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Europe 2023
  • R and R Travels
  • Robin Braithwaite
  • R and R Travels
  • Robin Braithwaite

Europe 2023

A long awaited trip to Europe via Japan.
We'll visit;
Japan, France, Sardinia, Corsica, Spain and England Read more
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  • Europe 2023
    Sharing the view with a few friends15km walk today

    Park Güell by Antoni Gaudí

    September 5, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    Antoni Gaudí created Park Güell, an architectural masterpiece, with tree-shaped columns and undulating forms that merge in perfect harmony. The colours of the broken tile mosaics that cover the surface of the distinct elements is an unprecedented technique of Gaudí that makes the astonishing shapes come to life. It was also built in the middle of the city atop a hill, hence it is blessed with some of the best views in Barcelona.Read more

  • Europe 2023
    Very busy Tapas bar in the El Poble-sec districtVermutMussels with caviarBaby Squid, onion and artichokeStanding only at this restaurant/barAnchovy & cheese and blue cheese & red pepperSalmon, yoghurt and truffled honeyBusy in the kitchen

    Tapas - Quimet & Quimet, Barcelona

    September 5, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    Best place for a last night in Barcelona.

    Quimet & Quimet is a standing-room-only tapas bar that has mastered the art of montaditos. This tiny, family-run establishment, with walls lined floor-to-ceiling with wine and spirits, has hardly changed since 1914. The counter dominates the bottle-green tiled space, where the fourth generation of owners create sophisticated small plates without a kitchen in sight. No fancy cocktails here, primarily vermut and Spanish wine.

    The speciality here is preserved seafood and tinned delicacies, transformed into brilliant bite-sized combinations. Think tender tuna belly with crushed tomato, or salmon with Greek yoghurt and truffled honey. Everything is assembled with theatrical flourish behind the bar, using ingredients from the shelves that crowd the walls.

    It's cramped, busy, and you'll likely jostle for space with a mix of locals and food pilgrims, but that's part of its charm.    Read more

  • Europe 2023

    Colourful Kensington & Notting Hill

    September 6, 2023 in England ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    Kensington and Notting Hill showcase London's refined yet bohemian west side. Kensington High Street blends chain stores with upmarket boutiques, while side streets reveal rows of pristine white stucco-fronted townhouses and hidden garden squares. The area's grandeur peaks around Kensington Palace Gardens, dubbed "Billionaires' Row", where embassies and mansions hide behind high walls and security cameras.

    Notting Hill offers a more eclectic vibe, though gentrification has polished its edges. Portobello Road market still brings weekend crowds hunting for antiques and vintage finds, while Westbourne Grove serves up designer shops and trendy brunch spots. The neighbourhood's pastel-coloured houses, made famous by that film, draw Instagram crowds, but quiet streets like Lansdowne Crescent keep their peaceful charm.

    The area tells two stories - one of old money around Kensington Palace and the Museums, another of artsy affluence in Notting Hill's coffee shops and independent bookstores. Council estates sit alongside multi-million pound homes, while local pubs share streets with Michelin-starred restaurants. Despite the wealth, there's still a community feel, especially during the annual Notting Hill Carnival when the streets explode with Caribbean colour and sound.    Read more

  • Europe 2023

    Drinks in the hood

    September 6, 2023 in England ⋅ ☁️ 30 °C

    The Hansom Cab, Earls Court, London.

    The Hansom Cab sits on Earls Court Road, a proper London pub that's managed to keep its character despite the area's changes. This Victorian corner establishment takes its name from the horse-drawn cabs that once served the nearby station. Inside, the pub maintains its traditional features - dark wood panelling, brass fittings, and a curved bar that anchors the space.
    Unlike many London pubs that have gone gastro, The Hansom Cab keeps things refreshingly straightforward. It serves a solid selection of real ales, decent pub grub, and draws a mixed crowd of locals, hospital staff from the Royal Marsden, and visitors staying in the area's many hotels. The pub's side street location, just off the main drag, helps it maintain a neighbourhood feel.    Read more

  • Europe 2023
    St Bololph without Aldersgate
    St Bololph without AldersgateSt Benet Welsh Church Paul's WharfSt Benet Welsh Church Paul's Wharf

    Genealogical tour of London

    September 7, 2023 in England ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    Ross: Decided to finally visit the home of some of my English ancestors. My Great Great Grandfather was born in this area and baptised in St Botolph without Aldersgate in 1804. Many of his siblings were also baptised here. He and Harriet Emma Wiskon were married at St Benet Welsh Church Paul’s Wharf in 1827 and remained together in London until her death 1857.Read more

  • Europe 2023
    Millennium Bridge
    Millennium BridgeThe Shard from Millennium BridgeBlackfriars BridgeSouthwark Bridge with Tower Bridge in the distanceSt Pauls CathedralSt Pauls and Millenium BridgeThe turbine room, Tate ModernSouthwark BridgeSouthwark BridgeSouthwark Bridge looking back to St Paul's

    London bridges

    September 7, 2023 in England ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    Millennium Bridge, Blackfriars Bridge, a glimpse of Tower Bridge, Southwark Bridge.

    The Millennium Bridge, London's sleek footbridge, cuts a modern line between St Paul's Cathedral and Tate Modern. Nicknamed the 'Wobbly Bridge' after its shaky start in 2000, it's now steady and offers the best pedestrian views of the cathedral.

    Blackfriars Bridge, with its distinctive red pillars decorated with bird sculptures, spans the Thames where river police once patrolled Victorian London. The bridge shares its crossing with the rebuilt Blackfriars station, whose solar-panelled roof makes it a landmark in its own right.

    Southwark Bridge, the quietest of the three, sports a distinctive green and yellow paintwork. Often overlooked by tourists, it provides peaceful river views and links the City to Bankside's back streets, connecting Shakespeare's Globe to the financial district.    Read more

  • Europe 2023

    St Paul's Cathedral, London

    September 7, 2023 in England ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    From a couple of angles...

    The cathedral serves as the mother church of the Diocese of London. It is on Ludgate Hill at the highest point of the City of London.

  • Europe 2023
    Edward Krasinski Untitled 2001 - 12 mirrors and tape Tate ModernEdward Krasinski Untitled 2001 - 12 mirrors and tape Tate Modern

    Tate Modern

    September 7, 2023 in England ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    Tate Modern is an art gallery located in London's South Bank. It houses the United Kingdom's national collection of international modern and contemporary art.

  • Europe 2023
    Excellent, though expensive, oysters and prosecco.Ha Ha, we have is good in Australia. Tiger prawns at A$120/kg

    Borough Market, London

    September 7, 2023 in England ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    Borough Market is a wholesale and retail market hall in Southwark, London, England. It's one of the largest and oldest food markets in London, with a market on the site dating back to at least the 12th century. The oysters and prosecco were delicious although expensive!Read more

  • Europe 2023

    Neal's Yard

    September 7, 2023 in England ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

    Neal's Yard is a small alley in London's Covent Garden between Shorts Gardens and Monmouth Street which opens into a courtyard. It is named after the 17th century developer, Thomas Neale.

  • Europe 2023
    Brewers Lane, Richmond
    Home of Ted LassoRichmond BridgeRichmond BridgeWalkway under Richmond BridgeRichmond BridgeRiver Thames near Richmond on a glorious day

    Richmond, London

    September 8, 2023 in England ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C

    Visiting some old stomping grounds.

    Interesting to see where the Ted Lasso series was filmed.

  • Europe 2023

    East Sheen, London

    September 8, 2023 in England ⋅ ☁️ 27 °C

    Robin: Sheengate Mansions, Upper Richmond Road. An old stomping ground. Lived in and owned an apartment on top floor in this block with Sue Crowe. Too many parties, too much fun.

  • Europe 2023
    The mighty Hammersmith Bridge, closed to vehicles and adding hours to commutes across London
    Closed since 2019 due to structural integrity concerns.The once mighty bridgeGreat spot for lunch (or dinner, or just a beverage)Not exactly inviting

    Hammersmith, London

    September 8, 2023 in England ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C

    Perfect weather for the pubs by the river.

    Hammersmith Bridge, the elegant Victorian suspension bridge, has become a symbol of London's ageing infrastructure woes. The 136-year-old crossing closed to vehicles in 2019 and then to pedestrians in 2020 due to critical structural issues, with temperature changes causing dangerous cracks in its cast iron pedestals.

    The closure has created havoc for locals, forcing lengthy detours and splitting communities on both sides of the Thames. School children and commuters initially had to take boats across the river. While it reopened to pedestrians and cyclists in July 2021, the bridge remains closed to motor traffic.

    The saga continues with debates over the bridge's £140+ million repair bill, with ongoing disputes between local council, Transport for London, and central government over who should foot the bill. The Grade II listed structure's unique design makes repairs particularly complex, and its future as a vehicle crossing remains uncertain.    Read more

  • Europe 2023
    Roxy and Mark
    Mark Thornton being his charming best with the serverLouisa and RobinUs lot and a very well behaved Doris the Jack Russell

    Catching up with old friends

    September 8, 2023 in England ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C

    So good to make some mischief with the Thorntons. Great little Italian joint on High St Kensington, Il Portico, and then drinks at the Abingdon.

  • Europe 2023
    The Italian Gardens in Hyde ParkThe Italian Gardens in Hyde ParkThe Albert Memorial, Hyde Park (note the unusual clear blue sky)

    Holland Park & Hyde Park wander

    September 9, 2023 in England ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    Holland Park maintains a quieter, residential atmosphere with its intimate 22-hectare space, featuring manicured Japanese gardens, peacocks, and the ruins of Holland House. In contrast, the sprawling 142-hectare Hyde Park stands as one of London's most significant green spaces, buzzing with activity around the Serpentine lake, Speakers Corner, and extensive pathways where tourists and locals converge. Both parks provide vital green spaces in central London, though each maintains its own distinct character.Read more

  • Europe 2023
    Regent Street
    The Royal Arcade

    London

    September 9, 2023 in England ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    Regent Street, Old Bond Street, Fortnum & Mason.

  • Europe 2023
    Sardines and roast peppers
    Duck liver parfaitGreat team behind the barTypical of the small London hotels around Kensington and Earl's Court

    The Abingdon

    September 9, 2023 in England ⋅ 🌙 29 °C

    Nice little pub just off High Street Kensington. Mostly locals, lovely atmosphere, great staff, good food and no sign of the Business Prevention Unit... Exactly what you want from a local.

  • Europe 2023
    Lunch at The Ginger Fox with David and German
    HoveA bit rocky for our likingHove Beach HutsDavid Pring being cheeky

    Hove, UK

    September 10, 2023 in England ⋅ ☁️ 26 °C

    A little side trip to Hove to catch up with old friends David and German.

    A gorgeous lunch at The Ginger Fox in the South Downs, just outside of Brighton.

  • Europe 2023
    St John the Baptist's Church, Palmeira Square, Hove
    Beach huts, HoveBeach huts, HoveBeach huts, HoveWindmills in the distance, if you look closely.

    Hove seafront

    September 11, 2023 in England ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    Brighton and Hove's seafront transitions into a more refined atmosphere as you head west into Hove, where grand Regency terraces line wide boulevards facing the English Channel. The iconic pastel-coloured beach huts stretch along the promenade, while the expansive lawns of Hove Green provide a peaceful buffer between the historic townhouses and the beachfront. Unlike Brighton's bustling pier area, Hove's seafront maintains a quieter, more genteel character with its traditional beach cafes, well-maintained pebble beach, and the popular Hove Lawns where locals gather for cricket matches and picnics. The area particularly comes alive during summer when locals settle into their beach huts and swimmers brave the Channel waters.Read more

  • Europe 2023

    Morning in Camden, London, pt1

    September 12, 2023 in England ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C

    A wander along the Camden Lock.

    The Regent's Canal curves through Camden Town, where it transforms from a quiet waterway into the heart of one of London's busiest markets. The former industrial canal, built in 1820, once served the area's warehouses and factories. Today, these Victorian buildings house Camden Market's shops, food stalls and music venues.

    Camden Lock, technically Hampstead Road Locks, marks where the canal's character changes. East towards Islington, it's a peaceful towpath used by cyclists and joggers. West towards Regent's Park, houseboats line the water's edge. But at Camden Lock itself, the waterway becomes pure theatre - tourists crowd the bridges to watch narrow boats navigate the twin locks, while market-goers spill out onto the cobbled yards of the former horse stables.

    The canalside warehouses, once used for timber and ice storage, now form Camden Lock Market's maze of shops and food stalls. On summer weekends, the air fills with food smells from the West Yard's global street food market, while gongoozlers (canal watchers) lean on the lock's black railings, watching boats rise and fall in the lock chamber.    Read more

  • Europe 2023
    Rideshare fished out of the lock

    Morning in Camden, London, pt2

    September 12, 2023 in England ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C

    Robin: I saw Midnight Oil at Dingwalls in 1985... Much has changed. Camden, Camden Lock and Camden Markets were a regular haunt back in the 80s.

  • Europe 2023
    Leicester Square
    ChinatownChinatownChinatownStudying the surroundsHaving Chinese food for lunch because English cuisine ...Eros, Picadilly CircusLast tube ride in London - Piccadilly line to Heathrow T3So long London. Till next time.

    London

    September 12, 2023 in England ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C

    Leicester Square, Chinatown and Piccadilly Circus before heading back to Knightsbridge and then to airport. London, you've been luverly.

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