Adventures in Dulwich and Beyond!

"Life is always either a tightrope or a feather bed.

Give me the tightrope.”

Edith Wharton

Yesterday, I decided to go out and explore a new part of this big city of London.

When researching dishes for our new apartment, I'd found an Australian brand, Maxwell & Williams, online, but wanted to see what they looked and felt like up close and in hand. So, I researched London-based sellers and came upon a shop that intrigued me: Roullier & White, which is not only a kitchen supply shop but also a sort of general store for anything but general items.

The shop carries small, obscure brands that either you or your mother would recognize, especially among its scents and toiletry items: Rigaud candles, scents by Demeter, 4711, Juliette Has a Gun, plus soaps and R&W's own line of home scents, candles and toiletries. There are even some clothing and jewelry items to add to the surprises that await the visitor. I had a great time exploring this little shop. If you can, do visit. If you cannot, you might want to check their blog.


Copyright: roullierwhite.blogspot.com

Copyright: www.dipity.com

As if the trek to Roullier & White was not enough, I got off the bus at Elephant & Castle and walked around the shopping centre located there. While there's nothing remarkable about the shopping centre's shops, its lively energy was. The place was jam-packed with people shopping, strolling the stalls both in and around the centre, selling and buying cheap electronics, clothing items and so on.  At midday, this struck me as unusual -- no one appeared to be at work, but busy looking and possibly spending -- perhaps this is the local social scene?  I'd have to return to learn more.
Since my arrival 2-plus weeks ago, I've been busy house-hunting, while living in a hotel room with my husband.  It goes without saying that getting out the door has been an essential part of each day.  Despite the weather (which has been cold and rainy for the most part), I've been lured out.  There have been plenty of opportunities to see new and unusual exhibits.  I could do this every day, if I had the energy and inclination.  Over the last week, I've seen:  Damien Hirst's diamond-studded skull from 2007 at the Tate Modern; the Hermes Leather Forever exhibit (twice, actually!) at the Royal Academy, I've walked past Shakespeare's Globe Theatre 3 times, heard Big Ben chime the hour once -- I'm not at the point where I take this for granted -- tried scents at Jo Malone's and Penhaligon's shops on Brook Street in Mayfair.  What a fun time, spent sniffing and having shop girls offering me scents to try!  When I left, I had been spritzed on both wrists and forearms, and was very happy to say that I'm still undecided.  Oh well...!