Lovely London

I once spent almost five years living in the English capital, easily one of the best times of my life. I've returned many times since and although London has chiseled a special place in my heart, I'm not sure I'd want to live there now (different age and stage, mainly).

Plus, we missed the terrorist attack last Wednesday by mere hours; it's a scary world we live in which makes me even more thankful for quiet wee Aotearoa.

But we had fun in London, from a night at the West End show Dreamgirls, and a BritMovie tour of Sherlock and Harry Potter filming locations to a visit to the National Portrait Gallery, the V&A and the brand, spanking new Design Museum. I even managed to squeeze in a bit of shopping and a quick coffee with my old BBC mate, Kurt (no visit to London is complete without seeing him).

It was a jam-packed three night visit but, as always, London delivered the goods.

        

What we always knew....

The BBC, my eternally wise former employer, has just named Welli as one of the hottest cities to visit in 2015 (click here to read).

Quietly chuffed that my wee city, the southern most capital in the world, was recognised.

Year of the Whores

A long, long time ago, I spent four and a bit years as a sub-editor for the BBC in London. And yes, I was party to the odd blunder or two.

But nothing like this cock-up, expertly detailed by the Indy, which today almost breached my laughter levees.

As a Horse, I'm doubly loving the unintentional re-branding of my year.

A sunny Sunday

I'm not a girl afraid to use and abuse the word 'lovely' and today provided me with ample opportunity to do so.

My old friend Sandi from my BBC London days was in town so we met for brunch. We haven't seen each other for about five years, so there was much to catch up on and we talked until our tongues almost fell out of our heads.

There was also blinding sunshine and, later, a walk with His Furiness along the waterfront. This is fast turning into the Year of Falling, as I tripped over a mossy surface and cut my left knee. It's my third fall in a month - is the universe trying to tell me something?

Yesterday we had our dog/housesitters over for coffee and the best beloved lemon cake; we haven't seen them for a while so again, lots of news to catch up on. All things considered, a bloody lovely weekend.