Category Archives: If I were in London right now

All you single cyclists. Now put your helmets on.

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Yes, you. Single cyclists of London. Put your helmets on, get on your bikes and of you go to SPIN London – the Urban Cycling Show – where my tall and Dutch friend Marge organises speed dating.

“But I’m not going on a speed-date…it’s lame.” Wrong! Change your attitude and try before you die. You’re gonna love it. Cause this ain’t just speed dating. It’s Cycle Speed Dating. For singletons who madly love their bikes but would love someone less cold and steel in their lives, too. Cyclists that only once per month manage to pull out a Boris Bike are cyclists too, so if you’re one of those and single and this sounds appealing to you? What are you waiting for.

Marge organises Cycle Speed Date events since 2013 and she does that with so much love and joy, that I can promise you with a hand on my heart it will be an evening you’ll never forget. Expect a warm and fun atmosphere. Expect likeminded people who, just like you, wish it was as safe to cycle in London as it is to cycle in Amsterdam (if you’re shy, use that as an opening: “Have you ever cycled in Amsterdam?” Or if rather come across as someone more in-depth: “Let me ask you this: how can we make London as safe for cyclists as Amsterdam?”). Usually the Cycle Speed Dating events take place at Look mum no hands! on Mare Street, but sometimes Marge pops up elsewhere in town. Par example; this weekend. This weekend – beginning on Friday the 8th of May – you’ll not only have the chance to do some serious bike-shopping, but also to join Marge at SPIN London. If you’ve never been on a speed-date before, this might be the moment… I can feel it.

You may find the bike of your life. Or the love of your life. And if you’re extra I-am-a-Sunday-kid lucky you may find the bike as well as the love of your life (not necessarily in that order).

As a singleton, yes I know exactly where I’d go if I were in London this weekend…

Cycle Speed Dating is coming to a town near you this Summer...

Cycle Speed Dating is coming to a town near you this Summer…

Cycle Speed Dating sessions:
Friday, May the 8th @ 8pm
Saturday, May the 9th @ 4pm

Click exactly here for more info on this week’s speeddating, signing up and tickets.

And to follow Cycle Speed Dating on social media and be up to date with future events, follow this link and this one.
Cycle Speed Dating events are coming to a town near you, this Summer!

Passing by

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Dreaming of glass

Look at this.

Glass.

Most of you would have passed by a junkyard filled with glass like this. My radar, however, starts beeping out of control. My head explodes. My camera takes a thousand pictures. One of my favourite hidden gems in London.

On my toes, peeking over the wall.
Piled up
Blue is the colour

I’ve passed this little glass-collection – on the corner of Middleton Road and Haggerston Road – many a time when I was in London. Every time my heart pumps faster. Skipping beats. As though in love. It’s a combination of the colours and structures of the glass and the abandoned atmosphere of scenery. The few little flowers breaking through the concrete walls. The note on the door. The owner never reached.

Just gorgeous.

I can spend a whole hour watching, peeking over the wall. Always.
Incomprehensible to you, maybe. I understand that.
It’s probably just glass for you. Just someone who forgot he ran a business. Just what looks like glass bathtubs.
Nothing special.

Look!
Howdy..?
I tried…
No matter how rough the circumstances.

I think it’s mesmerizing. Not damaged goods. And I won’t stop looking at it. Until the owner sells the place.
I hope Haggerston – or whatever London council the glass garden belongs to – can see the value of this beautiful spot.
Preserve it. For the greater good and the dreamers’ hearts! I know I would…

Can’t get enough of this…
Camera through the gate
Mesmerizing corner in London

 

[ these pictures are all mine! using or sharing? great! please do contact me beforehand ]

Something old, something new

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A New Year. Like any proper New Year, 2015 demands some changes from me. Or better, I decided on some changes… have you noticed the two new pages I added to my blog? Starting 2015 I’ve decided to make life a bit more logic and easy for myself. I’m determined to continue writing this blog and developing my own little business, but I can use a bit more focus and funnelling instead of drifting. And here’s my first step.

If I were in London right now
You could say London is a project of mine. Or at least, writing about it. It’s a place on the planet that stole my heart and after having lived there in 2011 I started my first blog If I were in London right now, sharing my favourite places and hidden gems.

As of January 2015 If I were in London right now will be part of Tessie’s Projects. It makes sense to me. I love writing, I love going to London as often as I can. But right now, writing and maintaining two separate blogs is not what my body and mind need. The old blog will keep on existing. However, when I feel the urge to share some London-related stuff I will do so at Tessie’s Projects. It will be neatly categorised under If I were in London right now.

Expat meet Local
Moving on to the other new page. A page that might be interesting for you if you a) live in The Netherlands, b) are a local Dutchy living in The Netherlands who likes to meet other people or c) are an expat living in The Netherlands who likes to meet other (Dutch) people.

Expat meet Local was set up by me in June 2014. You may have guessed: it’s my intention to bring expats and locals together by organising little events. During Summer these events may be picnics, in Winter we go indoors. No sane Dutch person picnics during Winter.
Expats hang out with expats, locals hang out with locals. When you’re an expat you seek like-minded souls, when you’re a local you may just love your life as it is. Being a dreamer, I dreamed of changing this… wouldn’t it be just great to meet people with different backgrounds, from other countries and cultures? Then, from dreaming I moved on to realisation!
In 2015 I will continue bringing expats and locals together by organising little meet-ups. Knowing that people go home after an event with a new friend or squash-buddy, having learned and tasted something new. It brightens up my life. Simple as that!

So all you expats and Dutchies, all people dreaming of moving to The Netherlands or wanting to meet new (Dutch) people? Have a look at the new page for more information on Expat meet Local and be welcome to join us at our New Years reception Sunday the 11th of January.

Proost! E-flyer

 

Yes, a New Year. I hope you all will have a good one! And remember; most of the time you yourself can make your year as good as you want it to be. It’s in your hands, you are in charge. Most of the time…that is.