June! Gosh, well that came around quickly. But it's so nice to finally see some much needed sunshine after a gloomy few weeks (months, year?).
If all goes to plan all restrictions come to an end this month, which is a rather strange thought, especially for those of us who are still waiting to have the vaccine. To be honest until I've had both I won't be venturing out too much, but the good news is that there is still plenty of things online for all of you in a similar situation.
HEARD in London - History, Eat, Art, Refresh and Discover
History
Most museums and other cultural institutions have now opened their doors, so it's time to get back out and explore!
Personally I'm going to be social distancing a little longer as my second jab is still a long 12 weeks off, but I may head into central London a few times. The British Museum will no doubt tempt me in with their exhibitions on Thomas Beckett and Emperor Nero. I went to the Epic Iran exhibition at the V&A last week and it was absolutely amazing, make sure you go. I've booked to see their Alice and Wonderland exhibition too which I'm very excited about.
Other than that I think I'll give it a few more months until I feel ready to go back to normal, but luckily there's still plenty of things happening online too! So once again Ive included a real mix of things to go in person, and things which you can do from the comfort of your own home...
The now monthly opening of the Florence Nightingale Museum takes place on the weekend of the 5th and 6th. They've particularly struggled due to Covid during the past 12 or so months so it would be great to support smaller museums such are theirs. Perhaps it's one of those museums "on your list" which you've been meaning to go to, so now is a perfect time!
Another smaller museum, but this time a brand new one is the Bow Street Police Museum in Covent Garden. It opened barely a week ago and Ive seen lots of positive feedback about people's first visits. Do let me know if you've been or are planning to, I can't wait to visit myself.
The annual Sir Thomas Gresham lecture this year is on the 10th at 6pm and sounds right up by street. The Barbican Centre at 40 - Past, Present And Future. Make sure you sign up here for the free online event.
Another online lecture which caught my eye on the 15th by Gresham College - Private Palaces: The Mansions of the Marlboroughs. It's another free event and you can sign up here.
The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Libraries have offered some of the best online lectures this past year. They're free but donations are welcome and they've had a great selection on a whole range of subjects. On the 18th of June at 6.30pm they've got Uncovering naughty bits of medieval parish churches. Sounds fab doesn't it?
And finally, on the 22nd at 2pm the London Metropolitan Archives have an online talk on London and Beer. It may be a repeat from last year but nevertheless I've signed up again.
Eat
I'm going out for a pub lunch tomorrow which is quite exciting, but apart from that I won't be eating out much still. So that just means I'll carrying on getting takeaway and deliveries which isn't so bad.
I've got a delivery coming from Pezu tomorrow - a few chilled meals as well as a few chillies sauces and dips. I've also got an order from Pippy Eats on the way too, so if you like Asian food and cooking it as well, do check out the marketplace as she stocks some very tasty ingredients.
I've placed an order with Xocolat by Louis Beckett, a very talented pastry chef who I've known for for quite a few years now. This is my second order and it won't be my last. From homemade salted caramel chocolates, lemon meringue and tonka bean, to filled bars of Biscoff, peanut butter, and cookies and cream. I'm hiding them away and won't be sharing.
Art
For those venturing out there's plenty of art exhibitions which have recently opened, is there any you've particularly enjoyed? From Yayoi Kusama's Infinity Rooms at Tate Modern, David Hockney: The Arrival of Spring, Normandy, 2020 and Forest for Change at Somerset House. There's plenty to keep us all occupied if a summer at home is on the cards.
For those staying in, or for those who are still looking for things to do online, the National Gallery are continuing their free lectures and I've signed up for quite a few in June.
Over at the Wallace Collection I've signed up for a free talk on the 17th on their upcoming exhibition Meet the Expert: Rubens: Reuniting the Great Landscapes.
Refresh
I bought a new wine fridge a few weeks ago and obviously had to fill it up to capacity, hence I've gone a little overboard on buying wine this month.
I signed up to a few more wine subscriptions (alongside The Sourcing Table) including one from Little Wine and Monty Wines. They all have loads of members perks such as live chats with winemakers, videos or certain areas and wineries. It's been really fun getting a surprise selection of wines too!
I also must mention The English Vines who I ordered a couple of cases from. As you may have guessed they specialise on local tipples, and it's been great drinking more English wines. From cult wines such as Nyetimber so lesser known smaller wineries making some banging reds, I've certainly had a boozy May!
Discover
A few other events which didn't fit into any of the other HEARD categories this month which I thought might interest some of you!
Look up to the skies across London on the morning of the 6th and again on the 13th to see up to 50 hot air balloons at sunrise.
On the 11th there will be a flotilla of boats on the Thames between Tower Bridge and the Houses of Parliament, organised to mark the 400th anniversary of the return of the Mayflower.
On the 25th it's the The Doggett’s Coat and Badge Race, so head down to the Thames between London Bridge and Cadogan Pier in Chelsea just after lunch to see the action.
I hope you have a great month, and if you fancy subscribing you can enter your email address on my home page!
Heard in London