Hello, London..we are back!

 

After what seems like an eternity, we are back to our familiar steps and surroundings. Home sweet home, it was home indeed until just a year ago, and the place where Cousy was born and spent her first precious year of life. Sorry for the silence on the blog, as I am on my wee break, family vacation is more like it ( and anniversary trip!), so what better way to reminisce the memories but to live life so carefree like how it was before, albeit only for a short while!

If you were hoping to get a glimpse of all the touristy delights that London offers, I am sorry to disappoint. The weather is a bit balmy, and  I am yet to capture all the scenic photos that a usual tourist would do- London Bridge, London Eye, the museums, Hyde Park, Buckingham Palace..though most mornings we would go for walks near the Palace Road and afternoon soiree at Hyde Park in the form of a cold, freezing picnic, it is just difficult to be in my photographic elements whilst minding the toddler who is always on the go. This trip is for her and capturing her beautiful photos are what I am after, a change from the food scene. And truth be told, after being a tour guide for my friends and families who visited often in yesteryears, I am a bit 'lazy with taking the tourist pictures.

Especially when there are prop shopping to be done. Oh, the wonders of vintage crockery. The hundred years old urn that I spotted and bought instantly. Or the inspirations from all the eating outs, few recipes exchanged and the endless bakeware purchases..for more baking, cooking and entertaining. I took a lot of things for granted whilst I was living here, yet I am grateful for this opportunity to come back here again and stock up on things that are just too ridiculously expensive in Singapore. They are not big, flamboyant stuff that I miss- just some old favourite Twining Assam tea ( I just couldn't find them in the new 'home'!), or Lavazza ground espresso which is 5 times dearer than in England! 

We also dedicated few days to meet friends, catch up on old news over shared meals. A Polish friend of mine who is married to Pakistani, shared her Asian fusion meals, which soon I will be sharing on this blog with all of you. Another delight of the trip is a stroll down to Peggy Porschen's Cake Parlour, the pink shop that stands so proudly in Belgravia amidst the old and grey Georgian townhouses. Peggy's cakes are just too gorgeous to be eaten, and unlike so many others with sugar laden frosting, they are unbelievably delicious! I think the whole cafe experience deserves a blog post on its own soon.

A quick visit to Laduree to snoop on some new flavours to be tried once I am back, and as Cousy loves macarons, I thought she deserves a box of dozen as a special treat. The highlight of the trip is actually our wedding anniversary which falls on Valentine's day (woohoo! how cheesy eh), and it was truly special. 

I hope you enjoy some glimpses of our travels, I can't wait to be back and share with all of you some new recipes, fresh bakes from newly bought cookbooks and magazines, more photography kicks with some vintage props..So stay tuned!