London Life Places

Has Spring Sprung?

April 18, 2013

Greetings from a fairly sunny and spring like london!

The burning question that everyone is scared to ask is: has spring sprung? Winter was so long that any amount of sunlight still sends shockwaves to my body. I was looking through my blog posts of last april as i remembered blogging about early flowering trees. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said about this april.

Yesterday the sun graced us with its presence and as i was due to meet up with the lovely yvonne from yvestown, what better place to show off our city than a short stroll in kensington gardens, followed by afternoon tea at the stunning orangery?

This map shows you the vastness of green space around the area, from kensington gardens to hyde park.

IMG_6377

In all royal parks cycling is not permitted. Sadly, i saw plenty today while strolling along! If caught, there is a penalty of £50.

IMG_6289

Mostly bare trees did not reflect from the gorgeous sunshine and the warmth on my skin and face.

IMG_6357

IMG_6310

And then there were some flowers……

IMG_6257

It was lovely to see dogs enjoying themselves.

IMG_6298

…. and ducks walking about!

IMG_6265

Swans were out in full force.

IMG_6275

Hello mr. pigeon!

IMG_6349

Bins were being emptied – in style!

IMG_6369

Off we trotted to the orangery for a cuppa of posh tea. If you live in london or you’re visiting, do try it out. The grounds are beautiful, the house stunning, the interiors gorgeous and the afternoon tea a complete delight. Quintessentially british. You won’t be disappointed.

IMG_6326

IMG_6263

IMG_6252

IMG_6247

IMG_6251a

photo

I’m praying that this weather will continue. It was great to spend a couple of hours in beautiful nature and spending time with the gorgeous yvonne.

I hope you guys have a lovely weekend and i look forward to seeing you on monday:-)

You Might Also Like

37 Comments

  • Reply Judith April 18, 2013 at 1:31 pm

    Looks like you had a wonderful afternoon enjoying the best of London and Yvonne of course! Enjoy your (sunny?) weekend, Tina!

    • Reply tina April 22, 2013 at 10:31 am

      Haha. We were so lucky with the weather. It was a perfect location, a perfect afternoon cuppa and perfect company!
      Thanks, Judith!

  • Reply Chi @ 106 April 18, 2013 at 2:01 pm

    What a lovely day out you both had – beautiful photos! 😀

    I’ve been a shy and silent reader of Yvonne’s blog for some time now and it never fails to lift my spirits whenever I visit. Yvestown is itself the very epitome of spring, don’t you think?

    Long may the sunshine and blooms last – both on the blogosphere and off! 😀 x

    • Reply tina April 22, 2013 at 10:32 am

      Thanks Chi, I’m sure Yvonne appreciates that her blog lifts your spirit. Why not tell her???

      This weekend was glorious sunshine. Hope you had the same weather…. can’t wait to see you, and your bump xx

  • Reply Louise - 30s Magazine April 18, 2013 at 2:08 pm

    Would love to go for high tea at this place. Looks so blissful and I can imagine how it’ll be in bloom. I really have to move to London, there is just too much to do and see.

    • Reply tina April 22, 2013 at 10:33 am

      Of course, madam, right up Louise’s street! Posh and sophisticated! You don’t often say that about places I review… they are a bit more down and dirty:-)

      Yes, move to London. Excellent idea!

  • Reply Anya Jensen April 18, 2013 at 3:23 pm

    Spring is taking it’s time here as well, to be honest it look more like Autumn than Spring, but I am seeing a few buds here and there, and snowdrops too. Now the wind needs to slow down, the rain needs to stop and then it will be bliss – YES bring it on – have a great day lovely ladies.
    Axx

    • Reply tina April 22, 2013 at 10:34 am

      Hope the weather is a little better over there. We had a glorious weekend xx

  • Reply Nicola April 18, 2013 at 5:09 pm

    What a civilised way to spend a sunny Spring day. It’s such a relief to see some blossom and buds after this long Winter. Love the proportions of those tall windows x

    • Reply tina April 22, 2013 at 10:35 am

      It was civilised indeed! Ha, hello tea queen!

      So loved this weekend… Yes, the building is rather glorious and those windows.. breathtaking! xx

  • Reply Igor April 18, 2013 at 7:49 pm

    Spring has definitely sprung, here too! Oh and how lovely that you met up with dear Yvonne yesterday! Hope you had a great & colourful time together!

    • Reply tina April 22, 2013 at 10:35 am

      Hello Happy sunshine, hello Happy Igor.
      We had a fab time.. very colourful indeed:-)

  • Reply Holly April 18, 2013 at 9:43 pm

    So glad to see that you’ve had some nice weather – and a lovely day in good company. Berlin has been pretty awesome too these days! The best way I can describe what I feel about this good weather is relieved. Like a big weight lifted off my shoulders. Spring may just have sprung. But shhhh…. don’t want to jinx it 😉

    I just can take my eyes off your second to last image (the door/window). OMG. Mr. Pigeon is my next favourite.

    Thanks for sharing such a pleasant moment.

    Xx.

    • Reply tina April 22, 2013 at 10:37 am

      I know, also scared to talk about it, incase we jinx it! Berlin in sunshine is heavenly.

      Last year at the Hive weekend in May it was 29 degrees. PPLLLEEAASSSEE let this year be the same. It made the weekend.
      Hive tickets now sold out. Definite highlight for me: BIG BEARHUG FROM YOU!!!!! Can’t wait to embrace you.. xx

  • Reply leah of sang the bird April 19, 2013 at 6:56 am

    Fingers crossed that spring is rooting in and is here to stay (at least until summer arrives). These sunny shots epitomise a spring day, so beautiful. The orangery sounds lovely; i LOVE the term “quintessentially british”.
    Much love xx

    • Reply tina April 22, 2013 at 10:38 am

      Haha. yes, I love that term too “quintessentially british” (I’m a Kraut after all)

      Yes, hope this weather stays for a bit:-) Thanks lovely – hugs xx

  • Reply James Balston April 19, 2013 at 7:36 am

    Lovely pics, have always particularly loved the Orangery. BTW I’m certain cycling is permitted on certain main routes through the park.

    • Reply tina April 22, 2013 at 10:40 am

      really… it’s so funny because there are tons of posters and signs up warning of not cycling…. maybe you’re right. I know I’ve been stopped in the past.

      Haha., You know, the day you walked in Kennington Park, I was on the Vespa when Hail came down and I was literally ‘stoned’ within seconds x

  • Reply James Balston April 19, 2013 at 7:38 am

    PS I think we are due for a bit more spring this weekend. After walking through Kennington Park yesterday and being lashed by an almost biblical tempest, I jolly well hope so!

  • Reply Michaela April 19, 2013 at 8:03 am

    What a fabulous building – that looks so good!!!! You lucky girl – you’re always going somewhere nice! 😉

    I’m just finishing off a 20,000 piece of writing this weekend which has taken me the best part of a year to write, and whilst I’ve loved doing it I’m so looking forward to some nice me time going to cafes and mimbling about in general.

    Alas I’m not going to Berlin (if you know anyone who needs a Hive ticket?!!). On the one hand I’m gutted, but I’ve just quite my full-time job to become a full-time writer (at last) and have had to cut out holidays until I’ve moved home – which is now the end of May – eek!!!

    Sleazy Jet won’t refund my ticket, but I don’t mind for once as I’ll go next year instead! 🙂

    Long shot, but there’s a free David Bowie Weekend on at the V & A next weekend which I’m going to with my boyf and some nice friends (we’re going on the sunday), so if you’re in the area just shout, if you are around it would be great to meet up (although I do know how busy you always are!)

    Ps my apologies for not commenting much this week – I’m back on normal factory settings next week, and in June onwards I’ll be able to comment whenever I want – yay!

    • Reply Gerard @WalnutGrey April 19, 2013 at 9:25 am

      I’m just jumping in quickly… congrats on quitting your job Michaela and best of luck with the writing! It’s very freeing and lovely (scary too not having a steady paycheck). But you’ll be great!! xx

      • Reply Michaela April 19, 2013 at 3:23 pm

        Cheers Gerard – that’s so kind of you to offer such encouraging words! At first I thought, “OMG what have I done?!!!” Now that it’s sunk in I feel loads better about it all 🙂 xx

    • Reply tina April 22, 2013 at 10:44 am

      I know, I’m rather fortunate that I live in London and move about on a Vespa… it makes it easier to get about!

      Woohoo, congratulations on your 20,000 piece of writing – what achievement. I hope you jolly well celebrated!!!
      I’ll DM you re: David Bowie and meeting up!

      Glad you managed to sell your Hive ticket – sorry you’re not joining but moving house comes first xx

  • Reply Gerard @WalnutGrey April 19, 2013 at 9:31 am

    I think spring may indeed have sprung. It’s taking a while to make its mind up here in Belfast, but it is a nice day today.

    Lovely images Tina. There are very few leaves on the trees here also and it’ll be great to see them bloom. I’m sure they must be so confused, those poor trees and flowers for that matter.

    The quintessentially British Orangery is a lovely space, but ‘too British’ for me. Hard to explain that one. Suffice to say it’s a Northern Irish thing 😉

    Enjoy the weekend xx

    • Reply Alison Sye April 19, 2013 at 10:03 pm

      Gerard – don’t knock it until you’ve tried the cake!

    • Reply tina April 22, 2013 at 10:45 am

      Haha. Am also sure the trees are confused…

      The quintessentially British Orangery is a lovely space, but ‘too British’ for me – I think I know what you mean. Would make you a bit uncomfortable:-) xx

  • Reply sue April 19, 2013 at 1:30 pm

    spring is my favourite time of year (autumn is a close second!) … of course, being born smack bang in the middle of the southern spring it makes sense! but it’s disappointing me sadly this year… i even have the perfect spring wardrobe all ready to roll out! as for the orangery… well, i do love a good afternoon tea & have been there multiple times, but the boyfriend & i have sworn never again… the first time we went it was magical… then it changed management & i’m afraid it seems to have gone steadily down hill from there! i long for the day when you need a strainer for your tea & the cakes don’t taste shop bought again! but the setting almost makes up for it… almost!

    • Reply tina April 22, 2013 at 10:47 am

      Am with you on spring and autumn.

      I can’t say I go that often and I don’t eat cake… I go for the tea and that has always been superb. If you look closely, the strainers are in-build into the teapot. It’s a new thing and I think it works well.

      Yes, the setting is rather spectacular and great for visitors fro abroad! Show off our wonderful city.
      Welcome back from Auusieland! Hope your mum has recovered well!

      • Reply sue April 24, 2013 at 8:59 pm

        thanks love! agree it is a spectacular setting & i have planned aspects of my future home based on that very room! sadly, last time we went they served teabags for some of the teas… not happy!

  • Reply Alison Sye April 19, 2013 at 10:05 pm

    Hi Tina,
    Lovely post, which I found myself reading in a posh voice! Love the ducks picture.

    • Reply tina April 22, 2013 at 10:49 am

      Hahahahaha! Thanks x

  • Reply geraldine April 19, 2013 at 11:59 pm

    Beautiful photos Tina. The orangery looks like the perfect place to have tea. Spring, if only. I just remembered that part about being caught in the throng of hailstones not so long ago 😉 Wishing you a wonderful weekend xx

    • Reply tina April 22, 2013 at 10:49 am

      Hahah. You heard it firsthand! It was nice bumping into you xx

  • Reply noreen April 20, 2013 at 8:32 pm

    Hello Tina! I just had “tea” a week ago with my family in a private tea room. Actually, I ordered lunch, being that the tea treats are a lot of sweets and some quiche. But the tea is excellent. I’ll write about this place one day.

    So – when I come to London, I’d love to go to the Orangery! The sculptural bushes and tall windows are very impressive! Do you dress up?

    Here’s hoping your spring has really sprung! Joy and blessings, N.

    • Reply tina April 22, 2013 at 2:32 pm

      Oh, Noreen, that sounds lovely, very british if I may say… I’m also not a huge fan of afternoon tea as I don’t like cakes and sweets, nor the sandwiches they serve up. It’s the ritual I like so I tend to order something savoury with my tea!

      I’ll gladly take you to the Orangery. Kensington Gardens, near Kensington Palace (where Diana lived) is spectacular and really worth seeing. NO, no need to dress up at all!

      Thank you Noreen:-)

  • Reply Catherine April 22, 2013 at 1:31 pm

    Fab photos Tina. This post reminds me of the last time we were in London. We stayed in a hotel opposite The Ritz and I think it was Green Park (led straight to Buckingham Palace). Can’t wait to visit again in the hopefully not to distant future! The Orangery looks divine, would love to have afternoon tea there. So glad spring has sprung for you guys, you deserve some real sunshine and vitamin D..enjoy, hope you have the best Spring/Summer ever! xx

    • Reply tina April 22, 2013 at 2:35 pm

      Thanks C… Yes, the Ritz is by Green Park and you have St. James’ Park which is also a gem. Buckingham Palace is just around the corner so you stayed in a very posh place:-)

      When you come back… hopefully soon, I’ll put together a list for you of some posh places and some edgy ones, ok??? x

    Leave a Reply to tina Cancel Reply