Notting Hill Carnival (Aug 23)

I’ve always loved the colours, dance and music of Notting Hill Carnival – and this year, the warm weather and blue skies made everything even more vibrant.

We’ve not been able to make it here for a few years, so when the opportunity arose last weekend we jumped on the underground, headed for the nearest tube station and joined in the party.  

Second only to Rio with around two million people attending, it has spectacular sights that take the organisers months to prepare. You don’t have to be from the Caribbean to love this event, listening to the sounds thumping out from each float as they pass gives your hips a great workout, regardless of where you are from! Some are so good you end up following them along the road for a while. 

I’ve been to this Carnival quite a few times in the past but it’s the first time with Emma, so we explored both the main procession route and side streets where sound systems bigger than houses have been erected.

Notting Hill Carnival is amazing and despite what some of the press and some sections of the community say about it, the vibe here is great and I have always felt safe. The organisers, authorities, and Police do a great job in running what is the biggest event of its kind in Europe. 

We ended the day with a change of pace and culture, heading off for a scrumptious Persian meal in a South Kensington restaurant before heading back home for the night.

I love London.