#LFW14

For those who were wondering, that stands for London Fashion Week 2014.

This world-renowned event, which I've heard about from across the pond, was apparently on last week. A few banners and ads aside, most Londoners had no idea it was happening. But I decided to walk down to Kenwood House to see what the hubbub was all about. (And I promise, this is my first, and last, fashion post. This won't become a regular habit!)

Of course, I didn't plan to pay the exorbitant prices to get a seat to any shows or exhibition, but it wasn't needed. The crowds standing around hoping to be seen were enough. Don't let the labels fool you- "street style" is as manicured and preened look as any runway fashion. And they are by no means normal. At least, I sure hope not!

I think the girl on the far right looks a bit British Jersey Shore, don't you agree?

Apparently, this lady with the slicked back hair is on Made in Chelsea- a reality show that really does seem like the UK's Jersey Shore!

Some cool cats taking in the scene.....

Apparently, the lady on the right didn't get the notice that its Fashion Week, NOT the Royal Ascot!

These two showed up together, and were pulling off the retro thing pretty well.... ish.

Why yes, that is a latex dress, why do you ask?

Apparently, the lady in blue in the middle is famous. I had no idea why, but I took a picture, then Googled when I got back home. Jourdan Dunn- a British model. Who knew?!

A couple dapper looking gents!

And this was actually one of my favourite looks of the day! Of course over the top- what would you expect?! But at least it coordinates and looks kind of attractive!

And of course, one has to take the obligatory selfie, right? Okay maybe it was just the vanity floating around in the air making my head a little crazy.

My ego was a little puffed when a couple people there asked to take my picture. But it was duly squashed when those pictures were never posted or tagged anywhere. I even saw some photos where I'd been cropped out of the background. Ouch!

So, I went, I saw. I watched people see and be seen. And while there's a buzz in the air, cameras flashing, and beautiful (and frightening) people milling about... it was empty. Most people were alone, or in giggling gaggles of girls (ooh, like that alliteration?!). Phones and cameras dominated faces, and 'style' and labels out-shadowed real beauty. A fun place to visit for an hour or too, but I wouldn't want to live there.

The Tall Ships Festival

I recently found out that the Royal Burrough of Greenwich hosts an annual Tall Ships Regatta. It seemed like a fantastic photo opportunity, so I dragged the spouse to the far side of the city to try our luck!

The day didn't go as expected.

The ships were moored at several locations along the Thames, and I researched the spot that should have the most, since I didn't plan on making it to all the ports. We took the Overground and the DLR waaaaaaaay to the West part of London, all the way to Woolwich (seriously, my friend who has lived in London her whole life has never been to Woolwich)! We made our way anxiously through the festival crowds towards the dock, where we pushed past cotton candy sellers, dance parties, even Jack Sparrow and a few other 'old world' characters.

We peered excitedly over the embankment wall to find..... two ships. 

While they were indeed tall (and ships), as advertised, I thought the vinyl advert hanging across the mast stole some of its appeal. And neither husband nor I cared to queue up for the hurried, self-guided tours you could take. So... we pondered and decided to make the most of the day and walk the river a bit. After starting off the wrong direction, we found our bearings and headed inland towards Greenwich, where the rest of the ships were moored. "Lets just enjoy the river walk," we said. "We can always catch a bus when we get tired," we said.

*Note: I'd worn some cute ballet flats, thinking we wouldn't be walking much, and by this point, my feet were already getting a tad sore.

So we began walking, and were rewarded with lovely views of other ships cruising up and down the river.

Note this next ship is called Tolkien.

(Please note I am well aware that this is not a tall ship. But it reminded us of Scuffy the Tugboat from our childhood Golden Books, and that made me happy!)

We quickly passed the Thames Barrier, which you can read more about here. I know very little, except that it keeps London from flooding, and is somewhat an industrial architectural statement.

We made our way through industrial parks, where remnants of old loading belts, rusted and torn, still reach out out into the Thames.

... and we even found the Greenwich Yacht Club, which was less than impressive. (Google it, even in the best of light its pretty lacklustre.)

By this time, we had missed lunch, had walked much farther than anticipated, and my feet (in an out of the shoes as the pavement permitted) cried and ached with pain. (I've decided this weekend I can never be a ballerina. My feet don't have the stamina for it.)

We rounded the Greenwich Peninsula, started the last leg towards Greenwich, and began 'discussing' signs we'd seen long ago for Greenwich.

"My feet hurt. Was that 6 kilometres, with the 'k' fallen off or 6 miles?" 

"I think it was for something else that was 6 metres."

"No- we'd have passed that ages ago. I think it was Greenwich..... how far have we walked?!...... I want to go home. ............ There's no bus to catch from here. ............ My feet hurt."

"No- I'm not paying £5 for a coke from the festival booth- that's ridiculous!"

"My feet hurt."

We finally rounded the bend to see the Old Royal Naval College, symbolic of the end of our tedious journey!

Plus, the last (and best!) ships were there!

We found our way to the Cutty Sark Tube station, and began the journey back home. "Just think," we told each other, "in time, we'll forget about the pain of the walk, and just remember the cool day, the river, the ships, and the lovely memories."

I looked it up when we got home. It was 6.5 miles.

Good times. :-)

Along the Thames & In our Memory

Last night, my husband took me for a walk along the river. I love this part of the city, and it shines in the golden hour!

We also spent some time outside the Tower of London.

The Tower is currently displaying an art installation, in remembrance of the First World War. Entitled "Blood Swept Land and Seas of Red", ceramic red poppies pour out of the tower and fill the moat surrounding the fortress.

Poppies have become a symbol of remembrance for those who lost their lives in service to their country, owing primarily to this poem written by a soldier in the First World War.

In Flanders Field

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row, 
That mark our place, and in the sky, 
The larks, still bravely singing, fly, 
Scarce heard amid the guns below. 

We are the dead; short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, 
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields. 

Take up our quarrel with the foe! 
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high! 
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

-- Lieutenant  Colonel John McCrae

Though the poppies pouring across the grass are breathtakingly beautiful, the effect deepens when you realise each represents a English (or commonwealth) life lost in WWI. And they're still 'planting' more. By the end of the exhibit, 888,246 poppies will line those fields.

888,246 souls.

In remembrance, and in prayer for the souls in danger today.

Summer Travels -- *and a English grammar lesson*

Well, I've been gone a while, at least from writing. This summer opened with an amazing visit from my mother-and-sister in law. We had so much fun through the whirlwind two weeks! After that, I took a week of rest before falling ill* with tonsillitis. Then being the kind soul that I am, I shared my tonsillitis with my husband right before he started his summer module. Some recovery, changes in schedules, a week cooking at a Christian camp in Northhampton, and suddenly, the summer is flying by.
*Note: In England, normal colds, flus, etc. are referred to as being ill or unwell. Being sick involves vomit. Its actually a fairly handy distinction. However, sick can also be used to describe vomit itself. Correct usages would include "I was sick three times last night." or "There was a pile of sick on the sidewalk." Typical conversation would be as follows:
"I fell ill (yes fell replaces the American got, also used in context of falling pregnant) last week."
"Oh no! With what?"
"Oh, I was proper sick all Friday."
"I'm so sorry!"

But I digress.

Summer is actually just starting here in London. The schools in England are all on trimesters. Autumn term is Sept-Dec, spring term is Jan- March, and summer term is April-July, then August is summer holiday. Students get two weeks between terms, and a one week half-term break in the middle of each term. It's different to get used to, but not bad. However, it does mean that traveling Europe in August gets crazy, as EVERYONE is on holiday at the same time! But for me, it still feels like summer is coming to a close. So, before it gets too late, I realised I need to post my photos! Here are some pics from our travels outside London.

We took a day trip to see the White Cliffs of Dover, which were just lovely. The weather was still cool, but the sun was shining, the English channel bright, and the clouds lifted enough for us to see France in the distance. Loved it! (For adventurous videos, check out my previous post for Emily's hubby!)

I love this guy!!!

Then I snuck the girls over for 26 hours in Paris. We walked all over, and sped through the highlights, but this time, made it in a couple of the churches the hubs and I didn't brave queues to see! SO glad we did this time!

Notre Dame..... if you get the chance to go- check out the carvings around the building. Each statue is different, each face unique, everything telling a story. It's just brilliant!

We wandered some Paris streets again.... and again, it charmed my heart!

If you came via my Facebook page, you've already seen us girls on the Pont des Arts--- did I ever post the video we took? I'll have to check!