London 'Tube-less', Fine dining, Fun excursions plus a GTG
Dec 11th, 2017, 06:27 AM
#24
Enjoying your report! And I'm also keeping your report in mind for ideas for our trip next September. Looking forward to more - and I hope that your knee gets better fast. You are managing well, though, despite the physical limitations, and I'm very impressed!
Dec 11th, 2017, 11:40 AM
#25
Original Poster
Trying to catch up/finish . . .
<B>Monday - Balenciaga and a little opera at the V&A, lunch at Outlaws (WONDERFUL!!!!!!!), evening GTG with PatrickLondon and flanneruk . . .:</B>
Had tea, OJ, fruit and a croissant in the flat and set out for what will be another biggish day. Could have taken buses but it would have involved 3 so I just hopped in a cab to the V&A for the Balenciaga exhibit. I really enjoyed it - about 2/3+ was devoted to his career, designs and his Paris and Madrid fashion houses and 1/3 to his influence on modern designers. It isn't the BLOCKBUSTER that was the Alexander McQueen ( that was one <i>amazing</i> show) but I found it very interesting and he was very much ahead of his time.
The other big show on currently at the V&A is the Opera: Passion, Power & Politics. Unfortunately I'm in a bit of a time crunch so only have a few minutes to pop in -- From the quick visit it looks REALLY interesting and immersive. Unfortunately it ends in Feb so I don't think I'll have a chance to get back
I'm meeting a friend for a 1:30 birthday lunch at Outlaw's - my b'day was on Sat. but I'll let anyone treat me any time
She is from here in California but has lived in London for 2 decades. With her and my travel schedules we haven't actually met up in nearly 5 years so I was thrilled when she would be in town the same time. She asked where I wanted to have lunch and I suggested Outlaw's -- assuming we'd be going dutch. When she insisted on treating me I wished I had picked a slightly less posh place (not really truth be told 
)
It was a decent day (every days was nice weather really) so I decided to walk up Brompton Rd to the restaurant -- it is in the Capital Hotel tucked in around from Harrods in Basil Street so not far. My friend was waiting in the lounge bar and we went straight to our table. We caught up on all sorts for family and friends news and had a great time. I love <B>LOVE</B> this place -- third time I've dined there. Just a really lovely (and small) dining room with impeccable service. It is mostly known (and I think its michelin star is based on) fish and seafood. But for some reason this time the non-seafood choices just sounded better. The amuse bouche was a sort of cod roe terrine which was sooooo tasty (isn't it often the case that an amuse bouche is so good it should be on the starters menu? ). Then my starter was venison with beetroot which may be the 2nd best venison dish I've ever had - though just in a starter size. The main was this most amazing duck breast with carrots three ways. Absolutely wonderful. I really couldn't face dessert -- but they brought out a small cake with ice cream and candle that we shared.
We parted ways promising not to wait 5 years til the next time and I walked up the block to Harrods and caught a taxi to Victoria station. The idea being to catch the #24. But the roadworks around Victoria are really REALLY disruptive and I couldn't find the correct bus stop so just decided to walk to Dolphin House. It really isn't that far, less than a mile for sure, and on a stronger knee it would have been a doddle. But I was quite beat by the time I got home.
I have about an hour to relax/recover and was feeling good by the time I had to leave at 5:00 to meet PatrickLondon and flanneruk at 5:30 in Covent Garden (well, actually it was supposed to be a 5PM but I got my wires crossed and they a a 30 minute head start by the time I arrived
) We pretty much talked/drank and ate (me - not so much eating involved) non stop til 9:30. Solved just about all of the political issues on both sides of the Atlantic 
Flanner had to leave to catch the last train and Patrick and I left right after - I caught a 24 in Charing Cross road and was home in no time.
<B>Next: Tuesday - My last day in London, lunch at the top of the Gherkin and Modigliani at Tate Modern</B>
<B>Monday - Balenciaga and a little opera at the V&A, lunch at Outlaws (WONDERFUL!!!!!!!), evening GTG with PatrickLondon and flanneruk . . .:</B>
Had tea, OJ, fruit and a croissant in the flat and set out for what will be another biggish day. Could have taken buses but it would have involved 3 so I just hopped in a cab to the V&A for the Balenciaga exhibit. I really enjoyed it - about 2/3+ was devoted to his career, designs and his Paris and Madrid fashion houses and 1/3 to his influence on modern designers. It isn't the BLOCKBUSTER that was the Alexander McQueen ( that was one <i>amazing</i> show) but I found it very interesting and he was very much ahead of his time.
The other big show on currently at the V&A is the Opera: Passion, Power & Politics. Unfortunately I'm in a bit of a time crunch so only have a few minutes to pop in -- From the quick visit it looks REALLY interesting and immersive. Unfortunately it ends in Feb so I don't think I'll have a chance to get back
I'm meeting a friend for a 1:30 birthday lunch at Outlaw's - my b'day was on Sat. but I'll let anyone treat me any time
She is from here in California but has lived in London for 2 decades. With her and my travel schedules we haven't actually met up in nearly 5 years so I was thrilled when she would be in town the same time. She asked where I wanted to have lunch and I suggested Outlaw's -- assuming we'd be going dutch. When she insisted on treating me I wished I had picked a slightly less posh place (not really truth be told ) It was a decent day (every days was nice weather really) so I decided to walk up Brompton Rd to the restaurant -- it is in the Capital Hotel tucked in around from Harrods in Basil Street so not far. My friend was waiting in the lounge bar and we went straight to our table. We caught up on all sorts for family and friends news and had a great time. I love <B>LOVE</B> this place -- third time I've dined there. Just a really lovely (and small) dining room with impeccable service. It is mostly known (and I think its michelin star is based on) fish and seafood. But for some reason this time the non-seafood choices just sounded better. The amuse bouche was a sort of cod roe terrine which was sooooo tasty (isn't it often the case that an amuse bouche is so good it should be on the starters menu? ). Then my starter was venison with beetroot which may be the 2nd best venison dish I've ever had - though just in a starter size. The main was this most amazing duck breast with carrots three ways. Absolutely wonderful. I really couldn't face dessert -- but they brought out a small cake with ice cream and candle that we shared.
We parted ways promising not to wait 5 years til the next time and I walked up the block to Harrods and caught a taxi to Victoria station. The idea being to catch the #24. But the roadworks around Victoria are really REALLY disruptive and I couldn't find the correct bus stop so just decided to walk to Dolphin House. It really isn't that far, less than a mile for sure, and on a stronger knee it would have been a doddle. But I was quite beat by the time I got home.
I have about an hour to relax/recover and was feeling good by the time I had to leave at 5:00 to meet PatrickLondon and flanneruk at 5:30 in Covent Garden (well, actually it was supposed to be a 5PM but I got my wires crossed and they a a 30 minute head start by the time I arrived
) We pretty much talked/drank and ate (me - not so much eating involved) non stop til 9:30. Solved just about all of the political issues on both sides of the Atlantic Flanner had to leave to catch the last train and Patrick and I left right after - I caught a 24 in Charing Cross road and was home in no time.<B>Next: Tuesday - My last day in London, lunch at the top of the Gherkin and Modigliani at Tate Modern</B>
Dec 11th, 2017, 12:12 PM
#26
Interesting read. We visited London in the Spring (with lots of advice from janisj) with my husband having a knee injury shortly before we left home. We enjoyed taking buses alot & had no problems getting around. We did take the tube 2 minutes from our apt quite a few times.
Hope your knee gets back to normal.
Hope your knee gets back to normal.
Dec 11th, 2017, 04:10 PM
#27
Original Poster
<B>Tuesday - My last day in London, lunch at the top of the Gherkin and Modigliani at Tate Modern</B>
Today I'm visiting the Modigliani exhibit at Tate Modern and having a 12:30 lunch at Searcy's at the top of the Gherkin. The original plan was Tate early then walk or cab across the river the St. Mary Axe/the Gherkin. But I slept in and flipped the order of things. There is very strict security at the Gherkin (one has to pre-register their name to even get in the bldg) so I was instructed to arrive by 12:15. So about 11:15 I jumped on a #24 and intended to get a #15 in the Strand at Charing Cross, take it up Fleet St etc, get off near St Paul's and cab from there. Well, I <i>tried</i> to catch a 15 or other bus down the strand and towards St. Paul's but the traffic was horrendous due to temporary and longer term road closures. My bus terminated at Aldwych and I jumped in a cab - I still had more than 30 mins to get to the Gherkin. Okaaaay - by 12:15 when I was supposed to arrive we had not quite reached Bank. And by my booking @ 12:30 we were near Leadenhall Mkt. Really just inching along. I rang (using the cabbie's phone) and told them I was stuck (seriously) in traffic and they replied they would "TRY to accommodate me" Seriously, if it wasn't for my bum knee I could have walked from Aldwych in 30 minutes! It is only maybe 1.5 miles maybe a tad more.)
But <u>finally</u> at 12:40 we pulled up . . . And they could not have been nicer. I was rushed through security and given me a badge and off I was on a two lift ride to the top if the Gherkin There is a second security check on the 34th floor before ascending a different lift to the 39th floor . . . Just <B>WOW</B>. I again had one of the best tables in the house right on the window. Amazing to be eating looking DOWN on the Walkie Talkie and other signature bldgs. I was facing west so saw all of the City and up river over west London. Had a champagne cocktail, salmon starter and asparagus risotto main, a glass of a lovely Pinot Gris (which I don't usually select but the wine steward suggested it and it was good) and a WONDERFUL cheese course w/ port . . . All for £73 including service/tip which seemed very reasonable. And the VIEWS!!!
Then, knowing about the total gridlock, walked (very slowly) south towards the bridge and flagged down a cab for the rest of the way to Tate Modern for the Modigliani. This is a really good show of his portraits and nudes plus an entire room of his sculptures of which I was pretty unfamiliar. There is a totally immersive virtual reality bit worth waiting in the queue for. You sit in a chair, fit a VR 'helmet'/goggles and get 360* views of the interior of his Paris studio. Sounds hokey and the goggles take some getting used to but REALLY effective/interesting. Then up to the Members Room for a sparkling water and views over the river/City.
Caught an rv1 bus to Catherine street, walked across Covent Garden, stopping in a Tesco to buy a sandwich/crisps, caught the 24 home and bought a small bottle of wine in the on-site off license. Watched telly until about 9PM and spent an hour sorting out/tossing out/and packing.
<B>Wed: Leaving London and upgrading to Business </B>
I booked justairports and he was right on time. It was an easy (mostly) drive to LHR. I had booked business over and economy back (they put me in main cabin extra). But I really could not bear the thought of sitting for 11 hours with my knee bent. So I went to premium check in and prayed there would be room to upgrade to business. I would have paid almost anything but that LAX flight usually is pretty full. OH JOY! Not only was there a seat - I was able to upgrade Business to LAX and on to SMF for a grand total of <B>$353!</B>. Surprisingly, if I used 25,000 miles it would have cost a little over $500 due to calculating the departure fees differently or some other confusing reason. I am one HAPPY camper!!!
Spent about 90 mins in the Admirals Club having a mimosa and light breakfast. They called me a motorized cart to the gate. Only very minor kvetch about the flight - I was in row 1 in the center (so no window) facing backward. But except for feeling a bit weird during takeoff it was perfectly fine. Really wonderful food too - in fact the best meal I've ever had on an airplane. A poached salmon starter that was one of the best dishes I've ever had in the air, and a guinea fowl main which was surprising and very tasty. Followed by a hot fudge sundae. I passed on the afternoon snack and we landed at T4 about 15 mins early.
Wheel chair was waiting for me and because I didn't have checked luggage I only had to go through Global Entry right there and didn't have to trek over to Tom Bradley to retrieve bags and go through customs. From gate to admirals club in T4 took a grand total of 19 minutes!!! And people ask why I never check a bag if I can help it.
Unfortunately my flight to SMF was delayed two hours so instead of 3+ hours in the Admiral's CIub, it was nearly 6 hours. But my driver was waiting at SMF and I walked in my door just after midnight.
Today I'm visiting the Modigliani exhibit at Tate Modern and having a 12:30 lunch at Searcy's at the top of the Gherkin. The original plan was Tate early then walk or cab across the river the St. Mary Axe/the Gherkin. But I slept in and flipped the order of things. There is very strict security at the Gherkin (one has to pre-register their name to even get in the bldg) so I was instructed to arrive by 12:15. So about 11:15 I jumped on a #24 and intended to get a #15 in the Strand at Charing Cross, take it up Fleet St etc, get off near St Paul's and cab from there. Well, I <i>tried</i> to catch a 15 or other bus down the strand and towards St. Paul's but the traffic was horrendous due to temporary and longer term road closures. My bus terminated at Aldwych and I jumped in a cab - I still had more than 30 mins to get to the Gherkin. Okaaaay - by 12:15 when I was supposed to arrive we had not quite reached Bank. And by my booking @ 12:30 we were near Leadenhall Mkt. Really just inching along. I rang (using the cabbie's phone) and told them I was stuck (seriously) in traffic and they replied they would "TRY to accommodate me"
Seriously, if it wasn't for my bum knee I could have walked from Aldwych in 30 minutes! It is only maybe 1.5 miles maybe a tad more.) But <u>finally</u> at 12:40 we pulled up . . . And they could not have been nicer. I was rushed through security and given me a badge and off I was on a two lift ride to the top if the Gherkin There is a second security check on the 34th floor before ascending a different lift to the 39th floor . . . Just <B>WOW</B>. I again had one of the best tables in the house right on the window. Amazing to be eating looking DOWN on the Walkie Talkie and other signature bldgs. I was facing west so saw all of the City and up river over west London. Had a champagne cocktail, salmon starter and asparagus risotto main, a glass of a lovely Pinot Gris (which I don't usually select but the wine steward suggested it and it was good) and a WONDERFUL cheese course w/ port . . . All for £73 including service/tip which seemed very reasonable. And the VIEWS!!!
Then, knowing about the total gridlock, walked (very slowly) south towards the bridge and flagged down a cab for the rest of the way to Tate Modern for the Modigliani. This is a really good show of his portraits and nudes plus an entire room of his sculptures of which I was pretty unfamiliar. There is a totally immersive virtual reality bit worth waiting in the queue for. You sit in a chair, fit a VR 'helmet'/goggles and get 360* views of the interior of his Paris studio. Sounds hokey and the goggles take some getting used to but REALLY effective/interesting. Then up to the Members Room for a sparkling water and views over the river/City.
Caught an rv1 bus to Catherine street, walked across Covent Garden, stopping in a Tesco to buy a sandwich/crisps, caught the 24 home and bought a small bottle of wine in the on-site off license. Watched telly until about 9PM and spent an hour sorting out/tossing out/and packing.
<B>Wed: Leaving London
and upgrading to Business </B>I booked justairports and he was right on time. It was an easy (mostly) drive to LHR. I had booked business over and economy back (they put me in main cabin extra). But I really could not bear the thought of sitting for 11 hours with my knee bent. So I went to premium check in and prayed there would be room to upgrade to business. I would have paid almost anything but that LAX flight usually is pretty full. OH JOY! Not only was there a seat - I was able to upgrade Business to LAX and on to SMF for a grand total of <B>$353!</B>. Surprisingly, if I used 25,000 miles it would have cost a little over $500 due to calculating the departure fees differently or some other confusing reason. I am one HAPPY camper!!!
Spent about 90 mins in the Admirals Club having a mimosa and light breakfast. They called me a motorized cart to the gate. Only very minor kvetch about the flight - I was in row 1 in the center (so no window) facing backward. But except for feeling a bit weird during takeoff it was perfectly fine. Really wonderful food too - in fact the best meal I've ever had on an airplane. A poached salmon starter that was one of the best dishes I've ever had in the air, and a guinea fowl main which was surprising and very tasty. Followed by a hot fudge sundae. I passed on the afternoon snack and we landed at T4 about 15 mins early.
Wheel chair was waiting for me and because I didn't have checked luggage I only had to go through Global Entry right there and didn't have to trek over to Tom Bradley to retrieve bags and go through customs. From gate to admirals club in T4 took a grand total of 19 minutes!!! And people ask why I never check a bag if I can help it.
Unfortunately my flight to SMF was delayed two hours so instead of 3+ hours in the Admiral's CIub, it was nearly 6 hours. But my driver was waiting at SMF and I walked in my door just after midnight.
Dec 11th, 2017, 04:27 PM
#28
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Thanks for the report
We are going to London in early April and staying in Pimlico.
( St. George's Square)
May I ask the rate justairports charge to LHR from Pilmico ?
Last time I took a taxi to Paddington and Express train to LHR.
Thx
We are going to London in early April and staying in Pimlico.
( St. George's Square)
May I ask the rate justairports charge to LHR from Pilmico ?
Last time I took a taxi to Paddington and Express train to LHR.
Thx
Dec 11th, 2017, 04:31 PM
#29
Original Poster
One funny thing about Global Entry . . . I was sitting in the wheelchair at the kiosk. Could have stood up but the attendant was having none of that so I scanned my passport, scanned my fingerprints, answered the questions and it took the photo . . . Only I was sitting down and it didn't get even the very top of my head. I passed through the GE checkpoint and turned a very clear photo . . . of the man standing behind me in the queue
Dec 11th, 2017, 04:35 PM
#30
Original Poster
danon: LHR to Pimlico was £32+parking. Pimlico to LHR was £28. (that is for a saloon w/ no checked luggage - if you need a larger car it would be a little more each way)
. . . I've stayed in St George's Square twice -- once in a two story penthouse with a former Chancellor of the Exchequer living down stairs -- met him in the lift twice.
. . . I've stayed in St George's Square twice -- once in a two story penthouse with a former Chancellor of the Exchequer living down stairs -- met him in the lift twice.
Dec 11th, 2017, 07:52 PM
#33
Original Poster
danon: "Thanks...for the two of us , it makes more sense than H Express + taxi."
Even for just one passenger it is cheaper than The HEX + a taxi. Especially when the traffic is bad. What could be a £12 or £15 cab ride from Paddington to Pimlico is more like £25 - £30 because of the traffic situation -- especially right around Paddington and around Victoria. So justairports' fare is less in from LHR - and going TO the airport it is less than just the taxi ride to Paddington.
Plus it is a lot more convenient with no lugging bags through Paddington and LHR.
Even for just one passenger it is cheaper than The HEX + a taxi. Especially when the traffic is bad. What could be a £12 or £15 cab ride from Paddington to Pimlico is more like £25 - £30 because of the traffic situation -- especially right around Paddington and around Victoria. So justairports' fare is less in from LHR - and going TO the airport it is less than just the taxi ride to Paddington.
Plus it is a lot more convenient with no lugging bags through Paddington and LHR.
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Dec 12th, 2017, 09:39 AM
#35
Original Poster
Good news . . . I am (was) just a tad short of making platinum for next year -- even booked a mileage run for tomorrow to DFW and back to get me almost there, but still about 3,500 miles short.
Didn't think of the LHR > LAX > SMF flight. Yes, I was in business but I thought it was just considered an upgrade and I'd only get the Economy class mileage credit as originally booked. Just checked my account and they are giving me the Business class bonus miles so I'm over the threshold
Still need to do the mileage run because for some reason I don't get credit for the $$ I paid for the upgrade. So I still need the $325-ish base fare to DFW and back. But that is all I needed.
Didn't think of the LHR > LAX > SMF flight. Yes, I was in business but I thought it was just considered an upgrade and I'd only get the Economy class mileage credit as originally booked. Just checked my account and they are giving me the Business class bonus miles so I'm over the threshold
Still need to do the mileage run because for some reason I don't get credit for the $$ I paid for the upgrade. So I still need the $325-ish base fare to DFW and back. But that is all I needed.
Dec 12th, 2017, 03:21 PM
#36
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Happy birthday janis- remembering the lunch you had with us at. The Portrait gallery .
I had a quite restricted 5 weeks in London just 3 weeks ago due to health issues . It's amazing what can be done with planning.
I really enjoyed Eltham Palace this trip especially the hall where Henry V111 lived - interesting the Art Deco part but not my favourite part . Liked the cafe and the bright yellow dahlias were stunning .
I had a quite restricted 5 weeks in London just 3 weeks ago due to health issues . It's amazing what can be done with planning.
I really enjoyed Eltham Palace this trip especially the hall where Henry V111 lived - interesting the Art Deco part but not my favourite part . Liked the cafe and the bright yellow dahlias were stunning .
Dec 12th, 2017, 07:35 PM
#39
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Great read Janis! Sorry we didn’t connect this trip but my week was packed...it sure was chilly a few days but at least sunny on those days. Did you see the new Sackler Courtyard at the V&A...it’s a nice addition. I managed a trip this time to the ballet at the ROH...a first for both!! Gotta love London...and so festive at this time of year.
Dec 13th, 2017, 11:18 AM
#40
Original Poster
Hi everybody, thanks for the kind words (I'm posting from the Admirals club at DFW in the middle of my mileage run . . . Platinum baby ) -
Kmowatt: maybe next time, I think you would have enjoyed meeting Patrick and flanner.
northie: I thought about you guys when I was at the Portrait. That time was your anniversary, this time was my birthday. nice place to celebrate Sorry to hear you are having health problems
Tulips: Yep, it WAS cold most days, but the weather was actually pretty decent. Mostly sunny and didn't need my umbrella once
) -Kmowatt: maybe next time, I think you would have enjoyed meeting Patrick and flanner.
northie: I thought about you guys when I was at the Portrait. That time was your anniversary, this time was my birthday. nice place to celebrate
Sorry to hear you are having health problems Tulips: Yep, it WAS cold most days, but the weather was actually pretty decent. Mostly sunny and didn't need my umbrella once
