London Christmas Illuminations & Christmas Parties

In the central London I saw some beautiful Christmas Illuminations.



Christmas is coming soon!


Many Christmas parties around!

When I was eating my Christmas dinner, unexpected disaster happened!


One of my Brussels sprouts flew toward the lady next to me!!!   (*O*)


I hear that she is the wife of the big company's owner!!! (Well-known company!) Oops!!!


My big apologies...


You know what, my husband was like Muttley in Wacky Races when he saw this!!!


That's typical...

Tennis at Queen's Club

My friend is a member of the Queen's Tennis Club.

I was invited to play there today.


I played there before in London Club League. (My friend was the opponent at that time!!!)


By the way this LCL is the 'Invitation only' league. They only invite good(?!) clubs! When I have heard of this I really felt 'being in London'!!!    (^o^)


It is nice to play there although we have to wear white tennis gear!


At some clubs in London we still have to wear something white like Wimbledon. Good to keep the tradition as one of the characteristics.


Nowadays each city has been losing strong traditional characteristics. Nice to feel the history here!!!

Christmas Market in Richmond

Today we went to Richmond to see Christmas market by the River Thames.

Full of water today.


It is nice to walk along the river but might be too cold in winter...

Beautiful Night View in London

It is getting colder & colder, darker & darker everyday.


Might feel depressed...


OK, let's find some positive points in winter.


One is that we can enjoy beautiful night view.

Nice to drive out around London Bridge in order to enjoy the night view. Walking along the Thames is also romantic.


London Eye might be the best place to enjoy the night view. I have not tried it yet though.


If you are making a plan for romantic dating, think of the beautiful night view!!!

Japan & China ♪♪

We are visiting Japan & China for next holiday.

Very exciting!!!


At this moment China & Japan are conflicting over the territory of island... (They might be able to avoid the armed clash though.)


************

By the way a war is always used by politicians & some companies.


It often happens when the politicians want the people to look away from their domestic problems. They sometimes make an obvious enemy to unite as one country. They sometimes use a war for economy. (especially for war industries) They make a war in order to get resources such as oil/metals for some companies.


They might say this is a war to protect our country.


In reality they are using the war! Behind the scene some people are getting benefits!


Many people are killed during the war... Many Innocent people...


On the other hand, the people who made the war are still enjoying their luxury life!!!


I do not feel fair!!!

Scenery from our Car

In London streets & shops are already illuminated.


I took some photos from our car.

I also saw the people ice-skating at the Natural History Museum. Already in such a season!

Well, I am looking forward to taking photos 'in still' when go out next time! (not from the car!)

Autumn to Winter

In London the colours of the leaves have been changing. It is beautiful!!!

Soon after, all the leaves will be falling off the tree.



It shows that winter has come!

Shopping in London ♪Bond Street & Marylebone High Street♪

Today we went shopping.

Bond Street!

On Bond street, there are some nice chocolate shops. One of them is Bateel.

They have a small cafe inside. We can have nice cakes as well as chocolates.

Marylebone High Street!

This high street is stylish. There are some nice interior shops, fashionable cafe/restaurants & Cath Kidston.


Cath Kidston is very popular and always packed with girls/ladies. My husband was almost pushed away by some shopping ladies!!!


You have to be careful with shopping ladies, boys! They are wild!!!

Whole Foods in Kensington

Today I went to Whole Foods in Kensington.

My usual item is this. ↓

Focaccia!!!



Today I was very hungry so I put this ↓ in the basket without thinking...

I also got some extra chocolates, biscuits & cheese... I mean I got a lot of snack!


Well, I feel that it was not a good idea to go to the supermarket when I was hungry!!!

World Tour Finals without Richard Gasquet

My favourite Richard Gasquet became No10 in the world.


Richard Gasquet fans were hoping that he would be able to play at O2 in London. (World Tour Finals)


This year Nadal is not playing so No.9 can play. (Normally world ranking No.1-8)


Wanted to see him at O2... Really frustrated!


Richard, I am always waiting for you in London!!!

 

Moon, Harricane & Earthquake

Today's moon in London.

Sorry to hear that many people suffered from Hurricane Sandy in US.


At this moment people are paying attention to the 'east' coast of US/Canada.


Do you also know that some people warn about the possibility to have a big earthquake on the 'west' coast of Canada/US? They think that the earthquake in Canadian pacific ocean on the 28/10 might trigger the bigger earthquake. Watch out next 10days or so. Hope it does not happen...


Just in case, please be careful with earthquakes/huge tsunami 'as well'!!!

Mr Robin & Sushi in London

Today I saw a robin. Very cute!

I had sushi for lunch. I went to my favourite sushi place 'Ikeda' in Mayfair.

If you want to have 'REAL' sushi, try here! Tastes great!!!


In the town all the sushi might look similar. If you try sushi here, you will know that the quality of the 'real' sushi is in a completely different league!


This restaurant is situated just opposite the Claridges. I also like this hotel! After sushi we can have afternoon tea there!


What a perfect plan!!!

Villeroy & Boch

We like Villeroy & Boch goods.


We have Villeroy & Boch kitchen sink, bath, bath room sink & toilet...

Oops! Forgot to mention these!!!


Our favourite mugs!

This is mine!

This is my husband's

We fell in love with the design!


We are using these mugs for daily tea & coffee. We are always with them. They are like our best friends!!!

Sushi on Sunday

I had a craving for sushi today.


There are not many places we can go on Sundays. Most of the sushi places in the central London are closed on Sundays.


Today we tried Sushi-Say in Willesden. This place is open on Sundays! This restaurant is not in the very central London. For us it was the first time to explore in Willesden area.


The chef is Japanese. Sushi & all the other dishes are very authentic! It was very impressive!


The price is slightly more reasonable than the other sushi restaurants in the central London. Some people do not understand that the authentic sushi places are always expensive just the same as the top French restaurants! The proper sushi chef is like a skilled craft man! Sushi is a kind of art! (If you want to see the art of sushi, try Umu in Mayfair!)


Sorry, I forgot to take any photos...


Do I go back there? Definitely 'Yes!'


When you do not have a feeling for Roast Beef on Sunday, why don't you try Sushi instead?

Mussels and Brussels

I had mussels for lunch today.

 

 

 

 

The portion of the mussels was English size.

 

 

When we visited Brussels we saw many people having beer with a huge portion of mussels in a 'bucket'!!!

 

 

By the way in Brussels we went to the restaurant called 'Comme Chez Soi'. This is a Michelin-star restaurant. At this restaurant when they found our favourites they offered a top-up!!! If we say 'Yes please', they bring a pan to our table in order to serve our top-up!!! Because of this unique system this restaurant became very memorable.

 

 

Would be nice to go back to Brussels for nice restaurants, mussels, beer and definitely for chocolates!!!

 



 

My favourite Cakes

Today I went to China Town

in order to get my favourites! ↓

 

The above is cheese souffle. It is different from New York style cheese cake. Without any high calorie base cookies. Light texture and more refined.

This is yam rolled cake. ↑ It is very soft and tasty.


I sometimes have a craving for these cakes. If you have a sweet tooth, worth trying these cakes!!!

The River Thames

Today's River Thames

We cannot think of London without this river.


Someone swam in this river for charity. Swallowing Thames water – with risks of E-coli, salmonella and hepatitis! Not surprised to hear that he had 'Thames belly'!!! Anyway he was brave enough to swim in this dirty murky water!


According to the local newspaper a couple of years ago, the number of crabs has been increasing. These are Chinese mitten crabs and Chinese people love to eat in their home country!


Well, I really do not want to eat anything from this river. Chinese people might feel the same!

Pub

There are some nice pubs in London.


We have 2 favourite pubs in London. One is The Waterway near Little Venice and the other one is The Brown Dog in Barnes.


We went to The Brown Dog in Barnes today.


Long time no pub for us!

I had a glass of cloudy French cider.


They serve excellent food. I had some oysters for starter and steak for main. The quality of the food is top class!


I like eating out at fancy restaurants such as Alain Ducasse. The Brown Dog is just a pub but this pub definitely got the same kind of attraction to visit over and over!


This pub is recommended for the people who cannot satisfied with the ordinary quality of pub food!!!

Scary Fried Chicken...

I was reading someone's blog. She was writing about Genetically Modified animals.


Do you know the current development using GM technology? For example, chicken. ↓

(This is from the other site. Thank you for letting me use it.)

Obviously, for fried chicken!!!


Is it allowed to make such new creature for money???


Very shocking!!!

Foot Massage

I went to China Town, Soho today.


There are some Chinese foot massage places in China Town.



♪♪　The difference between Chinese & Thai foot massage　♪♪


Chinese - Painful!!!


Thai - Relaxing!!! (Many people go into sleep during massage)



I do 'not' think many English like painful massage. In London we see many Thai foot massage places but difficult to find 'proper?' painful Chinese ones.


When we visited Hong Kong we had foot massage at a local place. When we groaned in pain, they told us where in our body was a problem! Each painful press spot is connected to a part/organ of our body!


Anyway after this painful Chinese foot massage, I felt as if a huge load in my body has gone. Felt lighter!


I became addictive to the pain to have this feeling!!! Dangerous!!!

French Burger at Mandarin Oriental London

Today we both had the same feeling.


'Burger for lunch!'


We went to the bar in Mandarin Oriental London.

With nice red wine, of course!

I had a French Burger.

We enjoyed both wine & burger. Yes, excellent wine & top-notch burger!


There were many American people there.


This bar is good when you are in the casual attire. (I also like the bar in Ritz, but you cannot go there when you are wearing jeans! They have the attire inspector!)


Anyway this bar is the place to relax after hustle-bustle shopping.