Foggy Skies, Animals, and Books
On my second day in London is when I probably saw the “worst” weather during the entirety of my visit. It even drizzled later in the day. I was grateful to have “good” weather for most of my trip (I’ve talked about loving rain in the past — as long as I get to stay indoors), though there’s something about these streets with these white-bright skies, the fog covering the tippy top of far-off buildings, and a chill (albeit humid) in the air.
Battersea Power Station
Originally built in two phases in 1929-1935 and 1937-1941, the Battersea Power Station was a coal-fired power station, and it is one of the world’s largest brick buildings. It was decommissioned between 1975 and 1983, and remained empty until 2014. Today, the structure serves as a mixed-use neighborhood, combining residential spaces with leisure and entertainment venues and parks.
If you happen to be a fan of Pink Floyd, this structure may well seem familiar to you. It was used by the band for the cover of their 1977 album Animals. The album itself was launched at an event at the power station.
John Sandoe Books
This cozy bookshop was founded in 1957 by John Sandoe and Félicité Gwynne, who was sister to Elizabeth David, one of the most important British cookbook authors and journalists. Today, it covers three floors and a wide spread of genres, from fiction and poetry to history and biography, all the way to architecture and theater. Books are… everywhere, which is exactly as a bookshop should be.
Gold Colored Fox 