The Pause That Never Happened
Take a moment to pause…
That was the thought at the beginning of October. The seasons were changing, the days were getting shorter, and I thought perhaps it was time to slow down a little before the madness of the festive season began.
Well, that didn’t quite happen!
Instead, October turned out to be another month of celebrations, adventures, discoveries, fascinating encounters, good food and wonderful friendships.
And looking back, I wouldn’t have had it any other way.
Starting with a Bang!
October certainly didn’t ease us gently into autumn.
We began with the fifth annual Chelsea Dog Day, a celebration that has become a much-loved fixture in our neighbourhood. From King’s Road to Sloane Street and Pavilion Road, Chelsea was once again taken over by dogs and their humans.
There were familiar faces, new discoveries, creative collaborations and plenty of wagging tails. After months of planning, it was wonderful to see so many people enjoying the day.
And then there was Niall Horan’s Dinner Party Tour at London’s O2.
For someone who has followed One Direction for so many years, 2026 has been quite extraordinary. Niall was the fourth Directioner I had seen perform this year! Who would have imagined that?
From hundreds of dogs in Chelsea to thousands of fans singing along at the O2, October certainly started on a high note.
Oh, the Places We’ll Go!
And then we were off again.
This time, George, Lulu and I headed to Alderney, one of the Channel Islands that had long intrigued me.
We flew directly from Southampton on Aurigny, with both dogs travelling in the cabin. It was another little adventure for my seasoned travellers, and a reminder of just how much of the world there still is to explore together.
Alderney may be small, but it has an extraordinary history and character. From its dramatic coastline and beautiful beaches to its forts, wartime history and the island’s famously blonde hedgehogs, there was so much to discover.
Our home for the visit was The Blonde Hedgehog, a charming hotel that seemed perfectly suited to the island’s unhurried pace.
It was a lovely contrast to London life. Here, we could wander, explore and enjoy the simple pleasure of being somewhere entirely different.
Perhaps this was the pause I had been looking for all along.
There’s Always More to Discover
One of the things I love most about London is that, no matter how long you’ve lived here, there is always somewhere new to discover.
This month took us to SiR Devonshire Square, a hotel tucked away in a historic corner of the City, on the edge of Shoreditch.
I have walked through so many parts of London over the years, yet this was a neighbourhood I had barely explored.
Our suite overlooked the London skyline, with the Gherkin and the surrounding buildings illuminated at night. It reminded me of my years in New York, when city lights were such a familiar part of everyday life.
We also wandered along Chiltern Street, another London destination that never seems to lose its appeal, and discovered Dalloway Terrace, adding another lovely address to our London list.
And there were culinary discoveries too.
At The Peninsula London, we met Hong Kong chef May Chow, whose Little Noodle Shop pop-up introduced us to some wonderful flavours. The crispy cuttlefish was my particular favourite, and it was exciting to hear about her plans to open a London restaurant in 2027.
At Devonshire Square, we unexpectedly found ourselves at Cinnamon Kitchen, where we reconnected with Chef Vivek Singh, whom we had met years ago at his Battersea restaurant when he had Coco, his cockapoo.
Sometimes London really does feel like a small village.
The Stories That Stay With Us
Not all discoveries are about places. Sometimes they come from listening to other people’s stories.
During our stay at SiR Devonshire Square, I attended an evening with James Manning, who was speaking about his book London Neighbourhoods.
It was a fascinating reminder that even the most familiar city has layers of history and stories waiting to be uncovered.
Later in the month, I went to St Martin-in-the-Fields to listen to Jung Chang, the author of Wild Swans, speak about her latest book.
I have long admired the way she brings history to life through personal stories. Listening to her speak was a reminder of the power of books to take us into worlds and experiences far beyond our own.
Two very different authors, two very different perspectives, but both left me thinking about the stories that shape our understanding of the world.
A Little Wonder Along the Way
October also brought a little magic and illusion.
At Westminster Cathedral, we experienced Luminescence, an extraordinary combination of light, music and architecture that transformed the cathedral’s interior into something quite breathtaking.
And then there was the Museum of Illusions, where nothing is quite what it seems.
Its Halloween transformation, The Weird Wonders, added a playful, slightly spooky twist to the experience.
From the beauty of illuminated architecture to rooms that challenged our perception of reality, both were reminders that wonder can be found in very different forms.
And isn’t it wonderful that we can still be surprised?
The Joy of Being Together
Of course, not every memorable moment requires a journey, a grand hotel or a spectacular event.
Some of the loveliest moments in October were simply about being with friends.
There were meals at Marta and La Petite Maison, where the company mattered every bit as much as the food.
There was a visit to Fiona and Missy, and one particularly lovely gathering when we came together to bake challah.
There is something special about sharing an activity around a kitchen table. The conversations, the laughter, the simple pleasure of making something together.
These are the moments that don’t necessarily make the headlines of a busy month, but they are often the ones that stay with us.
And, as always, George and Lulu were at the heart of so many of our adventures, whether travelling somewhere new or enjoying the familiar comforts of home.
The Pause That Never Happened
So, did I manage to slow down in October?
Not exactly.
But perhaps I have been thinking about it the wrong way.
Taking a moment to pause doesn’t necessarily mean doing less. Sometimes it simply means being present, appreciating the people around us, noticing the little things and recognising how fortunate we are to have these experiences.
A conversation that stays with you. A new place that surprises you. A meal shared with friends. A quiet moment with two little dogs beside you.
As the year begins to draw to a close, I am reminded once again how quickly time passes.
And how important it is to savour the moments while we have them.
We didn’t stop doing things. We just found moments to pause along the way.
Thank you, October. You were quite something. ❤️🐾
