The welovelocal Blog

Summer is officially over (like it ever began!?!), but we love autumn and think it’s about time to make the most of a great season.

It’s the autumn equinox today, which means summer is officially over. Yes, we know, it didn’t really get started did it? We love autumn though. Seriously. We absolutely LOVE IT.

For starters, there’s less expectation on autumn than summer. It never promises so much, which means we’re less crushed by disappointment when it doesn’t deliver. When it does deliver, though, everything just feels right with the world.

Waking up to a sunny day with a fresh breeze is one of the greatest feelings in the world. There’s something about the autumnal light that makes everything look a little magical. There’s also the wonderful feeling of being cosy under a big coat with a slight chill hitting the face. Throw in a few trees showing the red, yellow and brown of its changing leaves and you might as well be in heaven. It really doesn’t get much better than that.

Seeing as the greatest season in the world is upon us, we thought we’d highlight a few activities that will help you make the most of the coming months. For us, there isn’t a better time to get out and about than now – it’s getting darker and the days are getting shorter, so get out there while you can.

OK, so boating is an activity you’d ordinarily associate with the summer. Unless you’re particularly inept and frequently go for unplanned swims when you’re lolling about on a lake, we think that autumn is the best time to hit the park pond. Think about it! You’re in a wide green space, the scenery’s great, the local hoodlums aren’t throwing eggs at you because they’re hot and bothered. What’s not to like? If you’re in Cardiff, a visit to Roath Park could be for you.

For some of you, the extra nip in the air may be a little too much. Worry not ye folk of delicate dispositions! How about getting in the car and heading to one of the UK’s fab safari parks. You get it all – animals, scenery and the car heating cranked to bikram yoga proportions. Result! We can’t say for certain that these locals enjoyed it in the autumn, but Woburn Safari Park has been a big hit.

Mark Twain called it ‘a good walk spoiled’, but welovelocal calls the game of golf ‘a fantastic way to see the changing seasons providing you can keep a lid on your frustrations as the ball shanks into the lake for the fifth time’. Granted, it isn’t as punchy as Twain’s phrase, but we’ll work on it. Are you in the Reading area? What about Mappledurham Golf & Health Club. Folk love it.

So we’ve had a boat, we’ve mentioned a walk, we’ve also appealed to the petrol heads amongst you. While it isn’t exactly planes, trains and automobiles, the next on our list is pedal power. If you don’t own two wheels with reliable brakes, what about hiring a trusty steed and hitting the road? There isn’t a better way to see London, that’s for sure, so why don’t you take a short stroll to Go Pedal before dodging renegade taxi drivers around the capital. Do it!

Any more suggestions for us? What do you like about the autumn, and where do you go when it’s a heavenly day? Let us know…

London fashion week hits the capital, so we thought we’d tell you where the big designers go when they love local.

It’s upon us again, isn’t it? London plays host to fashion week, and with it celebrating 25 years of British fashion, this year is set to be best year ever.

Britain has always been innovative in the fashion industry and it’s here that designers unveil their collections to a select industry audience who visit the capital from around the globe.

Let’s be honest, not many of us will be attending the shows, so we thought we’d celebrate this wonderful fashion-fest by letting you know where some of Fashion Week’s featured designers shop.

British designer and ex Vogue journalist, Luella Bartley, who studied at Saint Martins College before launching her eponymous fashion label, had this to say about Rough Trade Records in Notting Hill:

“I love it here because it’s like an educational experience - you always learn something. After a quick chat I get an idea for the collection…”

Henry Holland of House of Holland, who made headlines with his wordplay T-shirts that both celebrate and poke fun at the fashion crowd, absolutely loves The Button Queen in Marylebone.
“It’s an amazing store. Whenever I visit, I feel like I’m on the film set of Mary Poppins or Harry Potter.”

London’s rightly got a reputation as a hotbed for emerging design talent. Erdem is a great example. After the Canadian-born designer studied at the Royal College of Art, he set up his own successful label. Celebrated for his unique take on elegant prints and color, he is one of fashion’s big rising stars.

“Harvey Nichols is a great store”, he says. “It’s always supportive of young talent, which makes the shop floor mix inspiring. I particularly love the menswear department and I never leave without visiting the Fifth Floor food hall.”

From a newcomer to an old hand. Vivienne Westwood has been a groundbreaking force for years now and her Red Label fashion is up there with the best of her work. If she needs to nip out and pick the best vegetables, however, there’s only one place to go: Chelsea Farmers Market.

“It has the most delicious, locally produced, organic food”, she says enthusiastically.

London Fashion Week, of course, starts this Friday (18 September). If we’ve inspired you enough to take a peak, we’d recommend having a look at the fash-pack’s closes guarded secrets – London Fashion Weekend. Check out Somerset House and 180, The Strand, London, from 24-27 September.

And remember what a wise man* once said:

“Dress cute wherever you go, life is too short to blend in.”

*OK, so ‘wise man’ is wide of the mark on a few fronts. It was Paris Hilton.

Football this, rugby that… are you sick of the new sports season already? Is it time to reclaim sports stadia for different uses?

We’ve only had a few weeks of the new football season and already it seems like it’s been grinding on for decades. Don’t get us wrong, we don’t mind a bit of footie or rugby, but sometimes it’s nice to not be bombarded by it. There is, after all, plenty of other things going on in your local area.

So this week, and like Graeme Swann skilfully did in the Ashes, we thought we’d spin the sports theme a little (see what we did there? *groan*). Plenty of you have written reviews of your favourite sports arenas, but we thought it would be nice to highlight those with alternative uses, too. Y’know the places where you can ‘SHOUT ABOUT THE REFEREE’S DUBIOUS PARENTAGE!!!’, and then take in something completely different at the same venue a few weeks later.

Call it a sports blog for those who aren’t particularly interested in sports, if you will. We’re not going to lie, it took us a bit of fine tooth-combing to come up with some of your faves, so we’d appreciate your help if you can think of any more (bung us a comment below).

So what have we got for you? Read on…

The Millennium Stadium, Cardiff.

The home of Welsh rugby is an intense cauldron of nationalistic fervour when the men in red hit the field. A great atmosphere is guaranteed at a sports event, but if you’re not too keen on hearing ‘The Men Of Harlech’, how about a few songs belted out by some of the world’s biggest acts when they swing through the Welsh capital city. I don’t mind revealing too much about my age here, but I saw Dire Straits with my Dad when the Millennium Stadium was called The Arms Park (it was amazing), and I saw U2 here a few weeks ago (it was OK). When the Monster Trucks roll through town, they’ll also stop here to mash up a few cars and generally bring the ruckus to Cardiff.

Steve M from Cathays reels off a list of the things he’s seen, and is of the opinion that there’s nowhere better: “This stadium is far and away the best I’ve ever seen. For ease of access, seating, acoustics, lighting and atmosphere, there really isn’t anywhere else like it!”

Twickenham Stadium, Richmond.

Across the Severn and down the M4 lies English rugby’s home: fortress Twickenham. Like the Millennium Stadium, it’s an intimidating place to play (if you’re not wearing a white shirt), but the atmosphere is second to none. OK, so it’s a little more genteel than its Welsh counterpart, but Twickers loses nothing in its intensity of feeling.

What Twickenham is less well-known for is its brilliant capacity to host some of the biggest gigs in the UK. REM, The Eagles and Iron Maiden have all filled this hallowed space.  Most of you prefer Twickenham as a rugby venue though (Bah! You traditionalists!).

“With a capacity of 80K the noise is superb”, says a slightly more deaf Adrian M from Willard.

Planet Ice Arena/Skydome, Coventry

For something completely different, how about the Skydome/Planet Ice Arena in Coventry? On the weekends and occasional weekday evenings you’ll be able to see The Blaze not give a puck as they smash up their opposition during a fast’n’furious game of ice hockey.

Far more relaxing, however, is donning a pair of skates yourself and gliding around the ice to some soothing music. Banish the memories of grizzled men beating each other with sticks by taking a partner and getting all romantic about it. All together now… Aaaaaaaah!

“Apart from falling over, everything about this place is just fantastic”, says Craig from Coventry. We couldn’t agree more.

So come on, we’ve started the ball rolling… suggestions please!

The image is by KTDEE on Flickr

Close to the heart of a real foodie lies a favourite delicatessen. We pick out some of your favourites.

A great deli offers a true assault on the senses. It tantalises the taste buds with the promise of wonderful foods, it ambushes the nostrils with exotic smells and wows the eyes with shelves stacked to the rafters with the weird and wonderful. Coupled with knowledgeable staff (remember them?) and great customer service, a deli is a place that could comfortably give your bank manager sleepless nights. Us Brits have been blessed with great delis for some time now, so we thought we’d pick out a few of our favourites.

Peckham’s, Edinburgh

This proudly Scottish establishment will keep its doors open until midnight to make sure you can get your hands on the best food and drink. Priding themselves on sourcing quality ingredients and selling tasty food, they’ve been building a solid fanbase north of the border for over twenty five years. Alisa from Edinburgh is one of their enthusiasts: “A fantastic little deli with a cafe. The range of exquisite delights you can find is amazing.”

Wally’s Delicatessen, Cardiff

Wally’s is an institution in Wales’s capital city and has been sitting pretty in the Royal Arcade for almost fifty years. If the smells don’t grab you, the selection of Italian, French and Spanish cheeses, hams and salami will. If that doesn’t grab you, the Greek olives and Eastern European delights will. If that doesn’t grab you… well… erm… we’d guess you’re lying six foot below ground level. Ed J from Roath certainly isn’t lying motionless: “since growing up and becoming a bit of a pretentious foodie, I love wallys more than anything”

Rosie’s Deli Café, Brixton

It may be a fairly new arrival on the Deli scene, but Rosie’s has quickly gained a committed following south of the river.  It dwells at the heart of Brixton’s covered market among the area’s usual food fare. Rosie’s, however, brings a distinctly 50s British approach to proceedings with its impeccable food selection and wonderful attention to detail. Sarah from Brixton is a committed fan.
Presentation is everything in this shop and if you order takeaway sandwiches they come wrapped in grease-proof paper, tied with string and fastened with pretty Rosie’s stickers

Kendall’s Of Earlsdon, Coventry

The Independent newspaper is of the opinion that Kendall’s is among the best deli Britain has. We wouldn’t disagree, and neither would you by the sounds of it. Family run, and proud winners of the Godiva Award for shopping experience, Kendall’s is staffed by sweethearts and stocked with goodies. Helen from Cov loves it: “Good place to get lunch and then spend a stack on things you never knew you wanted”

Lina Stores, Brewer Street

Step in to Lina’s and you step in to an Italian-made piece of foodie heaven. Its wonderful old-fashioned exterior leads to the most amazing selection of traditional Italian basics and some of the greatest fresh pasta this side of the Mediterranean. Throw some amazing breads into the mix and you’ve got a real delight at the heart of London. Robin from Kenington has been a convert for quite some time:
“Their fresh ravioli is amazing, especially the pumpkin one. It’s instant dinner party material - boil for 4 minutes and serve with butter and some of the fresh sage they sell.”
Robin, Kennington

So what have we missed? Drop us a line below and tell us…

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