Learning to make a loaf at Borough Market's new bakery, Bread Ahead

London’s brand new bakery Bread Ahead have gravitated from their Borough Market stall to set up shop and bread school in the vast ex-store rooms of the food market. Not content with rolling out rolls and bashing out baguettes, they are starting a breaducation.

I was invited to trial their all day bread making course and see what big plans owner Matt and his team of master bakers have up their sleeves.

Although I consider myself a foodie, I am a baker novice. Put off by pal’s tales of moulding starters and non-rising sour dough, I made the decision long ago to leave it to the professionals (or supermarkets) to bake what I dunk in my soup and spread my jam on.

Kitted out in aprons, the group huddled around the table. On my left, a head chef from a top restaurant and on my right, an artisan butcher. Oh crumbs, I thought, have I bitten of more than I can chew?

“Has anyone NOT baked before?” asked Emmanuel, our teacher and master baker. I scanned the room and mistook someone itching their elbow for a hand raising and too late mine was gingerly hovering above my head. Busted.

“Don’t worry” Said cheery Emmanuel, “we are here to show you it’s easy!”

Read the rest of my article on Below the River here

@breadahead

Arriving at the O2 in style: The Thames Clipper

The mission of getting to and from the O2 for a concert is the low point of the night. Unless you're a celeb, in which case it's probably helicopter all the way, while mere mortals are left to barge through London's rush hour packed tubes. That was until I discovered the Thames Clipper, which my friend Phoebe and I hopped on board to take us to Fleetwood Mac last night.

London Bridge stop

We boarded at London Bridge and sat outside on deck - there is an undercover section if it rains too.

BYOB booze

Unlike the TFL no alcohol rule, the Clipper pretty much encourages it. A bottle of bubbly will set you back £35 but we opted for BYOB and mingled with commuters and other more celebratory passengers, clinking bottles of beer. We passed some of London's most iconic sites including The Shard and Tower Bridge, all smudged against the grey sky - it was a foggy day and then 45 minutes later, we docked right on the doorstep of the dome.

London Bridge

The Clipper is my new favourite way to see London. This way, you avoid stressful transport and aching feet and you get to drink booze on a boat. It runs every 20 minutes and stops by the Tate Modern, Tate Britain. Or you could have a nautical day and sail down to Greenwich, home to the Maritime museum - what's not to love?

www.thamesclippers.com

The O2

Spend a Sunday at The Open Air Theatre, Regents Park

The outdoor stage

On Sunday evening, I went with my family to see Jimmy Carr at the Open Air Theatre in Regents Park. The outdoor venue was a stop on his Gagging Order tour and I have honestly not laughed that much in a long time. Let's just say the watershed does not exist there and he is a lot less censored than he is on TV!

Jimmy on stage

We got there early and ate our picnic on the grass, which can be a slightly cheaper and more fun option than the BBQ or restaurant they provide.

Our picnic

It's a beautiful place, twinkling with fairly lights. Luckily for us, it was a warm summer's evening - One year we went during one of England's more traditional Augusts and emerged completely soaked and frozen. But there is something seriously magical about being entertained under the stars.

Inside

The theatre is playing host to The Sound of Music until the end of September, you can buy tickets here