Sunday Stroll Through Covent Garden

Sunday afternoon in London was the warmest and sunniest day of the year so far, after a much delayed spring and a frigid, rather rainy/snowy winter. 

So....I think all of London was out for a stroll, as was I, when I decided to head to the Covent Garden area for a few hours.

Many Londoners were still enjoying their Sunday roasts and refreshments

at the area pubs,

but I began my prowl. First thing I stumbled upon was a photo shoot in a narrow alleyway

bench warmers soaking up the sun at the  St. Paul Church of Covent Garden, often referred to as the Actor's Church due to its long affinity with theater in the area,

and crowds of people, many people, never unusual for the Covent Garden area, but especially so today with the influx of April tourists and locals who just needed a dose of Vitamin D.

The street entertainers were taking advantage

of the crowds,

and the sidewalk cafes were full of diners.

It's always fun shopping at Apple Market

as well as Jubilee Market for bric-a brac,

but beauty mavens are now heading to the new Chanel beauty boutique

where you can find skin care consultation, try on new perfumes, or take advantage of the Chanel nail bar with all its color range.

Another new kid on the block is the recently opened Balthazar restaurant, of NYC fame with a French brasserie style menu that looks fabulous

and a bakery next door

with fresh breads

take-out deli food

all under a beautiful French inspired ceiling.

Quite lovely!

Reservations hard to get!

Also extremely popular on this first warm day was the La Gelateria ice cream shop with long lines outside its door. Note to self: plan a return trip. Must be delicious.

And since most of you know that my time in London is indeed short since we've officially moved back to the US, every stroll takes me by monuments where the memories

and stories of 

the last 5 years sing out. I'm cherishing the time, I assure you.

And to help make the transition back home easier, one of my favorite sandwich shops is now carrying Texan Chilli--London style!

Guess my two worlds are indeed colliding!

What's Up at Covent Garden?

Friday, we headed out to Covent Garden to the Royal Opera House for a tour. Such an incredibly beautiful building which is home to both the Royal Opera and Royal Ballet of England. Three theaters have stood in this location. The original was constructed in 1732, a later theater suffered disastrous fires in 1808 and 1857, and

the recent reconstruction of the current building was completed in the 1990's.

No photos were allowed inside, sadly, but I found this photo to show you some of the opulence of the theater. On our guided tour we were privileged to go backstage to see the wardrobe area, the props room in action, where craftsmen and women of all mediums were busy at work, and the rehearsal rooms.

A special treat was seeing principal dancers Marianela Nunez and her partner and husband Thiago Soares rehearsing with their director, who play the lead roles in the upcoming Swan Lake production.

The couple fell in love after he joined the Royal Ballet in 2002 and became engaged in 2006 after Soares proposed to her onstage after a curtain call of Sleeping Beauty.

Such a sweet love story--it was a joy watching them dance up close and personal.

From the upper floors of the Theater, we were able to look down upon Covent Garden where there was  a lot of action today.

You see, massive lines, reportedly numbering in the thousands as reported by the Telegraph, were in place for the launching of the new iPhone 5 at the Covent Garden Apple store.

Jumping on the party bandwagon was the launch of Diet Coke's limited edition of Jean Paul Gaultier's design of Diet Coke bottles,

and huge designer chocolate bars being passed out.

There was a "pep team" of Apple employees cheering every 

iPhone purchaser as they finally entered the store and then exited with their new toy!

We had fun playing with the new toy ourselves--much lighter and thinner.

I think I've caught the bug!

Anyone else thinking about getting one??

Christmas is in the Air

Christmas in  London is very festive. Since it gets dark about 3:45 in the afternoon this time of the year, it helps that there are so many lights sparkling around the city. We headed to the lighting of the tree at the Duke of York square on Kings Road a few weeks ago, to kick off the season with our "neighbors."

The traditional mince pies were served,

the reindeers were ready to pull the sleigh,

and our evening started off at a nearby church where St. Nicholas came to read to the children. Singing English Christmas carols in such beautiful surroundings was truly spiring. Some of the British children identify more with the bishop St. Nicholas than our traditional Santa Claus, 

whose image, as the priest described to us, is the result of the American Coca-Cola company who began to use this image of jolly St. Nick in 1931 in their advertising campaigns.

Then it was off in a flash as the reindeer pulled St. Nicholas in his sleigh to the Duke of York square

where along with our friends, we enjoyed the lights and the spirit of the season.

Later in the week, I was strolling by Covent Garden, where I caught a peek at their giant Christmas tree

and the  32 foot topiary reindeer.

The Apple Market there was all decked out,

but I was most impressed with the digital painting of the Nativity put together by the director Martha Fiennes in conjunction with SLOimage technology. How I wish I could find a video for you to see this nativity come alive! I sat mesmerized in front of the constantly moving scene which is always evolving. Using 13 characters, the scene is never the same image twice, and I watched in amazement as the Biblical characters came alive in front of my eyes. 

It was an oasis of calm amidst all the Covent Garden bustle, and I was grateful for the time to sit and reflect on the greatest gift of the season--the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Covent Garden

Scores of tourists head each day to the ever popular Covent Garden, but as a local, I too love wandering around the square in my free time--it's one of the liveliest spots in town.

Originally in medieval times, the location of a produce garden supplying Westminster Abbey, Covent Garden has changed in many ways through the years. In the 1630's, the Earl of Bedford commissioned Inigo Jones to build an elegant residential area for his wealthy friends. Jones designed the homes around a piazza modeled after one he loved in Italy.

Even at this time, there was an open air market on the south side of the fashionable square surrounded by arcades of fine houses.

The St. Paul's Church, also built on one side of the square was completed by Inigo Jones in this period of development. It was under the portico of this church that the infamous Professor Henry Higgins met up with the cockney flower girl, Eliza Doolittle in the "My Fair Lady" story.

The area fell into disrepair and suffered in reputation over a couple of centuries, but in 1833, the central market was covered and fruit and vegetable wholesalers moved in.

Today you might find one or two fruit stands, 

but the Apple Market is better known today for its craft vendors

who take great pride

in their wares.

Nearby is the Royal Opera House, but on most days crowds gather inside the covered market to

be entertained by opera singers or classical musicians playing below.

You can always find snacks and a great meal both inside

or at one of the outside cafés

and have a ringside view of the crowds who gather to watch

entertainers and comedians put on popular shows. I can't recall what this entertainer was doing, but the by-standers seemed quite willing to participate in his little plan!

Street entertainers are abundant

on all paths leading to the square.

Shopping in the Apple Market shops is always fun, as well as just outside in the Jubilee Market, where vendors set up different stalls daily. There's something for everyone during the week: general items, arts and crafts and antiques rotating in and out.

Quite popular and recently opened is the mega Apple store which is the largest in the world.

And exciting for me was the opening this year of the Covent Garden Ladurée cafe and shop

with its towers of macarons in their front window display.

If you make it to London, be sure and include Covent Garden in your plans!