We have dropped into London on our way home and have enjoyed a wonderful few days, although no time at all to catch up with any family, friends, or fellow sewers, which is disappointing, but we’re planning a return visit in 2016.
This is an unashamed tourist’s view of London, with just some of my favourite places, and no sewing mentioned at all.
We walked across the Millennium Bridge to the Tate Gallery, which was fabulous.
Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, the only thatched roof left in London, and Tom tells me that they have to have a fireman on standby every time they stage a show.
St Paul’s Cathedral, which is always worth a visit. It is such an imposing building
We wandered down Fleet Street to the Royal Courts of Justice
and Mark had to pose in front of them, of course. 
London has markets aplenty, but we only got to a couple. This is the Borough Market, which was full of amazing food.
Of course London is also full of amazing pubs, and this one is the oldest – The George Inn
I was very taken with the oak furniture, although Tom liked the saying above the fireplace (in the photo above).
We ducked over to Old Brompton Road, where we saw this rather unusual addition to a building – the Royal British Society of Sculptors. Not sure I’m so taken with this, but it’s certainly different!
I do love streets such as these though. Last time I came to London I stayed in a boutique hotel in Kensington that looked just like this.
Mark and I went for a long ramble and came across this gem – St Katharine Docks – just tucked away. It was so delightful, and this photograph does not do it justice. 
We needed to do all the touristy things, and really enjoyed the London Eye, although Archie got better photos than I did.
We were lucky because all the Christmas lights were still a-twinkling
I thought I’d show this photo of Mark sending a postcard to his Mum. The red letterboxes are still magnificent, and it proves that people do still send and receive postcards!
Archie in Carnaby Street, complete with Christmas decorations.
We stayed in an apartment on Brick Lane, Shoreditch. It was a “penthouse”, but on the fourth floor, so not too penthousey!
The view from the balcony was pretty good though
On Sunday there were market stalls as far as the eye could see along here.
Shoreditch is a wonderful place to stay. It is full of street art – some of it occurring as we watched.
It is also full of vintage clothing stores. I swear I didn’t find them all, but I did visit a goodly number. There were also a few fabric shops, but I didn’t indulge myself. I figure that there must have been some sort of tailoring industry in Brick Lane because I came across this interesting plaque in the pavement.
Finally, for this post, we went to Camden Lock and the Camden Markets. We walked there along the canal and it was delightful.
I’m going to plunder some of Archie’s photos for my next post – they are so much better than mine.
My favourite city.
I was born near London so it holds a special place in my heart.
Hello, love your post . You would probably enjoy a blog called Spitlefields life which is written daily by The Gentle Author . It is all about inner east London. I have been reading it for years . If has a great archive if fascinating articles about culture , history and characters if the area . I just love it . gave a look 😄
Thanks Mem. Off to explore it!
What a lovely travel journal. The London diverse architecture is splendid and I can’t wait to see the city through your son’s eyes – his photos of Iceland were simply amazing. So, no fabric shopping at all, Sue? Come on! You’re talking to fabric-ahoolics here.
Oh, ok, Hélène, a tiny bit and I shall be blogging it soon! Thank you, as always, for your comments.
This has been a great travel journal, and you all seem to have had such fun! Also in London, you have pointed out to me things I have never noticed. I am definitely going to look out for those manhole covers in Brick Lane. I worked round there for years and never noticed them! Thanks for your tour. It made me feel like I was on holiday with you, when in fact I was rushing round making up beds, and shopping, for a stream of family visitors over Christmas. Didn’t have time to comment much before though 🙂
There are quite a few of those manhole covers – although I’m not sure if they are manhole covers, they’re quite small. Thank you for your comment, it made me laugh because I’ve done nothing but laundry since I got home. Holidays are exhausting!
Oh I don’t know about that – I think your photos are lovely! Thank you for sharing all your site seeing with us!
Thank you Linda!
Thank you so much for your wonderful travel reports. I think that your pictures are great and interesting. I visited London two months ago and didn’t make one good picture.
Oh shame. Maybe you need to visit again 😜. Um glad you like my photos
So many sights of London I’ve never seen, thank you for sharing your amazing trip and photos.
PS I’m in Canada at the moment and no where as many gorgeous photos as yours.
Ooh, hoping to do Canada next year. I hope you’re finding all the fabric shops!