adventures in London

6 October 2014


These are a few photos from a recent trip to London for a few days. We usually try to do as much as possible and get as much work done at our workshop as we can. Its not been that easy this time as we can't give our littlun as much freedom as she is used to at home, which sort of drives her nuts...which drives us nuts too. So it was a turbulent trip, with many ups and downs. Mostly ups, so I can't complain ; ) Although living on the Isle of Wight is great, of course I will always love London...but I'm not sure I could live there now...I prefer to be a tourist...I think I am getting old.

Whilst I sat in the van supping my take away tea and perusing the internet on my phone, my mister + tot went to visit the leather warehouse and leather workshop next door, where he gets his leather/silver items made up for the Tokyo shop. I think he has been coming here for about 15 years !?



being a veggie, I'm not keen on the smell of leather, but I do remember it is a fascinating place to see (but a little too dark for photos).

this is the factory next door, making bags and wallets etc...



We then went in search of sustenance and somewhere the tot could stretch her ever growing legs.
She found a friendly cat along the way and she showed it her piggy.


bingo! a cafe avec playground.




with fish finger wrap.

next to Newington Green we saw this lovely toy shop / children's hairdressers called Three Potato Four, we found an amazing vintage wooden royal mail truck and some other bits and bobs, Very happy finds. 




We drove in the direction of Essex Road, Islington, and discovered a few junk shops there...


 I bought the wire rack below>

and this amazing haberdashery Ray Stitch, that I was let lose in. More shopping occured.


and as if I had spent enough of my hard earned cash, we thought we'd stop off at Atlantis art shop to get some inspiration. We have both been coming here for many a year, me in my yoofal art student days at Camberwell, lusting over the paints and papers that I couldn't afford.


 the littlun thought she had arrived in some kind of dream world.





 this is where we bought all the canvas for her play house


I don't know why but I get a warm fuzzy feeling when I see sketchbooks, paint in metal tubes and fresh pastels. I need help.

we bought a lot...not sure what I'm going to do with it yet though.

That evening we went to an exhibition of a friends cousin, in Shad Thames. I love that area, its proper London. The exhibition was stunning, but again the littlun thought it was a party, and her sandals were very loud. She ran out of the door, down the street, around the corner...

and came out here.

and I'm so glad she bought us here, because I never would have thought to come and have and walk on the south bank on such a lovely evening.

Next day was wet and gloomy. We thought we'd try the Natural History Museum, but would have to queue for three days to get in. Instead we mooched our way into the V&A to find some lunch, and look in the shop ; )

I loved this shed installation, and I heard that it revolves to catch the sun!






after we'd all had a nap and some lunch in our van, we took a walk around Angel market, which is hardly a market at all nowadays, but we always like to have a poke around there. There are lots of nice cafes and shops there too.

It got really cold very quickly, so I had to walk around like a huge two headed mutant.

There is always lovely stuff on George's stall. I bought a tape measure, a pair of scissors and some bulldog clips.

this was on a different stall, I saw it last time I was here, not any cheaper though (its a wooden owl lamp btw).



bonkers window display.


So many gorgeous clothes on this stall, I didn't buy that cape, but I did buy that palm tree dress, oh yes indeedo.





we spotted a few lovely shops that I might come back to see one day sans cub.

On our last day we were excited to visit our friends house for lunch. They live in Hackney. We let the littlun have a nap first in the van, and then we looked around Stoke 'Stokey' Newington.


I think it will take me a good few days to recover from our trip, it was great to catch up with London things and get some inspiration. I'm glad to be home now...I go to London often by myself...it's so much easier by myself...

...but not as much fun!

9 comments

  1. What a great trip. Well done with toddler in tow. I live 400km from Perth in Western Australia so your quick trip is like a dream to me. I love your blog.

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  2. Hello Artemis! I've been following your blog(and instagram,I'm user granny_squared) for a while after seeing your shed in the "my cool shed" book, I always look forward to your new posts,love your style,your random(!) makings,garden and house,and your lovely wee girl....I'm a keen caravanner, so I especially enjoy your camping posts.! I lived in London for a year a loooong time ago...early 80's!eeeeek!! and would love to return,just wanted to say thank you so much for sharing!!all the best!l
    Lesley.

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  3. Such a lovely mini break! London is best when you are visiting, but know exactly where to go... And I miss junk shops - the ones round here have elevated themselves & prices to antique levels! Nice to be back at home now though, with winter arriving so suddenly? xx

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  4. Love the photos of your little un showing the cat her piggy! Emma

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  5. I've been quietly following for ages, but had to comment - the cafe on Newington Green is my friend Lizzy's! I do the odd shift there, so what a shame to miss you. Mind you, I'm sure having a stranger gushing about your blog might have spoiled the tea and fish finger wrap.

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  6. Hello Artemis
    I've loved looking at your photos as usual, you always show us places in London that I've yet to discover which make it so interesting. I'm loving the look of Mr All Sorts.... and a few others besides. That cat was friendly indeed, normally they shoot off in the opposite direction when a toddler approaches.

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  7. What an amazing adventure- you found so many brilliant shops and that cafe looks adorable! xxx

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  8. Anonymous10.10.14

    Ah, nice to see my endz through your eyes (I live at the end of Church Street, Stoke Newington). Lots of my local hangouts here!

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  9. Love your new blog design....and as for little Pehr.....SUCH a prettty little poppet.....I see an artist in the future perhaps.... love your photos......have a lovely weekend. From Ruth in Dublin. :)

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