 4pm these days. That seems so early. I can totally understand why there are so many festivals that involve light and fire. I’ve gathered my Christmas lights, placed some strategically, bought the smelly candles, and hunting down the elusive Chanukah candles. (This is getting harder so I think I’ll buy two boxes!) Strange they should be so hard to find in a heavier than average Jewish environment.
At any rate, the living room is slowly taking on a Chistmassy look. It’s a bit of a jumble at the moment but eventually a bit more effort will snap things into shape.
Jumbled Christmas views
I’m also whimsical about my Christmas – Chanukah mix. I have one ancestor who converted to Judaism and I wonder if it was Mary Ann who snuck the traditions in, or was it merely adaptation across the years after all the various branches migrated to the UK.
One day last week we went out to Angel. It’s a zone 1 area just north of central and just a 20 minute bus ride away from Hackney. Angel retains its independent nature, despite all the chains and franchises that have stealthily crept in. There are lovely churches and greens, a wide high street, a fancier stretch of restaurant after restaurant, three cinemas – two indy – and some mews areas. Soon a new mall will open and it will be interesting to see how this might change the way it looks and operates.
The mews area of Camden Passage has a lot of little shops and cafes. Like most similar places, the prices are a bit steep here. This year it’s not looking as seasonally attractive as other years and the grey weather doesn’t help. I’ll go back after dark when the lights will cheer things up. Meanwhile I did enjoy looking at the windows but didn’t venture inside anywhere.
It’s taking a bit of time to get settled. More than expected. Krish talks quite a lot about what he misses. I think I’m more adaptable. I loved being in Turin but I love being back in London too.
Robots in the window
I’m enjoying the food. The market isn’t as interesting as Porta Palazzo but I never have shopped there. We noticed a few food carts have started up in Ridley Road. There’s a Chinese food and a falafel wagon. We haven’t dared try them but I think I will. Then one day we went for a walk past  Sutton House. They’ve done a really interesting thing there – little toy trucks and cars have been bolted into a fence.
Hackney is the home of Matchbox Toys. It started right here! The brand was introduced by Lesney Products in 1953. I’m quite sure this is why the toys are there at Sutton House.
Cars at Sutton House
From here we walked over to the fish and chips shop on Well Street. It’s our favourite. I don’t like to have it too often but it’s delicious and here they make it very well, not greasy and always with a smile. We order one piece of haddock, a small chips, and five ‘cod bites,’ which are small pieces of cod fried and meant as snacks or for children. And always a ‘gherkin,’ or pickled cucumber. Sprinkle with salt and vinegar and it’s a feast between the two of us.#
Fish and chips
On Friday I went for my flu shot. I wasn’t feeling so great. A little shaky, a little lightheaded, but felt quite sure it was a normal thing. I went ahead with the shot, which was fast and painless.
By Friday night, I was starting a sore throat, my pain had the expected ache, but both hands and feet were aching and crampy. This continued through Saturday so I laid low and watched Netflix. Today I’m slowly feeling better but I have the sniffles. Is it the shot and I have mini Flu, or was I getting a virus already? Who knows!
I got some fabric today to make a doll or two for Esmeralda and I have a stew simmering on the stove. I’d meant to make a Thai curry but Krish seems to have either tossed or relocated the curry paste I knew was in there when we went away. So that’s that.
A strange feeling waking up today and knowing this was it. There was nothing on the must-do list other than packing and last-minute chocolate purchases.
And today the view of the Alps was spectacular – clearer than I’ve ever seen
View from balcony on the last full day
After packing for what seemed like an eternity, off to the market to get that chocolate. Also on the list some marrons glaces, and some lemon pasta. Done and dusted.
We picked up some octopus salad and pizza to eat today and then some fritto misto as a last minute whim. We were already dreaming of a curry in London!
Wood oven at RondiniMargarita Pizza at RondiniFritto misto
Today Krish was going on a tour to Thales Aerospace and I stayed behind. It was a lovely clear morning.
I stopped by the pasta shop to buy some ravioli. I feel like my Italian has halted and I need more practice! However, at least I can buy what I want and make myself understood. It’s vocabulary and fluency that I need to build.
I’ve decided to stop by the lovely little toy shop in the Quadrilatero and also visit the Santuaria della Consalata, since I had loved it on my very brief visit earlier.
The toy shop was chaotic as expected from the window and I had a lovely (English) chat with the owner about ‘Made in China.’ Bottom line, the items made in China are about a quarter of the price of those made in Italy, Germany or Czech. That’s a huge difference.
I went in to the Consolata and again was struck by how beautiful it was. There are several domed areas and each is different. Little chapels, a prayer area with confessionals, altars, an organ, balconies… This is a real treasure and, although I prefer plain, humble churches, this one has really caught my imagination. I wander around as quietly as I can among the people praying, and I light a candle to my mum and dad and whisper a silent thank you to them.
I head over to the little square at IV Marzo and treat myself to an ice cream. I choose lemon and sage (can’t taste the sage), and Crema d’uova. It’s delicious. I took a photo to show how very small the cups of gelato are. I haven’t ever wished they were bigger. It’s just enough for me.
Yes, I ate it all!
Up on the large dome at the Duomo that houses the shroud, I see they are hard at work, the orange construction vests contrasting with the grey of the dome and the scaffolding.
And then through the Porta Palatina, noticing the building near to the entrance. I’ve not looked at it as closely before and it’s apparently one of the oldest in the city.
Today we thought of a plan – we would go to Lavazza to check out the bistrot (cafeteria) and see how the construction was coming along, and we’d tour the opera house – Teatro Regio. We hoped we could dodge the raindrops. It was decidedly soggy but we didn’t want to let this keep us indoors.
Bikes in the rain by the Dora
The Bistrot is a cafeteria within the Lavazza Complex on via Bologna. We were pretty sure that, although this is intended for Lavazza employees, the public were welcome and we were right. One of the receptionists handed us each a card where we would register the food we’d buy once upstairs.
There are some fancy looking electronic coffee machines on the main floor – one euro for a cup. Then a lobby, a lift, and stairs up to the cafeteria first floor.
Lavazza cafeteria
Its like a school or hospital cafeteria in there, a sort of food court look. Two stations against the far wall that sell pizzas, pastas, and main dishes. And one central station for salads and soups. We can’t see any drinks and there is only fruit for dessert. Healthy! There is, however, a couple of self service stations for free water (still and sparkling) and a bank of bottles of olive oil and vinegar. Nothing else.
We browse around and settle on a main of grilled calamari and duchesse potatoes, and Krish has a last minute choice of a pizza with no tomato but cheese and walnuts. Then I’m intrigued by a pink vegetable soup so we pick that too. Verdict: Not bad. Nothing to rush back for. Lavazza, perhaps you could give your employees a price break – our bill was 19.20.
Lavazza lunch
From the window we can see they are coming along quite nicely with the garden that will stand between the cafeteria building and the offices but it won’t be done by the time to leave this city.
Lavazza construction
From here we wander into town. It’s still drizzling. Krish wants to visit the British bookstore and then we’ll look around before heading for the opera house tour.
First we go through the Parco Reale and I notice how much the terrain has changed since we first arrived.
The Mole on a rainy Fall day
We’re puzzled by not seeing the lights that are supposed to be between the park and Piazza Castello but will need to check this out another time since the rain has started to get a bit more serious.
The opera house has a fantastic gate and, if you’re lucky, as you walk through they will be playing opera on loudspeakers. I took a video but missed the music this time.
The rain is putting paid to doing very much so we decide to stay more or less inside – in gallerias and under porticoes until 3pm when we can buy tour tickets. It may be raining hard but Turin looks pretty good in the rain with its lovely squares and shops. And the British book store is nicely chaotic too.
Shopping under the porticoesBritish bookstorePiazza Carignano
Some of the stores have beautiful windows. I wonder who shops in them.
FarmaciaCarlo Villarboito ChocolatiereRistogastronomiaShopping inside the Galleria San Federico
As well, Liat has told me about a grocery store, Fiorfood inside the Galleria San Federico so I go to check that out. It’s very fancy. There are several rooms with expensive food goods, as well as upstairs, a large cafe, then a dining room and kitchen on the mezzanine. It’s eye candy!
Inside the Fiorfood supermarket
Walking past the Egyptian museum we see another free museum that seems to be about space and size. We now don’t have enough time to check it out but I make a mental note in case we can squeeze it in during Monday or Tuesday. The rain is heavier again and we’re feeling pretty damp so, although it’s now time to buy our tour tickets for the opera, we’re done! Going back to the flat to dry off and rest seems a much better idea.
I’m really not minding that the rain forces us to relax and keep ourselves entertained after all.
