17-18 October
Another 2 great days. Definitely a more noticeable nip in the air. Visited the Museum of London which is only a short walk away. Went there a few years ago with Will and is even better. Enjoyed the summary of London and seemed a neat way of encapsulating a lot of what we have seen this time - from Roman ruins, Anglo Saxon era, rise of the British Empire, Great Fire, Docklands, Victorian times, both Wars, fall of the British Empire and up to today. Given how overwhelming London can seem, was a nice way to summarise it all.
Stephen then tried to sneak back to the fishing shops, mumbling something about a waterproof cap with ear flaps. I tagged along to minimise the risk of a new fishing rod somehow turning up for transporting home. Stephen did find some gold tinsel he was hankering after plus a cap that is going to provide Will with many hours of amusement I fear if he ever sights it. Does look very practical and with the ear flaps concealed I can live with it. We then navigated our way to Soho/Carnaby Street which was good fun. Carnaby Street is of course a bit touristy but has still managed to hang onto some of its charm. We somehow managed to find ourselves interviewed by a Reuters reporter along the way, complete with camera pointed at our faces. When the reporter stopped us with his microphone and asked if we'd mind answering some questions we both fell silent and without exchanging a word both were thinking - 'really do we want to be on the internet expressing a view on anything'. The silence was significant enough for the reporter to look at us and ask whether we spoke English. Again, without exchanging a word we both were considering what other language to answer in. Problem was (we both exchanged a telepathic thought) that it was possible we would each have chosen a different nationality. So we tentatively answered yes,we spoke a form of English. Much relief he did not want our views on Brexit - rather it was whether we agreed with the Government legislating to force the hospitality industry to remit all tips to their staff. We both answered yes enthusiastically and went on our way. Stardom no doubt awaits us both or maybe we will get trolled?! Well neither of us are on twitter and I am barely on Facebook so think we are safe.
Dinner at local Italian - Emotica Da Luca - very good and buzzy restaurant.
Thursday returned to sunshine again. Headed to Marylebone Road to the Royal Academy of Music - to hear a lunchtime concert. Baroque music on baroque instruments (Bach, Handel, Biber and Vivaldi.) Was delightful. Quite complicated pieces of music and standard was very high. Lovely old building as well. Was a good find. Then strolled down Marylebone Rd which turns into Euston Rd and onto an old favourite, the British Library. Heaven for me - a library and a museum of sorts plus throw in a bookshop. Checked out the old books on display, peered at the Magna Carta again, sat in the courtyard, enjoying a coffee in the sun and pottered in the bookshop. Decided was a good idea to buy this very interesting book on old London maps. For some reason we both have been fascinated with old maps this holiday. In part for me it has been fun seeing the street we are in has appeared on these old maps for some time. It is fortunate each bag can hold up to 40kgs on the way home - old London map books are not slim.
Finished the day with a drink or 2 with London friends, John and Jackie, at a place called the Parcel Yard. It is a great pub/restaurant that looks over the concourse at Kings Cross Station. The pub has been built into the station's Victorian office spaces. We have been there before. Was great fun. John is going on the Brexit march on Saturday morning. They are very anti-Brexit. Suggested I should go along. I declined given a) I am not British b) may offend Scottish friends who are arriving Friday as no idea what their thoughts are c) not inclined to turn up to a march where some very strong opposing views are held so could turn 'tetchy' d) I'm on holidays so going on a political march is not on my list of activities in my last few days in London town.
Just remembered something about the bikes that are now everywhere in London. The hire bikes - Santander bikes have these green lights on their front which project a picture of a green bike as they cycle along. Very neat idea. Also, while there are some lyra clad riders, as dominate at home, most are actually just people tootling along, instead of using a car. Much more European than at home - reminds me of Amsterdam. Much less aggression towards the bikes here it seems than at home and in general they seem to obey the road rules. Occasional twats going through red lights - but overwhelmingly not.
It is actually Friday morning as I write. We have wiped over all surfaces, vacuumed and removed numerous pieces of paper from the living room. Now working out what we want to do with rest of the day. And yes the sun is still shining. How lucky are we.
Stephen then tried to sneak back to the fishing shops, mumbling something about a waterproof cap with ear flaps. I tagged along to minimise the risk of a new fishing rod somehow turning up for transporting home. Stephen did find some gold tinsel he was hankering after plus a cap that is going to provide Will with many hours of amusement I fear if he ever sights it. Does look very practical and with the ear flaps concealed I can live with it. We then navigated our way to Soho/Carnaby Street which was good fun. Carnaby Street is of course a bit touristy but has still managed to hang onto some of its charm. We somehow managed to find ourselves interviewed by a Reuters reporter along the way, complete with camera pointed at our faces. When the reporter stopped us with his microphone and asked if we'd mind answering some questions we both fell silent and without exchanging a word both were thinking - 'really do we want to be on the internet expressing a view on anything'. The silence was significant enough for the reporter to look at us and ask whether we spoke English. Again, without exchanging a word we both were considering what other language to answer in. Problem was (we both exchanged a telepathic thought) that it was possible we would each have chosen a different nationality. So we tentatively answered yes,we spoke a form of English. Much relief he did not want our views on Brexit - rather it was whether we agreed with the Government legislating to force the hospitality industry to remit all tips to their staff. We both answered yes enthusiastically and went on our way. Stardom no doubt awaits us both or maybe we will get trolled?! Well neither of us are on twitter and I am barely on Facebook so think we are safe.
Dinner at local Italian - Emotica Da Luca - very good and buzzy restaurant.
Thursday returned to sunshine again. Headed to Marylebone Road to the Royal Academy of Music - to hear a lunchtime concert. Baroque music on baroque instruments (Bach, Handel, Biber and Vivaldi.) Was delightful. Quite complicated pieces of music and standard was very high. Lovely old building as well. Was a good find. Then strolled down Marylebone Rd which turns into Euston Rd and onto an old favourite, the British Library. Heaven for me - a library and a museum of sorts plus throw in a bookshop. Checked out the old books on display, peered at the Magna Carta again, sat in the courtyard, enjoying a coffee in the sun and pottered in the bookshop. Decided was a good idea to buy this very interesting book on old London maps. For some reason we both have been fascinated with old maps this holiday. In part for me it has been fun seeing the street we are in has appeared on these old maps for some time. It is fortunate each bag can hold up to 40kgs on the way home - old London map books are not slim.
Finished the day with a drink or 2 with London friends, John and Jackie, at a place called the Parcel Yard. It is a great pub/restaurant that looks over the concourse at Kings Cross Station. The pub has been built into the station's Victorian office spaces. We have been there before. Was great fun. John is going on the Brexit march on Saturday morning. They are very anti-Brexit. Suggested I should go along. I declined given a) I am not British b) may offend Scottish friends who are arriving Friday as no idea what their thoughts are c) not inclined to turn up to a march where some very strong opposing views are held so could turn 'tetchy' d) I'm on holidays so going on a political march is not on my list of activities in my last few days in London town.
Just remembered something about the bikes that are now everywhere in London. The hire bikes - Santander bikes have these green lights on their front which project a picture of a green bike as they cycle along. Very neat idea. Also, while there are some lyra clad riders, as dominate at home, most are actually just people tootling along, instead of using a car. Much more European than at home - reminds me of Amsterdam. Much less aggression towards the bikes here it seems than at home and in general they seem to obey the road rules. Occasional twats going through red lights - but overwhelmingly not.
It is actually Friday morning as I write. We have wiped over all surfaces, vacuumed and removed numerous pieces of paper from the living room. Now working out what we want to do with rest of the day. And yes the sun is still shining. How lucky are we.
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