V&A

We went back to the Victoria & Albert museum today, as an antidote to another nasty London spring day. It's a brilliant place, and I think after today it ties with the British museum as my favourite place in London. There are so many cool little collections of stuff - islamic art, wrought iron, stained glass windows, sculpture, casts of european architecture, medieval carvings, contemporary fashion exhibitions, it's just a cool place. Unfortunately today, on the Monday of spring bank holiday, it was also a very crowded place... And like anywhere else in London when it's crowded you always cop plenty of elbows and shoulders. So we didn't stay there too long - we'll have to visit again another day before we leave. Here's a pic of one of the stained glass cathedral windows. And here's one of Mark on one of the staircases.


We went out in Islington yesterday at one of what's apparently 3 very similar Turkish restaurants all called Gallipolli, to have lunch and some drinks for the birthday of a friend's mate. It was pretty cool, then we went out to this bar afterwards, where I had a coconut Fruli. Fruli's this great beer made with strawberries, which I haven't had since I was in London last time. This bar we were at had a coconut version advertised, so since I love coconut and Fruli, it made sense to give this a try. It was too much of a good thing though - way too sweet and rich somehow. What a shame. There was also a banana version though, which someone else tried and judging by the smell if it that would have been way too much. Think the flavour of lots of those fake banana lollies, not actual banana flavour. All in a beer too mind you. Now I just need to track down some pear cider that I was hooked on last time and my alcohol experience here will be complete...

We also did some cooking the other night, or at least Mark did. He made some absolutely fantastic semi-smoked salmon, with rocket and balsamic salad, with a starter of bread with olive oil and balsamic - so yummo!! To capture Mark cooking for posterity, here's a pic.