Give me paella! A bimble around Portobello Market
Oh we’re having such a fun time at English Grandma’s. I’m slightly worried, though, because I’ve done nothing but eat so far – they might have to roll me into the cargo section of the aircraft to get me home…
On Saturday, while the newly-hatched teenager was trying to mangle himself at Bay Sixty6, we decided to head off into the local area and walk around a bit (four hours watching your child trying to snap off their limbs is not an enticing prospect, believe me). Having absolutely no knowledge of London, we were just going to bimble around and people-watch (the houses in that area are amazing – the one I liked in the Estate Agent’s window was a snip at 1.3 mil).
Happily, though, our bimbling led us straight into Portobello Road, and the market, which was in full swing:
I couldn’t believe it and hopped around like a lunatic while English Dad sort of looked like he wasn’t really with me. ’It’s like Notting Hill!’ I said.
‘It is bloody Notting Hill’, the embarrassed one muttered.
I meant the movie, but anyhoo, we set off to check out the stalls, with me grinning like a loon and English Dad looking a bit perplexed. On a Saturday, the market is over a mile long, with bits spreading out under the Westway and in all directions – we marvelled at the fabulous fresh fruit and veg stalls:
…the piles of gorgeously fragrant freshly-baked bread:
…and all manner of really entrepreneurial stalls – I especially liked the lovely lady that makes and sells cute little knickers and tops (I wasn’t allowed to linger there, hence the lack of photo) and these fabulous wooden spoons and things:
Oh and the fooood! We’d had breakfast, which was a mistake, as everything looked so delicious… the jerk chicken stands, the huge pans of paella bubbling away:
Oh and we saw the Hummingbird Bakery! (wasn’t allowed in there either) and on Saturdays there’s an amazing antiques market, where I tried really hard not to buy any fabulous old enamel ware or ancient silver fish slices, for fear of busting my Ryanair allowance on the way back.
It’s such a fab place, though. Highly recommended.
Now how does that song go? ‘Roll me on home…’
14 Responses to “Give me paella! A bimble around Portobello Market”
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TheGlutton says:
Oh wow! Looks brilliant. I really really need to go to London at some point this summer and have a good old wander around. I love markets for mooching around. Might leave the man and boy somehere though so there are no witnesses to any piggery than might ensue 
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English Mum says:
Oh my goodness, go early and with an empty stomach!! Actually, I think Saturday is the busiest day and even then it wasn’t unbearable. Really, really lovely x
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mammyskitchen says:
Looks amazing. Men just don’t *get* it do they?!-
They really don’t! Although I noticed he was quite interested in the stinkier stalls, like the cheese ones!
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Yep, mine is always interested in the cheese stalls too for some reason…
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Must be cause it reminds them of their feet or something…
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Tamsin says:
This looks bloody brilliant I’ve had to promise Amy that when we’ve had our Florida holiday and the bank balance has recovered slightly that we can have a trip to London. This market will be top of the to visit list….-
Definitely! It’s just amazing. Apparently it’s on every day except Sunday, but this Saturday one seems to be the biggest. I’d love to go to Borough market too x
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Fran Ryan says:
I used to work around there it is just fantastic. I really miss it – must make time for a visit, it looks better than I remember it. Gorgeous food yummm!-
Ooh it’s such a lovely area, Fran. Wish I could afford to live there – I’d be at the market every day! x
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Nic's Notebook says:
Can’t believe u didn’t go to the Hummingbird Bakery! I love big markets like that -
I know. I sulked. Mind you, it was heaving, with people queuing out the door x
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Kikilia says:
Oh my! Looks great! I just kept hearing the song “Portobello Road” from Bedknobs and Broomsticks in my head though…. wonder what that says about me? -
Ooh I remember that song! Whatever it says about you, it says it about me as well!
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