A delicious day

 Gorgeous coffee at the Pavilion cafe in Victoria Park near Mile End. I had a wonderful morning with one of our dear friends. As I was working on a shoot, I often don't get time to catch up with everyone when I am in town, so this was a real treat....and some of the best coffee I have tasted in London! 

 Look at the amazing breakfast. The choices were too good so I picked something that I wouldn't make at home...yummy!

The pavilion near by the cafe is breathtaking if you stand inside and look up. The salmon and turquoise I would have never thought of putting together but I absolutely love it! We felt like we had travelled to another land rather than East London!

All the poor narrow boats are being moved due to the Olympics. I know that there is divided feelings on the Olympics and I am on the side of 'wish it wasn't here'. All of theses people who have lived her for years I worry won't be allowed back to their moorings afterwards.

Before we left the park we noticed a strange thing sticking out of one of the trees...we debated that it might be poison darts from a strange East London tribe...or just mice practicing for the Olympic javelin contest! 

Despite the rain!

What a wet June we are having, but there are still signs of summer trying to poke their heads out. This flower caught our eye with its incredible display. I am sure it made a lot of bees very happy.

With the horrible weather we have been doing some baking to make ourselves feel better. There was a bit of the eggy filling left over in the jug, so an add of vanilla essence, some ginger powder and icing sugar....and a little bit of an experiment turned into....

 .....delicious rhubarb french tarts! I wonder what creativity this wet weather is creating!

The Isles of Scilly

We have been off on quite an adventure. We were heading to the Isles of Scilly for a family get together and were meant to be travelling on the ferry. When we got to Penzance to board there was a gale force 9 and the waves were crashing 15feet over the sea break. Stupidly we both took a sea sickness tablet thinking that we were going to sail. The boat was cancelled and we spent the rest of the day feeling like we were at sea...never going to take sea sickness tablets again!

The Isles of Scilly- St Mary's

So we had to drive to St Ives for the night (somewhere I have never been but liked it very much...will save that for another post). We managed to get a refund on the ferry ticket and there was a cancellation on the helicopter for the next day so we booked that instead!

View from the bedroom window

Loved the cover on one of the old books

The helicopter was great fun and arrived in the sunshine. The Isles of Scilly are so beautiful and really reminded me of the Outer Hebrides where I lived for a while. We were staying at my Dad's cousin's house (Helena) which belonged to her mother in law. Helena doesn't live in the house, she lives in the annex down the side and is an artist. The house was amazing and filled with old maps, a cast of a dolphin Helena's husband made, old books and the most incredible views out over an old battlement and the sea.

Helen's home and pottery

The amazing house that we stayed in. We had the whole place.

One of the days we travelled over to Tresco to see the famous gardens. As the climate is so mild on the Isles of Scilly you get plants from Africa and New Zealand flourishing. I think I got a little over enthusiastic with my camera though and wanted to take everything home with me!

Took a little boat over to Tresco

Ship wrecked goodies found in the waters we sailed over

The wooden women from the front of ship wrecks

Gorgeous vegetable garden

Some of the very friendly birds.

The tropical looking flowers at Tresco gardens

Exploring the South West

The trip started off with a visit to Feast in Ilminster. It is a place that I have been meaning to go to for a long time as it is a totally vegetarian cafe...but they don't like to shout about it. Which for me is a huge thumbs up as veggie cafes can often get a bad name as a 'knit your own yogurt' type of place. This was gorgeous and like a cafe in France with a sunny court yard. We were late for lunch so they gave us a share plate of left overs which was wonderful! And their coffee got 8 out of 10.

Then for a little walk around the town. There was were lots of charity shops but sadly all closed for the day..so will have to arrange another visit! We thought that this door with the Indian God was rather beautiful, and a good way to scare away door to door sales people! 

Then a quick drive over to West Bay where the wonderful Sladers Yard resides. Such a calming place full of wood, art and incredible furniture...although with prices seeming to start in the £1000, it is nice to look but not touch!

Even the washroom towel rail looked amazing! Want to try that at home with some scraps of wood.

I wish that I had written down who the artist was of these wolves. The movement and eyes really made you feel like you had stepped into a fairy tale. 

One night in Paris

I suddenly found myself having a 'dream job' moment when I was asked to deliver a feature film to Paris ready for the Cannes film festival. A hop onto the Euro Star, a night in a hotel and spending money! What more could a girl want?

 I was given a hotel in the 17e which I didn't know at all but would definitely recommend. I did a bit of research before I left and found out that there was a great Veggie cafe near by, places to buy cheese and wine and a type of Paris the tourists never see...

There was a wild carpet in my room! And I brushed up on the school girl french as the internet warned me I was going off track to where Paris doesn't speak much English. I loved it! Words came back and people didn't mind if you couldn't speak French brilliantly...lots of arm waving and mime actions!

The people were so lovely in fact, that one of them gave me an ice cream for free saying that I was 'Too much charm in one body". I think the yellow Orla Kiely suit I was wearing had something to do with it! 

Terrible picture of me but you can see the lovely suit!

 
Had a delicious Masala Dosa at an Indian near to the Gare Du Nord...my favourite!

The veggie cafe that I found was called Joy in Food. A huge plate of lovely goodness! And there was a 24 hour ambulance service a few doors away that had amazing paintings all around the windows that I suspect have been there for years...don't you just love her green bow?

 I wanted to move the bin...but now I quite like it in the photo!

 Little french man with a black Berri.  

 I adore the architecture of Paris, there really is no where else like it. 

Even the railway lines look beautiful.

Back on the train home with treats in my bag....

...french Elle Decoration, and a raspberry meringue,croissants,nut bread, wine and cheese...thank you Paris!