On the Road

Even though my time in London was limited, I managed to cram in some culture, including this eerily life-like reconstruction of Churchill's underground shelter at the Cabinet War Rooms:

And Cy Twombly at the Tate Modern - it looks like blood, but is about Bacchus, so it's wine:

Then Yinka Shonibare's "Ship in a Bottle" at Trafalgar Square:


Which is so amazing, Í had to get a closeup:


The gowns at the "Grace Kelly - Style Icon" exhibition at the Victoria and Albert:


And this awesome installation of speakers producing sound from a vacuum-cleaner-operated pianola at the Saatchi Gallery:


Now we're in the countryside, having opted for a quieter life in our motor home for the next six weeks:


It's very spacious, with all the comforts of home. Not having been in a motor home before, I was a bit nervous, but now I'm thoroughly enjoying it:


 I could really get used to this life:

Spitalfields

I've been in London for almost a week but unfortunately have not been able to do much, due to having to correct proofs for a book which will hardly sell any copies. However, I did manage a quick trip to Spitalfields, which is one of my favourite places here, as I love Brick Lane and Spitalfields Markets. I had a very yummy pizza with chorizo, caramelised onion, buffalo mozzarella and mushrooms at Story Deli:

Story Deli is owned by Ann Shore, who used to also have a shop nearby called Story, which many fellow bloggers would have heard of. I tried to visit Story two years ago and found it only opened on the one day I could not go there. This year I went again to find it closed, this time permanently. Luckily, she has relocated her stock to the back of Story Deli so I got to see it anyway:

Story Deli is very cool, especially these mirrors:



Then I went to visit another store which had also been closed last time and hurray it was open. This is Emily Chalmers's 'Caravan' which I couldn't get any photos of but this is her website. And she was actually in the shop! I love her book 'Flea Market Style' and was quite starstruck. She has lots of very sweet homewares such as ceramic animals, snowdomes and vintage floral cushions. Unfortunately I have issues with my suitcase already being overweight, so I bought a card and fled the premises.



Grace Kelly at the V&A tomorrow then I reluctantly leave this great city.