Notting Hill

Add Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant to the scene, and our Notting Hill outing is complete. The pastel colored apartments, colorful fruit and veg stands (everyone says "veg" here...), racks of vintage, designer, and costume clothing, and many different people made up Portobello Road Market of Notting Hill. Although we were worn out and tired by the time we reached the famous market, it was still impressive. We didn't reach Portobello Road until late afternoon; Dad wanted to walk through Hyde Park. It was another beautiful day- warm enough to wear shorts, breezy enough for a sweater- and it seemed as if everyone on the West End had come out to enjoy the sun. We rented bikes from Barclays Cycle Hire (inexpensive way to get around London- register your credit card, take a bike out of one docking station and return it at another one, pay by the hour) and rode around the park. Now lunchtime, we wander through the beautiful residential streets near Hyde Park featuring large white houses with courtyards and black painted gates. Eventually, we are seated at Suzan's Cafe. Mom, Dad, and I all have falafels, while Franny orders a toasted cheese and bacon sandwich. It worked out fine, but I wouldn't eat there again- or at least wouldn't have the falafel or cheese and bacon sandwich. Walking some more, we passed Whiteley's, London's first-ever department store (now a mall). Stopping in for a quick look, Franny decides to try bungee trampolining in the lobby! (cannot explain any further- the pictures tell all). Franny said later that it was the best 6 pounds she ever spent, so it was clearly worth it. After more walking, walking, and walking, we see a sign for Portobello Road. After a bizarre encounter by a woman on the sidewalk to keep our bags close and valuables away while at the street market. The rest is a happy blur of exotic clothing, good food, and many many people. But although I love street markets, as I am sure you can tell, what struck me this Friday were the periwinkle, pale yellow, light pink, and lavender colors of the apartments above the antique furniture and stalls selling Scottish wool. Although the words do not refer to a neighborhood, Hugh Grant's character in Notting Hill aptly describes this colorful part of London: "You can stay forever."