Last night we went to see The XX. I have discovered that young band earlier this year, so I kept a sharp lookout for the tickets for their performance.

The venue was the Somerset House, our quite favorite one as a matter of fact, as we’ve been to a few event from their summer series before. It’s a central London, open-air, nice place, good sound and good crowd. What else would you need?

The gig was everything you would expect from The XX. Chilled, down tempo (with rare chances for the audience to perform short dance sequences), quite melancholic, with hypnotizing sound of guitar and their own voices. At some point I was even wondering, if they were playing the same song over and over again :) but actually I did not mind it. A simple and honest music with a lot of bass. And when I say ‘a lot’, I mean it. I remember the only time my neighbor called me on the phone and asked me to turn my music down when I was playing The XX. It wasn’t even loud. ‘It’s just the bass…’ he said.

So, great night overall, and the gig’s ending was quite a highlight - a sudden outburst of sound, energy and emotions. I loved it.

Our ‘cheap Eurostar tickets‘ saga continues. And the last weekend we spent in Paris, the city of [please insert your most favorite cliche here...].

The last (and let’s be honest, the only) time we were in French capital, it was a few years ago. It was July, it was very hot and in he course of three days we got very exhausted trying to attend as many touristy places as we could. This time we are going to take things slowly and easy. That was the plan.

Not everything went according to plan. The trains were delayed for a couple of hours that morning, so we had to sit around at London’s St.Pancras, patiently waiting for the boarding signal. So we started taking pictures. I must say, I really like King’s Cross train station, especially the top level - bright, airy and tranquil…

So there you go - me with a tin man, Veronika, some old man, clearly not from our time and a couple of London’s bankers (or something), not looking particularly pleased I am violating their privacy…

I wish I knew about it earlier. I wish there were a tweed jacket in my wardrobe. I wish I had a single speed bike.

Why? Because then I could have been a part of that cool bunch of people, cycling through central London on a hot and sunny spring afternoon, wearing vintage clothes and enjoying themselves.They call it a Tweed Run.

I found out about it only a day before and said to myself I would definitely have to see that. I arrived at Kensington gardens about half an hour before the procession to arrive for a tea-break (obviously ;), found a great vantage point opposite the table with cups and refreshments, got my camera ready and started waiting.

So there they were coming. My photo shoot began. As I mentioned already the weather was favorable. It was the hottest day of the year so far, what probably didn’t go well along with tweed outfits, but then again they were not rushing at 60 mph, I believe. I think there were about two hundred cyclists, and many of them went into extraordinary length to look the part. Quite a few characters. Those sideburns, mustaches… Absolutely lovely.

Being an IT freelancer, and enjoying all cool modern gadgets and conveniences, at the same time I am very much fascinated by old, simpler times, all things retro. And this was an absolute feast for my eyes (and soul), a spectacular view. I was shooting non-stop, and to be honest, I haven’t been enjoying taking pictures like this for quite a long time. Also, the atmosphere was great, easy-going and playful, people were definitely enjoying themselves and other dressed-up strangers around.

More on flickr

They stayed for an hour or so and proceeded further, as if this time travel event never happened. People around were wearing shorts and slippers. As normal. But the tweed people will come back next year, and I am sure there will be more of them. And maybe among them you will also spot a young guy with a soul patch (no, I would never shave it off).

I had an amazing response to my pictures posted on flickr, which I am very grateful for, so head there to see a much bigger collection of them.

It was the last week the company I am freelancing for at the moment stayed at it’s address near Chancery Lane. We have moved to Paddington. And though the office now is bigger, brighter and newer, I miss the variety of places we could get food our lunch from. I suspected that would be the case, so I thought we should spent the last week going to our favorite places, the opportunity that won’t present itself in the nearest future.

So we did, and here are three places I would highly recommend to try if you in that part of London and feeling peckish. All of them can be found at Leather Lane market (among it’s many other food options, by the way).

Numero uno. Cino’s sandwich bar.

I was a bit skeptical about this place, until I tried their ‘Whitney Houston’ sandwich (pictured above). That was AMAZING. I am afraid the picture does not do the justice, but you got to believe me that was absolutely tasty. Chicken escalope never tasted so good in a sandwich, and it was also massive and very filling.

The place has variety of sandwiches named after celebrities and they all are freshly made while you wait. You wouldn’t necessary want to eat in, though the place has it’s couleur locale, but take away is a must.

Price: £3.80
Verdict: a bargain. A tasty bargain.
Address: 66 Leather Lane, EC1N 7TR

Next place down the market. Daddy Donkey.

For all you spicy food lovers. Fresh and authentic Mexican food, or as they call themselves a ‘kick-ass Mexican grill’.

I am not going to lie, their burritos were just too hot for me. Tasty, but way too hot (and I was hoping I was ready for it). But many other people in the office were the regulars there. So it IS a quality food. And again, portion size is really big. And don’t judge by the picture, the place gets extremely busy during lunch hours.

Price: £5 - 6
Verdict: reasonably priced quality food for kick-ass food lovers
Daddy Donkey’s website

Tajima-tei.

The last, but definitely not the least. This Japanese restaurant was our most favorite place. Not flashy, I’d say, but rather low key and very traditional (all the personnel are Japanese), they serve the best sushi I’ve ever tasted. An ultimate treat, which you don’t get everyday, but rather on special occasions only (like other Fridays ;). Just say the word ‘Tajima-tei’ and you can see how Kai gets high :) and his eyes get foggy, I bet he would pay to work there.

Mmm, sushi… mmm, sashimi… and their uber awesome bento box (pictured)… My mouth is watering…

Price: around £20
Verdict: pricey, but so worth it.
Tajima-tei’s website

So there you go, if you are in the City, around Farrington, Holborn or Chancery Lane, check Leather Lane Market and have something really nice for your lunch (or sushi for dinner).

Last Friday we called it a day earlier and went to see Decode, ‘Digital Design Sensations’ at V&A. It was a fine day outside and the sun, so missed during winter greyness, was still shining. A perfect week ending.

The exhibition wasn’t massive, but we still managed to spend there good hour and a half. I think we were caught in interactions :) Interactivity was one the major theme of the exhibition and it was a good fun and interesting what people can come up with. So yes, I would definitely recommend visiting it while it’s open.

Will took some pictures there, and few of my pictures from the V&A are also below: