trip report: London, the Tate Slides, Champagne flight on the EYE, Simpson's in the Strand, Rules and more
Mar 7th, 2007, 02:17 PM
#24
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Just wanted to let you know, janisj, that I am THOROUGHLY enjoying your earlier trip report. Lots of great ideas there. I leave Friday morning to meet my daughter in NYC and fly overnight to Gatwick. Lots on the 'to do' list.
Mar 8th, 2007, 09:41 AM
#26
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Janis -
Thanks for the link to your previous trip report. Between the two, lots of great information!
The champagne trip on the Eye sounds like something my sisters and I would really enjoy. I haven't done much research on the Eye yet but I will now.
Thanks for the link to your previous trip report. Between the two, lots of great information!
The champagne trip on the Eye sounds like something my sisters and I would really enjoy. I haven't done much research on the Eye yet but I will now.
Mar 8th, 2007, 12:19 PM
#28
Original Poster
<b>Feb 23 - 27 Boeing, Boeing, Spamalot, Tate Britain/Hogarth, and a nasty cold</b>
My original plan was to hit 3 or 4 shows and at least 2 special exhibitions (Hogarth and Renoir) between Friday and Monday before flying home Tuesday. But while in Ireland I got pretty sick. Nothing fatal - but enough to slow me down and use a lot of energy just to get around.
Arrived back at LGW about 2:30 and took the GEX to Victoria and the tube to the Hilton Olympia. I wasn't expecting much but was thrilled by my room (a large L-shaped one w/ a round table and two chairs and twin beds) -- and a very handy chemist's shop right next door. I made good use of that keeping me in drugs for the next 3 days.
After checking in and unpacking, about 6:30 I went down to Leicester Square to see what was on offer at TKTS. Unfortunately even though lots was still available, nothing that I wanted to see or hadn't already seen before. The best was Boeing Boeing w/ Mark Rylance and Frances de la Tour -- but only restricted view. Not a "must" by any means but still on my "B list". I asked "just how restricted" and he said actually they'd just got some un-restricted but they were up high and that I'd probably do better just walking over to the Comedy and getting something at the box office.
That's what I did since the theatre is really just around the corner from TKTS. In hindsight (like about 10 minutes after I bought my ticket) I realized if I had walked the other way from Leicester Sq I could have checked out either The History Boys or Avenue Q (Both on my "A list"
. But never mind - I got a good seat in the dress circle. I needed to get something to eat so just picked one of those cheap cafes on Bear St - and it was surprisingly good. Had a Prawn salad and glass of wine. It was a large salad of mixed greens, tomatoes, lots of shrimp, and bread. Not gourmet but definitely edible and about 10 GBP total.
The show was pretty hysterical - sort of a french version of a British farce. I still wish I had tried to get into the History Boys or something, but I did really enjot it. The glass of champagne I ordered for the interval definitely helped too. Then back on the tube and collapsed in to bed by about 11:15.
Sat/Sun/Mon to be continued . . . .
My original plan was to hit 3 or 4 shows and at least 2 special exhibitions (Hogarth and Renoir) between Friday and Monday before flying home Tuesday. But while in Ireland I got pretty sick. Nothing fatal - but enough to slow me down and use a lot of energy just to get around.
Arrived back at LGW about 2:30 and took the GEX to Victoria and the tube to the Hilton Olympia. I wasn't expecting much but was thrilled by my room (a large L-shaped one w/ a round table and two chairs and twin beds) -- and a very handy chemist's shop right next door. I made good use of that keeping me in drugs for the next 3 days.
After checking in and unpacking, about 6:30 I went down to Leicester Square to see what was on offer at TKTS. Unfortunately even though lots was still available, nothing that I wanted to see or hadn't already seen before. The best was Boeing Boeing w/ Mark Rylance and Frances de la Tour -- but only restricted view. Not a "must" by any means but still on my "B list". I asked "just how restricted" and he said actually they'd just got some un-restricted but they were up high and that I'd probably do better just walking over to the Comedy and getting something at the box office.
That's what I did since the theatre is really just around the corner from TKTS. In hindsight (like about 10 minutes after I bought my ticket) I realized if I had walked the other way from Leicester Sq I could have checked out either The History Boys or Avenue Q (Both on my "A list"
. But never mind - I got a good seat in the dress circle. I needed to get something to eat so just picked one of those cheap cafes on Bear St - and it was surprisingly good. Had a Prawn salad and glass of wine. It was a large salad of mixed greens, tomatoes, lots of shrimp, and bread. Not gourmet but definitely edible and about 10 GBP total.The show was pretty hysterical - sort of a french version of a British farce. I still wish I had tried to get into the History Boys or something, but I did really enjot it. The glass of champagne I ordered for the interval definitely helped too. Then back on the tube and collapsed in to bed by about 11:15.
Sat/Sun/Mon to be continued . . . .
Mar 8th, 2007, 06:29 PM
#29
Original Poster
<b>Saturday, Feb 24</b>
Got a fairly late start (sleeping off the cold meds) and left the hotel about 10:30. Headed over to the Palace to try for tix to Spamalot for today's matinee or evening. There are singles for the matinee but terrible seats, and nothing for the evening performance. But a couple of great singles for Monday night so that's what I buy - 2nd row dress circle near center. (this is the decision that screws up my Monday as mentioned above - but couldn't pass up such a good seat).
I had planned to go to the Renoir exhibition at the National Gallery - but decided I'd rather try for Hogarth instead. If I had a cell phone it would have been easier - but as it was had to go over to the Tate in person. Tate Britain was <u>packed</u> and there were no tix available for Saturday. At first they said no tix for Sunday either -- but then they found one ticket for 1:30 Sunday.
As long as I was already there decided to go to eat at the Rex Whistler. They were totally booked up but had a single sitting available at 2:30. It was about 1:00 so I'd have time to see some of the temporary exhibits and some of the Turners including the three Rigi's together in the same room for the first time ever. (The campaign to raise money to save the Blue Rigi from export was completed about 3 days after my visit). Turner is just amazing and I go to the Tate every few years just to visit the "old friends". While I was wandering through one of the Turner galleries - two young-ish guys barrelled through. One sort of yelling and gesticulating and the other one trying to quiet him down. He was loudly saying "<i>What's the point?? They all look exactly the same! What IS the F**King point??</i>" It was funny - he was right in a way -- but oh so wrong too
Then it was time for lunch - alrerady described above. It was a really, REALLY terrific meal.
Then I walked down river, took a few photos in the changing afternoon light and then stopped at the Cabinet War Rooms. I was enjoying them, but the cold meds were wearing off a bit so decided to cut the visit a bit short and make an early evening of it. Took my time getting back to the hotel - stopped in Hyde Park/Kens Gardens for a few more photos and then took a bus back to Olympia and the hotel, watched some of the rugby on telly and took a short nap.
Was not the least bit hungry - but knew I would be eventually. So I walked up Kens High St to a Waitrose and bought some fruit, cheese and biscuits. Ended up being a 4.10GBP dinner (after a 41GBP lunch it sort of averaged out in the end)
next - a MOB scene at the Hogarth exhibit on Sunday and Rules/Spamalot on Monday -- but right now I have to go help Kings beat the Spurs (yeah, right - one can hope anyway)
Got a fairly late start (sleeping off the cold meds) and left the hotel about 10:30. Headed over to the Palace to try for tix to Spamalot for today's matinee or evening. There are singles for the matinee but terrible seats, and nothing for the evening performance. But a couple of great singles for Monday night so that's what I buy - 2nd row dress circle near center. (this is the decision that screws up my Monday as mentioned above - but couldn't pass up such a good seat).
I had planned to go to the Renoir exhibition at the National Gallery - but decided I'd rather try for Hogarth instead. If I had a cell phone it would have been easier - but as it was had to go over to the Tate in person. Tate Britain was <u>packed</u> and there were no tix available for Saturday. At first they said no tix for Sunday either -- but then they found one ticket for 1:30 Sunday.
As long as I was already there decided to go to eat at the Rex Whistler. They were totally booked up but had a single sitting available at 2:30. It was about 1:00 so I'd have time to see some of the temporary exhibits and some of the Turners including the three Rigi's together in the same room for the first time ever. (The campaign to raise money to save the Blue Rigi from export was completed about 3 days after my visit). Turner is just amazing and I go to the Tate every few years just to visit the "old friends". While I was wandering through one of the Turner galleries - two young-ish guys barrelled through. One sort of yelling and gesticulating and the other one trying to quiet him down. He was loudly saying "<i>What's the point?? They all look exactly the same! What IS the F**King point??</i>" It was funny - he was right in a way -- but oh so wrong too
Then it was time for lunch - alrerady described above. It was a really, REALLY terrific meal.
Then I walked down river, took a few photos in the changing afternoon light and then stopped at the Cabinet War Rooms. I was enjoying them, but the cold meds were wearing off a bit so decided to cut the visit a bit short and make an early evening of it. Took my time getting back to the hotel - stopped in Hyde Park/Kens Gardens for a few more photos and then took a bus back to Olympia and the hotel, watched some of the rugby on telly and took a short nap.
Was not the least bit hungry - but knew I would be eventually. So I walked up Kens High St to a Waitrose and bought some fruit, cheese and biscuits. Ended up being a 4.10GBP dinner (after a 41GBP lunch it sort of averaged out in the end)
next - a MOB scene at the Hogarth exhibit on Sunday and Rules/Spamalot on Monday -- but right now I have to go help Kings beat the Spurs (yeah, right - one can hope anyway)
Mar 8th, 2007, 07:26 PM
#31
Original Poster
Just a second to post (end of the first quarter and we're down 6 
)
Anyway, the Hogarth exhibit was TOTALLY worth it -- but it was also very, very crowded. I have a couple of etchings/copper plates of Hogarth's (Beer St and The Times) and have always been fascinated by his social satire - but the exhibit also illustrates what a good straight painter he was.
But the crowd did make it a bit frustrating trying to see some of the works - especially the small series where one really needs to be up close to see the details.
Maybe on a non-weekend day it wouldn't be so crowded.
)Anyway, the Hogarth exhibit was TOTALLY worth it -- but it was also very, very crowded. I have a couple of etchings/copper plates of Hogarth's (Beer St and The Times) and have always been fascinated by his social satire - but the exhibit also illustrates what a good straight painter he was.
But the crowd did make it a bit frustrating trying to see some of the works - especially the small series where one really needs to be up close to see the details.
Maybe on a non-weekend day it wouldn't be so crowded.
Mar 10th, 2007, 09:19 AM
#33
Original Poster
Can't finish just now - answered noes's question about Hogarth hoping to get it in before they left for London. But I am currently at my Mom's (no notes), am giving one of my travel talks tomorrow (too busy), AND start jury duty on Monday! There, are those enough excuses for you
But I really will try to finish tomorrow night (there isn't too much more -- Spamalot, and a bit of sightseeing and such . . . . .)
But I really will try to finish tomorrow night (there isn't too much more -- Spamalot, and a bit of sightseeing and such . . . . .)
Mar 12th, 2007, 06:20 PM
#35
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janisj,
Finally caught up with your trip report and finding it helpful in organizing my next trip to London. It sounds to me like the perfect trip...time with friends and time on your own.
Thanks for mentioning Southwark Cathdral. I haven't been there in years, so hope to get over there next time.
Didn't realize that the London Eye had champagne 'pods'. Must give that a try also.
I was particularly interested in your restaurant reviews and since I'm a fan of Italian cooking,I'm eager to try your suggestions.
And, what did you do in Ireland besides trying to recover from whatever bug plagued you?
Thanks again for an excellent and informative report.
Finally caught up with your trip report and finding it helpful in organizing my next trip to London. It sounds to me like the perfect trip...time with friends and time on your own.
Thanks for mentioning Southwark Cathdral. I haven't been there in years, so hope to get over there next time.
Didn't realize that the London Eye had champagne 'pods'. Must give that a try also.
I was particularly interested in your restaurant reviews and since I'm a fan of Italian cooking,I'm eager to try your suggestions.
And, what did you do in Ireland besides trying to recover from whatever bug plagued you?
Thanks again for an excellent and informative report.
Mar 15th, 2007, 08:27 PM
#36
Original Poster
Finishing up and some loose ends
<b>Sunday Feb. 25. Hogarth, walking around Chelsea</b>
The cold/sinus whatever has really grabbed hold but the next door chemist has fixed me up and I am managing pretty well. I sleep in til about 8:30, dose up again and have tea and fruit in my room. I call down to the front desk to ask where I can get a Sunday paper - and they send a Telegraph up to me - for free! So I read some of the paper and watch some Sunday a.m. telly and start to feel human again.
I get out about 10:30 and take the #9 bus up to Hyde Park corner and take some photos in the park and along the Serpentine. Then back on a #9 to Trafalgar Square to get some shots of St James Park. And finally a #24 to Pimlico tube station and the short walk over to the Tate. I have tea and a small salad in the Tate cafe. By then it is 1:30 and time to enter the Hogarth exhibition.
Even w/ the timed tickets it was a total mob scene. Some of the rooms were filled to the point one really could not see much of anything. And since several of the major attrations are groups/series of small pictures you really have to be up close to appreciate them. The first 2 or 3 rooms were sort of bottle necks so I went ahead and eventually the crowds were a bit more manageable. As I mentioned above - I've always enjoyed Hogarth's satirical engravings - but had not realized what a good painter he was as well. Some really wonderful "conversation pieces" which are primarily family/group portraits but in less formal/stilted settings than other 18th century artists.
I did enjoy the show - but the crowds were a bit much.
Afterwards I walked across Pimlico and over to Chelsea Embankment and through the grounds of the Chelsea Hospital (where the Chelsea Flower Show is held in late May). I often walk through the hospital - and usually stop to talk w/ a few of the pensioners. This time there were only a few out and about and I just had brief conversations w/ a couple.
By now it was getting to be late afternoon and my cold meds were starting to wear off. So I made my way back to the hotel about 6:00 and ended up having room service for dinner. Had a steak pie, red wine and apple pie. Not gourmet but not bad at all and quite reasonably priced for hotel food.
As explained above, I move out to a LHR hotel for monday night and have a hectic morning ahead of me going out to LHR and back into town. So I get my basic packing done so I can get a fairly early start and fall alseep reading the rest of the Sunday paper.
<b>Sunday Feb. 25. Hogarth, walking around Chelsea</b>
The cold/sinus whatever has really grabbed hold but the next door chemist has fixed me up and I am managing pretty well. I sleep in til about 8:30, dose up again and have tea and fruit in my room. I call down to the front desk to ask where I can get a Sunday paper - and they send a Telegraph up to me - for free! So I read some of the paper and watch some Sunday a.m. telly and start to feel human again.
I get out about 10:30 and take the #9 bus up to Hyde Park corner and take some photos in the park and along the Serpentine. Then back on a #9 to Trafalgar Square to get some shots of St James Park. And finally a #24 to Pimlico tube station and the short walk over to the Tate. I have tea and a small salad in the Tate cafe. By then it is 1:30 and time to enter the Hogarth exhibition.
Even w/ the timed tickets it was a total mob scene. Some of the rooms were filled to the point one really could not see much of anything. And since several of the major attrations are groups/series of small pictures you really have to be up close to appreciate them. The first 2 or 3 rooms were sort of bottle necks so I went ahead and eventually the crowds were a bit more manageable. As I mentioned above - I've always enjoyed Hogarth's satirical engravings - but had not realized what a good painter he was as well. Some really wonderful "conversation pieces" which are primarily family/group portraits but in less formal/stilted settings than other 18th century artists.
I did enjoy the show - but the crowds were a bit much.
Afterwards I walked across Pimlico and over to Chelsea Embankment and through the grounds of the Chelsea Hospital (where the Chelsea Flower Show is held in late May). I often walk through the hospital - and usually stop to talk w/ a few of the pensioners. This time there were only a few out and about and I just had brief conversations w/ a couple.
By now it was getting to be late afternoon and my cold meds were starting to wear off. So I made my way back to the hotel about 6:00 and ended up having room service for dinner. Had a steak pie, red wine and apple pie. Not gourmet but not bad at all and quite reasonably priced for hotel food.
As explained above, I move out to a LHR hotel for monday night and have a hectic morning ahead of me going out to LHR and back into town. So I get my basic packing done so I can get a fairly early start and fall alseep reading the rest of the Sunday paper.
Mar 15th, 2007, 10:36 PM
#38
Original Poster
I knew it was in the area but not that it was actually ON Charlotte St. Anyway . . .
<b>Monday Feb 26 - Spamalot and Rules -- and dashing to / from / to LHR</b>
Actually, I've already talked above about a lot of what happened on monday - the hassle of going out to LHR and back and why, and my super scrumptious lunch at Rule's. So I'll just jump to the afternoon and pick things up there.
I was wandering around covent garden and glanced down a side street and saw a sign for an internet cafe. Went down the street and went in to send a few e-mails - and when I came out - duh - realized I was on Maiden Lane and almost directly across from Rules. It was about 2:30. It's been years since I ate there so decided to give it a shot. What a fabulous lunch!!
Afterwards I did some shopping in the Market (Lush again and a couple of others) and had a coffee while watching some of the street performers. It was a nice afternoon and I was feeling better so I walked over to Seven Dials again and explored some of the shops and stopped in a pub for a 1/2 pint.
The shops started to close so I walked over towards Charing Cross/Shaftsbury and the Palace. It was still a bit too early to go to the theatre so I popped into a small wine bar next door to the Ivy. It was very "french" especially w/ the cigarette smoke and all the chalk boards w/ the menus in french. I had some Brie and bread and a really good red wine and overheard some really interesting conversations. One lady sitting just next to me is obviously acting in a current production (I'll need to research to see what shows are dark on Monday nights and maybe by elimination I can figure out which one) She was sort of holding court w/ 5 or 6 others that seemed to be chorus members/dancers. She was seriously name dropping - but not showing off. Just matter of factly talking about some interesting cast members she has worked w/.
Then it was time to walk around the corner and over to the Palace. I ordered a glass of champagne for the interval and settled in to my great Dress Circle seat for Spamalot. The show was hysterical - I think even non-python fanatics would enjoy it. Hannah Waddington who plays the Lady of the Lake has an AMAZING voice. But it is the "guys of the round table" who steal the show (other than the French taunters and the killer rabbit of course)
After the show, hopped on the tube at Leicester Sq and traveled out to LHR. It was about 11:30 when I got to the airport and there was only 1 other passenger in the 3 cars I could see from where I sat. Then from the tube station walked to the bus stop for the hotel hoppas (had the location memorized since it was my <b>3rd</b> time there today) Caught the last hoppa of the day and was in bed by 00:05.
It was a long and hectic day but since my flight out on Tuesday wasn't until mid morning, I got a good night's sleep.
<b>Monday Feb 26 - Spamalot and Rules -- and dashing to / from / to LHR</b>
Actually, I've already talked above about a lot of what happened on monday - the hassle of going out to LHR and back and why, and my super scrumptious lunch at Rule's. So I'll just jump to the afternoon and pick things up there.
I was wandering around covent garden and glanced down a side street and saw a sign for an internet cafe. Went down the street and went in to send a few e-mails - and when I came out - duh - realized I was on Maiden Lane and almost directly across from Rules. It was about 2:30. It's been years since I ate there so decided to give it a shot. What a fabulous lunch!!
Afterwards I did some shopping in the Market (Lush again and a couple of others) and had a coffee while watching some of the street performers. It was a nice afternoon and I was feeling better so I walked over to Seven Dials again and explored some of the shops and stopped in a pub for a 1/2 pint.
The shops started to close so I walked over towards Charing Cross/Shaftsbury and the Palace. It was still a bit too early to go to the theatre so I popped into a small wine bar next door to the Ivy. It was very "french" especially w/ the cigarette smoke
and all the chalk boards w/ the menus in french. I had some Brie and bread and a really good red wine and overheard some really interesting conversations. One lady sitting just next to me is obviously acting in a current production (I'll need to research to see what shows are dark on Monday nights and maybe by elimination I can figure out which one) She was sort of holding court w/ 5 or 6 others that seemed to be chorus members/dancers. She was seriously name dropping - but not showing off. Just matter of factly talking about some interesting cast members she has worked w/.Then it was time to walk around the corner and over to the Palace. I ordered a glass of champagne for the interval and settled in to my great Dress Circle seat for Spamalot. The show was hysterical - I think even non-python fanatics would enjoy it. Hannah Waddington who plays the Lady of the Lake has an AMAZING voice. But it is the "guys of the round table" who steal the show (other than the French taunters and the killer rabbit of course)
After the show, hopped on the tube at Leicester Sq and traveled out to LHR. It was about 11:30 when I got to the airport and there was only 1 other passenger in the 3 cars I could see from where I sat. Then from the tube station walked to the bus stop for the hotel hoppas (had the location memorized since it was my <b>3rd</b> time there today) Caught the last hoppa of the day and was in bed by 00:05.
It was a long and hectic day but since my flight out on Tuesday wasn't until mid morning, I got a good night's sleep.
Mar 16th, 2007, 06:23 AM
#40
Original Poster
Crazy: I was a bit stage right of the middle of Row B.
The Dress Circle is pretty well banked so in row E you will have a very good view.
(The Upper Circle only overhangs to about Row G so won't be a problem)
The Dress Circle is pretty well banked so in row E you will have a very good view.
(The Upper Circle only overhangs to about Row G so won't be a problem)
