I had a lovely few days in London. I stayed at a hotel I have not visited for a while. Very close by is a lingerie shop that I bought something from last time. I returned there during my trip and was pleasantly surprised when the shopkeeper recognised me – after over a year! “Oh hello, you’ve been here before” she said. Then she proceeded to show me what I bought last time! I was most impressed, especially in London, where usually shop assisants can just about manage to lift their head in acknowlegement! I told her I was going on a trip somewhere warm later that week and she helped me choose a new bikini. I tried on several, a sweet, lime green spotted one with frilly trim, a classic black halter neck one and a cheeky denim one. She was VERY upclose and personal. She came into the changing room and showed me how to fasten each bikini top to make the most of my, erm, assets (which her fingers brushed across several times lol!). Well it was a tough decision but I chose the denim look one. She informed me that she hadn’t been able to sell it because nobody could fit into the teensy weensy bottoms lol! I’m looking forward to sashaying down the beach in it in a few days time.

I was fortunate enough to visit several exquisite restaurants during my trip (gents, you really spoiled me this time – thank you!), including a delicious fruits de mer. Don’t you think it is a very sexy meal to share together? It surely has something to do with using your fingers to eat, which can get rather messy when the juices dribble down your chin. And, of course, we all know that oysters are an aphrodisiac!

My last day in London was all for me and, I must say I had rather a productive day. In the morning, I purchased a gorgeous pair of Jimmy Choo gold wedges (again can’t wait to wear them on my forthcoming trip). Following on from that I wandered in the glorious sunshine to the National Portrait Museum to visit the Irving Penn Exhibition.

Irving Penn was an American portrait photographer known for his fashion photography, primarily for Vogue. His style consisted of placing a figure in natural light with a stark, plain background. In the 1960′s he resurrected platinum process, which had nearly died out in the 20th century.

I adored the stunning portrait of actress Lisa Fonssagrives, who later became his wife, in a harlequin dress. She was a very glamorous lady with a long, elegant neck, adorned with pearls and this gorgeous black and white dress just looked amazing.

However, two of my favourites were Audrey Hepburn, taken in 1951. She faces the camera with her chin resting in her hand. He has captured her impish look perfectly! Also Josephine Baker in 1064. She is peeking over some feathers and her eyes are laughing. Both beautiful. I tried to find images of these with no success.

Probably one of his most famous is this one of Pablo Picasso taken in 1957. His face is partly concealed by his coat and the brim of his hat. You can only see one eye caught in the light. Picasso looks quite startled and it is a very powerful image.

This classically elegant exhibition is a treat to behold and I recommend you take a look if you are in London.

My next stop was Euston Station for my journey home. I purchased a few trashy magazines and some snacks for the journey and made myself comfortable. I was not prepared for the amazing views I experienced on my journey home. It was early evening and the sun was beginning to set. I have never seen such an unusual sunset. The pale blue sky was decorated with thin, trailing ribbons of white and pink clouds, which formed a pretty lattice pattern and changed from time to time to create new images. I was so entranced that I hardly read my magazines! I am no expert on cloud formations and I am sure they have a technical name. All I can say is “stunning”!