Greenwich Tall Ships Festival

This was certainly one of my favorite events in Greenwich: the Tall Ships Festival.

For some reasons it made me dream.

I used to wait the whole summer for the end of August, beginning of September to come and go from Cutty Sark, with its market and children entertainments, up to Woolwich with street food and music.

Then, when the night felt down covering the daylight in shadows, I took my place on the Pier waiting for the Tall Ships parade and the fireworks.

Canary Wharf lights on the background and a little bear starting dreaming of far away trips, new lands to discover and adventures...

Holidays abroad: Barcelona

And then summer came... I couldn't wait to leave my hole and fly to meet my little bear-sister in Barcelona!!!

We had planned the trip in a couple of days and now it was time to enjoy the sun, the food, the art and everything this city has to offer.

I think I watched Vicky, Cristina, Barcelona 10 times before going. I liked the movie, but the fact we were going there made the whole thing more exciting.

We met at the airport, then straight to the hotel and then ready to explore.

We enjoyed Park Guell and Gaudì Experiencia, under the warm sunshine and good smell of flowers.

Then towards the centre, we were always tempted to stop in a bakery or ham shop to taste a pastry or a "bocadillo": I definitely felt in love with Jamon, that I tasted over and over again at the Boqueria Market.

Between tapas and Gaudì architecture we walked on Las Ramblas, we visited Casa Batllò and the Sagrada Familia, went shopping, had an horchata to refresh, enjoyed the Ciutat Vella and its beautiful streets down to the beach at La Barceloneta, amazing at nights between boats and restaurants.

We left each others at the airport exactly where we had met at the beginning with the head full of images and inspiration and dreams.

We will definitely go again, sooner or later.

See you soon Barcelona! ¡Hasta la vista!

A day out in Kent: Chartwell and Winston Churchill House

When you want to take a break from the big city, Kent is just around the corner.
Actually, you can reach it with a bus trip, leaving the tall buildings behind while the scenario changes in front of your eyes on open blooming hills.

I.love the English countryside, its corners always different, the hedges and the trees surrounding the boundary lines between the fields.

I had heard about Chartwell and Winston Churchill House on the National Trust suggested destinations, and I was curious to visit it.

As I arrived, I immediately admired the gardens around the house. It was a fresh sunny day and colors were shining brightly.

But the real emotion was visiting the Studio. There, I could feel the magnificent meaning of Sir Winston Churchill as one of the greatest British politicians, the historical moments he faced and led, the decisions he had to manage.
The Studio reports a lot of old letters exchanged on War times and it is an amazing piece of real History you can witness.

All around, beautiful gardens and a park where families can enjoy peace of mind.

To increase the deep meaning of this place, a lonely chair placed under a tree in front of the pond. There you can still imagine Sir Winston, thinking about the next decision to take, the statement to release, the Act to approve or simply about the memories of his important past life.

Croeso y Cymru - Welcome to Wales

Since this trip, whoever asks me about my favourite UK city after London, my answer is only one: Cardiff.

I think you fall in love accidentally, and you even don't know why, as there are a lot of lovely cities in Great Britain, but personally, I found myself completely happy and satisfied with Caerdydd (let's call it the Welsh way).

Maybe because of the weather, helping a lot, maybe because of the atmosphere. Don't know, but Cardiff has the perfect dimension of a big city and a kind of everything to feed your expectations.

So you will enjoy the Castle and medieval side (there was also a 2WW exhibition when I went, that was absolutely interesting, just a bit dark to give the impression of fear and instability of that time), the park next to it, so beautiful at sunset.

From the Castle tower, you can spot the surrounding hills and far away ancient castles that would be worth a visit.

You will spot also the Millennium Stadium, famous rugby and sport venue.

The city centre is a mix of traditional welsh streets, shopping galleries and pubs and a modern area with shopping centres and cinema.

If you have time, enter the Cardiff Museum, for a time journey on the city history from the first Roman fort.

Moving towards Cardiff Bay area, you will feel like a sailor ready to set the ship to new discoveries, enjoy the Millennium Centre and the bright and white buildings close to the sea, restaurants and bars where you can taste a real welsh cake with a cup of tea.

There is also a curious and nice Norwegian Church, which is an art centre actually.

I really recommend then to relax at the Alexandra Garden and admire the colors of the flowerbeds and the plants. In spring they are glorious.

Not far, there is the National Museum. If you love art, please go and stay breathless in front of The Kiss, by Auguste Rodin. 

Croeso y Cymru!

A trip to Scotland

As a traveller bear/

it happens that I go to Scotland at least once a year.

(End of the poem ;) )

I have been to Edinburgh several times so I try to visit other new places as landscapes are always breathtaking and diverse and dramatic.

If you want to touch your inner side, just take a trip on the coastal path and admire the wilderness of nature in its best shape.

This is Scotland, my friends.

A walk on the Royal Mile is always recommended. Even if you only have an afternoon for a walk in Edinburgh, the gothic atmosphere and some shopping there are simply unmissable.

This time, though, I went to enjoy Loch Lomond.

Less known than Lochness as apparently there is no trace of Nessie's relatives living here, it's quiet and poetic. 

You can enjoy boat and air trips on the lake, and relaxing holidays.

Do you like golf? Then St. Andrews is the place for you.
The town is lovely and lively, I really recommend to enjoy local cheese shops that sell also european cheese, giving you the chance to taste the difference.
They are just starting to promote real Scottish cheese and you will find a lot of farms enhancing on-site shops and tasting tours.
St. Andrews is fresh and surrounded by perfectly green gardens. You really can't spot the difference between where the golf ground ends and the grass starts.
Really relaxing for the eyes.

While travelling from one town to the other, spot the Alpaca in the countryside. They will be eating quietly with their soft fur and that funny expression. 

 Just follow the coastal path to end up in lovely, tiny villages and stunning landscapes like this. Anstruther is a place I recommend: you will taste an awarded fish and chips that you can not forget.

Time to take the way to the South again.

Passing through the Northumberland National Park you will see the signs leading you to the Hadrian's Wall.

At Roman Times, this was the point where the civilized world ended.

You can follow the Wall's towns with museums and Roman activities. 

You can even learn some latin if you wish.

 So then you will say: Veni, Vidi, Vici and feel a kind of Julius Caesar.

 

See you next time Scotland!

Where is Teddy now?

I have been sleeping for so long.
Actually, during the past year, I have been busy working on night shifts on a non-stop basis, so there wasn't really much time to go around and post. Or even just post as I went around. Oh yes, I went.
I moved home also. Again.
It's funny but this shouldn't be "From London with Teddy" anymore, as I don't live in London anymore. Sadly. I mean, it's amazing the place I live now, and I really love it, but London is London and there will always be a dedicated ode to her.
I have a quite dynamic life, so sometimes I take my things and move, wherever it's needed or possible. I leave my hole and find a new one, ready for new adventures and new friends to meet.
Before revealing which my new home is now, let's resume the best moments of this past year.

It's crystal clear: I had to visit Crystal Palace Park

It was a bright sunny morning, this morning, so I took advantage of it and left my hole to go to visit something new: Crystal Palace Park.

Lovely.

Full of different areas that make you feel in a different place from every side of it. I'll try to map it for you:

a- You will start your tour from the Italian Terraces, ancient atmosphere and huge view on London surrounding hills... so relaxing, you will feel like having a real italian "reggia" at your shoulders, with an upper and lower level linked by stairs and sculptures.

b- take one direction or the other and you'll find the egyptian sphinxes, which will bring you on the other side of mediterranean sea, even if you won't feel that hot (it was freezing this morning... lucky me I have my fur!)

c- moving on, go over the concert bowl and enjoy the wide view of the grass surrounded by trees and ponds shining at the sunlight.

d- you'll arrive at the park cafè after a good walk, just to enjoy a whole meal (such fish and chips plates!) or just a hot drink. I opted for the Parma ham and mozzarella panino. Do you think it's good enough for a bear? I appreciated a lot anyway.

e- once ready you can start your tour among the dinosaurs theme park. It's an amazing area full of ponds and falls and plants and flowers, where dinosaurs statues stand for an interesting prehistoric adventure. Jumping in the past you can also listen to Darwin's audio trail to know more about these animals. In case you have forgotten your mobile or don't have an internet connection you can listen here: http://www.audiotrails.co.uk/dinosaurs/

f- at the end of it, pass by the children's farm, go through the sport centre (just in the middle of the park) and Crystal Palace stadium, to find yourself back to the grand central walk Here you'll find the I WW bell.

g- the tour is actually complete, I can say (crystal clear!) Crystal Palace is a fantastic park, can't wait to visit it in other seasons to see different colors and shadows.