The best thing about mid-week days off? Aside from the lovely feeling of playing truant, the lie-ins, the leisurely breakfasts, and the lack of commuting, of course...
I'm talking about unexpected discoveries about the weekday existence of places more familiar in their weekend incarnations. It's like stumbling on a hidden enchanted land, the mysterious other life of a place that you imagine only exists on Saturday - an Enid Blyton "magic faraway tree" kind of feeling, as if it might cease to exist the minute you stop looking.
And it's very reassuring to know this interesting London life is all happening when you're stuck in an office from 9-5.
On Thursdays, Old Spitalfields hosts an antiques market rich in secondhand books, vintage cameras and typewriters, explorers suitcases, silvery candlesticks, and glamorous cut glass jewellery. Very different in character to the Sunday market, of fashion, trinkets and food, the vintage market had a relaxed, friendly feel. It felt to me rather as Greenwich Market used to be, before it was polished up.
I treat myself - but of course! - to this beautiful cornflower pattern teapot. Just imagine a gently steaming pot of fresh mint tea, made with homegrown mint harvested from the garden, and you're about there.
Oh, and can I just draw your attention to the flawless blue sky in the picture above? We've had over a week of this glorious weather now - London, when it chooses, can really do Spring!
[http://www.thisbutterflymind.blogspot.com]
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