Since I don't know how much time I'll have currently to do blog post with various projects and visiting home, I have scheduled post, till I'm back home. Last week found me missing travel, and with no travel plans in sight, at least to foreign countries not letting up on restrictions to admit US citizens ....I found myself going through my huge library of pictures from past trips, and getting lost in memories. It was almost as good as taking a trip. Lets travel.....
One of my freshest memories was of the last big trip with Warbucks in 2019. Before we caught the British Pullman to take us to hook up with the Orient Express, we had one day and night in London. Oh...how I wish it would have been longer. It happened to be Pride in London. Sketch made that time more memorable. It was our destination upon a recommendation for food, drinks and afternoon tea. There was music and art all comprising this artist gastro brasserie all set in a three story Georgian townhouse. When there, you have arrived at quirky. The various room of the places, The Glade, The Gallery, where we were, the Parlor, The Library, and the East Bar are all uniquely different in feel, and mind blowing beauty and color. Sketch is fueled by art.. in the walls, the stairs, the floors, the bathrooms and even the food and table settings itself. I can honesty say, I've never experienced such a cool place. The gallery is infused with light blush pink that literally covered everything...and filled with pillowy armchairs and banquettes. Walls covered in art. Even the loos are art...a room filled with haphazardly alien looking eggs, under a multi colored lit ceiling. Once inside one, you'll hear cool music or audio clip being piped in. The Glade was stunning visually, with a darker feel and forest-y feel. and navy blue color. We took a nip there afterwards. All the rooms were so cool. The chair legs in the parlor come to a tip as a ballet slipper! But the afternoon tea in the Gallery was point perfect, with tea, and a triple layered tower of goodies like eggs gougere, salmon and cream, and coronation chicken, strawberry Battenberg, chocolate eclairs, and raspberry cheesecake and crumbly scones, served with clotted cream and poppy jam. OH, and there's a dedicated Victoria sponge trolley making rounds too. But I really enjoyed the feeling of fun, liveliness in this place. And as my tea cup said...Forget about it. Good advice on vacation.
I know I will like looking at pictures you didn't use. You had some fabulous trips. Like this place I don't remember you sharing. I would LOVE it.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Calliope. Will be nice to see pictures we didn't see. We could all use some travel about right now. William and I had any good trips to London, I only wish this place we had known about. I od course love it. That's my kind of place. the box of goodies look delish.
ReplyDeleteWouldn't surprise me if you end up living in Europe.
Once my family is passed on, that could very well happen.
DeleteYou're welcome to come live round here; lots of culture, beautiful places to go and close to London where everything happens.....and lots of clotted cream. Yesterday I ordered some clotted cream to go with my homemade scones and homemade lemon curd (you'd get afternoon chez moi and the ladies who lunch) and the supermarket sent me a pint of double (heavy) cream as they'd run out. You will agree it is not quite the same thing.
DeleteIf I was still up to going to town I'd certainly try Sketch.
What time should I pick you up Agnes to head across the pond to visit Helen?
DeleteWhat a lovely memory. When I went to London three years ago to visit my friend there, we went to Sketch...Absolutely superb! Staff and service were out of this world.
ReplyDeleteCould you imagine Americans stopping mid day for afternoon tea?!?!? *rolls on floor with laughter*
Dame Micaux-that is something I would love!!! But alas, Americans are not proper enough, and never take time to enjoy things. God forbid things closed for an hour. Just THINK of all the lost work and revenue after all....
DeleteDear Mrs Goldberg de Woofs you are more than welcome to join the Mistress when I put on an afternoon tea for you both. The Ladies who Lunch will provide cake, sandwiches (cucumber if we are being really proper) and more while I do the scones and biscuits (not much good at cakes). And there's the conservatory to sit in too.
DeleteHelen...you had me at a lovely sit with tea in the conservatory.
DeleteAnd I love me a nice cucumber sandwich.
i don't recall you saying, but did you leave any dirty sketches? i only hope you also didn't have pod sex in the loo. those are pretty fancy glory holes i love those cups.
ReplyDeleteI wondered that myself, lol!!!!!
DeleteI did have a rather attentive attendant in the loo.
DeleteJK. I think.
Oh my, oh my, oh my. Divinity. Heaven, perhaps?
ReplyDeleteThank you for posting this, and I hope you're having a fabulous time back home.
Afternoon tea is a Must! In fact, it is the LAW here in England. Or, it should be...
ReplyDeleteThat foresty bar with the blue chairs is just lovely! How lucky you are to have experienced it.
Hopefully one day we can meet there, and soak in the atmosphere.
DeleteMr DeVice's head might explode if he went as far as "that there London", surely? Jx
DeleteThat looks sensational and a truly wonderful experience. I would have probably run out of superlatives by time I left. I look forward to some of your travels. It' hard to not insert a lot of picture I suppose?
ReplyDeleteTo use the loo would have been worth the experience alone.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful tea you experienced -- I haven't even seen Battenburg cake in Canada since Marks & Spencer closed down here in the late 1990's. Though I'm sure it would be like comparing Oreos to genuine French macarons or other "patisseries", LOL!
ReplyDeleteThe tea cups would be great to see at anytime, not just on vacation. At least you didn't get the ones that have "you have been poisoned" printed on the bottom... maybe those are saved for Halloween customers?
Oh that would be great!!!!!! I am going to love your sense of humor Tundra!!!!
DeleteWhat a cool place with a lovely atmosphere. I don't think I'd want to leave that place. I love places like this. Ill enjoy this switch up from your usual blog offerings. W could all use some trips..even if virtually.
ReplyDeleteLovely!
ReplyDeleteThat place looks like you could just sit there and chat for hours. London is in my bucket list. One day, I promise!
Especially with this encouragement.
XOXO
From the little I saw I want to go back! But I have other places on the list first. The Mayfair section where this was ..was very chic, ritzy, and nice, but I also like to see the real fun, and dive sections too. I like to enjoy all aspects when in a city.
DeleteGorgeous photos. London is a wonderful city.
ReplyDeleteCould you imagine yourself, Sixpense, Uptonking and myself all in London together Jimmy?
DeleteOh so very cool! Thanks for the recommendation. We should make a point of trying Sketch the next time we're in London, which we hope will be within the year (it was supposed to be "within" last year)! Enjoy your travels, your family, and your work!
ReplyDeleteNow THAT'S living!
ReplyDeleteSorry, they're all lovely except for the one with the tree which made me think of what Disney Hell must be like.
ReplyDeleteI can see your point on that, but I surmise that the Disney customer wouldn't pay these prices, lol...especially in their nylon track suits.
DeleteYou had me at Stunning, quirky & exceptional service. I have been any time to London. Never had a bad time in that fine city. I love that cup, Forget about it. It's been my advice all last year.
ReplyDeletethe afternoon tea looks dee-lish.
ReplyDelete"little did we know the delights that awaited us on the Orient Express" - that would be daddy warbuck's sausage, amirite?
We were in London, in the early 80s.
ReplyDeleteWe road our bikes all over England.
To me the most amazing thing was that
we, while trying to find our way to
a campsite, turned onto Downing Street
and rode right past number ten. Was
totally shocked we could just go by
on our bikes.
You were lucky. The IRA terrorist bombing campaign put paid to that freedom of access without security checks by 1982, and formal gates were in place by the end of the 80s. Ironically, it still had "public right of way" status till 2014. Jx
DeleteVery cool. What an interesting venue. I like the gallery, but the Glade Room? is AWESOME! The bathroom pods are way too cool. That ceiling?!?!?! This looks like a proper place for a mistress like you.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun experience! I myself love pink, so I would love that place. I also won't mind seeing your travel pictures. We could all use a place to escape to right now. Love the fun art on the walls.
ReplyDeleteWow. First class all the way for you, hon! Woot, woot. The restaurant looks lovely and that bar, truly magical. London has not been high on my list. I may have to move it up a few notches now. Thanks, hon.
ReplyDeleteThis is my only experience in London. We were there for like a day and night. We were only there to catch the British Pullman to take us to our rendezvous to meet the Orient Express to take us to Vienna.
DeleteNothing like afternoon tea right into evening cocktails! It's places like this that make a vacation a nice memory. Tres' chic.
ReplyDeleteI lovelovelove that Tea Cup!!!!
ReplyDeleteBeing as "common as muck" as I am, I wouldn't even get near the bleedin' door, let alone the tea and cakes!
ReplyDeleteIt all looks far to pricey for a gal that doesn't have a sugar daddy :-)
Jx
PS Next time you're in London, I can show you some low-down dives you'd enjoy just as much. Probably. If anything is still in business after all this lockdown madness, of course.
That is why my best friend and I get along. We enjoy the hoity toity as much as the seedy fun under bellies! I'm a versatile bitch who enjoy it all. And nice to know your one person I know who could keep up with my drinking.
DeleteDarling - I have been known to clink my first glass at 5pm, and still be in the pub at chucking-out time on a weekend at 3am... See you there one day? Jx
DeleteGorgeous photos. How I long to travel. I had a nice Easter. An old boyfriend came over and we gave each other a gymnastics exhibition in bed. Now my back is sore and my legs ache, but I'll do it again.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Gurrrrrrrrrl!!!!!!!!!!!!
Deletejanie - pix or it didn't happen! :)
DeleteI told him I would blog about it and post photos if my nephew and the lady across the street didn't read my blog.
DeleteI would love to visit London someday. Those are wonderful photos!
ReplyDeleteI never get tired of seeing your travel photos. They're gorgeous and intriguing.
ReplyDeleteWhat lovely memories. Sketch looks spectacular.
ReplyDeleteWonderful memories, can't wait to go back.
ReplyDeleteIt all looks amazing. And the finger food looks devoom!
ReplyDeleteI found London to be quite fascinating. Fucking cold! but fascinating. It's a shame you only had one day there - but it looks like you and Warbucks found a very nice place to nosh.
ReplyDeleteSuch a rude teacup but oh! what lovely looking fare!
ReplyDeleteI think your another suited to live in London.
DeleteI love the box of sweets at the end.
ReplyDeleteI miss international travel! London has always been a favorite place to spend time indulging and exploring. I hope you'll share more photos soon, sweetpea! xoxo
ReplyDeleteP.S.the MITM was JUST looking at travel on the Orient Express yesterday! (it's a sign!)