warmth

A short Easter holiday in Spitalfields with cold, wet and windy weather, but lots to keep us warm. Like long walks up and down Brick Lane, beigels from Beigel Bake, a wander round the Whitechapel Gallery and a head-turning look at Christ Church, Spitalfields designed by Hawksmoor. And warm colours.

Graffiti on Sclater Street where the walls and corrugated iron act as a kind of urban palimpsest with ever-changing images and words and colours.

Hot roses and hot tea at Columbia Road flower market.

Searingly hot shop front on Sclater Street looking extra-dazzling in the rain.

Proper hot cross buns from St John Bread and Wine made in small batches with lots of citrus peel and gently warming spices.

And a shameless but very beautiful red fox atop a rubbish heap.

We stayed in a silk weaver's house on Princelet Street which is one of those amazing London streets with layer upon layer of history, but the teenagers we took with us loved everything modern about the area which is buzzing and lively and very eclectic.

Comments

[Fran]

I "discovered" this area of London a couple of years ago when work brought me close by. I love the way one can wander from Bunhill Fields, the non-conformists graveyard where William Blake, Daniel Defoe and John Bunyan are buried alongside so many other famous people, through the streets of glass buildings built over sites such as William Caxton's first printing press into the bustle of Brick Lane and the Caledonian Market. It is an area with something for everyone! What a great place to stay for a short holiday.

[Val Reaves]

Thank you for your post...you've taken me away and added another place I have to travel to... Your pictures are beautiful.
Val in Kansas :-)

[Kristina]

Oh, you just reminded me that I forgot to make hot cross buns this year! :( I'll start some today, but your picture makes me want one NOW.

I love the fox!

[JuicyFig]

One of my favourite areas of London - especially Spitalfield Market, and Columbia Road.

I love the flowers on the table!

Kath
x

[Ingunn]

Greetings from Norway:)

I simply love Brick Lane, and the market in particular. My daughter and I was there a lovely Saturday last October, and I have also been there with my husband once. The grafitti and all the creative surfaces are great. Thank you for your inspiring pictures from one of my favourite places in London! I hope to be able to return soon.

[Roz]

I really enjoy your blog, and you must know you've inspired me to approach my photography more intimately -- That fox picture is what I mean!

[bernie]

The fox find is amazing. Hope he does OK in the city!

[Jessica Powers]

I don't think I've EVER seen a fox - if the bright cheery colours didn't inspire envy, that sighting sure did!

[Jane]

We saw more foxes when we lived in a London suburb than we've ever seen before or since living in the countryside - even had them raising cubs in our tiny garden.
Loved the sizzling colours - sure beats the grey dreary weather here.

[Elaine]

I made the hot cross buns from Cherry Cake and Ginger Beer on Good Friday. They were delicious and great fun to make, thank you! My children loved mixing the eggy floury mix with their hands - it did end up on every doorknob in the house, but it was worth it!

[Kylie]

I think this may be the first time I have ever posted a comment on your blog. I just wanted you to know that I always enjoy popping by. And I truly love your photos.

[Lacer]

You always manage to make London seem so appealling! I'm a Londoner yet shamefully have yet to visit half the places you go to.

PS However I was at the V&A seeing the Quilts exhibition this weekend and I saw copious piles of your gorgeous new quilt book in the V&A bookshop, congratulations!

[pauline]

Jane I can't believe you went to Columbia Rd & didn't call me!

[Carlie]

Yum to those hot cross buns!

[Bev]

I love the fox! I saw a fox walking below my house yesterday. Such a delight!

[Kerry]

Thanks for the beautiful photo's and the tour of Spitalfields. The only place I recognised (as a Melbournite) was Brick Lane, from Monica Ali's book of the same name.

[Evie]

A fantastic post - I love the images you have captured. The fox picture in particular is extremely good. May I ask which camera you use? I can't help noticing that the quality of your shots (as well as the composition!) are magnificent. I currently have a decent(ish!) digital but it doesn't take pictures anything like this. Warmest wishes, Evie.

[Earin]

I wonder if the red fox in Britan is like the coyote in the continental US. It is found almost everywhere and has adapted well to urban life complete with teaching survival skills to its young. They've been seen raising their young in storm drains in Chicago!

As always - just lovely photos!

[Kansas Amy]

Makes me want to visit London for sure... some day!

[Jayne]

Hi Jane. Really enjoyed your post and photos as always, especially the link to Princelet Street and a look inside the weaver's house. I had ancestors on Princelet Street (formerly Princes Street, I think) who were silk weavers in one of those houses for 25+ yrs c1840. Marvellous to get a feel for the area since I am an ocean away. Many thanks. Envy you your time spent walking those charming streets. Thank you for sharing.

[Jaimie]

Question: is it pronounced "Spittlefields?" If so, the childish part of me always wants to snigger a bit when I read it.

[Noo]

Have you tried an Eccles cake from St Johns? Possibly my favourite treat - so flaky, sweet, sticky and delicious.