Posts in Explore
TO MARKET TO MARKET ~ My 5 Favourite Markets in London...And Why I Love Them

 I have enough clothes and shoes...said no woman EVER!

They call it "retail therapy" for a reason and that's because shopping releases endorphins, reduces stress and is cheaper than a psychiatrist. Shopping may even help you live longer (like you need another reason). So in the name public health I have incorporated shopping into my daily healthy lifestyle and started exploring London's markets.

I love the feel of the markets, they have textures, grit, smells, and personalities that you are not going to find strolling down Oxford or Regents Street. Don’t get me wrong, I love that shopping experience too but it you really want to get to know London you cannot do that without experiencing her fabulous markets. You noticed I referred to London in the feminine…that’s because anyone who has so many shoes has to be a girl. 

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Explore, Food, ShoppingChristina FordPortobello Market, Camden Town, Camden Lock, Camden Market, Julia Roberts, Electric Cinema, Notting Hill Carnival, Vintage clothing, Apple Market, My Fair Lady, Balthazar, Frenchie, Brick Lane, Vintage Market, Sunday Up Market, Borough Market, London Bridge, Bread Ahead, Padella, Cereal Killer Cafe, The Cheese Bar, Shoreditch, Covent Garden
LONDON'S 12 OLDEST BUSINESSES YOU WON'T BELIEVE ARE STILL RUNNING TODAY

As a North American living in London you have a certain vantage point, you're able to see what is uniquely British AND what is not. While the Americans or Canadian's tend to look for the newest, biggest and shiniest next thing the British celebrate the oldest, dustiest and longest standing.  It is proudly written in gold glided letters outside store fronts "established in"  or on a historical plaque telling you who was "nearly done in" at this place hundreds of years before you were even born. 

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ExploreChristina FordBerry Bros & Rudd, Wine Merchant, St James, Brown's Hotel, Mayfair, Alexander Graham Bell, Oscar WIlde, Bram Stoker, Queen Victoria, Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, White's, Prince Charles, Prince WIlliam, Queen Elizabeth, Old Farts Club, Smuggler Tunnel, Ye Olde Wine Shades, Rules, Charles Dickens, Graham Greene, Downton Abbey, Lady Edith Crawley, Edward V, Lillie Langtry, Lock & Co., Winston Churchhil, Royal Warrents, Tea House, Twinings, Thomas Twining, Fortnum and Mason, William Fortnum, Huge Mason, Scotch Egg, Piccadilly, Hatchard's Book Store, Mayflower, Jane Austen, Lord Byron, Winston Churchill, Cambridge Spies, Oldest Businesses, Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn, Beefeater, Josef Jakobs, Oldest London House, 41 Cloth Fair, Widow Bourne, King George II, Titanic, Beau Brummel
LONDON'S OLDEST DRINKING ESTABLISHMENTS. Centuries Later They're Still Standing Although You May Not Be.

LONDON'S OLDEST DRINKING ESTABLISHMENTS

I have heard it said that London's history can be measured by two things, churches and pubs. Since I am pretty much an atheist (unless of course if I am flying through turbulence) I thought why not visit the oldest places in London where one can throw one back, get sozzled and wet your whistle...

LONDON'S OLDEST PUBS

So here is where things get a little cloudy like a pint of Hoegaarden. London's oldest pub? It depends on how you define "oldest"?  Is it the oldest name...building...location... license...?  Trying to find the definitive answer could lead oneself to drink so I have decided on a collection of the oldest noteworthy pubs of "ye olde" distinction. Just so you know the term "ye olde" is just marketing. 

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ExploreChristina FordWhite Hart, Drury Lane, Hoop and Grapes, Great Fire of London, Lamb & Flag, Covent Garden, Tavern Trauma, Charles Dickens, John Dryden, Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese, Mark Twain, P.G. Woehouse, The Spaniards Inn, Hampstead Heath, Tipperary, The Boar's Head, Old Fart's Club, Smugglers Tunnel, Ye Olde Wine Shades
MAKING THE MOST OF THE SHORT WINTER DAYS...GET OUTSIDE!!!

SEVEN SISTERS CLIFFS, EAST SUSSEX ROAD TRIP

If you are anything like me the lack of sunlight as you approach the dead of winter is so unbelievably depressing. Living in London it actually starts getting dark at 3:30 in November AND we haven't even got through the worst of it. So what is that saying, make hay when the sun shines?  So in order to survive the long, dark winters you have to make the most of the short sunny days and a road trip is exactly the way to do it. 

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Places I Love, Beyond London, ExploreChristina FordSeven Sisters, East Sussex, Cliffs, Eastbourne, Seaford, Cuckmere Haven, The Grand Hotel, Zoltar The Fortune Teller, London Road Trip
RAGE AGAINST THE LATRINE. ASIA TOILETS - HOLY CRAP!!!!

A-BROAD OBSERVATION - TOILETS OF ASIA

I have always consider myself a student of the world, you know... open to celebrate the vast colourful differences between one world, culture and traditions and my own. I have been fortunate enough to travel different parts of the globe and I willingly drink in those cultural differences between countries, ....until now.

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Explore, Beyond LondonChristina Fordtoilet, Asia, Thailand, Tokyo, Kaula Lampur, Hong Kong, North America, Loo, Bathroom, Restroom, Pop-Up Urinal
A WEEKEND IN NEW FOREST Where Wild Horses Couldn't Drag Me Away

Ever bored with London? Ok, that is a trick question. But sometimes you need a get away. Turn down the volume, unplug, breathe fresh air and exhale. New Forest is just the wonderful escape to do just that. Just a two hour drive south of the hustle and bustle of London where the only traffic you are likely to hit are a herd of wild horses taking their own sweet time crossing the street.  

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Travel, Explore, Places I Love, Beyond LondonChristina FordNew Forest, London Road Trip, Wild Ponies, Wild Horses, Beaulieu, Marshland, Lyndhurst, Brockenhurst, Donkey, William The Conqueror, Walking Trails, The Pig, Moors, Barton On Sea, Milford On Sea, Hurst Castle, Keyhaven Harbour
A-BROAD ON A BREAK - SUMMER IN MUSKOKA, CANADA
Places I Love, Beyond London, ExploreChristina FordMuskoka, Lake Rosseau, Canada, Life is Better On The Dock, Grand Electric, JW Marriott, Muskoka Chop, Turtle Jacks, Port Carling, Kee To Bala, Sunsets and Shooting Stars, Cottage Ho, Chalet Slut, Sofa Surfer, Cottage, JW Marriott The Rosseau Muskoka, Conte Nast, Conte Nast Traveller, Windermere House, Lady of The Lake, Cleveland's House, Dirty Dancing, Crossroads Restaurant, Cottage Bistro, Freddie Surf Club, Timeless French Decor