don't you guys do anything but eat?

I'm in Paris now, but I want to deal with a question that my friend WMM (Wendy from the Woods) asked before I pick up the pace... Wendy inquired if we'd be doing any sightseeing this trip. This is a very polite way of saying "Good grief, don't you people do anything but eat?" Well, yes, there is stuff I do on these trips, but it's not blog-appropriate. It's beyond boring. Stopped into wine merchant and ran into old friend A who didn't have much to say but agreed he could be better about keeping in touch. Then it rained. Looked over list of West End shows, decided not to spend money on another tired Broadway revival. Walked through Green Park, looked at ducks, flowers, shrubbery. Chatted about weather with total strangers. Rode on busses - they are still red. BTW, the original London Bridge was sold to developers years ago and was reassembled over a man-made lake in Arizona, and the crown jewels on exhibit in the Tower are reproductions.  I will never tire of London, but lately I'm entranced by people and neighborhoods, although I'll never turn down an invitation to sit in the visitors' gallery at Question Time.
Here's a report on a neighborhood you might not have visited.


A favorite place to poke around is the Vauxhall Road location of Lassco. This is where you go if you need a stained glass window or an old fireplace or overmantel, or gothic furniture or garden statues or door handles or pub fixtures. So imagine my delight when I learned they'd opened on the south side of the river, way way east. And on Saturdays, they open their premises to a gourmet street market and set up tables and chairs among the antique plumbing fixtures.









a most un-English sandwich - yes, that's pulled pork.





a land where dogs sit patiently outside even impromptu pubs...


imagine coming across these exquisite pastries at the entry to the lumber yard - Lassco also sells old "reclaimed" wood flooring and window sills.





Time to move on - Himself has always wondered what might have happened had he taken up swashbuckling. But just as much piracy happens at quiet desks and corner tables...





Bridal nerves outside Southwark Cathedral, mom was right, you never know who's looking....


Well, I was happy with the impromptu feel of the tiny Abby Street (please note, not Abbey Road) market, but Himself wanted to press on to Borough Market, which is bigger and more crowded every time I'm there.








We sat under a fascinating shelter from the drizzle - several dozen umbrellas hanging in the air.


When the sun appeared, the umbrellas provided shade.


The former Menier Chocolate Factory is now the home of an art gallery and a theatre.





The production of Travels with my Aunt was energetic, witty and charming. Four male actors played all of the parts.


Did I mention the former Chocolate Factory also houses a pub?


London was getting ready for the official celebration of the Queen's official birthday.


Unofficially the World Naked Bike Ride was just wrapping up.

So, no, didn't queue at museums or monuments, but had a lovely day. That was Saturday. I have refrained from mentioning Friday's lunch. But I might if anyone's curious.