AN UPDATE: Summer In London

An update of sorts. Who knew I would be writing yet another follow-up post nine months after I stated that I was temporarily moving to London? When I wanted a break from New York, I really welcomed the change, but the uncertainty of the future has definitely created some anxiety.

Though the circumstances have permitted us to be anywhere but at home these days, we’ve been creating weekly rituals throughout that help us maintain some semblance of normalcy. And as quarantine eases up and we’re able to start venturing out, I’m making a list of places I want to explore and people I want to see. Since it’s going to be my first full summer in London, I’m hoping that I’ll have the opportunity to take advantage of this beautiful city before heading off to (fill in the blank).

I have yet to make a list of restaurants since most of them I pass don’t seem to be taking quarantine measures of social distancing and PPE, but to ease into socializing and summer mode, I’ve started having a few get togethers in the privacy of my backyard.

What’s different about this city are the vast amounts of outdoor spaces which makes it so much more exciting to explore. That, paired with having an eager boyfriend who wants to explore.

i’ve created a shortlist of exciting things to do in London this summer - and I think this list can be applied to just about any city for that matter - during COVID times.

I’m open to more suggestions but for now, here goes:

Private boat rides.

So i discovered this off an Instagram ad and have been wanting to try it every since. The self-driving boat experience is the perfect way to spend an afternoon in London. My friend Kelly went with her boyfriend and recommended to bring a bottle of wine and just relax. I feel like this is equivalent to Central Park’s gondolas at The Loeb Boathouse sans all the rowing - and for me, anything with low lift and lots of relaxation is exactly what I’m looking for.

Picnic in Queen Mary’s Rose Garden.

I love the plethora of outdoor spaces available in London. Wherever you are, you can find a park close by. I’ve gone to the usual spots - Hyde Park, Holland Park, but have yet to make it up to Regents Park to visit Queen Mary’s Rose Garden.

Entertaining At Home.

With so much local produce and fresh food boxes readily available here, it makes hosting anyone really easy. I recently ordered some fresh seafood from Woods Fish to make a the classic summer dish, Lobster rolls.

Exploring London by bike.

We actually started taking bikes out a few weekends ago and it was so nice to just get out of my neighborhood. Since then I’ve been riding more often to just do simple errands around the city, but my next adventure will be picking up my camera and catching the quiet city before the world fully wakes up.

Weekend outside of the city.

I originally wanted to take an adventure out to SoHo Farmhouse or Babbington House to escape the city - since noise pollution is starting to pick up and trying to find a quiet moment is getting harder. After doing a it of research and looking through prices, I think the best bet is to do an Airbnb on the coast. So currently in the works, a city escape somewhere TBD. First, I have to look at registering a permit if you’re trying to rent a car as a non-UK citizen.