shops, culture, food and fun in London...
Aug 24th, 2004, 12:34 PM
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shops, culture, food and fun in London...
Here a bit of a trip report; I went to London for some days last week.
Everything started really early with a trip to Berlin Tegel Airport (4 in the morning is not a time to wake up!).
Flight was normal, hotel (Jarvis Kensington Gardens) not ready, so I started for a little bit of shopping at Harvey Nichols (oh yes, it is expensive, but sometimes a girl needs a bit of something special) and lunch at the café there.
I love it; people watching for free, the Chicken Ceasar salad for a bit more and a perfect espresso to finish the meal-a good restart for this day.
After a bit more of shopping I went to the hotel to check in. After some not so good experiences with other hotels earlier this year I was delighted to get a big fat double room with bath tube (I looove long baths) as a single. After openeing the curtains I saw through a window as wide as the room into the sun over some lovely houses-not a big road!-I love this hotel, for London it was so quiet! Heaven!
After shower I went to Selfridges, bought a mag, had a look on several handbags (I have to buy a new one)
(did I mention that I love shopping and window shopping?)
and settled early (what is early when you are up from 4 in the morning?) in bed with a nice chicken wrap with coconut dressing from M&S.
Next morning was my birthday so I met with a friend for a luxurious champagne lunch and more shopping and tea at a nice little cafè opposite Libertys and dinner at Carluccio at St. Christophers.
I booked the table via email and after a drink at the bar we got a lovely table at the windows.
Food was great and a cute little three year old amused us by talking to us through the closed windows...
Next day, after too much spending (and eating) I decided to go for culture and went to the Hopper exhibition at the Tate Modern. Fantastic! As I went early it was not too crowded and I liked the paintings even more than I thought. But the best was the room where some windows, like cut outs, gave a perfect view on St Pauls. This, together with the wonderful art was breathtaking!
I did a lot of walking this day, as it is not my first visit to London. I have "done" most of the sightseeing and prefer to stroll through the city.
In the evening I met with a friend at Covent Garden for early dinner at (I think)Patisserie Valerie and theatre.
We went to "Old Times" by Harold Pinter.
I liked it very much, my friend was fascinated by the actor, but I haven`t got a clue what was the turning point in the story, I could only guess.
Well, I ordered the book now, so maybe I am enlighted after reading the play.
After a drink in the local pub (Cider, I love it) I was ready for bed...
On saturday, the last day, I went to the Tate Britain to see the exhibition "Art of the garden"-fascinating artwork connected to gardens.
Calming (maybe all the green?) and interesting even for me who has not even a garden and who has to buy regular new flower-pots because, well, I think I am not good with them.
Then a short visit to a special painting in the NG (I do this every time I am in London, the visit is something like my lucky charm!)and a nice sandwich at Arcos in Knightsbridge (prices are ok, food is delicious and staff sooo friendly) I was off to the airport.
Everything started really early with a trip to Berlin Tegel Airport (4 in the morning is not a time to wake up!).
Flight was normal, hotel (Jarvis Kensington Gardens) not ready, so I started for a little bit of shopping at Harvey Nichols (oh yes, it is expensive, but sometimes a girl needs a bit of something special) and lunch at the café there.
I love it; people watching for free, the Chicken Ceasar salad for a bit more and a perfect espresso to finish the meal-a good restart for this day.
After a bit more of shopping I went to the hotel to check in. After some not so good experiences with other hotels earlier this year I was delighted to get a big fat double room with bath tube (I looove long baths) as a single. After openeing the curtains I saw through a window as wide as the room into the sun over some lovely houses-not a big road!-I love this hotel, for London it was so quiet! Heaven!
After shower I went to Selfridges, bought a mag, had a look on several handbags (I have to buy a new one)
(did I mention that I love shopping and window shopping?)
and settled early (what is early when you are up from 4 in the morning?) in bed with a nice chicken wrap with coconut dressing from M&S.
Next morning was my birthday so I met with a friend for a luxurious champagne lunch and more shopping and tea at a nice little cafè opposite Libertys and dinner at Carluccio at St. Christophers.
I booked the table via email and after a drink at the bar we got a lovely table at the windows.
Food was great and a cute little three year old amused us by talking to us through the closed windows...
Next day, after too much spending (and eating) I decided to go for culture and went to the Hopper exhibition at the Tate Modern. Fantastic! As I went early it was not too crowded and I liked the paintings even more than I thought. But the best was the room where some windows, like cut outs, gave a perfect view on St Pauls. This, together with the wonderful art was breathtaking!
I did a lot of walking this day, as it is not my first visit to London. I have "done" most of the sightseeing and prefer to stroll through the city.
In the evening I met with a friend at Covent Garden for early dinner at (I think)Patisserie Valerie and theatre.
We went to "Old Times" by Harold Pinter.
I liked it very much, my friend was fascinated by the actor, but I haven`t got a clue what was the turning point in the story, I could only guess.
Well, I ordered the book now, so maybe I am enlighted after reading the play.
After a drink in the local pub (Cider, I love it) I was ready for bed...
On saturday, the last day, I went to the Tate Britain to see the exhibition "Art of the garden"-fascinating artwork connected to gardens.
Calming (maybe all the green?) and interesting even for me who has not even a garden and who has to buy regular new flower-pots because, well, I think I am not good with them.
Then a short visit to a special painting in the NG (I do this every time I am in London, the visit is something like my lucky charm!)and a nice sandwich at Arcos in Knightsbridge (prices are ok, food is delicious and staff sooo friendly) I was off to the airport.
Aug 24th, 2004, 02:40 PM
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Londonholly,
What a fun little trip report- thanks! You are so fortunate to be able to hop over to London for a mini break!
Do you mind if I ask what your favorite painting at the NG is? (you don't have to answer if you don't want to). That is my favorite museum, and I do the same thing!
Happy Birthday!
What a fun little trip report- thanks! You are so fortunate to be able to hop over to London for a mini break!
Do you mind if I ask what your favorite painting at the NG is? (you don't have to answer if you don't want to). That is my favorite museum, and I do the same thing!
Happy Birthday!
Aug 24th, 2004, 09:38 PM
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Pandaschu, my favorite picture is "Girl with a dove" from Picasso.
I do think that this is the official title-but I am not sure!
I am visiting this picture since I was a little girl and every visit it looks a bit different to me.
FromAtlanta, I paid 297 € for three nights, single room, breakfast included-but as I am not a big breakfast eater I skiped it and can not tell you anything about it. But the breakfast room looked nice to me.
Maybe you can get an even better deal if you book directly or via internet?
I just mailed them and asked how theire prices for october are. If you want I let you know what they tell me.
I do think that this is the official title-but I am not sure!
I am visiting this picture since I was a little girl and every visit it looks a bit different to me.
FromAtlanta, I paid 297 € for three nights, single room, breakfast included-but as I am not a big breakfast eater I skiped it and can not tell you anything about it. But the breakfast room looked nice to me.
Maybe you can get an even better deal if you book directly or via internet?
I just mailed them and asked how theire prices for october are. If you want I let you know what they tell me.
Aug 24th, 2004, 09:45 PM
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Londonholly,
What a great tease for me -- leaving for London Saturday!
How was the weather? I've been checking both the internet for weather and a webcam of Covent Garden to see what people are wearing. Today almost everyone was wearing short sleeves and a few had what looked like light sweaters. I'm trying to figure out waht to bring, should I bring a heavier sweater, just in case?
What a great tease for me -- leaving for London Saturday!
How was the weather? I've been checking both the internet for weather and a webcam of Covent Garden to see what people are wearing. Today almost everyone was wearing short sleeves and a few had what looked like light sweaters. I'm trying to figure out waht to bring, should I bring a heavier sweater, just in case?
Aug 25th, 2004, 12:17 AM
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The weather now is on the turn - more rain and wind expected, I'm afraid - the tail end of your summer storms and hurricanes blowing themselves out across the Atlantic (tsk! these American tourists and their tail ends, eh?):
www.bbc.co.uk/weather
I've gone into long shirtsleeves and a light jacket for outdoors, as well as (unusually for me) carrying a folding umbrella.
www.bbc.co.uk/weather
I've gone into long shirtsleeves and a light jacket for outdoors, as well as (unusually for me) carrying a folding umbrella.
Aug 25th, 2004, 01:12 AM
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lyb, you certainly won't need a heavy sweater, unless you're more used to the tropics. London is averaging about 70F during the day, although as Patrick said, we're getting alot of showers (wettest August on record apparently - I'm keeping my fingers crossed for an Indian summer in September). So bring something light and waterproof that you can shove in your bag, and a brolly of course. Everyday it seems to change on an hourly basis - it's till warm when the sun comes out.
Aug 25th, 2004, 06:53 AM
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Londonholly
Loved your trip report! I actually live in London (for the past year) and it reminds me of why I adore this city. Question - sounds like you are pretty well versed on the shopping scene. I have been looking everywhere for a really distinctive purse - where in Selfridge's did you get yours? I find it a bit confusing and end up going in grabbing what I want and getting out and tend not to browse there as much as Harvey Nick's - don't know why may date back to a bad service experience there where I was told by a saleswoman that they probably wouldn't have trousers for someone as short as me!!!
Any clues for good purse shopping places would be much appreciated.
Loved your trip report! I actually live in London (for the past year) and it reminds me of why I adore this city. Question - sounds like you are pretty well versed on the shopping scene. I have been looking everywhere for a really distinctive purse - where in Selfridge's did you get yours? I find it a bit confusing and end up going in grabbing what I want and getting out and tend not to browse there as much as Harvey Nick's - don't know why may date back to a bad service experience there where I was told by a saleswoman that they probably wouldn't have trousers for someone as short as me!!!
Any clues for good purse shopping places would be much appreciated.
Aug 25th, 2004, 09:55 AM
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Lyb, I was happy that the weather was not to hot. I was fine with capris, dressy T-Shirts and two different Jeans jackets (one white and one blue) so I could sit outside in the evening and it wasn`t to cold in air-conditioned rooms.
Kittrdg, I am also on the lookout for a purse, you can try out Louis Vuitton if you have the money as they have a lot of different styles.
More affordable is Selfridges; try out the styles at the miss Selfridges hall where they
Kittrdg, I am also on the lookout for a purse, you can try out Louis Vuitton if you have the money as they have a lot of different styles.
More affordable is Selfridges; try out the styles at the miss Selfridges hall where they
Aug 25th, 2004, 10:02 AM
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Sorry, wrong button;
....where they have a lot of not so expensive things-also bags and purses as far as I remember.
You can try out Lulu Guiness at Selfridges or go to Harrods, they have a lot of nice leather goods.
Also good is Russels& Bromley.
For shortness: I am too short and get trousers at Gap or simply have to shorten them what is easy as I like straight leg trousers (Max Mara is doing a very good style this season).
May I asked how living in London is? I am planning to go to London and work there in late autumn or early in the new year. I would love to know how it is to start in this city.
....where they have a lot of not so expensive things-also bags and purses as far as I remember.
You can try out Lulu Guiness at Selfridges or go to Harrods, they have a lot of nice leather goods.
Also good is Russels& Bromley.
For shortness: I am too short and get trousers at Gap or simply have to shorten them what is easy as I like straight leg trousers (Max Mara is doing a very good style this season).
May I asked how living in London is? I am planning to go to London and work there in late autumn or early in the new year. I would love to know how it is to start in this city.
Aug 25th, 2004, 04:53 PM
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Merseyhart,
Here is the website address for the webcam of Covent Garden, it's on Henrietta Street.
http://www.camvista.com/england/london/porters.php
Here is the website address for the webcam of Covent Garden, it's on Henrietta Street.
http://www.camvista.com/england/london/porters.php
Aug 25th, 2004, 05:02 PM
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Thanks everyone for the weather report. Currently it is in the 80s, low 90s fahrenheit, so my body is used to warmer weather, but I would rather it is a bit cooler, because it is much better for walking around and visiting. Raining I wouldn't be so excited about, but hey, I'll be in London, so I'll deal with it. 
