Christmas Lights in London and the Big Syn International Film Festival

I was down in London earlier this month for The Big Syn International Film Festival on behalf of my friend in South Africa, who was unable to travel. It was a Black Tie event, although I did feel a little over dressed, but comfortable, compared to others, but who cares. the award ceremony was at the Curzon Cinema in Mayfair and I stayed in Covent Garden, just 2 stops away on the tube. After the awards I set off on foot for Oxford Street to see the Christmas Lights, walking down Regent Street, through Leicester Square and back to Covent Gardens.

Deborah Meadow was one of the judges.

I left the event in heels, but soon changed into my flats.

I carried my heels around London.

Covent Garden.

Oxford Street.

Selfridges.

Waitrose.

Leicester Square.

Regent Street.

Hamleys.

Carnaby Street.

Harrods.

Even Paddington Station felt Christmassy with the lighting.

I wish I'd had more time in London or we lived closer as I'd love to go back to visit the markets and the ice skating rinks. We've got a couple of Christmas events in Malvern and Worcester we're planning to attend.

Post Comment Love 17th - 19th November 2023 London

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I've been to London last weekend to a film award ceremony and to see the Christmas lights, staying in a hotel in Covent Garden and just enjoying the 'me' time. There was some shopping, plenty of food, some drink and lots and lots of walking.

Curzon Mayfair

Christmas in Covent Garden

St Paul's Cathedral

The Lord Mayors Show

It's been while since I've had a little adventure of my own.

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St Paul's Cathedral and The Lord Mayors Show

I spent a weekend in London last week for a film festival to discover The Lords Mayors Show was on the Saturday and entrance to St Paul's Cathedral was free with £10 fee for access to the Dome.

Leaving my hotel room in Covent Garden at 8.30am I headed out on foot to make the most of the day in London before catching the 6pm train home.

I covered a distance of 15 miles and climbed 528 steps to the top of the dome carrying my 10kg ruck sack. 

The climb started off well.

No photos allowed from the Whispering Gallery.

The climb to the Stone and Golden Gallery isn't for the faint hearted or the unfit.

I picked the best day with the weather for the best views.

Back down was much easier, but you did have to pay attention to each step.

The crypt.

The Lord Mayors Parade.

I managed to get some of the best views.

It did get busier as the morning went on, this was all before the parade started.

And just in case you missed it or the BBC didn't capture it all ... 

Week 45 One Daily Positive and Project 365 2023

It's been long and tiring week with exam invigilating and scribing A levels and GCSE's and a trip to London for the Big Sun International Film Festival. The world's biggest sustainability film festival and awards. I was also excited to see the Christmas lights and The Lord Mayors Show and I wandered into the Free Palestine march at Hyde Park Corner, which at 3pm on the Saturday was peaceful and full of families pleading for the coming in Gaza to be stopped.

There are too many photos to choose from, from the weekend so I'll be making them into separate blog posts.

310 Sunday We went to Newport to visit our nephew, his partner and their 5 week old daughter, who shares a birthday with Peter. On pour way home we met up with friends for a coffee. We met 14 years ago on twitter.

311 Monday Cycled to work and back. Everyone was tired, staff and students. I ended up scribing for a 2 hour mock GCSE English language exam. Home to tidy up, watch TV and blog and get quotes for new vehicle and hotel booked and train tickets amended.

Taking me back to the 80s sitting in the hallway on the stairs making a call on the landline.

312 Tuesday I walked to work and got a lift home at 4pm. Boiler was serviced and 3 mile walk completed. Evening spent reading and at 8pm I went swimming as I was still half a mile short of my 3 mile target for the day.

313 Wednesday Up early so did some blogging with a cat on my lap, waiting for her food. Lift to work. I invigilated a Religion, Philosophy and Ethics exam and in the afternoon scribed for GCSE Chemistry. I walked home via the coffee shop to meet Peter. Evening spent packing for my trip to London, sorting washing and watching TV.

314 Thursday Lift to work, invigilated A level English Literate and joined an A level Physics class in the afternoon. Walked into town after work and met Peter for a coffee. Did some ironing and evening spent reading, watching TV and blogging.

Walking home through Priory Park.

315 Friday Caught the train to London, checked in my hotel in Covent Garden and a dash to Mayfair for the Film Award Ceremony I was attending on behalf of my friend, in South Africa, who had submitted an entry. The awards were amazing and afterwards I swopped my heels for a pair of flats and in my dress I walked down Oxford Street, Regent Street, through Leicester Square and back to my hotel in Covent Gardens to see the Christmas lights, carrying my heels. 

316 Saturday Day spent in London, getting home at 8.30pm. I walked from Covent Gardens to St Pauls Cathedral and with my 10kg rucksack I climbed 532 steps to the top for the most amazing views. I then watched the Lord Mayors Show, before walking to Downing Street, horse Guards Parade, Buckingham Palace and encountered the Free Palestine March at Hyde Park Corner which took me almost an hour to get through. Went to Harrods then walked through Hyde Park back to Paddington to catch the train. I walked 20 miles. I was shattered when I got in.

Peter met me at the train station with 4 yo grandchild who was staying for the night and very anxious to get me home.

On the blog this week:

Northern Ireland for Grandson's 2nd Birthday and Halloween fun

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