Surely I haven't been here for five whole months! Didn't seem that long. The change in weather has been gradual, and we've had some really nice sunny days in May. Yet now in June, when it's supposed to be the official month for summer, it seems like the temperature has dropped a little. We had 23, 24, 25, even 26 degrees in May, and yet now it feels more like 16 and 17 degrees! Quite disconcerting really.
And the flowers in March, April and May is prettier too, I think. All the daffodils, tulips, bluebells, forget-me-nots and grape hyacinths. June marks the tail end of peonys, alliums and poppies. So now we have roses around, but things like sweet peas and lilies have yet to make their appearance. Perhaps they know that Summer is not yet really here. Perhaps they know something we don't? Maybe they're thinking there's still alittle while yet before we can break out those bottles of sun tan lotion and don nothing but crisp white shirt when walking out in the park?
Still, we went out to town anyways, despite the cloudy skies and drizzles. In fact we went to several towns. By bus. Quite interesting really. So far we've explored Sutton, Epsom and Kingston Upon Thames. I have to say, I like Epsom because its not as big as Kingston or Sutton. Epsom town has character, what with the clock tower near the bus stand, the manageable highstreet with decent shops, Ashley Centre with its Waitrose and M&S, its busy market square on Saturdays and Thursdays, and a few nice cozy cafes and pubs. Err... to bad I don't have photos of Epsom town on my mobile! This photo up here is of a nice pub somewhere in New Malden or Cheam town. Nice view you get from the top of a double decker bus!
Between Sutton and Kingston, I prefer Kingston. The shopping there is quite nice, with Bentalls and John Lewis buildings housing lots of brand names and eateries. The highstreet stretches a bit farther than I'd like to walk through in one morning, but the little nooks and crannies of the streets running off of the highstreet offers interesting exploration.
Of course the best day trip so far has to be London city, by the river Thames. We remember coming around this area last time we were here (which must have been around Winter time because we remember it being dead cold then!). Strangely enough, it wasn't as busy as it was during our last trip here. I got more photos of those Victorian lamp posts again (the sculpture of fishes... must find out the significance of these images) along Queen's Walk (along Thames that is...).
It was nice walking along the river, enjoying the view, the bustle of tourists, the gliding tour boats plying up and down the river, taking a breather at a cafe or pub along the way for a cup of coffee and to rest our feet a bit, before venturing forth further along the river. Oh, and although I don't have a photo of it on here, I dearly love Spittalfields Market in London, it was brilliant!! What with the food, drinks, shirts, jewellery, arts and crafts... all indoors where they've also provided benches where you can sit and have your lunch bought from any of the food stalls here! We had lamb koftas, which were lovely!
*sigh* Too much excitement. Well, plenty more to explore in and around towns in Surrey. But for now we're contented to spend some quiet time at home, watching gardening shows on telly, or maybe Grand Designs. :)
And the flowers in March, April and May is prettier too, I think. All the daffodils, tulips, bluebells, forget-me-nots and grape hyacinths. June marks the tail end of peonys, alliums and poppies. So now we have roses around, but things like sweet peas and lilies have yet to make their appearance. Perhaps they know that Summer is not yet really here. Perhaps they know something we don't? Maybe they're thinking there's still alittle while yet before we can break out those bottles of sun tan lotion and don nothing but crisp white shirt when walking out in the park?
Still, we went out to town anyways, despite the cloudy skies and drizzles. In fact we went to several towns. By bus. Quite interesting really. So far we've explored Sutton, Epsom and Kingston Upon Thames. I have to say, I like Epsom because its not as big as Kingston or Sutton. Epsom town has character, what with the clock tower near the bus stand, the manageable highstreet with decent shops, Ashley Centre with its Waitrose and M&S, its busy market square on Saturdays and Thursdays, and a few nice cozy cafes and pubs. Err... to bad I don't have photos of Epsom town on my mobile! This photo up here is of a nice pub somewhere in New Malden or Cheam town. Nice view you get from the top of a double decker bus!
Between Sutton and Kingston, I prefer Kingston. The shopping there is quite nice, with Bentalls and John Lewis buildings housing lots of brand names and eateries. The highstreet stretches a bit farther than I'd like to walk through in one morning, but the little nooks and crannies of the streets running off of the highstreet offers interesting exploration.
Of course the best day trip so far has to be London city, by the river Thames. We remember coming around this area last time we were here (which must have been around Winter time because we remember it being dead cold then!). Strangely enough, it wasn't as busy as it was during our last trip here. I got more photos of those Victorian lamp posts again (the sculpture of fishes... must find out the significance of these images) along Queen's Walk (along Thames that is...). 
It was nice walking along the river, enjoying the view, the bustle of tourists, the gliding tour boats plying up and down the river, taking a breather at a cafe or pub along the way for a cup of coffee and to rest our feet a bit, before venturing forth further along the river. Oh, and although I don't have a photo of it on here, I dearly love Spittalfields Market in London, it was brilliant!! What with the food, drinks, shirts, jewellery, arts and crafts... all indoors where they've also provided benches where you can sit and have your lunch bought from any of the food stalls here! We had lamb koftas, which were lovely! *sigh* Too much excitement. Well, plenty more to explore in and around towns in Surrey. But for now we're contented to spend some quiet time at home, watching gardening shows on telly, or maybe Grand Designs. :)
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