Mathieu

Thanks Janis; I wrote diectly into the text box but only hit single return. I'll know for the next time.

GTG, I didn't mean to give you an eye ache; just some hopefully useful info and ideas. (That should read 'green' tins.) I'm one who could spend a day in the Single Malt section at F&M ...just in case you were looking to get me a Christmas present

ltr : With their Christmas shipments in full swing, I would think they might manage it within 2 or 3 weeks or less if you ordered a small one. Even if it arrived a little late, it would be worth it for the contents.

Morningglory47

Somewhere in the house (had a quick look but can't find it, I only find it when I don't want it which is pretty well all the time), I have an F&M Fountain Restaurant menu from 1977. I also bought food to take home that had the F&M label; I think the salesman was wearing a morning coat, could that be right?

This past June, I went in to look around (but mostly to use the ladies) and found everything too expensive so went for a coffee in the coffee shop in St. James Church.

I'm sure Eaton's sold F&M products for a time in their food section. Do the Westons still own F&M (along with Selfridges)? They used to.

LCBoniti

OMG, ltr, we are on the same flight!!!! We really can have a mini gtg. I am flying solo. We have to coordinate so we can meet. How fun!

ltr

How fun! We will have the inaugural in flight GTG! I am traveling with my DD, her husband and my DS. They are all in their mid 30's. My DH hates to travel, so he is staying at home. A close friend of mine will be joining us later in the trip.

I saw you were going to see some plays. That is high on my list, but will probably only managed to see one.

What area of LA are you from? I live just east of Pasadena.

GTG, sorry to hijack your thread for a second.

Josser

...."Refrain from wearing crash helmets in the store....

That's for security. They are not allowed in many shops and banks certainly don't allow them.
Nothing wrong with a dress code.
Unless they are pop stars or similar, scruffiosities are unlikely to buy anything.

Customers at other posh shops self select, and you are unlikely to get the yobbos in there. Harrods, for its sins is also a tourist attraction and has to keep them out.

goddesstogo

OMG, ltr and lcb, I can't believe you're on the same flight! I'm so envious that you're going to have an in-flight GTG!

Thanks, everyone, for the info on F&M. I might wait till mid-November or even later so that we ge the full effect of the Christmas stuff. Also, I'm going to consider sending a small gift basket home to our best friends -- they've been wonderful about visiting my SO's mom while we're here.

So much information! I'm going to have to print it out to study it all!

goddesstogo

Josser,
Honestly, I can't remember ever seeing anyone ever wearing a crash helmet in a store. Even bikers (the motorcycle kind), generally take them off and hold them. Why would you wear a crash helmet in a department store? Is this a problem that's common here?

I'm betting that anyone famous enough and willing to spend enough money can wear anything s/he wants in Harrods.

alihutch

Why would you wear a crash helmet in a department store? Is this a problem that's common here?

Motor cycle couriers dont' always take their helmets off. It's discouraged as it's a way for bank robbers etc. to disguise themselves from CCTV

goddesstogo

I see. Thanks, ali. But then shouldn't they also specify no balaclavas?

"Excuse me, Mr. Beckham. I'm teddibly sorry to bother you, but would you mind teddibly removing your balaclava whilst purchasing that bazillion-pound diamond necklace for your lovely wife?"

sassy_cat

Sorry GTG but you'll have to refrain from eating any more clotted cream scones (raisin or plain)! They may be heart stoppingly good but a stopped heart is far worse than earache.

BTW, Love your 'adventures' at the laundrette. I've made a note and the next time we stay in a flat in London I want one WITHOUT a washing machine

alihutch

I see. Thanks, ali. But then shouldn't they also specify no balaclavas?

Don't think that they count as protective headgear for a motorbike!!

PatrickLondon

I reckon it's a fair bet that someone walking down Brompton Road in a balaclava will have attracted a fair bit of attention long before they get near Harrods. Burkas, not so much.

jent103

This conversation has me wondering now - I wonder what percentage of Harrod's sales come from its "regular" merchandise vs. the souvenir sort (i.e., the sort bought by tackily dressed tourists who would wear outrageous things like flip-flops). When I was there, the downstairs souvenir sections (and the food hall) were MUCH more crowded than the upstairs department store floors, but that's been ten years ago. (I've never felt the need to go back on my repeat trips!)

annhig

LOL, GTG, it must have been that bikini/balaclava/flip-flop combo I wore last time I visited Harrods that made them bring in the dress-code!

FYI, Babycham is a perry - ie a cider-type drink made out of pears. here's a bit more about it:

http://www.waitrose.com/drink/wine/w...s/0306090.aspx

it was the alcopop of its day.

IMHO you'd be better off with a bottle of Prosecco.

annhig

ps - did you ever catch up with Downton Abbey?

what about Ideal?

LCBoniti

ltr - email me. lboniti at yahoo dot com

ltr

LCB you have mail

annhig

oooh, I missed the bit about Guy Fawkes/bonfire night.

the story is a bit gruesome and dates back to the 17th Century when there was a catholic plot to overthrow James I [aka James 6th of Sctoland who acceded to the thronE on the death of Elizabeth I] led by Guy Fawkes. the plan was to blow up the Houses of Parliament during the official opening ceremony [which is attended by the monach] and thus rid the realm of James and many of the members of Parliament.

the plot misfired and was discovered, the conspirators being publically executed according to the savage rites which prevailed. the tradition grew of having an annual public burning of an effigy of Fawkes on large bonfires all round the country accompanied by firework displays. some places like Lewes in Sussex have processions as well.

THe celebrations normally take place on 5th November but many places delay or advance them to the most convenient saturday or co-ordinate with other places so they don't clash.

have fun!

goddesstogo

No, I didn't watch Ideal but I had a very pleasant hour yesterday catching up with the most recent DA whilst (see how British I'm getting?) giving myself a manicure. Will still seek out Ideal. And Prosecco (the soft drink of alcoholics) is my wine of choice, annhig -- how did you know?

Patrick -- good point! If you're going to ask someone to remove his crash helmet because, as ali explained, "it's discouraged as it's a way for bank robbers etc. to disguise themselves from CCTV", then shouldn't ALL face coverings be on that list? Or is it that, as I mentioned above, if you spend enough money you can wear anything you want?

sassy-cat, my ear is all better today. Can I have another scone with clotted cream now? It's for medicinal purposes.

LCB and ltr, are you planning a GTG in London? Can some of the others of us join you -- meet for lunch or something?

Jent, I bought my littlest nephew a little drawing board thing in Harrod's arcade room and yes, it was jam-packed with tourists. But my guess is that the total of that one day's sales would be more than exceeded by just a couple of purchases made in their jewellery department. And if not, they're making oodles of money off those tourists so they shouldn't really complain about the occasional leather thong (the shoe kind, I mean; they're fully within their rights to complain about the other kind). Don't you think it's ironic, though, that Harrods sells the exact same items (e.g. bermuda shorts) that they won't let their customers wear?

And so, today --
I went back to the V&A, this time with SO in tow, so that we could have lunch in the beautiful cafe and then spend more time wandering around the museum than I did the other day. I've decided that the only reason I need a huge house is so that I can have lots of walls to put paintings on and lots of space for sculpture. It's either that or a bedroll in the V&A. So many beautiful things in one place -- it's quite overwhelming.

We left there late in the afternoon and went to Oxford Circus to seek out the Broad Street pump (v. important in the history of public health in London re cholera) and celebrated finding it by having a drink in the John Snow pub. This was one of the few requests SO had in our plans for London (much of his work is in public health, clean water, etc) so I was glad he got to see it. Afterwards, we'd just planned to walk back to Oxford Circus and go home but we walked the other way and found ourselves a few blocks away from the pub on a very nice little street called Wardour Street. There must be an art school around there because there were several art supply shops. We ended up having dinner on that street at a restaurant called Cote (imagine a little pointy-roof accent over the o). They have a nice selection and the food was good and the prices were excellent.

After dinner we walked back along Oxford Street to Bond Street and came home, tired as usual but with our heads filled with beautiful art.

We've decided to go to Barcelone for about 5 days in November. I'm sure I'll have tons of questions to ask about that so keep your eye out for other posts.

sassy_cat

GTG, Glad to hear that you ear is better! Of course scones with clotted cream are allowed for medicinal purposes... occasionally

I love the cafe at the V&A and have arranged to meet my best friend there in 2 weeks, YAY