Go away, grey! Neal's Yard adds colour to London

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I'm a sunshiney person. I joke that in a past life I was part of a sun-worshipping religion, whoever/wherever they were. I need it. I miss it. I stand outside and put my face up to it every chance I get. The neighbors probably have me on a watch list; I just stop and stand on the sidewalk sometimes. Once I forgot to put shoes on, I was so eager to get out into the sunny rays before they disappeared again.

Spoiler alert: London is very grey. Gray. Græy? Whatever. It's not sunny.

I also love color. Colour. Colœr? Whatever. I don't love grey.

Enter: Neal's Yard.
(Recommended here by David S. Thanks, David!)

Even today, a very typical grey day, this place POPS. You can see the colors peeking through the grey alley. (Nevermind that trash bag...)

It's the teeniest of alleys squished between Soho and Covent Garden, among the streets of Seven Dials. I'd walked through this area half a dozen times already, and never would've stumbled across it. The shops are adorable and most are organic. Even today, in the dead-middle of December, the cafes and restaurants had tables and chairs set out for patrons.

I can tell you with solid certainty that I will be here often throughout the next few months.

Also, OMFG HIP HIP HOORAY for the days getting longer as of yesterday!! I absolutely understand why Druids celebrated the solstices. It's so relieving to know I have made it through the literally-darkest day of the year.