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Tag: London

  • I Remember That Summer In London

    I Remember That Summer In London

    i remember that summer in London - nessymon

    Three months into 2017 and I’m still not sure what this year holds, where I’ll end up or what I’ll be doing. Most people when they say they’re unsure have some sort of a vague idea what path they’re following. But, honestly, at this point, I have no idea.

    Saying that, the next couple of months will definitely decide if myself and Talulah are going to stick around London for another while or head off to pastures new.

    I’ve worked out that there’s about 26 weeks between now and the end of August. So we’ve come up with a list of things we really should do / go to / visit before then. I guess, a bucket list of sorts.

    2017: Making a summer to remember

    The idea is to try and do one thing at least every weekend. And I’ll write about our experiences.

    I’ve already shown this to some friends and extra things have been added. If you think there’s something else we should do, let us know. Every time, we do something on the list, I’ll add a link to the blog post about it.

    London 2017 – The Ultimate Summer

    Princess Diana exhibition at Kensington Palace
    Kew Gardens
    Victoria & Albert Museum
    Natural History Museum
    Wallace Museum
    Baseball in Finsbury Park
    City of London Museum
    Thames Barrier
    National Gallery
    London Eye
    Sky Garden
    British Museum
    Portobello Road Market
    Buckingham Palace
    Westminster Cathedral
    St. Paul’s Cathedral
    British Museum
    British Library
    Carol King Musical in the West End
    Book of Mormon in the West End
    Les Mis in the West End
    Science Museum
    Tate Britain
    Tate Modern – The Radical Eye: Modernist Photography from the Sir Elton John Collection
    Houses of Parliament
    London Lions basketball game
    A football match / Premier League or First Division
    Take the Woolwich Ferry
    Take a cable car ride at the O2

    We have done / visited some of these things before, I just haven’t written about them. We may add to the list and there are some that we might’nt do at all. Either way, we’re gonna to share it all.

  • Making New Traditions // Christmas in London

    Making New Traditions // Christmas in London

    Christmas in London

    I was asked by a well known Irish website to share my thoughts about Christmas abroad and what Christmas is like for me in London. For some reason, they didn’t publish it, so I thought I’d share it here with you.

    December 2016

    This will be my fifth Christmas living in London, I lived here for a year in 2002 and returned here in 2013.

    I’m really lucky, my work schedule has meant I’ve been able to home most years. I’ve only been away from home for one.

    This year, I’m heading home to Co. Meath. Christmas Eve is nearly a bigger thing in our household. All my siblings and my nieces and nephews gather in my parent’s house. Lots of food, lots of excitement and lots of noise!

    It’s funny! I try to get home as much as possible. This year, I managed to get home for a day in early December. Every year my Mum tells me that the tree isn’t up yet, they wanted to wait until I was at home to put up the Christmas tree. Surprise! It’s always up when I get there. The tree is a big thing at home. Decorations have been collected for decades.

    What I Miss about Dublin

    Being away from home, you definitely miss the build up to Christmas with family and friends. Even when I do get home, time is always limited so I try to squeeze as much in as possible.

    One of the biggest things I miss about Dublin is just bumping into friends and going for coffee. So when Christmas comes around, I try to meet as many as possible before they head off to have their own Christmas. When you’re at home, you often don’t notice the changes that happen in a city, so meeting friends in their new favourite haunt is a great way of keeping up and rediscovering Dublin.

    The Madness of Oxford Street

    Christmas Stall - London- nessymon

    I’ve been trying to stay away from the madness of Oxford Street. I’m not sure I have the energy to battle against wave after wave of shopper just to get one item of clothing in a sale. One of my favourite things ever is being able to walk down O’Connell Street early in Christmas Eve, with my arms stretched out wide and not hit anyone.

    It’s strange in ways. London is in another country but it’s just another commuter town for so many people. If I lived in Cork, it would take me longer to get home. You create new traditions in your own life, whether your at home or not.

    Trying to avoid the Oxford Street ridiculousness, one new tradition myself and Talulah have acquired is walking along London’s Southbank on the Sunday afternoon before Christmas. There’s Christmas Markets with craft makers stalls and mulled wine galore and carousels. If you wander to the Tate Modern, the market is slightly quieter there. It’s lovely walk and usually at this time of year, London’s famous fog adds to the Christmas feel. The afternoon is completed by our now traditional Japanese curry and sushi.

    Christmas Stall - Southbank - London - nessymon

    Christmas Stall - Tate Modern - London - 2 - Nessymon

    Christmas Stall - Tate Modern - London - nessymon

    Londons Southbank Christmas - nessymon

  • Watch // President Michael D Higgins: Keynote address on Eva Gore-Booth in London

    Watch // President Michael D Higgins: Keynote address on Eva Gore-Booth in London

    President Michael D Higgins at Congress House - nessymon.com

    I was delighted to get tickets to hear our President, Michael D. Higgins give a keynote speech here in London on October 14th.

    The event took place at Congress House, Trade Union Congress, just off Tottenham Court Road. The President was to speak about the Life of Eva Gore-Booth. I would have been more familiar with her sister’s name, Countess Markievicz, in our history books. After listening to the President’s talk, it’s clear to see that Eva Gore-Booth’s name should be remembered with more prominence.

    The President’s address was entitled “The Importance of Eva Gore-Booth’s Radical Vision in the Dramatic Historical Events in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries”

    Eva Gore-Booth was a hero, living before her time. She was involved in the fight for Irish Freedom and she spoke out about World War I which was a big no no. She moved to Manchester and fought for workers rights and met Esther Roper. Together, they worked for the disenfranchised within society. President Higgins beautifully described their relationship as ‘life companions’.

    A couple of notes about the night. I didn’t get to meet the President, there were about 300 people swarming around him for his attention after his address, he had his hands full. I do hope to meet him at some stage. I think I also spied a certain Martin O’Neil there I bought the President’s new book ‘When Ideas Matter – Speeches for an Ethical Republic’, I’d like to get him to sign it.

    The other, shocking thing I discovered was how little I actually know about Irish history. And I don’t know why. Maybe it’s because I didn’t do history until Leaving Cert. Maybe it’s because there was still an element of not talking about fighting for Irish Freedom and what actually went on. If I take anything from the night, it’s that I personally want to learn more about our little island and more about it’s people.

    You can read the President’s diary for the event on the Presidential website.

    Watch the video of President Higgins’ address.

  • A Visit to Crossrail Roof Garden, Canary Wharf

    A Visit to Crossrail Roof Garden, Canary Wharf

     

    A Saturday Afternoon visit to the Crossrail Roof Garden, Canary Wharf

    Where we live in South East London, it’s not too far to Canary Wharf. Just jump on the DLR at Lewisham and you’re there in a short time.

    Canary Wharf is a strange place. It’s obviously primarily a business centre but apartment blocks have shot up in the vicinity and with that comes shopping centres and eateries. We have ventured a few times for some food. As most of the shopping/eating areas are underground, it’s a handy place to go when it’s raining or during the winter.

    I had never ventured to the Crossrail Roof Garden before but with a couple of free hours on a sunny Saturday afternoon, I thought I’d check it out.

    Space age Adam’s Plaza Bridge

    From the DLR, it’s literally a couple of minutes walk on the North Colonnade to One Canada Square. Here’s where the iconic bridge is to lead you into the building and up to the roof garden. It’s actually called Adam’s Plaza Bridge and I it, it’s kinda space-age and really should be where all music videos are shot. It reminds me of some 70s space shows.. like Space 1999.

    Walking through the bridge, we’re greeted by the sound of a piano being played, just some people standing around a piano playing. It gives a really nice welcoming vibe.

    A photo posted by Nessy (@nessymondotcom) on

    In The Garden

    Crossrail Roof Garden Canary Wharf - nessymon.comWe head up the escalator and into the garden itself. It’s quiet and actually a really nice place to chill. The roof isn’t fully open so the air is fresh and if it rains, you’ve got a bit of shelter.

    The pathways provide a short walking route too if you just want to get in touch with your thoughts. I’m not sure how many times you would want to do a circuit before you got a little dizzy though.

    There are lots of wooden benches to sit down on. It’s actually the perfect place to grab a book and a coffee and sit for a while. When we were there, someone was sitting cross legged with their laptop, doing a bit of work.

    There’s another piano situated at the far end of the garden and a young man is keeping his parents entertained. Turns out, it wasn’t just his parents as he gets a round of applause from everyone within earshot.

    Crossrail Roof Garden Canary Wharf - nessymon.comThe garden itself is filled with greenery and plants, varying from ferns to what seem like palm trees. Please remember I’m not a horticulturist. But, it’s definitely is an oasis of flora in the middle of the concrete jungle.

    Walking through Canary Wharf, it often feels like an airport, somewhere where everything is just slightly not right. It can be too clinical, too clean. Despite being surrounded by plants while I’m in the garden, walking along the paths I want to kick the stones. Call it the kid or the rebel in me. That’s the way I am. But, you can’t do that here. The paths have lovely edges and are perfectly flat and you’re reminded that you’re in a fake environment. None of the nature is where it’s not supposed to be. This and a half covered in roof, you could be in a dome or yes, The Truman Show.

    The Crossrail Roof Garden is, no doubt, a welcome relief or a place to escape for an hour for the residents of Canary Wharf. Personally, I might think differently if I visit in the depths of winter and half covered roof becomes the source of cursing as you scramble to get a seat under the covered section. At this time of year, it’s also a way for the fair skinned among us to get out and sit while not directly getting the sunlight… yes I am that sensitive.

    Despite everything I think, It won’t be my last visit.