Firstly, welcome to the new-look Starry-Eyed Travels, I hope you’ll enjoy a perusal through the site. It’s still something of a work-in-progress, so please forgive any clumsy bits that remain – by next week it should be sleek and lovely! I wondered what would make a good first post at the start of this new chapter and I found myself looking at some recent photos from London. OK, so I live 30 minutes from the centre of London; it’s hardly travelling. But over the last month or so, I feel like I’ve been looking at my fair capital with fresh eyes. Starry-Eyes, you could say…
I love it when people come to visit London for the first time, because I get to share some of their delight and it makes me notice things I usually walk past without glancing at. When Rambling Tart came to town last month, we had the opportunity to do things I don’t usually do. We took a trip to Knightsbridge, where we had a brief wander around the V&A Museum – only brief because that’s how we like to visit museums, not because it isn’t wonderful – then sipped tea and shared a strawberry tart at a darling little cafe in Knightsbridge. My trips to London usually take me nowhere near these refined streets.
Then, last week, I was in London for four days at the World Travel Market, but as is so often the way, I barely got a glimpse of the city, apart from the inside of the DLR trains and a brief sighting of Canary Wharf on the way to the Excel Centre. But, when my Mum told me she was in London and had some free time, I escaped to meet her at the One New Change Centre, a swanky-looking shopping centre right by St. Paul’s Cathedral. It’s all brushed, shiny glass and sweeping architectural design and we met in a cafe. I was wearing foot-destroying heels (they were pretty, though), so when we’d had coffee and a chat, I slipped into my comfy boots and we took the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory-style glass elevator to the roof terrace. It was a mild afternoon for November, but the sky was wintry – cool blue, with a low sun slowlydiffusing its golden tones. Right ahead of us, St Paul’s Cathedral stood, the magical image from a childhood nurtured on Mary Poppins. I’ve walked past the cathedral many times since watching the Little Old Bird Woman on the steps in the film, but never had it looked so utterly beautiful and timeless as it did now.
On both occasions, I felt like I had managed to slip out of the usual rushing, busy London, the place where there isn’t time to stop and look, because you just have to make this train, not the one in two minutes, where people walk in resolutely straight lines, heads down, at that pace somewhere between a walk and a run. This was London at its most peaceful and beautiful – in the company of people who lift my spirit, in a crisp, clear Autumn light.
Lovely, Katy! I don’t know if I told you, but I haven’t spent that much time in London before… seeing it through your starry eyes
here makes me want to! Also I know you’ve written some about this before – how we often don’t appreciate the places near us… I used to live 40 mins. from NYC, and seemed to only take full advantage of it when we had visitors. I know. Nuts. (I’m crazy about the St. Paul’s pic – one of my fave places in London) AND OMG, your new site is stunning! Very “you”!
Thank you Margo – you must come and visit soon! I think everyone does that, don’t they – you never go and see what’s right on your doorstep!
Wow that picture of St. Paul’s is stunning! So nice to get one without tourists or passers-by in the shot! and the lighting is fantastic! Autumn really is becoming my favourite season, and it seems to be so easy to take beautiful pictures this time of year!
Thank you! The roof terrace of the New Change shopping centre is the place to go! No people, high up – it’s fab! I love Autumn for those reasons too
Awesome! Can’t wait to explore the city further and meet up with you very soon!!
I look forward to it!
These are great photos! Thanks for posting.
Thank you for stopping by, I’m glad you liked the photos
I miss it! I miss Regents park and the lock in Camden especially at this time of the year, the leaves have surely turned by now… mmm, long walks in the park.. take some for me!
Good starter post for a fresh (beautiful i might add) new webpage
The leaves have most definitely turned, most are on the ground! But I agree, the parks are beautiful this time of year
Oh, how I love this post, dear Katy!
Such wonderful memories rambling through this amazing city with you. And in the Autumn?!! It was truly a dream come true for me. 
xo
Well, you really did make London special again for me, Krista! What a lovely day that was!
Nice new look. I hope to be moving over to wordpress early next year. I have been saying this for months now, but real life continues to get in the way!
Thanks! Good luck with the move
Great post and new site. Beautifully done.
I never get tired of London and it´s nice to see it through different eyes.
I´ve been busy lately. I will write you at another time.
Thank you Nerea, hope all is well!
I lived in London for a semester and I fell in love with it! I bet Autumn is so nice there. I’ve only ever been during the rainy winter months
Thanks for your comment, Megan! It can be pretty rainy all year round, such is the British weather, but September and October usually provide a good portion of sunny days