Five Short Days In London
Nov 18th, 2010 | 08:03 AM
#1
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Joined: Mar 2003
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Five Short Days In London
Oct 5-6
Before getting too involved with planning our March 2011 trip I thought I’d better finish up the October trip.
Nice flight on BA in economy plus that was a special price for a few days. Into LGW a bit early , the GX was at the platform so we were into London quickly. Long line at the taxi stand at Victoria though. Finally made it to Millennium Gloucester and of course the room is not ready. David collapsed on a sofa in the lounge and I headed out to top up our Oyster cards and do a bit of shopping. Checked and still not ready and by this time I am hungry. David said he was too tired to eat so I took myself over to ASK for a glass of wine and a prosecutor and mozzarella crostrine with rocket. It was excellent. Back to the hotel and this time. e I spoke with the guest relations man instead of the reception desk. When he saw we were from Orlando area he said he had worked at Disney for several years. Our room was ready so D finally got a bed! I went back out to putter around the neighborhood. Checked the Internet café for mail and to print out some stuff..
By now I needed a short nap before getting ready for dinner at our favorite restaurant in the world, La Famiglia. Bus right outside the hotel door so arrived right on time for our reservation. Warmly greeted by all our old friends. Been going there for 35 years and the staff hardly ever changes so we are well-known. David didn’t even have to order his mussels as a starter, Luigi said he’d place the order as soon as we sat down. Liver and lamb followed along with a nice red! Off to bed as we have an early train to catch to Paris. Breakfast was included and it is copious! They even have special dishes for Oriental and Middle Eastern guests! Doorman got us a taxi quickly and we were off to St Pancras for our Eurostar.
Octr 22
Arrived too early at Gare du Nord so had a last French breakfast at Paul before boarding. Fast trip back and we are back at the Gloucester 3 hours after leaving Paris. This time our room is ready. noticed a card at the desk offering Club Room privileges at half off. I enquired abut what exactly was that. Full English breakfast ( this time our rate did not include breakfast), coffee and tea with pastries all afternoon, wine beer and canapés starting at 6:30, and free internet access in room. The price was 100 GBP for 4 days. This was a bargain as Internet access for 4 days is 80 GBP and breakfast for 4 days would run 120 GBP!
Again a very nice large room and spotlessly clean bath. Unpacked a bit then headed out to Kings Road for some lunch at Partridges. I am a grocery store addict and love to see what they have that’s new and not available at home., Stopped in the antique mall on Sydney Street and browsed thru some of the lovely shops. I do miss Antiquarius though .That shot the day so headed back to hotel to freshen up for dinner. The cocktail hour in the Club Lounge was excellent. As much as you wanted to drink and they must have had 30 different canapés to chose from. All the ones I tried were excellent! Dinner at Carluccio’s near South Kensington tube station. The food is always excellent but the noise level might bother some people!Sometimes it is worse than others. Tonight it was LOUD! Had a nice chat with an American film producer who is living in London. And then off to bed!
Oct 23
Had planned on seeing War Horse but no tickets available. That will teach me to pre-order when we especially want to see a particular show. As the National Gallery is nearby and is a must on every trip we headed to Trafalgar. One thing we especially wanted to see was the Victory in a Bottle on the 4th Plinth. Very impressive, took lots of pictures and people watched for a bit. The special exhibit this time was on Venice and Canaletto . Loved just about every picture, spent a long time there and had some lunch in the café before heading around the corner to the National Portrait Gallery. The temporary exhibit there was an English artist, Thomas Lawrence, that I had never heard of before. I will certainly remember him from now on. His paintings are exquisite and his story fascinating. He was recognized as a child to have exceptional talent and for awhile even supported his parents by doing drawings after they had lost their business. He was accepted into the Royal Academy at 20 And ended up as the President years later. If you ever see an exhibit by him GO!
Dinner tonight at La Famiglia again. D had swordfish with an onion, zucchini and balsamic vinegar sauce. I had the roast stuffed veal with Swiss chard. Fried artichokes to start and another nice red!
Oct 24
Spent a good deal of time talking with a very nice young couple at breakfast so got a bit of a late start. The weather is gorgeous today and since there are no hotel antiques fairs today thought we’d stroll down Kensington Church Street and window shop the galleries and shops then spend sometime outdoors in Kensington Park. Tubed to Kensington High Street and started down the hill. Lots of goodies to see and I found the perfect gift for a friend but the shop was closed so will come back tomorrow. Back up the other side and a short stop in Café Concerto for some lunch. As we exited we noticed a large police presence and a crowd gathering around the Israeli Embassy. A policeman told us the crowd would be a whole lot bigger shortly and maybe the park was not such a good idea today. It was some far right wing group protesting immigration and supporting Israel’s position. Don’t think it turned nasty but even though I did read about it the next day the details escape me now.
Bused over to Covent Garden and wandered around the rest of the day. Back to the hotel and had some wine and snacks in the Club room before heading out.to Café Montepeliano. Forgot to write down what we had but It was very good as usual. Both Carluccio’s and Café Montepeliano give good value and excellent food.
Oct 25
Last day and we ALWAYS go to the Imperial War Museum . My husband for the exhibits and me for lunch. They always have a really nice lunch menu ans it is not expensive. They make the best Mac and Cheese! I did wander thru the picture galleries while D was exploring other places. There were no new exhibits since we were there in the Spring. Sat down to wait for him and one of the managers struck up a conversation. He offered to show me his favorite exhibit , a bronze eagle that was atop Nazi headquarters in Berlin(?) . It had been captured by the Russians and bore several shell holes. Some British troops spotted it in the back of a truck and traded a case of English gin for it. They brought it back and donated it to the museum. Paul said I must look him up when we return and he’ll give us a tour thru the archives. After lunch it was still early so we headed back to South Ken planning on going to the V&A. On the way I spotted the sign for the National Army Museum. We hadn’t been there for ages so decided to make a short stop. If you are traveling with kids make this a stop, even for girls. The exhibits are really well laid out and very colorful. I even learned a few new things about the American Revolution. They have a children’s program and the place was swarming with kids of all ages from toddlers to 7 years old. They have a special area set up for them and offer crafts and stories. A man dressed as a member of the Home Guard tells stories and later takes groups of kiddies out to learn to present arms. He was so good and the kids were so cute. I told him the first thing hew needed to teach was left from right. My darn battery in my camera ran out again as I was photographing him and his recruits. David’s 2 WWI veteran uncles were in the Home Guard during the second world war. They were assigned somewhere on the coast and left their wives in London. The ladies saw more action during the Blitz than either of them did!
Back to hotel so I could pack for our departure tomorrow. David wanted to go back to La Famiglia again and we were glad we did as Alvaro was there this evening. We had missed him and always love to see him. I had the spiedino, which is wild boar sausage skewered with chunks of wild boar and bread and sage leaves. D had Sea bream with a fennel sauce. Had some gelato for dessert and I had a vin santo with cantucinni. Promised to return soon .
Checked out and taxied to Victoria for the GX. Checked in and were offered an upgrade to Plus again but at twice the cost as we paid coming over so refused it. She gave us an aisle and a window with an empty seat in the middle. After the doors closed on the plane the flight attendent pointed out to me the 3 seats behind us were vacant so we each had 3 seats coming home! Would have been even better without the squealing baby across the aisle, whose mother was oblivious!
Arrived on time , taxied home to laundry and a bushel basket of mail to go thru. Now it’s time to start planning for our Spring trip. Actually I have already booked the tickets and hotels and am planning our days!
Before getting too involved with planning our March 2011 trip I thought I’d better finish up the October trip.
Nice flight on BA in economy plus that was a special price for a few days. Into LGW a bit early , the GX was at the platform so we were into London quickly. Long line at the taxi stand at Victoria though. Finally made it to Millennium Gloucester and of course the room is not ready. David collapsed on a sofa in the lounge and I headed out to top up our Oyster cards and do a bit of shopping. Checked and still not ready and by this time I am hungry. David said he was too tired to eat so I took myself over to ASK for a glass of wine and a prosecutor and mozzarella crostrine with rocket. It was excellent. Back to the hotel and this time. e I spoke with the guest relations man instead of the reception desk. When he saw we were from Orlando area he said he had worked at Disney for several years. Our room was ready so D finally got a bed! I went back out to putter around the neighborhood. Checked the Internet café for mail and to print out some stuff..
By now I needed a short nap before getting ready for dinner at our favorite restaurant in the world, La Famiglia. Bus right outside the hotel door so arrived right on time for our reservation. Warmly greeted by all our old friends. Been going there for 35 years and the staff hardly ever changes so we are well-known. David didn’t even have to order his mussels as a starter, Luigi said he’d place the order as soon as we sat down. Liver and lamb followed along with a nice red! Off to bed as we have an early train to catch to Paris. Breakfast was included and it is copious! They even have special dishes for Oriental and Middle Eastern guests! Doorman got us a taxi quickly and we were off to St Pancras for our Eurostar.
Octr 22
Arrived too early at Gare du Nord so had a last French breakfast at Paul before boarding. Fast trip back and we are back at the Gloucester 3 hours after leaving Paris. This time our room is ready. noticed a card at the desk offering Club Room privileges at half off. I enquired abut what exactly was that. Full English breakfast ( this time our rate did not include breakfast), coffee and tea with pastries all afternoon, wine beer and canapés starting at 6:30, and free internet access in room. The price was 100 GBP for 4 days. This was a bargain as Internet access for 4 days is 80 GBP and breakfast for 4 days would run 120 GBP!
Again a very nice large room and spotlessly clean bath. Unpacked a bit then headed out to Kings Road for some lunch at Partridges. I am a grocery store addict and love to see what they have that’s new and not available at home., Stopped in the antique mall on Sydney Street and browsed thru some of the lovely shops. I do miss Antiquarius though .That shot the day so headed back to hotel to freshen up for dinner. The cocktail hour in the Club Lounge was excellent. As much as you wanted to drink and they must have had 30 different canapés to chose from. All the ones I tried were excellent! Dinner at Carluccio’s near South Kensington tube station. The food is always excellent but the noise level might bother some people!Sometimes it is worse than others. Tonight it was LOUD! Had a nice chat with an American film producer who is living in London. And then off to bed!
Oct 23
Had planned on seeing War Horse but no tickets available. That will teach me to pre-order when we especially want to see a particular show. As the National Gallery is nearby and is a must on every trip we headed to Trafalgar. One thing we especially wanted to see was the Victory in a Bottle on the 4th Plinth. Very impressive, took lots of pictures and people watched for a bit. The special exhibit this time was on Venice and Canaletto . Loved just about every picture, spent a long time there and had some lunch in the café before heading around the corner to the National Portrait Gallery. The temporary exhibit there was an English artist, Thomas Lawrence, that I had never heard of before. I will certainly remember him from now on. His paintings are exquisite and his story fascinating. He was recognized as a child to have exceptional talent and for awhile even supported his parents by doing drawings after they had lost their business. He was accepted into the Royal Academy at 20 And ended up as the President years later. If you ever see an exhibit by him GO!
Dinner tonight at La Famiglia again. D had swordfish with an onion, zucchini and balsamic vinegar sauce. I had the roast stuffed veal with Swiss chard. Fried artichokes to start and another nice red!
Oct 24
Spent a good deal of time talking with a very nice young couple at breakfast so got a bit of a late start. The weather is gorgeous today and since there are no hotel antiques fairs today thought we’d stroll down Kensington Church Street and window shop the galleries and shops then spend sometime outdoors in Kensington Park. Tubed to Kensington High Street and started down the hill. Lots of goodies to see and I found the perfect gift for a friend but the shop was closed so will come back tomorrow. Back up the other side and a short stop in Café Concerto for some lunch. As we exited we noticed a large police presence and a crowd gathering around the Israeli Embassy. A policeman told us the crowd would be a whole lot bigger shortly and maybe the park was not such a good idea today. It was some far right wing group protesting immigration and supporting Israel’s position. Don’t think it turned nasty but even though I did read about it the next day the details escape me now.
Bused over to Covent Garden and wandered around the rest of the day. Back to the hotel and had some wine and snacks in the Club room before heading out.to Café Montepeliano. Forgot to write down what we had but It was very good as usual. Both Carluccio’s and Café Montepeliano give good value and excellent food.
Oct 25
Last day and we ALWAYS go to the Imperial War Museum . My husband for the exhibits and me for lunch. They always have a really nice lunch menu ans it is not expensive. They make the best Mac and Cheese! I did wander thru the picture galleries while D was exploring other places. There were no new exhibits since we were there in the Spring. Sat down to wait for him and one of the managers struck up a conversation. He offered to show me his favorite exhibit , a bronze eagle that was atop Nazi headquarters in Berlin(?) . It had been captured by the Russians and bore several shell holes. Some British troops spotted it in the back of a truck and traded a case of English gin for it. They brought it back and donated it to the museum. Paul said I must look him up when we return and he’ll give us a tour thru the archives. After lunch it was still early so we headed back to South Ken planning on going to the V&A. On the way I spotted the sign for the National Army Museum. We hadn’t been there for ages so decided to make a short stop. If you are traveling with kids make this a stop, even for girls. The exhibits are really well laid out and very colorful. I even learned a few new things about the American Revolution. They have a children’s program and the place was swarming with kids of all ages from toddlers to 7 years old. They have a special area set up for them and offer crafts and stories. A man dressed as a member of the Home Guard tells stories and later takes groups of kiddies out to learn to present arms. He was so good and the kids were so cute. I told him the first thing hew needed to teach was left from right. My darn battery in my camera ran out again as I was photographing him and his recruits. David’s 2 WWI veteran uncles were in the Home Guard during the second world war. They were assigned somewhere on the coast and left their wives in London. The ladies saw more action during the Blitz than either of them did!
Back to hotel so I could pack for our departure tomorrow. David wanted to go back to La Famiglia again and we were glad we did as Alvaro was there this evening. We had missed him and always love to see him. I had the spiedino, which is wild boar sausage skewered with chunks of wild boar and bread and sage leaves. D had Sea bream with a fennel sauce. Had some gelato for dessert and I had a vin santo with cantucinni. Promised to return soon .
Checked out and taxied to Victoria for the GX. Checked in and were offered an upgrade to Plus again but at twice the cost as we paid coming over so refused it. She gave us an aisle and a window with an empty seat in the middle. After the doors closed on the plane the flight attendent pointed out to me the 3 seats behind us were vacant so we each had 3 seats coming home! Would have been even better without the squealing baby across the aisle, whose mother was oblivious!
Arrived on time , taxied home to laundry and a bushel basket of mail to go thru. Now it’s time to start planning for our Spring trip. Actually I have already booked the tickets and hotels and am planning our days!
Nov 18th, 2010 | 08:19 AM
#3
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Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 9,705
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Nov 19th, 2010 | 05:49 AM
#11
Joined: Oct 2008
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>>ASK for a glass of wine and a prosecutor and mozzarella crostrine with rocket<<
I don't know how prosciutto became prosecutor but it made me laugh!
I have been to Ask a few times and that particular restaurant is right next to a Waitrose isn't it? Handy for picking up a bottle of wine after you've had your first glass at Ask...
A flat nearby would be lovely!
I don't know how prosciutto became prosecutor but it made me laugh!
I have been to Ask a few times and that particular restaurant is right next to a Waitrose isn't it? Handy for picking up a bottle of wine after you've had your first glass at Ask...
A flat nearby would be lovely!
