7 Unusual Things to do in London

London is an exciting city and it's not hard to find a plethora of great things to do at any time of day or season. 

Having lived in London, I have checked off many of the major touristy attractions from my bucket list and still there are so many more tempting and fun things to occupy and entertain me for days. 

Here's my list of some of the more quirky and different kinds of things on offer in the Big Smoke. 

1. An Opera in King’s Head Theatre

Located in a back room of the King's Head Pub is the King's Head Theatre. With a rotating list of productions in a variety of genres, it is possible to see an opera in a pub. I saw a rendition of Henry Purcell's Dido and Aeneas, set in an American high school and it was super brilliant! Check out the theatre's listings and you too can see an opera in a pub.

2. Goat Race at Spitalfields City Farm

Easter weekend is not only an important holiday in the Christian calendar, it is also the weekend where the rowing clubs of Cambridge and Oxford Universities go head to head on the River Thames in a race that's been taking place annually since 1859. Now you could go watch that on the river side with the throngs of other people OR you can pre-book your tickets and head down to Spitalfields City Farm for the Goat Race taking place at the same time! If you like puns and farm animals, this is really where you should be on this particular weekend.

3. God’s Own Junkyard at Walthamstow Central

I knew what to expect when I headed to 'God's Own Junkyard' thanks to the many Instagrams out there already, but despite that I was blown away by this warehouse in Walthamstow Central. The warm glow of the numerous neon lights was like nothing I'd experienced before and I would highly recommend checking it out for yourself. Not enough of an incentive to head into E17, there's a licensed cafe inside and a brewery next door.

4. Secret Cinema 

A super immersive experience of your favourite films. Imagine this. A whole 1950's Hill Valley has been built, everyone is in costume and there are scenes from Back to the Future taking place all around you. Each year, the organization picks a different iconic movie and go whole hog. Tickets can be a bit pricey, but really it's totally worth it. Shhhhh! Remember, it's a secret.

5. Cave Drinking in Gordon’s Wine Bar

London has some amazing pubs and restaurants. Some boast a successfully done theme like Cahoots, others have an interesting history or unique atmos. Gordon's Wine Bar is believed to be London's oldest wine bar, established in 1890. It's rickety tables dot the cavernous room and you have to duck down to avoid hitting into the stone walled cellar. There's a massive selection of excellent wine and perfect, little, intimate corners to enjoy it in.

6. Camden Beach

London is not really known for it's beaches, particularly in Camden. But last summer Camden Beach was the hottest ticket around. North Londoners, Camdenites, and regular punters could be found here with their toes in the white sands, lounging on deck chairs, schmoozing in rented beach huts and enjoying a summery cocktail and bbq'd foods. It's an urban beach that pops up each summer and I hope it never goes away.

7. Niche Museums

I'm a self confessed museum junkie. London is just the place for a person like me. Once I had seen all the national museums (more than once) I set my sights on seeking out more niche museums. I'm a huge fan of the Transport Museum and the Geffrye Museum. The Fan Museum is on my bucket list for my next visit. A day spent in a museum is a great day in my books.

Did I miss your favourite quirky thing to do in London? Tell me in the comments below.

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My Favourite Place: Toronto Island

Of all the travelling I do, there's one place that holds a special draw for me and I find myself returning to it time and again. 

If you've been hanging about this little blogspot for a while you might know of my love affair with London town, however that's not the place I'm talking about today. 

This magical place is a lot closer to home and requires a ferry to access it. It's a little piece of quiet just off the shores of the hustle and bustle of Toronto. 

The Toronto Islands are made up of 3 main ports; Ward's Island, Centre Island. and Hanlan's Point.

A ferry hits each point with Centre Island being the most popular, for good reason. Want to rent a bike, a canoe, play a game of frolf, have a picnic, go to the beach, hang out at an amusement park, view the Toronto city skyline? All these things and more can be done right here.

Hanlan's Point is the location of Toronto formerly infamous nude beach (it's still a nude beach, but now legally so) as well as the Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport and the historic Gibraltar Point Lighthouse.

(there is more than one beach on the islands)

But honestly, my favourite spot is Ward's Island. It's where the people of the island live. Nothing inspires my imagination more of hunkering down and writing a novel on a blustery fall day than walking the lane ways of this little oasis.

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And each time I'm hit with this view of the city I love and I'm enamoured with the Toronto Islands all over again.

I mean, what a skyline!

What's your favourite close-to-home-place to visit?

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Best Things to do In Vermont in the Summer

Favourite things to do in Vermont in the summertime in no particular order

1.Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream in Waterbury

Visiting the factory where this creamy goodness is made is always a treat to do. It's a lovely drive up to the small town of Waterbury and you are rewarded with rolling hill views and ice cream. I have yet to convince my family to stop at the antique shops that dot the roadside.

2.Drive through the Notch

This can follow a trip to Ben & Jerry's as Smugglers Notch is on the mountain road between Stowe and Jeffersonville. Worth the detour for the windy roads, picturesque rocky stops and short hikes if you are so inclined. I am not.

3.Shopping on Church Street

It's four blocks of pedestrianized walkways with local and some chain stores on either side. Restaurant patios extend into the bricked lane and with the hustle and bustle of shoppers, buskers, and shop workers it has a great lively atmosphere.

4.Sailing on malletts Bay

Obviously this one is a bit tricky if you don't have access to a boat or a friend with a boat. But generally just getting out onto and into the water will do. Grab that beach towel and head to the sandy shores of Malletts Bay.

5.Watching the Sunset Over Lake Champlain  

Sunsets are a thing of beauty almost no matter the setting, but over Lake Champlain the sun really does seem to outdo itself each night. Worth a viewing at least once.

6. Go to a Baseball game
The Vermont Lake Monsters is a minor league team for the Oakland A's. They play in Centennial Field on the University of Vermont campus.

7.Eat at Beansies 

Go for the Michigan, stay for the fries!

8.Creemees

Also known as soft serve ice cream, but doesn't it sound more appetizing as a creemee? A family favourite is Black Raspberry or Maple. It is Vermont after all.

9.Bike Riding along Island Line Trail

Bike riding in general is a fun summer activity, doing it along the waterline makes it so much more enjoyable. Rent a bike in Burlington or bring your own.

10.Movies at Sunset Drive-in Theatre

Two movies for the price of one in the comfort of your own car? Count me in. This is a tradition for my mum and I. When I was a kid, I remember thinking it was soooooooo late when the movies finally ended. I mean, yeah it is late, but it's summer and when else should you indulge yourself?

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Favourite Travel Memory: Florentine Church Organ Music

Confession time; I'm not that into music. 

I know, it's a bit weird and I know the look you're giving your screen, it's the same look I gave a friend when he admitted that he didn't like movies. There's that look again but now I bet I seem less weird (at least in my own mind).

Now some qualifiers; I like music as a background, atmospheric, mood setting kind of thing, I played piano for 10 years (can only play chopsticks now), and occasionally there will be a song that really speaks to my soul and you can't stop me from belting it out, guaranteed off key. Still I would say, I'm just not that into music.

So it's kinda funny what happened on my latest trip to Italy, when I had a profound musical moment. We had been wandering the streets of Florence, meandering our way back to our hostel to clean up before dinner and along our zig-zagged route we came across a church with it's double doors open and organ music streaming out. It caught our attention. We walked in and were overcome by the sensory of the atmosphere. The smell of incense, the dim lighting, the hushed tones as people reverently listened to the organ composition. We quietly made our way to a rear pew and took in our surroundings. The organ player expertly played a beautiful piece that built up to a crescendo that whelmed us. The stained glass windows, naves, and statues seemed to be even more beautiful due to the melodic atmosphere. We sat, listened, and rested for the duration of the recital, not wanting it to end.

We returned the following night to hear the music, but it just wasn't the same. The experience we had the night before, just couldn't be duplicated.

It had been the perfect culmination of all factors. It was a moment that couldn't be repeated and really I'm glad for that, it is to forever live in my memory and be cherished.

What's your favourite travel memory?

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Favourite Canadian Things

This month's link up is about "Your Favourite Things" hosted by the lovelies; Kelly, Emma, and Rebecca and co-host Frankie, The Mischievous Mayfairy.

Last year, when I had first returned to Canada from living in England, I needed to remind myself of all the wonderful things that I had been missing out on. So today I thought I'd revisit my list of favourite Canadian things that still holds true a year later. These are the things I missed most about Canada (with the exception of the faces of my family and friends here)

1. Swiss Chalet

I know, I know. It's no gastropub, but damn that Chalet Sauce!

2. Wide open spaces

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Fields and fields not far from your door step where you can just imagine The Littlest Hobo trekking over, never settling for long.

3. my dog

Betty is my home girl.

helping me stretch after a run

4. proper seasons

There is a distinct change between each season. Winter has snow, fall has colour, spring has showers, summer has sun.

5. the familiar

It's good to be challenged. It's good to live outside of your comfort zone. It also can be tiring. Sometimes it's just good to know when I'm in need of hangers, antifreeze, paint and seasonal decor I can take my Canadian Tire money down to the local Canadian Tire and get all these things at once, including some street meat for lunch.

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6. driving

My mother was worried that I'd forget how to drive after having been gone for so long without a car. Thing is, driving a car "is like riding a bike". It's nice being able to hop in the car and drive myself, by myself from point A to point B. No transfers, no 'person on the track', no smelling the breath of others as we stand nose to nose (or in my case, nose to chest).

7. the quiet

In London I lived in a building off the A12. It was noisy. In Canada, I live in the suburbs. Ahh the quiet.

rainbow over the A12

8. fresh air

Take a deep breath. In. Out.
No odd smells. No black coating in my nose. No lung infections.

9. snow

I'm not super fond of the cold weather, but what I hate more than just cold weather, is cold weather with no snow. At least with the snow there is a point to the coldness. And with snow comes fun things too; skiing, skating, snow shoeing, snowmen, snow balls, snow angels ...

10. the politeness

Since returning, I've been getting out there. Running most days or taking Betty for a long walk. On this walk, people greeted me, smiled, and even said 'good morning'. And not in that creepy, I have an agenda kind of way or in a way that made me feel uncomfortable or threatened. Not that those people don't exist here, but we are generally a people that talk to strangers, make eye contact with unknowns, and even make small talk with passersby.  honestly, this has been the most difficult part of re-acclimating my self into Canadian society.

These are a few of my favourite Canadian things. What are yours?