It’s really not that long until Chris and I get married. Everyone keeps saying that it’s ages away but it really isn’t. 11 months and counting. I still have so much to organise, but I’m absolutely loving the journey. I want to cherish every moment together, so with a year to go we decided to take a trip up The Shard and commemorate the start of the wedding countdown.
Chris had been desperate to take in the view from the Shard, whilst I wasn’t really that enamoured but I must say seeing it up close and personal, it’s a beaut. After two ascents in ear poppingly quick lifts, we arrived at the top. Grabbing a glass of champagne, picture taking began in earnest.
For a very busy attraction, it didn’t feel crowded thanks to staggered group timings. It’s quite a peaceful place, where you can take in the view of London to full effect.
We lucked out with a sunny-ish day, but it would be great to see at dusk when the lights of London appear. It’s definitely a picture perfect postcard view. Don’t miss a trip to the gift shop, there are some really original pieces on offer.
We decided to continue our London love affair taking in more scenic views and cheeky cocktail or two. Along the Southbank we slipped into Skylon, a destination bar and stylish restaurant where we could take in the River Thames.
I opted for a Raspberry and Lychee Bellini and Chris chose a Big Noise with gin, xta, luxardo maraschino shaken with lime, egg white, sugar and finished with a drop of absinthe. Now the cocktails aren’t cheap, but man they are good. Worth every penny.
Then because we were slightly peckish we ordered Pork, duck and cranberry sausage rolls with tomato and apple chutney and some Salt and Pepper Squid, followed by sourdough bread and hummus. Side note: the nuts are AWESOME! With this kind of place you can always ask for what you want, so next on the to-try list was a Whiskey Sour for my husband-to-be and a Lychee Martini for me.
Then after watching our fabulous barman Mattia create a cocktail for another couple that looked out of this world, we decided to have one of those too!
Cocktail theatre at work is very pleasing to watch! He won an award for this cocktail, here he is smoking chamomile under a cloche.
It tasted like toffee apples, super interesting and delicious! Mattia is moving to a speakeasy bar in Marylebone called Purl, which we might have to visit as his cocktail making skills are second to none!
One final cocktail, a Bond inspired Gin for Chris and another a Lychee creation for me (I love the lychee!) and we tottered off home with London floating softly in our minds. The perfect way to celebrate our upcoming nuptials.
Levanah
xoxo
