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Hampstead Heath in Summer

July 11, 2011 By glampacker Leave a Comment

When there’s sun and 30 degree weather in London, everyone heads to the park! Hampstead Heath is one of my favourite parks in London where there’s great city views but it’s also a peaceful retreat away from the city. The park is full of lush greenery, snaking pathways and hidden open areas bordered by trees and shrubs.

On a 30 degree day Londoners were queuing for the outdoor bath. A two pound fee lets you enter, which helps maintain the bath. Forgive me for being squeamish, but I couldn’t quite get myself to enter the murky waters. My friend assured me that her quick dip was refreshing, even if the bathing sign warns you about the potential dangers of swimming in stagnant pond water.

I was more than happy to stick to the grassy meadows of Hampstead Heath. Sunbathing in the park with a picnic, a rug and great company is a lovely ‘British’ way to spend an afternoon.

Filed Under: london Tagged With: hampstead heath, nature, parks, photography, walks

Jamie Oliver’s The Big Feastival – Great Combination of Food and Festival!

July 4, 2011 By glampacker 4 Comments

It’s hard not to like Jamie Oliver. He’s in your face with his big brand, personality and unadulterated, fun, messy cooking style. Jamie pretty much has everything – restaurants, food lines, TV shows, cook books, a magazine, the list goes on! Recently added to the list was The Big Feastival – a festival which combines eating, drinking and live music all into one!

I was lucky enough to win tickets to attend Jamie Oliver’s Big Feastival in Clapham Common. The Feastival was held all in the name of charity – the Prince’s Trust and the Jamie Oliver Foundation.

On a very sunny Sunday we entered the Feastival and got to see Jamie in the flesh straight away cooking in the Big Kitchen tent. It was a bit hard to see at first, he does attract a large crowd! Jamie showed off an easy peasy smoked trout with a Tuscan bread salad. He was assisted by Gennaro Contaldo who added lots of olive oil to every dish. Lovely!

Also in the Big Kitchen was Rachel Allan showing off how to make a Flirtini and white chocolate trifle.

Kiwi chef Peter Gordon taught us the correct way to cook cous cous – do not use boiling water and do not cover it! Use water at room temperature otherwise it gets lumpy and sodden. He mixed up cous cous with pureed broccoli as a side to accompany pan fried clams with chilli and lemongrass. For dessert he prepared a rice pudding with strawberries and vanilla. We had a taste of the clams which were juicy with a hint of spiciness.

The Big Feastival worked on a token system for the major food stalls which included well known chains like Wahaca and Gourmet Burger Kitchen, Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen and Barbecoa and restaurants like Mango Tree and Canteen.

There were lots of food sampling in the Artisan Food Markets and a big bake off in the WI Tent – which celebrated domestic goddesses with demos, knitting, art and crafts, brownies by the Beehive Bakery and a vintage clothing stall with items from Lily Allen’s store Lucy in Disguise.

What did we eat?

Corn-fed chicken satay with roti from Awana

Tagliatelle from Locanda Locatelli

Haggis with potato mash

Okonomi-yaki from Abeno

This was washed down with Aperol Spritz, which I had previously in Milan, and pear cider!

Other than eating, there were lots of fun things to check out like:

Big music stage featuring Rockaoke – amateur singers belting out the latest hits regardless of pitch or tone!
The Funfair featuring a carousel and mini ferris wheel
Psychic readings in the Gypsy Caravans
The Kitchen Garden – helping non-gardeners learn how to grow an edible garden

The Kitchen Garden Scarecrow

The Big Feastival was lots of fun with great food served up all afternoon. I purchased a Big Feastival recipe book to cook my own feast at home, with proceeds going to charity, without using hot water in my cous cous of course!

Thank you for the lovely time, will definitely be back next year!

Filed Under: food, london Tagged With: clapham, drinking, festivals, jamie oliver, london, summer

The London Glampacker List: Strutting Across Abbey Road Like the Beatles

June 15, 2011 By glampacker Leave a Comment

Abbey Road is a crosswalk of endless strutting. It’s the one place in London where it appears to be completely acceptable to shamelessly stop traffic to get the best photograph.

Whilst we were visiting a bright red fire engine drove up and a big burly firemen leapt out of the truck shouting, “I gotta cross the road!”

He performed his impeccable strut across the zebra crossing to the sounds of his colleagues cheering him on and the laughter of the many tourists. He nonchalantly hopped back into the truck on his merry way to fight more fires.

To get the best photograph, stand on the side of the road opposite to the studios and wait for a break in traffic – cars and people.

The famous Beatles photograph of Abbey Road featured on their 11th album of the same name. Most of the album was recorded there in 1969. Abbey Studios is now a privately owned recording studio today so you’re not able to go inside for a stickybeak.

Outside the brick fence of the studios are covered in graffiti, messages of hope, caricatures and well wishes.

Before your visit you might even want to check out this webcam to see if how busy it is – usually always.

To get to Abbey Road grab the tube and get off at St John’s Wood.

Filed Under: london Tagged With: abbey road, london glampacker list, things to do

Looking Back on my Year of Travel – From Bali to Melbourne, Boracay to the Greek Islands, London to New York City

December 30, 2010 By glampacker Leave a Comment

Sunset in Seminyak, Bali

On my 24^th birthday last year I was standing on a beach in Seminyak, Bali when I made the monumental decision to move to London. It was something that I’ve always dreamed about – travelling around Europe, working overseas and making the most out of life. It was finally time to get out of my comfort zone and actually do it!

The London dream is shared by thousands of twentysomething girls. So I admit I don’t feel like I’m unique, as I am but just another girl working in Central London catching the Tube each day. Yet I still feel a sense of accomplishment. Sometimes I feel like pinching myself – that I actually moved all the way across the world with nothing but a 12 kilogram backpack!

A Western Australian sunset at Cottesloe Beach

A Melbournian start to 2010

Soaking my feet in Torquay, Victoria

I started the year in Melbourne, devouring a book about living and working in the UK whilst enjoying balmy summer evenings. I went jogging with my brother in the Royal Botanical Gardens, walked along the beach in St Kilda and spent quality time with my best friend drinking cocktails in secret laneway bars and having high tea.

A Filipino Getaway

Boracay’s White Beach

Pagsanjan Falls

In April I embarked on, and survived, a group holiday to the Philippines. I was astounded by the beauty of Boracay – the white beaches with sand so fine that it’s used for day spa treatments, the fresh value for money seafood and crazy beach bars. Most of all, I was humbled by the generosity of my friends and their family in Manila.

Once my UK work visa came through and I quit my job there was no looking back!

A European summer

Falling in love with Santorini

Octopus handing to dry in Paros

I’ve always wanted to ‘summer in Europe’. Landing in sticky, hot Athens the weather didn’t disappoint my travel buddy Kassie and I. We sailed around the Greek Islands, enjoying beautiful sunsets in Santorini and even hiked up the volcano. On the Amalfi coast we ate spoonfuls of gelato every day and then ventured to Rome to be immersed in history in the hidden churches discovering Michelangelo in the unlikeliest places. Paris meant plenty of macarons, an escape to Disneyland before we relaxed in Nice and gambled some Euros in Monaco.

Sacre Coeur in Paris

Capri, Italy

Then I sailed the Dalmatian Coast of Croatia on a 7 day cruise. The scenery in Croatia is simply stunning – untouched national parks, pristine beaches and imposing mountains. My biggest feat was climbing to the top of a 16^th Century pirate fortress!

London - a home away from home?

Serpentine bridge in Hyde Park

In London the holiday was officially over. I needed to get a flat and a job asap. In four weeks I traipsed all over London looking at 10 flats, meeting with recruiters and interviewing for jobs. How would you describe yourself in one word? Exhausted!

Time escapes you when you’re endlessly hunting and by sheer chance I ended up living in a hostel run by nuns. Despite the weekday lock out by 11pm it was the best experience of my life! It’s here where I met my ‘London family’. Having a support network is the most important thing you need when you arrive in a big city. Even though you never know who’s going to stay in London as the hellos and goodbyes are always constant, my friends ground me when the grey skies and cold causes bouts of homesickness.

Weekends away in the UK

It’s exciting to be able to escape London for the weekend. I visited Edinburgh and was charmed by the amazing B&B we stayed at and then also drove around Inverness in one day! In Bath, I channeled Elizabeth Bennett and went to the thermae spa, browsed the charming Christmas markets and enjoyed eating a cinnamon butter Sally Lunn bun.

View from Edinburgh Castle

Bath Abbey at nightfall

I’m ending this year on a high in NYC with my brother Ryan – I survived my first blizzard and am looking forward to seeing the ball drop.

This year has been a tough, challenging, emotional roller coaster. Travelling is always about big highs and lows. My biggest high this year is waking up every day in a new city, feeling like my next adventure in 2011 is just around the corner.

Filed Under: london Tagged With: australia, Bali, Greek Islands, italy, Perth, Reflection, summer

Wanderlust Photo – The Christmas Tree at Somerset House

December 22, 2010 By glampacker 3 Comments

On the search for the most beautiful Christmas tree in London I discovered the Tiffany themed tree at Somerset House. It sparkles day or night with its signature blue baubles and silver decorations. Ice skaters glide around the rink in its stylish shadow.

Filed Under: london, Travel Photography Tagged With: christmas, london, Somerset House, uk

Cheap Thrills in London – Ice-Skating in Queensway

November 23, 2010 By glampacker Leave a Comment

It may not be as glamourous as ice-skating at Somerset House, at the Natural History Museum or in Hyde Park, but Queens Ice-skating & Bowling is the cheapest place to hit the rink in Central London.

On Monday nights it’s only £6.50 to ice-skate from 8 – 11 pm. The disco lights and pop music gets you warmed up and doing figure eights in no time.

For beginners, an ice-skating rink can be a daunting place. The urban myth of getting your fingers chopped off if you fall and someone skates over them is highly perpetuated. If you do fall, this is pretty unlikely, mostly you’ll just end up with an icy bottom!

The only thing to be careful of is avoiding the wannabe pro’s that speed skate around the rink like they’re extras from the Mighty Ducks movies.

For the price alone, it’s lots of good natured fun on a usually quiet Monday evening, without the crowds at the outdoor rinks.

QUEENS Iceskating & Bowling, 17 Queensway, London W2

Filed Under: london Tagged With: budget activities, cheap thrills, london, uk

Wanderlust Photo – The Kissmas Tree, Covent Garden, London

November 17, 2010 By glampacker Leave a Comment

For an Aussie like me, a Northern Christmas is utterly magical. I dream of a white Christmas, of chestnuts roasting by an open fire, a real wintery holiday. No BBQs, beaches or 40 degree Celcius Christmas days which is generally what it’s like back home.

London lights up for Christmas. The streets sparkle with fairy lights. Shop windows have impressive displays. Everything is unashamedly Christmas themed, I’ve even succumbed to ordering Peppermint Mochas instead of a normal one!

In Covent Garden there is a Kissmas tree. It only lights up when couples kiss under the mistletoe. Even the biggest scrooge breaks into a sappy smile when the tree lights up!

Filed Under: london, Travel Photography Tagged With: Christmas Trees, Covent Garden, lights

A Sunday Afternoon Tea in London – Bea’s of Bloomsbury

November 13, 2010 By glampacker Leave a Comment

There are some quintessentially British traditions that you have to do in London. Indulging in afternoon tea is one of them. Also known as high tea, afternoon tea is usually served from 2 pm till 5 pm. I like to imagine that the Queen has afternoon tea every day and drinks Twinings.

In my case, afternoon tea is reserved for the weekend when you skip lunch and try not to feel too guilty about eating a lot of sweets.

Bea’s of Bloomsbury recently opened a tearoom at One New Change opposite St Paul’s Cathedral. The two-level eatery is bright with a warm atmosphere, the antique style chairs and unique interiors create an Alice in Wonderland feeling particularly with the hanging teapot lights and other small touches.

We ordered one afternoon tea set – which comes with savoury baguettes, a proper scone (plain), clotted cream and raspberry jam, a signature cupcakes, petit fours, a mini Valrhona brownie, a mini Belgian Blondie, and a mini meringue and a pot of Jing tea – White jasmine herbal for Chiara. Unfortunately they had run out of petit fours so we compensated with more brownies.

Rather than being greedy and ordering another afternoon tea, though we did briefly consider this, we opted for the Jam Tea – two plain scones with clotted cream and jam and a pot of Darjeeling Jing tea.

This high tea lady has fallen victim to clotted cream

Rustic looking scones

We look awfully excited and hungry at the same time!

Tea

The Darjeeling was light and refreshing however the teapots were small and we ran out of tea before we finished our last brownie. We ordered a pot of Earl Grey which was just what we needed to cleanse our palette of sugar. The tiny little Jug of milk runs out pretty quickly.

Sweets

The scones were buttery and melted in your mouth with the heavenly clotted cream and runny raspberry jam. I liked the consistency of the jam as it spread easily. The little brownie needed a tad more chocolate in it. However the Belgian Blondie – a moist yellow cake – was divine. The jam-smeared meringue was just the right size and not overtly sweet.

We were a bit disappointed by the velvet cupcake as it had cream, not icing, on the top and in the middle was a giant hole when we sliced it open which was meant to be a layer of chocolate icing. I like solid cupcakes and it didn’t taste like a normal red velvet. We ordered the double chocolate cupcake to test another – yet this was incredibly rich. A very wicked cupcake indeed.

Savouries

I’ve never had baguettes with high tea as you’re usually served finger sandwiches. This was a nice surprise although they weren’t cut very evenly – or spread out on the bottom plate. As there were only 3 baguettes, it looked like something was missing on the empty side of the plate! The filling was made up of ham, pesto, salad and cream cheese. The bread was a bit tough but complimented the sweets well.

The verdict – 3.5 out of 5

Service was a bit slow to begin with and we had to flag the waitstaff a few times. For 15 pounds this afternoon tea price is on par with similar sets served at some of London’s galleries though cheaper than most hotels. It is a decent serving size though I would’ve liked to have sampled some of the petit fours. On a second visit I would probably just stick to the tea and scones for 6 pounds.

We have an agenda of trying out as many afternoon teas as possible in London…so stay tuned.

Filed Under: afternoon tea, london Tagged With: cafe, Food, sweets, tea

Cocktails and Fairs in Central London

October 26, 2010 By glampacker Leave a Comment

I don’t believe there’s such a thing as a typical Saturday night in London. An autumn evening begins with a fair amount of layering up – adding on a coat, scarf and boots before jumping on a rather empty Piccadilly line to Covent Garden.

Drinks at Tuttons
I warmed up with an Espresso Martini at Tuttons. Tuttons is an intimate bar and restaurant in the heart of Covent Garden. Attracting the theatre crowd and patrons of all ages, Tuttons has a standard cocktail menu, although I didn’t try the Covent Garden Sunrise, and tempting bar bites. It has a relaxed atmosphere and a busy restaurant area.

After a tipple, we wandered to Leicester Square where the Christmas Fun Fair had begun. Unfortunately my lack of height and ball shooting skills were tested for 2.50GBP and I failed to win any Winnie the Pooh teddy bears.