Trying to get a table for a coffee on a sunny Sunday afternoon in Notting Hill is near impossible, though that just shows what a great bustling area it is and how lucky we are to be part of it. We finally find a spot at Gail’s, which is always dangerous (so many great cakes). On our way back to the shop admire the stunning purple magnolia trees outside the new Max Studio store in Westbourne Grove, open at last after months of delays. It’s a welcome addition with stylish clothes at affordable prices.

On our way to Pizza East Portobello for the great aperitivo hour, we bump in to film director Richard Loncraine. He had generated quite a lot of interest with his crazy antique Italian bike with the handlebars behind the saddle. Mr Skött, a bike fanatic himself, could not resist having a ride on it, and afterwards a look at Richard’s new Cyclepedia App that he has just developed.

Meanwhile the Skött spaniels were invited to the Grufts exhibition at Graffik gallery on Portobello Road.  Here they tucked into treats from Pet Pavilion while the grown ups enjoyed Bulldog Gin cocktails and viewed the great dog portraits. Then it was off to Doyle Devere gallery for champagne and the launch of fashion house Paper London’s lovely new collection, where Mrs Skött was seen admiring the exquisite silk tops and tailored trousers – all in great colours with a 1960’s feel to them.

Being tall, blonde (when it’s not dyed red) and blue eyed, Mrs Skött is often mistaken for a Scandinavian even though she is a born and bred north Londoner. She sometimes seem to be more Scandinavian than a lot of Danes, becoming engrossed in Danish TV series, embracing the wonderfulness of Danish interior design, eating herrings and drinking Akvavit with gusto.  We were delighted when Signe Johansen, author of the Scandilicious Cookbook popped into the salon.  There was lots of Scandi food talk and a plan in the pipeline to hold a local Scandi baking class. Watch this space.

First published in Absolutely Notting Hill April 2012.