B is for...Big Ben

Next stop...Camden Town

A is for...Angel

Today is the first day of the A-Z Challenge. Here on Girl About Town, my aim is to blog my way through the alphabet with photographs from around London. I'll also be posting on my other blog, On...Love, Life and Everthing in Between each day too.

So with no further ado, A is for...

Angle Tube Station...the home of the longest esculator of all the tube stations in London.

Next stop...Big Ben

Magic in Covent Garden

Covent Garden is full of street entertainers and has been for a very long time; Samuel Pepys mentioned street performers in his 1662 diary. It is the only place in London which is licenced to have such acts and the performers have to autition for the market's management in order to obtain a timetabled slot. There are 30 minute shows running through the day, every day of the year, except Christmas day.

To balance a bike on ones child, surely must involve some magic...

Thanks to LB Diamond and Tessa Conte for hosting the Nature of Magic Blogfest.

7...Green Park

Recently, in Green Park I saw a rather strange thing; a collection of Pug owners meeting together, for what purpose I am not entirely sure.

There were lots of little dogs, all kitted out in doggy coats and jumpers sniffing each other and then moving on to the next pug.

I wondered if it was some kind of speed dating for dogs; they were certainly doing the rounds. Sniffing each other, a bit of playful fighting,showing off their newest piece of doggie couture and then moving on to the next little fella.
Or maybe it was for the owners to do a little bit of playful flirting, talking about their dog, seeing what they had in common (other than choice in pet obviously), swapping numbers and arranging their own dog walking date.

By the time I left there was not only around 20 little animals running around after each other but a sizable crowd had gathered to ooo and ahhhh at the cute little things.

When I got home curiosity got the better of me and I had a little Google to see what it was all about. I was very nearly right with my dating theory. It is an opportunity for little dogs to meet other little dogs. As well as Pug owners to meet other Pug owners. With my internet dating subscription ending today, maybe I will get myself a Pug, go along to the next meeting and hope to find some puppy love there.

If you fancy going along one Saturday, here is a list of future doggie dates for your diary.

6...Cheval Place

This is the place to go for vintage, nearly new designer goodies.

Whilst out in Knightsbridge today, I took a wander around the side streets, just off of Brompton Road. Before long, I stumbled across Cheval Place.

 

 Cheval Place now...                                                         Cheval Place, early 80's

Along this quiet street you will find Salou, The Dress Box and Pandora. Each are dress agency, selling women's designer wear.

Today I popped into Salou, where the staff were friendly and helpful, allowing me to browse at my leisure (and wish I had a limitless credit card). With shoes ranging in sizes and labels such as Louboutin, Jimmy Choo, Chanel, Prada, Manolo Blahnik, it really was like being in shoe paradise.
Along with all the beautiful shoes, they also had a large number of handbags, all of which looked in great condition and a fraction of their original price.

Although I came away empty handed today, I am already planning my next trip to Knightsbridge to treat myself to a pair of new-ish of Louboutin's...and maybe a new bag too.

5...Portobello Market

This is somewhere I only went to, for the first time ever, just a little while ago! I can't believe it either.
As a Londoner I think I have taken for granted all the wonderful places that my home city has to offer, and this is where my blog comes in.
Portobello Market is located in Notting Hill, just a short walk from the tube station. It is a bustling market full of all sorts of delights; from antiques to cupcakes, buskers to vintage clothes and jewellery

The film Notting Hill was set in around Notting Hill (who would have thought) and there are plenty of photo opportunities for those (like me) who want a movie moment snap.

If you fancy having a guided tour of the area, British Movie Tours offer a 2 and a half hour Notting Hill Tour where you will be taken to movie locations, shown some of the trendy restaurants, have celebrity homes pointed out along with many other attractions.

However, if you are more like myself and fancy flying solo, The World Wide Guide to Movie Locations has some great spots to visit on their website.

It might have taken me many years to make my first trip to Portobello Market, but it certainly won't be the last time. I can't wait to take another trip there in the summer when the sun is shining, buskers entertaining the steady flow of shoppers and tourists, buy myself a cupcake, (or two, or three) and enjoy the ambiance of a great British market, full of treasures to be sought out.

4...The Hummingbird Bakery

If you love cupcakes, you will love the Hummingbird Bakery. And I love cupcakes so this weekend I made the journey to Notting Hill to get me a little sweet treat.

The Hummingbird Bakery has been in Portobello road since 2004 and is the perfect place to buy freshly made, beautifully decorated cakes. Of course there is a wonderful selection of cupcakes but as well as these little yummy treats, the bakery also makes and sells a variety of layer cakes and American pies.
With the cakes made in store, the aroma as you walk in is just divine and the staff were friendly and patient even though they were very busy. (As expected; they do have shelves full of tasty treasure after all.)

 

As well as this bakery in Notting Hill, there are also branches in South Kensington, with a red velvet seating area and another in Soho which displays cupcake pop art. Both sound like a great place to visit and I now have perfect excuse to buy a few more scrumptious cakes. (This blog really is beginning to get quite difficult; sweets from Hope and Greenwood one week, cupcakes another. What have I signed up for?)

With my Red Velvet bought, I escaped the hustle and bustle of Portobello Market and made my way to Green Park to enjoy the rewards of my journey. (I took great care on the tube and held my little box very close to my chest, looking slightly strange perhaps but I wasn't taking any chances.)

I took my first bite and was pleased to know that the Red Velvets I made at home a few months ago tasted just as they should. Absolutely heavenly. And until I am able to get back to one of these little sugary sanctuaries, I can rest assured knowing that with my Hummingbird Bakery Cookbook I can have a little bit of Hummingbird heaven whenever my heart (and belly) desires.