The Peabody Papers: AJ and Mrs. Peabody Visit London, 2018
Oct 12th, 2018, 09:18 AM
#21
Oct 13th, 2018, 06:56 AM
#22
The Peabody Papers: AJ and Mrs. Peabody Visit London, 2018
Monday
Awoke with the dreaded Common Cold. Sore throat and the nose running a marathon. For the next three days I survived on a box of tissues per day, vitamin C, decongestant, antihistamine, and caffeine. I must have looked even more ancient, because for first time in my life I was offered seats in the subway. Mrs. P must have been immune, as she stayed healthy, taking over the daily plan duties entirely.
First stop: The Queen’s Gallery at Buckingham Palace. There were two exhibitions from the centuries of Royal possessions: A display of the Prince’s tour of India and a collection of Mogul miniatures, both amazing. Also the loo had mahogany fittings. We didn’t try to see the interior of the Palace as we did that years ago when they first opened for tourists.
We checked out the half price booth at Leicester square, but between the offerings and my debilitated condition, decided against a show. Went for lunch to the Beijing Dumpling House, where they make the dumplings in the window. The dumplings were by far better than the ones at home. My only error was getting dumplings “in soup” rather than a separate soup to sooth my throat. I think there was a translation failure as the “soup” was hot water. Adding the offered vinegar and soy sauce improved the situation. If I were to return, I’d get more dumplings and real soup. Recommended for dumpling fans. Chinese clientele.
The afternoon brought us to the V&A for wandering among the exhibits until I plonked out. Discussion above in the museum listing.
By now I was shot, so we picked up sandwiches and pastry at Paul and watched TV for the evening. I was registering Level 5 on the Dwarf Scale (Sneezy, Dopey, Grumpy, Sleepy and Doc).
Tuesday
Got out and went straight away to the Churchill War Rooms. Without a reservation, we stayed in the waiting line for about 20 minutes. In real tourist season this tactic would not work. My wife, the history buff, loved the place. I am not into war history, but, even so, I was fascinated for several hours with the underground war planning center and the Churchill museum. This place is a must. And two for one makes the cost less shocking.
We then went to the Wallace Collection. Already described above.
For late lunch, we decided on a visit to another branch of Tapas Brindisa, but discovered each branch has its own hours and the one in Soho wasn’t open for lunch. So we defaulted to the universal default meal, pizza. Discovered Fratelli La Bufala on Shaftsbury Avenue. The Italian pizzaioli spinning dough in front of a real Italian pizza oven in the front window, piles of Italian flour sacks and a few gross of giant cans of Italian plum tomatoes next to the doorway convinced us to try it. A good decision, with really good Neapolitan style pizza. That means thin crust, soft not crisp, with a floppy center, top ingredients but not overloaded. I had an anchovy ‘za, Mrs. P a complicated mix including chicken and potato (listed as designed for the British market). Recommended if you want to feel like you are in Naples (potatoes excepted). We both liked it a lot.
After that, headed to the V&A again for the Fashion and Nature exhibit, half price with 2 for 1. Also toured the regular fashion section and a few others until el sicko crumped. Rested up at the hotel, then went for Indian food. Went to Malabar, a family run limited hours place off Notting Hill Gate. I got tandoori lamb chops, Mrs. P tandoori chicken tikka, plus raita, five lentil dal, and rice. It’s on a semi-deserted street parallel to the high street, filled only with locals. Great service, great food, highly recommended.
Monday
Awoke with the dreaded Common Cold. Sore throat and the nose running a marathon. For the next three days I survived on a box of tissues per day, vitamin C, decongestant, antihistamine, and caffeine. I must have looked even more ancient, because for first time in my life I was offered seats in the subway. Mrs. P must have been immune, as she stayed healthy, taking over the daily plan duties entirely.
First stop: The Queen’s Gallery at Buckingham Palace. There were two exhibitions from the centuries of Royal possessions: A display of the Prince’s tour of India and a collection of Mogul miniatures, both amazing. Also the loo had mahogany fittings. We didn’t try to see the interior of the Palace as we did that years ago when they first opened for tourists.
We checked out the half price booth at Leicester square, but between the offerings and my debilitated condition, decided against a show. Went for lunch to the Beijing Dumpling House, where they make the dumplings in the window. The dumplings were by far better than the ones at home. My only error was getting dumplings “in soup” rather than a separate soup to sooth my throat. I think there was a translation failure as the “soup” was hot water. Adding the offered vinegar and soy sauce improved the situation. If I were to return, I’d get more dumplings and real soup. Recommended for dumpling fans. Chinese clientele.
The afternoon brought us to the V&A for wandering among the exhibits until I plonked out. Discussion above in the museum listing.
By now I was shot, so we picked up sandwiches and pastry at Paul and watched TV for the evening. I was registering Level 5 on the Dwarf Scale (Sneezy, Dopey, Grumpy, Sleepy and Doc).
Tuesday
Got out and went straight away to the Churchill War Rooms. Without a reservation, we stayed in the waiting line for about 20 minutes. In real tourist season this tactic would not work. My wife, the history buff, loved the place. I am not into war history, but, even so, I was fascinated for several hours with the underground war planning center and the Churchill museum. This place is a must. And two for one makes the cost less shocking.
We then went to the Wallace Collection. Already described above.
For late lunch, we decided on a visit to another branch of Tapas Brindisa, but discovered each branch has its own hours and the one in Soho wasn’t open for lunch. So we defaulted to the universal default meal, pizza. Discovered Fratelli La Bufala on Shaftsbury Avenue. The Italian pizzaioli spinning dough in front of a real Italian pizza oven in the front window, piles of Italian flour sacks and a few gross of giant cans of Italian plum tomatoes next to the doorway convinced us to try it. A good decision, with really good Neapolitan style pizza. That means thin crust, soft not crisp, with a floppy center, top ingredients but not overloaded. I had an anchovy ‘za, Mrs. P a complicated mix including chicken and potato (listed as designed for the British market). Recommended if you want to feel like you are in Naples (potatoes excepted). We both liked it a lot.
After that, headed to the V&A again for the Fashion and Nature exhibit, half price with 2 for 1. Also toured the regular fashion section and a few others until el sicko crumped. Rested up at the hotel, then went for Indian food. Went to Malabar, a family run limited hours place off Notting Hill Gate. I got tandoori lamb chops, Mrs. P tandoori chicken tikka, plus raita, five lentil dal, and rice. It’s on a semi-deserted street parallel to the high street, filled only with locals. Great service, great food, highly recommended.
Last edited by AJPeabody; Oct 13th, 2018 at 07:00 AM.
Oct 14th, 2018, 04:42 AM
#23
The Peabody Papers: AJ and Mrs. Peabody Visit London, 2018
Intermezzo
An Incident in the British Museum, Wherein AJ Defends Mrs. P from a Vicious I-Phone Wielding Attacker, Using Only Passive Aggression, Without Retaliatory Physical Contact or Profanity
There are other threads about the inconsiderate phone photographers interfering with others trying to enjoy museums. We saw many, and, as I have stated elsewhere, I find it bizarre that someone will travel thousands of miles to see art and then view it only through a phone screen. We encountered the worst of the species, one who breached all the boundaries of museum propriety.
We were admiring a particularly interesting piece of porcelain encased in a protective transparent cube. Next to us, a woman with a phone camera was attempting to take the perfect picture. Suddenly she moved sideways into Mrs. P, knocking her off her feet. Only a quick grab onto me prevented Mrs. P from a fall to the hard marble floor. Not a word of apology in any language from the perpetrator, who continued in her effort to get just the perfect electronic record of what she would not see.
Mrs. P, visibly upset, moved a dozen steps away and was clearly preparing to make an incident. With lightning speed, I moved in, blocking the view of the perpetrator. She moved left. I moved left. She moved right. I moved right. She changed her attention to the label for the pot. I blocked. For several minutes we danced in seemingly coordinated silence. I blocked every attempt at a picture. There was never an “I’m sorry” or an “Excuse me” or any sign of courtesy or contrition from the attacker. Eventually she walked away. I mentally likened myself to the soup Nazi: “No photo for you!”
My wife returned. We examined the porcelain. I did not take a picture.
Intermezzo
An Incident in the British Museum, Wherein AJ Defends Mrs. P from a Vicious I-Phone Wielding Attacker, Using Only Passive Aggression, Without Retaliatory Physical Contact or Profanity
There are other threads about the inconsiderate phone photographers interfering with others trying to enjoy museums. We saw many, and, as I have stated elsewhere, I find it bizarre that someone will travel thousands of miles to see art and then view it only through a phone screen. We encountered the worst of the species, one who breached all the boundaries of museum propriety.
We were admiring a particularly interesting piece of porcelain encased in a protective transparent cube. Next to us, a woman with a phone camera was attempting to take the perfect picture. Suddenly she moved sideways into Mrs. P, knocking her off her feet. Only a quick grab onto me prevented Mrs. P from a fall to the hard marble floor. Not a word of apology in any language from the perpetrator, who continued in her effort to get just the perfect electronic record of what she would not see.
Mrs. P, visibly upset, moved a dozen steps away and was clearly preparing to make an incident. With lightning speed, I moved in, blocking the view of the perpetrator. She moved left. I moved left. She moved right. I moved right. She changed her attention to the label for the pot. I blocked. For several minutes we danced in seemingly coordinated silence. I blocked every attempt at a picture. There was never an “I’m sorry” or an “Excuse me” or any sign of courtesy or contrition from the attacker. Eventually she walked away. I mentally likened myself to the soup Nazi: “No photo for you!”
My wife returned. We examined the porcelain. I did not take a picture.
Oct 14th, 2018, 08:14 AM
#25
Don't be silly, Bilbo. My wife was stationary, the attacker was the one in motion. She was so immersed in her screen that her surroundings were ignored. You don't apologize for being a victim.
Oct 14th, 2018, 10:36 AM
#30
Another Aid to London Travel
TfL the London regional travel authority, has a special service at the Earls Court Underground station that turns out to be very helpful if you are running late. It also may be useful for combatting jet lag. Fares are quite reasonable in zones 1 and 2 using the Oyster Card. It is said to be the last remaining Tardis in London.
Oct 15th, 2018, 08:24 AM
#31
The Peabody Papers: AJ and Mrs. Peabody Visit London, 2018
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
I’ll spare you the day by day, just the highlights that got into my notes despite my cold and required pharmaceuticals.
Museums: Science Museum, V&A (again)(Future Starts Here exhibit on 2 for 1, very worth it), Tate Britain, British Museum
Concert by Candlelight at St. Martin in the Fields: Bach, Vivaldi, and Handel by a string ensemble and harpsichord, good music and a nice venue and acoustics. Buy in advance (on the day before the concert we got the last two seats together). Rent a cushion if you don’t fancy the hard wooden pews.
General wanderings: Food court at Harrods (“Abandon all cash, ye who enter here”). Covent Garden (Tourist goods only but a nice display of mannequins covered in flowers set up for just a few days)
.
Lunches: Tapas Brindisa again, another location. Each has a similar but somewhat different menu. No repeats for us. Rating: Mmmmm Good! Warning, all locations have different hours, at least one closed for lunch.
Pret a Manger (great sandwiches). Flat Iron (again) Tried the baked eggplant and tomato side, excellent. One order of chips is easily enough for two people.
Suppers: One do it yourself with fancy ingredients from Marks and Sparks.
Chinese: Gold Mine on Queensway: Duck (D-Licious), shrimp with vegs, baby bok choi with mushrooms. Rice. All very tasty. (But one urgent trip to the porcelain throne that night). Very busy local place, mostly ethnic clientele.
Italian, a few blocks from the hotel, local place: La Pappardella: Aps: Fried calamari and zucchini, antipasto of roasted vegetables in olive oil, Mains: Veal with mushrooms and spinach, grilled calves liver (properly pink interior) with mashed potatoes. Really, really good, highly recommended, make a reservation (we did and jumped the waiting line to get the last table). Place was full of happy diners, talking between tables (we were included).
Other activity: Getting nasal decongestant spray for plane trip, bought at the local chemist, chose one brand (Otrivine Sinusitis Spray) because another shopper was a flight attendant who said “That’s what we all use.”
Packing.
Saturday
Bye bye London! Got Paul pastries for breakfast and Pret sandwiches for lunch.
It’s only 1.50 pounds to tube to Heathrow. Oyster card deposit and balance refunded at machine at Heathrow.
Flying to London we got randomly assigned priority pre-check, but it was another story going home. They went through both our personal items and one carry-on bag, confiscated butter and foot cream, and, just before boarding, the SSSS on Mrs. P’s boarding pass got her searched and the other carry-on searched, too. Plane left an hour late.
The return on Virgin Atlantic was in a different plane, an Airbus 340 instead of a 330, with nicer seats and better food (Indian curry, edible). The nasal spray protected me from sinus pressure change distresses.
Arrived home with a one pound weight loss (lots of walking in London) and only one foot blister.
Any Questions?
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
I’ll spare you the day by day, just the highlights that got into my notes despite my cold and required pharmaceuticals.
Museums: Science Museum, V&A (again)(Future Starts Here exhibit on 2 for 1, very worth it), Tate Britain, British Museum
Concert by Candlelight at St. Martin in the Fields: Bach, Vivaldi, and Handel by a string ensemble and harpsichord, good music and a nice venue and acoustics. Buy in advance (on the day before the concert we got the last two seats together). Rent a cushion if you don’t fancy the hard wooden pews.
General wanderings: Food court at Harrods (“Abandon all cash, ye who enter here”). Covent Garden (Tourist goods only but a nice display of mannequins covered in flowers set up for just a few days)
.
Lunches: Tapas Brindisa again, another location. Each has a similar but somewhat different menu. No repeats for us. Rating: Mmmmm Good! Warning, all locations have different hours, at least one closed for lunch.
Pret a Manger (great sandwiches). Flat Iron (again) Tried the baked eggplant and tomato side, excellent. One order of chips is easily enough for two people.
Suppers: One do it yourself with fancy ingredients from Marks and Sparks.
Chinese: Gold Mine on Queensway: Duck (D-Licious), shrimp with vegs, baby bok choi with mushrooms. Rice. All very tasty. (But one urgent trip to the porcelain throne that night). Very busy local place, mostly ethnic clientele.
Italian, a few blocks from the hotel, local place: La Pappardella: Aps: Fried calamari and zucchini, antipasto of roasted vegetables in olive oil, Mains: Veal with mushrooms and spinach, grilled calves liver (properly pink interior) with mashed potatoes. Really, really good, highly recommended, make a reservation (we did and jumped the waiting line to get the last table). Place was full of happy diners, talking between tables (we were included).
Other activity: Getting nasal decongestant spray for plane trip, bought at the local chemist, chose one brand (Otrivine Sinusitis Spray) because another shopper was a flight attendant who said “That’s what we all use.”
Packing.
Saturday
Bye bye London! Got Paul pastries for breakfast and Pret sandwiches for lunch.
It’s only 1.50 pounds to tube to Heathrow. Oyster card deposit and balance refunded at machine at Heathrow.
Flying to London we got randomly assigned priority pre-check, but it was another story going home. They went through both our personal items and one carry-on bag, confiscated butter and foot cream, and, just before boarding, the SSSS on Mrs. P’s boarding pass got her searched and the other carry-on searched, too. Plane left an hour late.
The return on Virgin Atlantic was in a different plane, an Airbus 340 instead of a 330, with nicer seats and better food (Indian curry, edible). The nasal spray protected me from sinus pressure change distresses.
Arrived home with a one pound weight loss (lots of walking in London) and only one foot blister.
Any Questions?
Last edited by AJPeabody; Oct 15th, 2018 at 08:29 AM. Reason: Pictures
Oct 24th, 2018, 08:39 AM
#33
For anyone interested in a usable list of restaurants that I researched for this trip, see:
AJPeabody’s London Restaurant List
AJPeabody’s London Restaurant List
Oct 27th, 2018, 05:48 PM
#36
I clicked the link when I posted it and it worked. It worked fine again just now. If it doesn't work for you, click my name and the restaurant list is shown as one of my trip reports.
Oct 27th, 2018, 06:45 PM
#37
This is VERY weird. When I open your thread, page down to the bottom, and click the restaurant list link I get 'page not found'
BUT when I click the 'Go to last post' arrow or the 'Got to first new post' icon -- the link opens. I tried all three modes 3X each to make sure.
Maybe report it on the Tech support board???
BUT when I click the 'Go to last post' arrow or the 'Got to first new post' icon -- the link opens. I tried all three modes 3X each to make sure.
Maybe report it on the Tech support board???
Oct 28th, 2018, 01:58 AM
#38
Join Date: Dec 2017
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Thanks Janis j and AJP the link is working now.
I laughed at your story of the rude photographer. My husband thusly heads me off at the pass in a similar way when he senses a loud “Excuse me” coming on.
I laughed at your story of the rude photographer. My husband thusly heads me off at the pass in a similar way when he senses a loud “Excuse me” coming on.
Oct 28th, 2018, 09:58 AM
#39
>>Thanks Janis j and AJP the link is working now. <<
Actually it is still as I described. If you open the thread and scroll down to the bottom and click the link in AJPeabody's post you get the 'Page not found' error.
But if you skip straight to the bottom using either the 'Go to the Last post' arrow or the 'Go to the first new post' icon, the link opens.
Actually it is still as I described. If you open the thread and scroll down to the bottom and click the link in AJPeabody's post you get the 'Page not found' error.
But if you skip straight to the bottom using either the 'Go to the Last post' arrow or the 'Go to the first new post' icon, the link opens.
Oct 28th, 2018, 04:46 PM
#40
Join Date: Aug 2005
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Janis, the link is now opening for me but was not before. I am wondering if your browser needs cleared. Your computer is pulling up the old pathway still, basically.
Try pasting the link into a different browser. Or clear your history in your browser--if you don't want to lose all your preferences, clear the last week or so.
5 Alive
Try pasting the link into a different browser. Or clear your history in your browser--if you don't want to lose all your preferences, clear the last week or so.
5 Alive
