It’s great to be back in London! Our hotel is situated opposite the British Library and near St Pancras station (the beautiful building at the back of the photo). I get my favourite breakfast from the Pret, a ham and cheese croissant.

Freshly strengthened we drive to the Spitalfield Market. In the modernly converted old market building, there are countless small stands where artists and craftsmen sell their goods. It is especially interesting to watch the shoemaker and the belt maker, who also produce new products at their stands. Around the market there are also many restaurants and small food stalls. Someone has actually installed a large pizza oven in an old French van!

We stay for lunch and share a portion of Poutine and Brisket. Poutine is the Canadian national dish and is offered by Air Canada: Chips with gravy and cheese flakes that squeak while chewing. The brisket comes from the smoker of the Smokoloko. It looked so great that we just couldn’t resist it. We eat outdoors at the water lily pond.

From here we drive on to an art gallery to see an exhibition of the Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama. Her sculptures and paintings are lovingly decorated with many tiny details. Dots are one of her main motifs and she has loved pumpkins ever since she grew up surrounded by pumpkin fields. The free exhibition was especially convincing thanks to all the beautiful, bright colours and the playful motifs. Since the 1960s, Kusama has also created breathtaking mirror rooms in which illuminated objects are reflected almost infinitely.

From here we drive on to King’s Cross. Behind the station, a whole new quarter is being built. Many interesting old elements are being preserved and upgraded with new architecture. The Regent’s Canal with its houseboats and the lock makes the area particularly attractive and invites you to linger. The houses built inside the former gas reservoirs are also impressive.

In the evening we meet our good friend Ollie at the Bang Bang Asian Food Hall in North London. For Japanese Katsu curry and delicious fried Gyoza dumplings. The selection of Asian food around the hall is really overwhelming and the prices are more than fair – also considering the huge portions. What an amazing evening!