AT LAST AT LAST
London, Scotland and Some Canals
London to Scotland
Monday 5th September, 2022
Tuesday 6th September, 2022
Wednesday 7th September, 2022
Monday 5th September, 2022
e were very early getting in to London so killed time at the airport (no choice) collecting the baggage and getting a SIM for Mac's phone. Then we caught a London Cab to the Bedford. It took about an hour and cost a hundred pounds including tip.
View from our Attic Window
he Bedford didn't seem to have our booking correct (they thought we wanted a single!) and their EFTPOS didn't work properly. But we got our room straight away (always a bonus) on the sixth floor overlooking busy and noisy Southampton Row. You know the room is going to be noisy when the management provide ear plugs by the bed! We had showers then went for a bit of an explore but we could not find the Natwest Branch in Tavistock Square which we used last time, it must have closed. Then we had a Pret a Manger lunch, came back to the Bedford and collapsed.
Woke around 1800 and will soon go out to find a light meal. We're back baby!!
Later:
e went out for our now traditional first London dinner at Trattoria Verdi across the road. It has been in a bit of trouble because of Covid and actually was closed all last summer. They have just re-opened. We had pollo alla cacciatora which was acceptable. (Let's face it, the Verdi is not fine dining!)
Then we strolled down Holborn to see if we could find a Natwest to which the desk guy here directed us and did find it. Mac changed the PIN on his Natwest card and we now know where to go to see if our old twenties from last time (only 2019) are still legal tender. The Oyster card top-up machine did not accept them. Home to rest the feet. A fine warm day, but rain is forecast.
Tuesday 6th September, 2022
ot a bad night last night, the mattress is less solid than usual. We got up, showered and then went down for our included breakfast. There were all sorts of goodies from the full English style buffet, eggs, bacon, sausage, hash browns etc etc, to yoghurt, fresh fruit, muesli, cereals, pastries and croissants, even cold cuts and cheese. For a budget hotel the included breakfast makes the Bedford stand out for us. I had fruit, yoghurt and muesli, then sausage and bacon with toast, coffee and a pain raisin. Mac had cereal and the full extravaganza of English breakfast. I sometimes wonder just how many of the English actually do eat a breakfast like that!
Covent Garden Market
Mac's Favourite Stall at Covent Garden Market
Covent Garden Market
fter this we gathered our stuff together and walked off down Kingsway to Aldwych and across to Covent Garden. We explored all the halls and market areas and enjoyed poking around the stalls.
I saw some great artwork and would like to have bought one of London icons like the Gherkin, turned into a Dalek! They were very well done but large and difficult to carry. I did buy a small painting of Big Ben flanked by a red bus and a black cab, all the icons, and Mac bought me an interesting necklace from a stall, not too dear, but different.
White Lion Pub
Rosemary in White Lion
e headed up towards Leicester Square and paused for cider at an old pub called the White Lion, dripping with colourful flower boxes, really nice and with friendly staff.
Staff at the White Lion
We arrived at Leicester Square TKTS office but really could not find anything that appealed, surprisingly, too many musicals and not enough plays.
So we came back to Russell Square by Tube and picked up a sandwich and two cookies in Pret a Manger to share for lunch. After our breakfast we did not need anything else until dinner. May go to Chambeli or Antalya tonight or find something further afield.
Later:
fter a bit of a rain storm we decided to go to Chambeli, the local Indian Restaurant. It is very good, slightly more formal with some menu items we rarely see in Australia. We shared a serve of onion bhaji, then Kyberi lamb served in a cast iron pot, tasty but not over spicy, with a vegetable korma and steamed rice. With two little bottles of Californian Zinfandel rose which made just over the standard drink size it went down well. Not too much. We were offered naan and pappadums but the naan was the size of a dinner plate and the pappadums come with a tray of chutneys which make almost enough for a full meal. We have been there before so we knew, and regretfully declined. The place was full but we were back by 2030.
Tomorrow we plan to visit the Victoria and Albert Museum and perhaps the Science Museum. See how we go.
Wednesday 7th September, 2022
fter not a very good night we arose, showered and partook of our excellent breakfast before gathering our Oyster cards etc and heading for Russell Square tube. We alighted at South Kensington and followed the signs that said "Museums", a long corridor which had exits to the Natural History, Science and Victoria and Albert Museums. We found ourselves in the V and A, a tourist site I had hankered to see since our first trip to London in 1989.
The Victoria and Albert Museum
t was monumental, as all Victorian edifices seem to be and we were assisted by an attendant who asked us what we were interested in. I said Theatre, but unfortunately the Theatre section was closed until next year for some kind of revamp, I suppose so we went off to the sections on the decorative arts.
V and A Silver
Snuff boxes at the V and A
This was spectacular, going through the silver and gold sections which went back past Tudor times with huge wine coolers and epergnes, right up to modern candelabra and tableware, very clean and lovely.
Then the gold, miniatures and mosaics, more spectacular artefacts, clocks, tables etc in pietra dura mosaic, really lovely, and tiny miniatures in frames or on snuff boxes, which were gorgeous and aroused feelings of envy!
V and A Courtyard Garden
fter a break for a drink in the courtyard garden, since
I was getting slightly claustro-phobic, where we were surrounded by the buildings of several wings, we went back to the jewellery section. This was kept in fairly low light to give the jewels the spotlights they deserved. Fabulous stuff, glittering with diamonds and coloured stones, pieces which had belonged to Queen Victoria and Napoleon's Josephine.
Jewellery at the V and A
It was like Aladdin's cave and I appreciated it but soon started to feel a bit oppressed so we went out into the light again.
I walked through the shop, hoping to find perhaps a pamphlet about some of the collections but they just sold the usual tourist tat so I did not get anything.
Harrod's
e took our aching feet outside and walked to Knightsbridge where we found lunch at a Pret, sharing a sandwich and an orange juice. We walked on until we came to Harrods and wandered in to the ground floor which was all luxury items and perfume, although the signs said the food halls were there too. We did not see them, if so. So we found Knightsbridge tube and came home.
Tomorrow we go to Scotland! Must pack tonight. Hope our arrangements work.
Later:
e had a nap then woke up and changed. Mac thinks we should look further afield for our evening meals so we get some exercise coming and going. So we walked to Euston, checking out the eating options then back along the other side where we found Nonna Selena's Italian Ristorante. Mac had lasagne, I had grilled lamb cutlets, we shared a pot of marinated olives and had a glass of rose. Very nice. Came home and packed, ready for tomorrow. Scotland!
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