Life changes and more adventure in August... big little Sis this post is for you

August didn't really start for us until after the Olympic Closing Ceremony. All the while another countdown had been quietly happening at our place, my Sister was coming to visit! How jolly exiting.
 
Having a younger sibling can be the bain of your life whilst young, but as an adult having a sibling whom you love and adore, living on the other side of the globe, can be hard. Ms Wonderful and I haven't really had that much time together as adults, and even when we are home together in Wellington, our shared gatherings are fleeting due to our busy social lives.

We can not actually recall the last proper holiday we had together, and I suspect that it was pre-17 as that is when I attempted to leave home... for the first time :-). The big day finally arrives, and I have butterflies! Awaking early I am obsessed with checking her flights progress and am incredibly happy when at around 6am her long journey is over with a touchdown in Heathrow.

A torturous wait for her to arrive at ours, and she was here!  Hearing a sweet call of my name from the street, I ran outside squealing to greet her. Nothing is more wonderful than being reunited with a loved one. Unfortunately it was a brief hello as I had to head to Bristol for the day. Back in London that night, we had a celebratory dinner to welcome her and congratulate the teen on passing her A-Levels. One more working day while our teen played tour guide and introduced the traveller to Oxford Street. Then that evening, our whirlwind time in London commenced.

Set to the backdrop of a balmy London evening, we enjoyed cocktails for a friends birthday at one of London's few rooftop bars. Sitting amongst the skyline of Trafalgar Square, with Nelsons Column looking down on us, his hat glowing proudly with the Union Jack. Then a visit to New Zealand House penthouse for Kiwi House drinkies, with spectacular views of London, Miss Wonderful had a few pinch me moments. With a 360 degree view of Londontown, we were able to put London into perspective for her... or overwhelm and astound. Back for more drinkies across the road with friends, we put to the test the theory of hang overs being the best cure for jet lag.

We have been incredibly lucky to have had many visitors over the years. Each arrives to Londontown with their wish list.  We happily accept the mission to ensure they see and do all that their heart desires. My darling Sis came with no agenda other than wanting to have fun, and discover the neighbourhoods of our adopted home. This time I will admit to being happy at not having to take a spin on the London Eye, wander around The Tower of London or walk patiently behind a slowly moving sea of tourists at Madame Tussuad's... although do not fear future visitors I am sure I'll be ready when you visit!

With only two weeks left, the whistle stop tour of London began, with Brussels and Berlin squeezed in for good measure. 

First stop Shoreditch. Having a Sister who shares my love of hospitality and food glorious food we had to show her nothing but the best. So Ozone near Old Street it was, a scrummy brunch and superb coffee. Sitting on the fringes of a vibrant part of East London it was the perfect spot to start our walking tour of the East End.

Eclectic shopping, street art to discover up high and down low, we wandered from Shoreditch to Spitalfields to Brick Lane. With the city still looking wonderful after the clean up for the games we proudly showed off these vibrant areas, but were surprised to have elbow room along Brick Lane and to be freely viewing stalls at Spitalfields - where were all the people? The Olympic panic had worked everyone had left. So we were able to show the city off without the usual stress of navigating around throngs of people. Feeling slightly weary we headed home for Nana naps, with the next place to visit being Richmond. An East to West view, from ancient streets, to ancient River. A quick pint along the Thames with friends we dined fine but not fine dining at GBK and closed the day with burgers and milkshakes. No Soho late night dancing for us, it was last train home, then bed.

Fortunate to be living in one of London's historic and beautiful boroughs, with so much to offer, Camden was the spot to visit for the day. Wandering through Camden Market recently refurbished stables we lapped up window shopping at our leisure. Sat alongside the canal at Regents Lock which weaves its way from East London to Little Venice, drinking cider in the sunshine watching the world go by. Then drinkies at Gilgamesh, boasting the longest wooden carved bar in the Northern Hemisphere, it is certainly one to visit. Vast in size, and always deceiving with its entrance via nondescript escalator nestled amongst stallholders, we languished there with friends. Next stop The Hawley Arms, its claim to fame is the watering hole for the rock and roll famous, and although Amy Winehouse is no longer with us, this slightly grungy yet traditional London pub holds much love for the singer, with the toilet doors adorned with love notes penned by fans. With food fast becoming the theme of this holiday, it was off to our local Indian restaurant for a very late night supper.

The sun continues to shine on our holiday, so off to South Kensington we go. The V&A Museum would have to be my favourite amongst the broad selection in London, but I haven't been in years. Entering the lobby you are greeted by the most spectacular chandelier, a crazy medley of glass sculptured by renowned artist Dale Chihuly. First discovering his work at Kew Gardens back in 2005, I have loved his work ever since. Seeing this glowing art piece sat in the vast entrance makes me smile every time. Such an enormous building, I struggle to do more than three galleries each visit. My Sis on the other hand, was over the 1500s in less time than it takes to say it, so off to the wonderful fashion section, a view of Raphael's greatest masterpieces and our museum portion of the holiday was near complete. A living museum which is Harrods was our next stop for the day. Truly pleased that it was quiet, as it can be absolute madness, we toured the place at length with the Food Halls still wowing me. Champagne and afternoon tea in the Laduree, life is good.

I once worked at the British Museum, and although I had the opportunity of working for a fabulous catering company, and put together some wonderful events - it was the secret door that clinched it for me.  My first office there was accessed via a hidden door in the bookcase of the Kings Library - so of course I had to show this off. Norman Foster's soaring architectural feats can be seen all over the world, with the Great Court of the British Museum astounding all who enter. Having walked into the building every working day for nearly two years, I have to say it always takes me by surprise. The splendour in the glass meeting the stonework, light playing with light. Just beautiful. It is much more splendid at 7am where it is just you, the statues and totem pole, but we braved the bus loads of students and tour groups to wander through the galleries. Then it was time for a stroll to Seven Dials in Covent Garden so I could introduce my food loving Sis to the wonder of Kopapa. Owned by NZ Chef Peter Gordon, we dined on crisp NZ wine and ate delectable tasting plates and had to go back for seconds on the Lamb. Filled to the brim we strolled to Soho and attempted to get our appetites back, as we sat street side at Cafe Boheme drinking cocktails, eating French goodies and enjoying the street life passing us by - for a people watcher like me, I see it as a study of human nature; we were never without something to intrigue. The Soho set meets theatre set creates a melting pot which the term seeing is believing is so apt.

What's this, a dreary London day? No rest for the wicked, off we go exploring. You can walk for hours in London, and go from highlight to highlight. But a visit is not quite complete without seeing Borough Market and the surrounding area.  A wander through the marketplace with scrummy roast pork bap in hand... bliss.  Currently undergoing alterations, the scale of the market has somewhat diminished, but it is still wonderful shopping beneath railway lines and weaving through the arches.

You are transported to an earlier age as you head through Clink Lane down to the river side, along the Thames to Tate Modern we go. So lucky that my Sis loves art as much as I do, Matisse, Picasso, Van Gogh to name a few, muddled alongside questionable pieces which are a little too contemporary for me to take seriously. Another fascinating collection to be introduced to.

We then headed over the Millennium Bridge to spy upon Old St Paul's and even managed to happen upon the Paralympics Torch parade. I will admit to becoming quite emotional when the beaming torch bearer ran past us. The next wave of Olympic fun was to start, and although the streets were not quite teaming with a crowd of well wishers as seen for the Olympic Games, it was a special wee moment for me... with Sis slightly humoured by my teary response, off for some Champagne to celebrate... well take a rest really.

The time had come for my coming of age, the big 40 was upon me. My big little Sis was here to ensure I celebrated in style. So off to Berlin we went with 14 friends in tow! What a weekend, and you guessed it, making up it's own Blog post.

Back to London, there wasn't really any time to stop, with more areas to discover and food to enjoy, we returned after 4 days of indulging in Berlin. We really didn't have any room left for food - but off to Dinner by Heston Blumenthal at The Mandarin we went. The meat fruit never disappoints, delicate parfait encased in mandarin jelly sits proudly on a wooden board with warmed fruit bread waiting patiently for you to break through the magnificent creation. Every course wowed, we were too polite to take photos, and instead soaked in the atmosphere and enjoyed every minute. We will return, and think it certainly became one of the Travellers favourite dining experiences.

The end was approaching fast, and we quietly avoided the "I don't want you to leave" pleas until departure, and were determined to not have it dampen our spirits. But holiday exhaustion was setting in too - walking, eating, drinking is bliss, but moderation appears to be my latest discovery.

Notting Hill, Portobello Road, High Street Kensington were ventured to. Portobello lacks a little of its pizazz without all the stall holders, and shoppers, but nevertheless to new eyes it was full of charm.

We wrapped up the week with a fabulous Afternoon Tea in our garden with old friends, an average if not entertaining dinner at Soho Hotel, following which we left the Traveller with some of our younger partying friends so she could experience Soho nightlife... us oldies (Mr B will hate me for saying so) headed home for sleep. A superb French luncheon with dear friends for Lord Adamson's birthday saw a close to our fine dining, and the reality of packing and trying to get all the shopping safely stowed for the journey back down under was upon us.

I will openly admit to being a little anxious about the holiday, I wanted everything to be perfect. Having my darling Sis with me though reminded me of how uptight I can be, that my over planning can leave me worrying about the next thing... she laughs wholeheartedly at life, and I envy that. She says it how she sees it, and finds joy in so many things. Our two weeks together had been magical, we discovered a new city together, dined and laughed, remembered fun stories of our younger selves, and relished in being in the company of a loved one.

So truly lucky to have such a wonderful person in my life, who I admire and love dearly. A pity that oceans, time zones and busy lives keep us separated for now. However I have no doubt that this is the first of many adventures together.

Until next time darling one.

T xxx