Katie Adams' London Skyline Ceramics

Fancy London on a plate? Katie Adams can give it to you! Her beautiful tableware captures the charm of London's favourite architectural icons. Hand thrown and hand painted by Katie they add an extra thrill to the every day, and bring a little bit of London straight to your table.

To find out more about Katie and her work, go to www.katieadamsceramics.com.

Katie will be taking part in Cockpit Arts' open studios from November 27-29, at Cockpit Arts, Cockpit Yard, Northington St, London, WC1N 2NP.

London Cycling Gets Hairy!

We all know cycling in London can be hairy, but this syrup* takes it to a new level! Or maybe it was just Jamie Afro's fans out celebrating!

* Syrup of Figs = Wigs

Earls Court Bike Show

Today Molly and Bert visited the Bike Show at Earls Court. We had so much fun! The place was packed with every kind of bike and cycle nut (in the nicest possible way). The mayor's plans for London cycling are very exciting - we got to try out the prototype of the new London Rental Bikes today. Not the most elegant ride, but such a great idea, we can't wait for it to happen. And as for the cycling 'super-highways', all we can say is 'about time'!
We were only there for three hours, but really squeezed our money's worth out of it, trialing all kinds of two wheeled rides from sit-up-and-begs to single gears via full on mountain bikes. We watched all manner of daredevils hopping, spinning and generally wowing us mere mortals with their biking control, and spoke to X number of experts about what's best for a city ride. All in all a top day out for Molly and Berts!

A Lovely Cup of Tea: How to Make the Perfect Cuppa

Well, the nights are closing in, the rain is hitting the window and the leaves are falling. It's time to cosy up with a lovely cup of tea and preferably some carb and sugar laden treats. If they're dunkable, so much the better!

Personally I'd go for builders tea, made in a pot. Traditionally, first 'scald' the pot by adding boiling water and allowing it to pre-heat the pot (china, porcelain or earthenware) and pouring it out again. Then add good quality tea leaves, one tea spoon per person plus 'one for the pot'. You can use tea bags if you like, but make sure you allow the water to circulate within the pot. Finally top up with freshly boiled water, cover with a tea cosy and allow to brew. When tea reaches preferred strength, pour into bone china cups or mugs and finish with milk and sugar as required. Accompaniments vary from cake and biccies to my own favourite - sultana scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam.

Everyone has their own likes and dislikes when it comes to tea, but it's worth getting it right. Always use boiling hot water, and always pour the tea before the milk. Oh, and enjoy!

For a really nice cuppa, check out our bone china mugs - choose from Cockney Rhymes, Rosie Lee and Love London. Or, if you're feeling rebellious try Sticky Toffee (cockney rhyming slang for coffee)!

For a yummy scone recipe, try Domestic Sluttery Blogsite.

For more about tea and it's history visit www.teaandcoffeemuseum.co.uk, website of the Bramah Museum of Tea and Coffee.

Not Many Left

You don't see green grocers like this every day. This shop has been on Goldborne Road for over 70 years, (and so have most of the staff)! It's been run by the Price family for all that time. It's an amazing building and decorated with carved coconuts. These photos were taken at closing up time - it's normally heaving with fruit and veg! I buy my bananas here when nipping down for a Shawarma from Balbaak. Goldborne Road is one of my favourite spots in London, full to bursting with second hand furniture shops, shawarma houses and interesting stuff. Prices is like a window into another time. If you're in the area, buy an apple or some grapes and put your shekels to good use!

Spilt Milk

Not sure who lost their bottle, but there really is no use crying over it!

Wigging Out!

Though it looks like an abandoned building, I believe this place is for real - discretely making wigs for the entertainment industry and private clients.

It's now the 'last man standing' in the block as the buildings on either side have been torn down to make way for who knows what.

I used to wonder if it was one of the infamous 'front' buildings that covered for MI5 as I never, ever see anyone going in or out, and the whole shop front is so completely covered in thick dust and cobwebs that it looks like something out of a set for a kids' Disney movie.

Either way it's a classic bit of London oddness and tickles my fancy every time I cycle past!

London's Best Front Gardener?

OK, so ready yourself for some serious vegetable envy. In answer to those that think a small London garden is no place for a vegetable, I took these pictures of the lushest, most productive front garden I've ever seen. The front gardener had squashes climbing two stories of their house, chilli plants as big as a (rather large) small child, rows of aubergine plants, laden tomato plants, and a big patch of something purplish that I couldn't even recognise. I only wish I could have seen the back garden.

I myself grow vegetables front and back, and have noticed more and more productive gardens as I cycle round London, but this one wins the prize (not that there is a prize, but if there was, they'd get it)!

If you have a front or back garden, a balcony or even a window sill, you can enjoy the thrill, taste and nutrition of home grown herbs, salads, fruit or veg. For courses on 'urban farming' have a look at london.floodlight.co.uk

Follow the exploits of one such gardener at londonvegetablegarden.blogspot.com

If you don't even have a windowsill, or your growing ambitions are bigger than your garden can manage, an allotment might be for you. For more information try www.londonallotments.net

The Moody Thames

Today I had the pleasure of cycling over Waterloo Bridge for the first time. It took my breath away. The river surprised me with its ozone smell - I normally associate that scent with the sea, but here it was, right at the heart of London. The sun was bright, but the wind strong too, and the light was powerful on the river, glinting off the London Eye, the glass buildings, and of course the water. Looking up and down the river (I had to cross to either side of the road to get the full effect) I had the sense of just how important the river had been to London's life over the years. Watching the river traffic it struck me how the Thames was London's first super highway, and the river itself coursed with the life of the city. Without it, would there even be a London?

Queen's Park Day

Had a lovely time at Queen's Park Day yesterday - it just gets bigger and bigger, but still very charming. Highlight for me, apart from homemade cake and the obligatory jerk chicken, was this cool artwork by Art Loop. They had two massive canvasses and painted around the silhouette of members of the interested public. Apparently quite a few people wanted to commission them for their homes.
Unfortunately (if somewhat refreshingly in these days of constant self-promotion) no-one at the stand had any cards or leaflets, nor could they remember their web address, so try as I might I've been unable to provide a link. Sorry both to Art Loop and anyone who wanted to see more of their work.

Not your usual Carnival Picture

Better late than never! This is my top pic from last month's Carnival. This kid's odd behaviour caught my eye, and I didn't realise he was picking someone's pocket 'til later.

Dicken's London it ain't, but even Notting Hill's got its share of opportunistic tea leafs. Not sure he was as charming as the Artful Dodger we think we know and love! A timely reminder to keep an eye on your stuff at all times.

Welcome to Molly and Berts: Let me introduce myself

I'm one half of the husband and wife design team behind Molly and Berts. Our products celebrate London in all its crazy glory, from cockney rhyming slang to historical figures, all with our own tongue-in-cheek twist.

I've wanted to start this blog for so long - I'm delighted it's happening at last. I see things in London every day that I want to share, so expect all kinds of quirkiness - photos of things that catch my eye, news of happenings in London, links to interesting London related stuff, and of course news from Molly and Berts.

Please help me out, and add any comments, ideas, London stories and pictures. We love your feedback, so let us know what you think!