One of the things I love about London is that’s there always something interesting to do. On top of the permanent museums and galleries, shops, tourist sites etc, there’s temporary exhibitions to check out, gigs every night of the week, a show or play you haven’t seen before. The downside of all of this is keeping on top of what’s going on and when.

This week (13-19 May) is London Craft Week and Photo London opens tomorrow at Somerset House. Next week (21-23 May) is Clerkenwell Design Week. In June we’ve got the London Architecture Festival, the London Design Festival in September and the London Film Festival in October.*

I’m normally aware of these events coming up, but so often they pass me by. I either forget and realise too late, with any interesting talks or events all booked up, or (like Clerkenwell Design Week last year) I head out to check out what’s going on only to be overwhelmed with the sheer numbers of people who have also turned up.

Of course a lot of the events are during the week in the middle of the working day, so fitting it in around the day job is also a challenge.

I did make it to one event for London Craft Week this evening though – Merchant and Found’s Vintage Supermarket. With an array of vintage interior items on sale, I made sure I put it in diary as soon as I heard of it. The handcrafted items on display by Kate Jenkins, whose sequin work I’ve long admired via Instagram, and Clémence Joly who had crocheted (amongst other things) a giant piece of meat, meant it ticked another box in terms of my interests.

It was well worth going to, even if I was once again taunted with stunning haberdashery counters that I have no use or space for, though as the evening event really got going it was a bit too busy and loud for my liking.

Looking through the catalogue for the week now, I’m not sure if I’m going to get to anything else but it’s always a good way of discovering places to keep an eye on for future reference. Perhaps next year I’ll remember to check out events in future so I don’t go booking other things in the diary or maybe take some time off work to make the most of the week.

We’re going to Photo London on Sunday for the first time. I’ve always been put off by the price (£35!) but Adam has managed to get free tickets through work so it will be interesting to see whether it’s worth that price.

Living in a city with so much to offer is great, but I feel like I need to win the lottery or be retired to really make the most of it all. Seeing as I don’t think I’m ever going to be able to retire, I’ve got everything crossed that one day my lottery numbers come up.

*These are just some of the big events. There are loads of smaller arts events around the city, including the Camberwell Arts Festival in June which is celebrating its 30th year this year.