Chelsea Flower Show – London in Bloom
Trip Over to London
It was a magnificent sunny, warm day for my visit to the Chelsea Flower Show in London. I couldn’t have planned it any better, especially as it was booked so far in advance. The Show is held over five days in May every year, (except when there is a global pandemic, in which case it is held virtually). I believe they are now planning on holding the show over six days to allow more people to visit, but less people on each day. I hope the world gets well soon to make all this possible.
Getting there was a simple ride on the Tube to Sloane Square on the District or Circle Line. Then on exiting the station there are volunteers to answer any questions you have, and maps are on display to show you the short walk to the grounds of the Royal Chelsea Hospital, where the magnificent floral exhibition that is the Chelsea Flower Show takes over. Or, if you follow the crowd, you will get there very easily. As soon as you enter you will be surrounded by the colour and vibrancy of everything from the flowers, to the garden ornaments and sculptures, not to mention the exhibitors.
Pick a direction to head off and begin exploring. Wind your way around the outdoor sections, into the Great Pavilion when you need a break from the sun, just make sure you don’t miss a thing. Every little bit is worth seeing.
I am not a gardener, completely bereft of green thumbs! It was amazing to see all the displays, the flowers are all absolutely beautiful. The sculptures and outdoor ornaments are stunning, and there are stalls selling garden related things. I did buy a beautiful crushable, packable sun hat, and a raincoat, knowing the weather could change any day, which of course it did!
At Chelsea Flower Show time of year the whole of London seems to come to life with flowers, particularly on Sloane St and Kings Rd. But all over London, shops, hotels, restaurants and private homes all get involved in their own floral displays, so it is certainly worth walking all over London to see what you can find. Often you see crowds gathered admiring an amazing display they have come across in the streets.
There are a number of bars and eateries at the Chelsea Flower Show, and I noticed that Pimm’s is the drink of choice, so I joined in on that ritual while I had a very light lunch as I had pre-booked afternoon tea at the Drawing Room as a special treat. It was lovely drinking Champagne, eating beautiful tasty morsels and listening to harp music – a nice bunch of flowers on the glass table next to the harp player wouldn’t have gone astray! One for the Suggestion Box maybe? I followed up with a nice cup of tea before continuing to explore the exhibits. I also found that even with a booking at the Drawing Room there are no bathroom privileges, pick your timing, the global problem of queues for the Ladies exists here too!
After visiting the Chelsea Flower Show, if only I had a garden……….so inspiring!
Tickets and information are available from The Royal Horticultural Society website, where you can also become a member of the RHS. Depending on your gardening interest, there are various benefits in becoming a member, like special member only days. If you feel like treating yourself to afternoon Tea, or a Champagne Breakfast, make sure you book in to get everything on the day and time you book to go to the show. Of course, the earlier you buy your tickets, the more choices you have about the time to take tea.
While in London you might like to visit the beautiful Kew Gardens, take a walk from Camden Town along Regent’s Canal, or be part of London’s amazing history at the Tower of London.
Itinerary for my Trip Over to London
Flew from Sydney to London Heathrow via Singapore, with Qantas on QF1, then QF2 to come home.
Stayed at the Royal Overseas League in St James’s.
Picked up at Heathrow by Naz from Black Lane Limos.
Travelled around London using a Visitor Oyster Card.
The Endeavour at the National Maritime Museum of Australia. It`s a replica, but a very good one. You can go onboard and take a look around - all those ropes, how did they cope?
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#nationalmaritimemuseum @sea.museum #maritimemuseum #endeavour #theendeavour #tallship #darlingharbour #sydney #barangaroo #outonthewater #sydneyharbour #thewayitusedtobe #sydneylife #blueskyandsunshine #seetheworldwithme #seetheworldthroughmylens
A final check on the recipe for the Christmas pud, making surectgatvlast drop of magic is in there. All part of the amazing Fortnum & Mason Christmas window display on Piccadilly in London.
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#fortnums #fortnumandmason #fortnumschristmas #fortnumschristmaswindow #fortnumandmasonpiccadilly #windowshopping #windowtotheworld #london #londonlife #londonlandmarks #londontrip #londonchristmas #londonstyle #londonatchristmastime #christmasinlondon2022 #christmasatfortnums #seetheworldthroughmyeyes
The Christmas Lights are shining all over London, here yesterday evening in the Princes Arcade, outside the Ritz, and even on a bus!
It`s been a very rainy morning in London so I have busied myself creating a Postcards page on my website, where I will send short postcards everyday, click on the link in the bio to have a look.
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#london # londonbus #theritz #theritzlondon #christmaslights #princesarcadepiccadilly #piccadilly #christmasinlondon #exploretheworldwithme #traveltolondon #lightsinlondon
The water receeds around the edges of Tunks Park under Long Gully Bridge, but there seems to be another downpour forecast next week, so itbis likely to go under again. But look how green the grass is!!!
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#tunksparksydney #tunksparkwalk #tunkspark #longgullybridge #longgully #greengrass #parkunderwater #aftertherain #sydney #sydneyparks #sydneylife #sydneyharbourwalks #myhometown
In the Christmas windows at Fortnum & Mason, the turkey is ready with all the trimmings.
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#fortnumandmason #fortnumschristmas #fortnumschristmaswindow #fortnums #christmasdinner #christmasdinnertable #windowshopping #shoppinginlondon #londonlife #seekandyoushallfind #piccadilly #londontrip #londonlandmarks #london #londonchristmas #christmasinlondon
The chocolate department at Fortnum & Mason on Piccadilly. So many delicious goodies to choose from - best to just buy at least one of each!!
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#fortnumandmason @fortnums #fortnumandmasonpiccadilly #fortnumschristmas #fortnumschocolates #shoppinginlondon #piccadilly #christmasatfortnums #christmasinlondon #traveltheworldwithme #seetheworldthroughmylens #traveladdict #londonlife #londontrip #londonatchristmastime
The cafe by the lake in Regent`s Park, London, looking like autumn in the middle of winter.
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#regentsparklondon #regentspark #royalparksandgardens #regentsparkcafe #lookslikeautumn #londonlife #londonwalks #walkinthepark #londontrip #londontravel #londonatchristmastime #clockontheroof #seetheworldthroughmylens #traveltheworldwithme
One of the Royal parks in London for some time out from the hustle and bustle.
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#regentsparklondon #regentspark #londonparksandgardens #royalparksandgardens #londonwalks
It`s a squirrels life, just sitting in a tree, eating a snack, looking over the lake and watching the world go by.....in Regent`s Park in London.
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#squirrel #squirrelsofinstagram #squirrellife #squirrelinatree #regentsparklondon #royalparks #royalparksandgardens #regentspark #walkinthepark #londonlife #londonparks #londontrip #londonwalks #london #traveladdict #traveltheworldwithme #seetheworldthroughmylens
The Christmas window displays at Fortnum & Mason on Piccadilly are amazing, so many small details.
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#fortnumandmason #fortnumschristmas #fortnums #fortnumschristmaswindow #fortnumandmasonpiccadilly #piccadilly #london #londonlife #windowshopping #londonchristmas #londontrip #londonlandmarks #shoppinginlondon #seetheworldthroughmylens #traveladdict #christmasatfortnums #christmasinlondon
Fortnum & Mason on Piccadilly, all decked out as an Advent Calendar for Christmas. Fortnums is definitely one of my favourite stores in London, but trying to get inside on Christmas Eve was impossible!!
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#fortnumandmason #fortnumandmasonpiccadilly #adventcalendar @fortnums #piccadilly #oneofmyfavouritethings #localgrocerystore #londonatchristmastime #christmasinlondon2022 #christmasshoppingtime #londonvibes #londonlife #londonlandmarks #londonstyle #londontrip #londonlover #londonchristmas #seetheworldthroughmylens #traveltheworldwithme
Pickering Place is London`s smallest public square, located in St James`s not far from St Jame`s Palace, home to London`s oldest wine merchants Berry Bros, it feels a but like you are walking into someone`s private courtyard.
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#pickeringplace #pickeringplacelondon #stjamess #london #historiclondon #sculptureinthesquare #exploringlondon #londonlife #londontrip #seetheworldthroughmylens #christmastree #walkingaroundlondon #seekandyoushallfind
A twisted woiden sculpture on show on the rocks not far from Bondi Beach on the Sculpture by the Sea coastal walk from Bondi to Tamarama.
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#sculpturebythesea #sulptureontheshore #artinpublicplaces #sculptureart #sculpture #woodengardenart #woodensculpture #bonditotamaramacoastalwalk #bonditotamarama #explorethecityyoulivein #ontherocks #seekandyoushallfind #seeeverythingdoeverything
That`s how you design a gate!!!
These gates at Regents Park in London, were made in 1935, during the reign of George V.
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#regentsparklondon #regentspark #regentsparkgates #beautifulgate #gatestothegardens #royalgate #georgiangate #walkinthepark #londonlife #londonparks #londonlandmarks #londontrip #londonwalks #seekandyoushallfind #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #londontravel
Merry Christmas!! I hope everyone has had a great day!!🎄🎉🥂
I was surprised to find out this is a private home, known as Holme, in London`s Regent`s Park. And, it has just gone on the market for a cool £250 million, its got 40 bedrooms, so perfect for the average family!!
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#regentsparklake #regentspark #regentsparklondon #holme #livinginthepark #londonlife #londontrip #londonwalks #walkinthepark #londonstyle #london #beautifuldayinthepark #viewacrossthewater #seetheworldthroughmylens
A swan and a few ducks on the lake in London`s Regents Park, enjoying a moment in the winter sun.
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#regentsparklondon #regentspark #swansandducks #swansandducksofinstagram #swanlake #outonthelake #reflectiononwater #walkinthepark #londonparks #london #londontrip #londonwalks #londontravel #seetheworldthroughmylens #seekandyoushallfind
No such thing as too much chocolate! Fortnum & Mason hampers full in the Christmas window display.
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#fortnumandmason #fortnumshamper #fortnumschristmas #fortnumschocolates #fortnums #fortnumandmasonpiccadilly #fortnumschristmaswindow #windowshopping #morechocolateplease #londonlife #londonlandmarks #londontrip #londonchristmas #oneofmyfavouritethings #seetheworldthroughmyeyes
At Sculpture by the Sea this was on display in the park, is it art or just a couple of yellow motorbikes on top of a post??? In the eye of the beholder........
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#sculpturebythesea #bonditotamarama #bonditotamaramacoastalwalk #artinthepark #sculptureinthepark #sculpture #motorbikesofinstagram #motorbikes #yellowmotorbikes #bikesonapost #wtfisthis #wtfmoment #sydney #blueskyandsunshine #walkinthepark
Darling Harbour from Pyrmont Bridge, looking very tropical on a Sydney spring day.
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#pyrmontbridgesydney #pyrmontbridge #darlingharbour #darlingharboursydney #whotel #palmtrees #tropicalscene #sydneycbd #sydney #sydneylunchtime #sydneylife #sydneyharbourwalks #sydneyaustralia #sydneywaterways #sydneylocal #sydneyinspring
The theme of this years David Jones Flower Show in Sydney`s Elizabeth St store, was underwater, lots of giant shells and Nemo!
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#davidjonesflowershow #davidjonesstore #davidjonessydney #davidjones #findingnemo #underwatertheme #flowersofinstagram #flowershow #flowers #orangeflowers #yellowflowers #sydney #sydneylunchtime #seetheworldthroughmylens #seeeverythingdoeverything #myhometown #sydneylocal
This huge rock broke away a few storms ago, hopefully there`s no more ready to break free higher up!
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#tunksparksydney #tunksparkwalk #tunkspark #fallingrocks #sandstonerock #sydney #sydneyharbourwalks #walkinthepark #myhometown #afterthestorm
The Darling Harbour Ferris Wheel, surrounded by the highrise jungle that is developing in that area, not a person in site!! Yet another soulless enclave!
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#ferriswheel #darlingharboursydney #darlingharbour #nopeeps #nopeepshere #soulless #highriseinvasion #highrisejungle #lunchtimewalk #sydneyinwinter #sydney #sydneylocal #sydneyaustralia
The Christmas Tree and beautiful staircase where I am staying in London.
Click on the link in the bio to see my postcards from London.
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#christmastree #christmas #christmasdecorations #staircase #christmasinlondon #christmasday #merrychristmas #royaloverseasleague #royaloverseasleaguelondon
Lights over Sydney during Vivid 2022.
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#vividsydney2022 #vivid2022 #sydney #sydneyaustralia #searchlights #bluelights #lightupmylife #lights #lightshow #lightinspired #sydneyinwinter #coldnightinsydney
Choppy day out on Sydney Harbour, as I caught the ferry from McMahons Point to Circular Quay, lots of boats around Fort Denison, Sydney`s eastern suburbs in the background.
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#sydneyharbour #fortdenison #sydneyferries #choppywater #sailingonsydneyharbour #boatsontheharbour #crossingtheharbour #sydney #sydneyaustralia #sydneylife #myhometown #explorethecityyoulivein #sydneywaterways #bluewater #seetheworldthroughmylens
The Golden Lion pub in King St, St James`s, London. Started off life as a seedy workers pub in 1762, now very gentrified.
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#thegoldenlion #thegoldenlionstjames s #londonpubs #historiclondon #stjamess #kingstreet #london #londonlife #londoncity #londonwalks #christmasinlondon #stainedglasswindows #traveltheworldwithme #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #seeeverythingdoeverything
Passing the bow of HMAS Sydney, a WWl ship in the Australian Navy fleet. The bow of the ship sits on the edge of Sydney Harbour as a memorial to its successful battle in the Pacific.
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#sydneyferries #hmassydney #hmassydneymemorial #milsonspoint #sydneyharbour #sydneylife #sydneyaustralia #sydneywaterways #palmtrees #outontheharbour #explorethecityyoulivein #seeeverythingdoeverything #seetheworldthroughmylens #seekandyoushallfind #bluewater
Sea creatures in the David Jones Spring Flower Show at the Elizabeth St store in Sydney`s CBD.
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#davidjonesflowershow #davidjonesstore #davidjones #davidjonessydney #flowersofinstagram #flowershow #underwatertheme #elizabethststore #sydneycbd #sydneylocal #sydney #sydneyaustralia #myhometown #explorethecityyoulivein #seekandyoushallfind #seacreatures #yellowflowers #flowerseverywhere
More of the uunderwater world David Joned Fliwer Show in Sydney`s Elizabeth St store.
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#davidjonesflowershow #davidjonesstore #davidjones #davidjonessydney #elizabethststore #sydney #notthechelseaflowershow #sydneyinspring #underwatertheme #hydrangeas #flowersofinstagram #flowerseverywhere
The Christmas tree just inside the Duke Street entrance to Fortnum & Mason`s Piccadilly store. This was about a week after Christmas, it took that long forvthe crowds to diminish so I could get some photos! Love this old original staircase too.
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#fortnumandmason #fortnumandmasonpiccadilly @fortnums #christmasatfortnums #christmastree #londonvibes #christmasinlondon2022 #londonvibes #londontrip #londonchristmas #londonstyle #londonatchristmastime #london #londonhistory #shoppinginlondon #oneofmyfavouritethings
The windows at Fortnum & Mason on Piccadilly at Christmas are works of art, here is the Christmas pud, note the cat in the corner with the fire extinguisher to put out the flames from the brandy 🥂🥳
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#fortnumandmason #fortnumschristmas #fortnumschristmaswindow #christmaspudding #windowshopping #shoppinginlondon #london #londonlife #londontrip #londonchristmas #londontravel #londonatchristmastime #london4all #londontravel #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #seekandyoushallfind #traveladdict
David Jones Spring Flower Show
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#davidjonesflowershow #davidjones #davidjonessydney
As my ferry pulled in to Circular Quay I saw this new sculpture near Government House in the Royal Botanic Gardens.
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#sculptureinthepark #sculpturegarden #artinpublicplaces #governmenthousesydney #royalbotanicgardenssydney #sydneyharbour #sydneyharbourwalks #sydneyaustralia #bluewater #explorethecityyoulivein #seetheworldthroughmyeyes
The Luna Park face as my ferry pulled into the Milsons Point wharf.
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#lunapark #lunaparksydney #milsonspoint #milsonspointferrywharf #sydneyferries #sydneyharbour #outonthewater #blueskyandsunshine #ferriswheel #sydneylife #sydneywaterways #sydney_insta #sydney #explorethecityyoulivein #myhometown
From the National Maritime Museum in Sydney behind the boats in the foreground you can see the masts on the replica Endeavour, on the right are the glass towers in Barangaroo.
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#theendeavour #sydneymaritimemuseum #australiannationalmaritimemusem #barangaroo #darlingharboursydney #tallships #sailingboats #sailonsydneyharbour #glasstowers #sydneyharbour #blueskywhiteclouds #visitthemuseum #sydneylife #sydneyaustralia #sydneywaterways #sydneylocal #myhometown #traveltheworldwithme
A plaque of William Pickering, the coffee merchant Pickering Place in St James`s, London in named after.
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#williampickering #pickeringplace #pickeringplacelondon #londondays #london #stjamess #londonvibes #londonlife #historiclondon #londontrip #londonwalks #londonssmallestpublicsquare #londonstyle #londontravel #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #traveltheworldwithme #traveltherapy
The Christmas tree in Pickering Place, St James`s, London. These houses are now the offices for Berry Bros & Rudd, London`s oldest wine merchants.
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#pickeringplace #pickering #berrybrosandrudd #stjamess #christmasinlondon2022 #christmastree #exploringlondon #winemerchant #publicsquare #londonssmallestpublicsquare #londonlife #londonlandmarks #londontrip #londontravel #traveltheworldwithme #seeeverythingdoeverything
A day out in Sydney, catching a ferry across the harbour then heading out to Bondi Beach and walking around the headland looking at Sculpture by the Sea.
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#sydney #sydneyaustralia
Another shell fullnof flowers at tge David Jones Soring Flower Show at the Elizabeth St store in the Sydney CBD.
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#davidjonesflowershow #davidjonesstore #davidjones #davidjonessydney #flowersofinstagram #flowershow #flowerseverywhere #underwatertheme #notthechelseaflowershow #sydneycbd #sydneylunchtime #sydneylife #sydneyflowers
In Marks Park on the headland at the southern end of Bondi Beach looking through this Sculpture by the Sea to Bronte Beach framed in the sculpture.
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#sculpturebythesea #sculptureinthepark #sculptureart #sculpture #markspark #brontebeach #brontebeachsydney #bonditotamaramacoastalwalk #artinthepark #sydney #sydneylife #sydneybeaches #sydneyaustralia #sydneywaterways #sydneyparks
Sun`s out in Sydney, but still the water runs down the sandstone at Tunks Park, a beutiful spring day in Sydney, and the foecast is for a few more days of sunshine 🌞🌞🌞
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#tunkspark #sydney #sydneyparks #sydneyinspring #aftertherain #sunshineinthepark #walkinthepark #outinthesunshine #sandstonerock #waterwatereverywhere #waterviews #seekandyoushallfind
The David Jones Spring Flower Show at the Elizabeth St store in the Sydney CBD.
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#flowershow #davidjonesstore #davidjonesflowershow #davidjonesstore #davidjonessydney #notthechelseaflowershow #sydneycbd #elizabethststore #lunchtimewalk #explorethecityyoulivein #flowersofinstagram #flowerseverywhere
Sydney Harbour Bridge during Vivid, looking over Circular Quay ferry terminal to North Sydney CBD, and the green lights on the ferris wheel at Luna Park.
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#vividsydney2022 #vivid2022 #vividsydney #sydneyharbourbridge #lunaparksydney #lunapark #lightupmylife #sydneyferries #sydneyharbour #alllitup #lightshow #northsydneycbd #coldnightinsydney #bluelights #ferriswheel #seeeverythingdoeverything
One of my favourite stores in London.
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#oneofmyfavouritethings #fortnumandmason #fortnumandmasonpiccadilly #shoppinginlondon #london #soelegant
Sculpture by the Sea returned to the Bondi to Tamarama coastal walk this year after it`s Covid hiatus. This one is my favourite.....
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#sculpturebythesea #bonditotamarama #bonditotamaramacoastalwalk #sculptureart #sculptureinthepark #sculpture #artinthepark #sydneycoastalwalk #sydneyinspring #clearbluewater #pacificocean #sunnyday #explorethecityyoulivein
The Red Lion pub in St James`s, one of the old workers pubs, also made a name for itself as a Gin Palace. Apparently holds the 2nd oldest licence in the West End, having been around forvover 200 years!
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#redlion #redlionpub #mayfairpub #stjamess #crownpassage #exploringlondon #seekandyoushallfind #londonlife #londontrip #londonwalks #london_enthusiast #londonlover #londontravel #londonhistory #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #traveltheworldwithme
Another sculpture gleaming in the sunshine at Sculpture by the Sea on the coastal walk from Bondi Beach to Tamarama, looking out over the Pacific Ocean.
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#sculpturebythesea #sculptureinthepark #sculpture #artinthepark #sydneycoastalwalk #pacicocean #bonditotamaramacoastalwalk #artinpublicplaces #sydneylife #sydneyaustralia #sydneyparks #sydneywalks #exploretheworld #seekandyoushallfind
Between down pours, Tunks Psrk continued to fill with water. Lucky someone thought to put the "Ground Closed" sign in the middle of the cricket ground 🤣 I think anyone who turned up to play would have realised after wading through knee deep water on to the sodden grass that it wouldn`t work out!😂
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#tunkspark #floodedpark #waterwatereverywhere #greengrass #aftertgerain #walkinthepark #sydneyinspring #sydneylife #sydneyaustralia #myhometown #cricketground #toowettoplay #waterviews
