London's Royal Parks

 

We will probably always remember this London trip less for what we did than what we felt... because we arrived in the city for a bona fide heat wave.

Temperatures during the three day visit hovered in the high 80's - but it felt a lot hotter due to humidity... and the fact that few of the shops and restaurants we frequented had air conditioning. This included our budget hotel, which was pretty stuffy at night when we were trying to sleep.

In hindsight, we probably should have adjusted our plans. But my husband had it in his head that he wanted to take his mum to the Royal Botanical Gardens in Kew, and I had it in mine that we would spend the morning strolling through Kensington and Hyde Parks.

We did both, and neither activity was entirely satisfying.

At least, our sojourn through Hyde Park began in the morning, before it had become unbearably hot.

Eight years ago (the last time we enjoyed a summer visit to London), I'd spied the Lido Cafe, a beautiful looking spot along the Serpentine. I was determined to dine there, and it was just as charming as I'd imagined: a sophisticated spot to sip a cocktail or a cappuccino.

Unfortunately, it's not the best place for breakfast. It's not that the food was bad. On the contrary: it was very good. But it took 45 minutes from the time we placed the order to its delivery to our table. We were all too hungry and cranky to really enjoy it once it finally arrived.

And the view was beautiful.

Disclosure: I was not compensated for this post.

See the rest of my London photos on Flickr, here.

Comments

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you must be very hungry then, imagine you waited 45 mins. before the food was serve..I was in London last year and was about to buy some Modern outdoor furniture
they have a wide selection there..