See the thing is that since moving further out, I have not gone into central London for a long time. Weekdays are impossible and well weekends, we just want to laze around at home, or go somewhere not too far from home. Sounding really domesticated huh? And to think I am using the words "going into central London".
However I need a hair cut badly and I have been a loyal customer to this small little Japanese salon on Piccadilly Circus. I told K I would go for my hair cut and then walk around Regent Street. Have some me-time too. He needed to be home as we have just got new cleaners to come round, and also the gas engineer was coming to fix our boiler. Like what I told Marketa, in the past 1 year I feel like I've been pushed to grow up especially after buying this property. There are so many things that need attention to, especially for an old property. In short, it is not easy to maintain an old house, let's put it that way.
I took the 11.06am train to Charing Cross and can I say that I was buzzing with excitement. I can't remember the last time I went to town! So this afternoon I pretty much looked at London from a tourist's eye - taking photos along the way, soaking in the sunshine and just… loving London all over again.
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| A 20min direct train to Charing Cross, not bad at all |
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| Look how sunny and beautiful it was. This is the National Gallery. |
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| Artist at work |
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| Piccadilly Circus where I was headed towards |
After my haircut, I walked down Regent Street for a bit, browsing in a few stores. Realised that the further down I went, I would need to walk further back to Charing Cross station, and also the crowd would get busier. These days I can't do crowds anymore and so I decided to be wise. Head back, go grab some lunch and then take the train home. I walked into Shoryu for a bowl of Japanese ramen with an ice cold coke :) Eating alone these days are ok too. A sign of getting growing up?
I called Gabby who was with her friends on the other extreme end of the shopping belt and we both decided not to meet up for a drink as what she suggested. She said she has been out since morning and is super tired. We both laughed and said we are probably getting old. The good old days of shopping the entire day is gone, much to K's relief.
I walked back towards Charing Cross station and wandered about into this arcade full of beautiful shopfronts. I felt that I was gradually leaving the shoppers behind; in fact this arcade was practically empty.
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| Royal Opera Arcade |
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| What an interesting discovery |
Wandered further along a side street where the Philippines embassy was and I love the Victorian architecture here. My secret wish is to be able to stay in an old building like this - with a big glossy black wooden door with a lion brass head knocker and golden door numbers. Precise, right!
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| And even better with a street lamp like that in front |
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| One can only dream :) |
Back to my walk, yes. I walked past the same artist again who, by now, have more flags and more people crowding round him. People's donations were placed on the flags, most likely where they are from. And then yes I spotted Singapore :) Not the most accurate replica but good enough to make me smile.
It was a smooth journey to and fro. I caught the 4.26pm train from Charing Cross and by 5pm I was back home.
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| happy Bel after my haircut :) |
Ps. Most of these photos were shared on my Instagram page today. As I said, I was buzzing with excitement. My user ID is bbelly if you were wondering :)
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