Monday, September 15, 2008

Thames Festival, Spetember 2008

The Thames Festival

The Thames Festival held on the South Bank was on last weekend and was a bevy of market fare, food stalls and entertainment. And to top it all off the weather was incredibly genial and sunshine surprisingly forthcoming that day despite some clouds overhead. We warmed ourselves while having lunch on the Southwark Bridge looking out at the expanse of the river, St. Paul's Cathedral and the ubiquitous construction cranes that seem to dot the London skyline.

The real reason for making our way to the festival was the Feast on the Bridge. The whole of Southwark Bridge was closed to all traffic to make way for food stalls from different cuisines and cultures and two long dining tables that stretched almost the length of the bridge.

The Thames Festival
There's nothing like a pig and a pint to start off this feast; London skyline.

The Thames Festival
Stir crazy, this stall was very popular.

The Thames Festival
There's nothing like a cupcake tower to soften any sweet tooth like myself; a colourful spread of Caribbean food including a chick pea salad; strawberries and cream, an English classic.

The Thames Festival
One of my favourite stalls on the bridge, a middle eastern bazaar of goodies including burgul pockets filled with eggplant, baklava and pistachio birds nests.

The Thames Festival
An interesting find, deep soup ceremony at low tide; feasting on the longest dining table I've ever seen; beautifully russeted pears; burnt sugar- all things caramelised and sweet; what's a burger without some ketchup, squeeze on.

The Thames Festival
The smell of corn on the grill is mouth-watering; confections at Cocoa Loco; Richard Howard oysters, the same ones from Borough Markets; view from the fourth level balcony at the Tate Modern looking down on people learning to Salsa.

The Thames Festival
The imposing figure of Tate Modern against some patches of blue sky, live music and salsa dancing; St. Paul's Cathedral and the Millennium Bridge; the crowds along South Bank.

The Thames Festival
The markets by night, curry and jambalaya livens up the night air.

15 comments:

LizNoVeggieGirl said...

GREAT festival!

Heather said...

yum! those are some beautiful pictures!!

Tammy said...

Hi Jen

I have awarded you a prize for inspiring me to start blogging!

http://weetreatsbytammy.blogspot.com/2008/09/happy-blog-day-to-me-and-cupcake-hero.html

Tammy

BlondeJustice said...

Heaven!

Amanda Scott said...

looks fantastic! i'd have definitely been visiting the stir fry stall - yum! your photos are incredibly beautiful & vibrant - thanks for giving me something nice to look at while having my morning coffee...x

Maria said...

What a fun festival!!

unclehunty said...

Arse!

I had to choose between a boring trip into Spitalfields markets or something in the Thames festival.

I was thwarted by their absolutely rubbish website that didn't give a sense of what your photos have shown to be a very nice looking festival. I am now annoyed that I chose Spitalfields and had a mediocre Laksa at Giraffe. And to top it off, the guy that fills me with Vietnamese coffee at Broadway market on Saturday mornings will be in Abergavenny this weekend.

More proof that there is no god and he hates me. (I may already know why).

Anonymous said...

Hi Jen,
That looks such great fun! And it is a lovely part of London too. I really enjoy your blog by the way...

avesta said...

Oh wow....a big step above a county fair around here! I am so jealous! Your site is great!

Mandy said...

I just love the pictures you shared with us, looks like a fabulous time. I'm passing on an excellence award to you for your blog! You can see it on my blog. Enjoy!

Helene said...

Did not have the chance to welcome you to Europe. I hope the adjustment goes smoothly. Thank you for sharing such wonderful pics with us!!

susan said...

that looks like so much fun!
btw, really beautiful pictures! :)

Shalum said...

Yummm. Looks like fun :)

ruthibel said...

looks yummy and fun!!

Anonymous said...

I need to move somewhere where markets are a regular and big thing. This looks fantastic.