Barrett Brothers 02077221131 on Englands Lane is a classic. Top meat, fish and cheese all served fast, fresh and with a smile. You can even ask for cooking tips and get a useful reply. I can get a little crowded on the weekends, so provision your meals early if you can. But it is a neighborhood place, so it is also nice enough to chat with people in line.

Picks for kid food: chicken drumsticks, chicken and apricot sausages, pork ribs, lamb burgers

Mark you calendar: Nov 01 Day of the Dead events for kids at British Museum 11:00 to 16:00

I love going to the British Museum, but really hate crowded places full of lost tourists–which is a bit of dilemma when taking the kids over there.  A weekend visit to the BM will 100% be crowded (be most brave if it is raining). The place is also immense, so dragging little kids around can be unpleasant as well. Then again, the kids seem to enjoy it there. And of course it is an amazing place full of spectacular things to see.

The British Museum is a favorite for kids, avoid the crowds and keep the visit short

I was still pumped up for museums after my visit to the Neues Museum in Berlin earlier this week That place is amazing also.

Anyway, we tried to get to the British Museum early this Sunday when it opens every day at 10am,  but didn’t make it in the door until about 12:00. The good news was I found a sweet parking spot behind the Museum (Montague Place), where there is an entrance as well.

My 5-year old daughter had already been to the Museum with her class. She wanted to see the Rosetta Stone (room 4) again. The kids love the giant fragments from Egypt that impressively reign above the length of that hall. They were also very intrigued by the Assyrian Winged Lions (room 7 entrance). The Lion Hunt (room 10) though sort of scared them with the violent scenes of some many lions be slaughtered.  Niether of the kids liked the Elgin Marbles (room 18)–but both did enjoy screaming really loudly in that long room.

We decided to check-out an afternoon special session for kids for Medieval Dancing. There was live music and a dance instructor shepherding the kids (and a few parents) into some athletic steps.  It was good fun for 20 minutes or so.  There is also a digital learning center sponsored by Samsung. The map further advises that the Paul Hamlyn Library (next to Room 2) has daily kids events and resources. There are also “hands-on” exhibitions for kids in rooms 1,2,24,33,49,68 from 11:00 to 16:00 daily. I guess ask the docents also if you can’t find anything.

I would say to avoid the Egyptian Galleries with kids on the weekends. It is way too crowded. Some of the mummies are also a bit creepy for kids. There are many other less trafficked areas — such as the Sainsbury African Collection (room 25) which is a bit hard to find (even though it is really in the center of the Museum).  Look for the steps down near the Easter Island Hoa Hakananai’a statue.

Guidebook: Masterpieces of the British Museum –> Cheaper at Amazon then at BM entrance to the BM is free–but watch for over-priced stuff once inside.

Tip:  Bring your own water, snacks and don’t plan to eat at the Museum.

Tip:  The Museum is really enormous–don’t stay too long or your kids will get tired/bored/OOC (out-of-control). Pick a few items in advance and get in/get out.

Tip: Avoid the book shop — there is tons of junky stuff that will send a tired kid into a meltdown (when you don’t buy any junk for them)

Upcoming Event on Nov 01 that looks fun for kids -- Day of the Dead

Medieval Dancing, part of a selection of family events on offer

Winged Lions are cool (Lion Hunts are scary)

Not so crowded African Collection with lots of things to make the kids go "oooo"

I thought the 2nd piece AfterLight was the most exciting. The dancer seemed to swimming/floating in a magical container of light.  From the program:

Using Vaslav Nijinksy’s geometric drawings and paintings as a starting point, Russell Maliphant will create a brand new solo entitled AfterLight. Featuring Daniel Proietto [from Argentina] from the Russell Maliphant Company, lighting and sound design is from regular Maliphant collaborators Michael Hulls and Andy Cowton. The work has been developed in collaboration with designer Es Devlin and animation company onedotzero industries.

There always seems to be something interesting at Sadler’s Wells. They also have other venues in London.  I think Jump at the Peacock Theater from 3-21 November and Cirkus Cirkor 14-31 October both looks sort of kid friendly.

After the show we walked over to Moro Restaurant getting there about 10:15pm.  Moro is in the middle of Exmouth Market where there seem to be several other interesting restaurants to check-out as well.  The food, service and ambiance at Moro are top–no wonder it won the Observer best UK restuarant award.  By the time we sat down, the kitchen was out of fish :0 .  Between the four of us we had a good sample of the menu. The pork dish(Wood roasted pork with patatas pobres and churrasco sauce £18.50)  was prepared well, I would say a little strong on the garlic–and I love garlic. But the meat was tender and juicy. I had the lamb (Charcoal grilled lamb with slow cooked leeks in yoghurt and hot mint sauce £18.50) which was delicious. It was served with lentils and wood-roasted aurbergine and onions.   I think I had the best starter — Cecina with beetroot and almond and sherry vinegar sauce £8.50 . Although the Girolle mushroom and prawn arroz with alioli £8.50 was very tasty as well.

For deserts:  Yoghurt cake with pistachios and pomegranates £5.50 and Chocolate and apricot tart £5.50 . Not a crumb was left on either plate.

Moro very kindly shares information on their suppliers in case you want to stock up on ingredients or wines. Where do I get a wood-burning oven?

Moro has a recent cookbook out Moro East which looks like a great way to fill your flat and belly with the smells and tastes of something good.

above: best thing, hang-out at the pool!

Well, the best thing to do for sure is hang-out at the pool and enjoy the day. But we all have such busy lives these days, I guess we feel that we need to do something each day. I suppose to relax too much can’t be a good thing either??

Prices seem to be way too high in South of France this year. Watch out as it seems that fewer tourists mean more effort to get more money from you.  Especially, watch the “farmer’s” markets, they  farming you mainly.  Good produce and local items at the Marche U.

Anyway, we had a great time down in St. Jeannet in mid-July and I wanted to share a few ideas on things to do–

For Kids:

• Marineland, see the whales and go to Aquasplash. You really need to go early.
• Beach at Eze is a nice locals beach, low-key and easy enough to park.
• Boat trip some options at Nice Harbour, Juan Les Pins, St. Laurent du Var port
• Poney rides up in the Col de Vence, there are two places as you wind up the road passed the Domain St. Martin. 2nd place has a longer trail and farm animals.
• Buy lots of craft stuff at Mr. Bricolage in Vence
• Hike the Baous–St. Jeannet or La Gaude from the village of St Jeannet. For the more adventurous you can also hire serious climbing guides from the pizza place in St. Jeannet

For Art Lovers

• Maeght Foundation is absolute must. Great Miro exhibit on now.
• Matisse Chapelle is absolute must.
• Chagall Museum in Nice is spectacular collection from this mighty creator.
• 2 Picasso museums one in Vallurius other in Antibe. Tiny Chapel with Paix and Guerre is incredible.
• Modern Art Museum in Nice, Leger (near Marineland)
• Avoid: Biot glass blowing tourist trap, main street in St. Paul art shops (they cater to cruise ships these days)

Others–

• Music Festivals at Juan Les Pin, Vence Nuit du Sud. Although it really seems that this year a lot of the normal music festivals are running shorter schedules.
• Visit the beach at St. Tropez
• Mountain Hiking at St Martin de Vesubie and the Alpha Wolves exhibit (kids)
• Good beaches: Nice, Juan Les Pin  Avoid: St. Laurent du Var water is not clean

Eating–

• We dont’ eat out too much these days, but when we do, in Vence Les Templiers. Chef is a genius.

I probably missed a whole bunch of other stuff…but that list will keep you busy.

If you go now, you will catch the end of the spring flowers and start to see the opening of the rose blooms. By early June, I guess?, the roses will be a flowing, flowering blanket of bright colors, bees and scents. It is really something not to be missed here in London. For sure, the english roses are among the greatest in the world.

Kids will love to run around the open spaces. There are many fountains, meandering paths and more than a few ducks. Why do kids love ducks so much? And yes, there are a few playgrounds to let them loose at. You should also bring a ball and some picnic-able stuff. You will be in close distant to the London Zoo as well.

We enjoyed a bottle of the Colin with Michelle and David this weekend.

It is great to try an independent producers wine. For more info about the wine and how to order if you want to keep your stock flowing this summer, check their new website here. Btw, I ordered the wine and get the shipment the next day even!

I like their teaser about champagne on the homepage: Champagne is not just a wine, it is a feast for the senses.

The first of the big horse races here in the UK is happening this weekend–the Grand National. The race goes off at 16:00 on the 4th of April. It is 4 miles and 4 furlongs of mayhem and racing excitment. Watch as the riders and maximum 40 horses try to make it through this incredibly difficult course. Won might win it this year?

Check out my google map of the grueling course below and you can see why this races knocks out some many riders and horses. Ok, so the race is not in London, but you can watch it any pub anywhere in London.

I am still not over the 2007 race–where I had the sure winner way out ahead of the field…who then fell on the 2nd to last fence. Silverbirch won at 33/1! Best of course the greatest and hometown hero is the legendary Redrum.

Aintree Steeplechase Course–Watch the brave and bold at 1600 on 4th April Grand National live from Liverpool

View Larger Map

Michal won spot in the gallery via the web contest that was run last year. It is a great program to help give talented artist some primo exposure. Saatchi is even generous enough to sell her piece without a commission.

The rest of the gallery has a lot to see as well ;0 .  There is currently a theme about artist from the middle east.  Kader Attia’s room with the praying figures made out of tin foil is really impressive.  To me is was a statement about the emptiness of prayer–but one might see other things in it. The sculpting of the foil is sublime (even if you half expect to see a potato inside).

I also like the “Hidden Victims” blurry piece by Halim Al-Karim down on the main floor. The images in this gallery can make one a little queasy as they flow in and out of focus. Some are very special lambda prints which is a stunning print process for digital work.

I also thought the oils by Ali Banisadr and especially his Land Of Black Gold was great stuff. The show runs through May 9, 2009.

Also check out the Saatchi website which has a lot of neato social media things on it..

We got off to a bad start actually. The first room had an art piece that was on the floor. Yeah, my son went straight for it like it was made out of cookie dough. Immediately I was admonished by the gallery monitor to “get the child off the installation as a matter of urgency.” Frankly it was made of rubber and was on the floor–so what did they expect? Or maybe my experience with whisking my kid off the soft foamy surface was part of the statement of this piece of art?

There is plenty of stuff to attract little hands and curious minds. The prostitutes of Tehran was intriguing.  And yes, the crocheted codpiece was immediately eye-catching. The giant bed was perhaps the most entertaining area for adults to see little kids wandering around within. The most popular was the old geezers in the auto-pilot wheelchairs. That is a great thing to see really.

So as far as art galleries go–it is an ok place to drag kids, but really they had more fun at the old reliable primrose hill playground. There were more than few delicate/dangerous things to grab/break so you will need to keep the kids in hand tighly. But, it was nice enough for us to get out though and see a few things in the art gallery (more about the Saatchi for adults here). And it is free entry…

yes, still playing around with the iphone camera–and yes it is still not that great a camera, but it geo tags and sends over the 3G (when I can get it). Photo of the Kite Flying was shot with the iphone and then processed with the polarize free iphone app. The original photo is a lot sharper, but the scrawl title is kinda cool. Anyway, it was a nice day out on the heath even if it was cold still when the sun got in behind the clouds. We certainly had the fleeting idea that winter was over finally.

Blanket with water-proof underside is very useful. A quick stop at M&S was great, but actually really expensive. Better to hit the Budgens on Haverstock Hill (near tube station) to load up on food/drinks.

The kids also really loved running around with the kite. Could be a good call to have one of those in the car boot for the sunny/windy day.  Example of good single line kites for kids here.
Earlier this week I shot this spring, pre-flowering shot of the magnolia trees down on Belsize Avenue below:

Hamstead Heath Playground