London touring and tasting

I already miss the tube. And the pastries. And wearing big wool coats and fancy shoes and fine scarves. Oh, and by all means I miss that accent. I love a good accent.

I am sorry for my silence for a few days; I had good intentions of blogging while gallivanting about. But I was regularly sidetracked by tasty almond croissants (in or take away?) and tea (white or black?). Or the many little shops to find, the people to watch and yet another bit of history laid richly before me. I was on vacation after all, and had self-permission to indulge in daily pastries while pretending to be an expert underground traveler and take-away tea drinker.

In the States I order a daily “double short latte with a raw sugar to go”; but while in England I was all about the “Breakfast tea, white, take away.” Forget the ‘take out’ or ‘to go’, it is ‘take away’ for all of us on-the-go-types. And it isn’t about cream or sugar in your coffee, it is do you want milk in your tea or do you prefer it black?

So when I wasn’t window shopping and drinking another hot tea on a typical London foggy day (no rain, phew!), what was I doing? Walking. Putting serious mileage on my feet. I love getting to know cities on foot, against the grain, with only the expectation of discovery on my mind. And always there is much to see, to learn, to find and ultimately, to talk about.

One great off-beat find included Byron’s—near our hotel—a great spot for a quick “Proper Hamburger.” I asked: what makes them proper? Simple, uncomplicated, high-quality hamburgers [made with grass-fed beef]. So it was confirmed that our trend in America is not ours alone: back to basics, local, unadulterated food is pressing its goodness around the globe. I saw shops for organic food, pure food, natural and simple, fresh food. And many of the flavors I experienced this week were very clean and healthful—not heavy and greasy or sauced to death; though I promise you I snagged fish, chips and a cider at a pub while watching football (Arsenal v. Manchester United if you must know).

More tidbits of tasting and touring my way through London—coming soon.

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