Spring in Your Step

It's a glorious day here in London, and I'm in a springy kind of mood -- thanks in part to your wonderful support and comments on my Monday post. Time and again, I'm reminded what a wonderful community of bloggers I'm a part of, and I'm so grateful.

Anyway! *wipes eyes* Some of you may remember that before I had my fiction published, I wrote guide books: 24 Hours London and 24 Hours Paris. As I'm off Paris next weekend and plan to post about it next week, I thought it only fair to tell you about some of my favourite spring-like places in my adopted home. Most of my novels are set in and around London, and I love writing about the city!

The text below is lifted from my London guide.

The Serpentine Lake, though budding trees at Kensington Gardens.

 First up, it's got to be Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park -- the site of my (almost) daily run.

These interconnected parks offer a wide variety of jogging routes or, if you're up for it, you can take a plunge in the Serpentine Lake. Enter the park from High Street Kensington. You’ll see Kensington Palace straight ahead. Saunter by the former home of Princess Diana and past the black railings where mountains of flowers were heaped when she died in 1997. Run by the man-made Round Pound, taking in the ornate Albert Memorial through the trees to your right, and go down to the Serpentine Lake. So-named for its snake-like shape, the lake is actually a river that was dammed by order of Queen Caroline as part of the redevelopment of Hyde Park. As you jog by the long arm of the lake, take in the oval shaped Diana Memorial to your right, then cool off by braving the water at the roped-off swimming area at the Lido.

Next, it's across the city to Postman's Park. It's beautiful this time of year with all the daffodils. Located between King Edward Street, Little Britain and Angel Street, the park contains a wall with 47 hand-crafted tiles commemorating the bravery of ordinary Londoners who died saving others. Each tile, made by Royal
Doulton, is hand-lettered. The park features in Mike Nichols’ film Closer.

If you're looking for something to get you in the spring-like spirit, head to an iconic East End market at Columbia Road. Moved to Sunday to accommodate Jewish traders, the market served the area’s former Huguenot immigrants whose interest in cut flowers has remained a legacy amongst East Enders. A variety
of bulbs, shrubs and freshly cut flowers – along with breads, cheeses and garden accessories – is available.

Little Venice.

For a bit of Italy in London (sort of), wander through the weeping willows by the Regent and Grand Union canals in Little Venice, one of the prettiest and most serene spots in the whole city. InPaddington runs free
walks along the Grand Union Canal, while London Walks offers guided tours exploring the whole area. If you really want to see canal living first hand, you can take a narrowboat trip down the canal towards Camden. The boat is indeed as the name suggests – no wider than seven feet in order to navigate the canals of Britain and Wales.

I could go on and on and ON, but I'll stop there. Hope the new season is treating you kindly so far.

What are some of your favourite places to visit in Spring?