Bilan

Ce que je savais déjà et que j’ai confirmé

Collectivement, les Londoniens sont propres, polis, courtois, discrets, bien habillés et ils sentent bons. Individuellement, il y a sûrement des exceptions mais je n’en ai pas rencontré.

Les Anglais boivent beaucoup. En effet, cela semble un problème. J’ai bien vu des masses d’Anglais siroter « a pint of lager » à la porte des nombreux pubs partout à Londres, mais rien de déplacé. Au contraire, pour des groupes aussi nombreux, il pourrait y avoir plus de bruit et de grabuge. J’ai pris connaissance du problème d’alcool des Anglais par les journaux locaux. Il semble que l’alcoolisme monte en flèche et que le système de santé anglais soit dépassé par les maladies reliées à la consommation d’alcool. (Notez que le système de santé anglais n’est pas en meilleure santé que le nôtre.). Mais le problème est plus anglais que londoniens et d’après ce que j’ai lu, les régions éloignées sont plus problématiques. Le gouvernement anglais est à penser à des mesures pour limiter l’accès trop facile à l’alcool.
En attendant, les Londoniens continuent de boire leur bière avec élégance à la porte des pubs.

Les Londoniens sont organisés. Ils ont de l’ordre. Ils savent faire la ligne et attendre leur tour, sans bousculer ou essayer de passer avant les autres. Ils sont d’ailleurs surpris de ces comportements observés chez certains visiteurs. Dans les musées et autres attractions touristiques, tout est clairement expliqué : où prendre son billet, où entrer, où sortir. Dans les autobus, un message vous dit régulièrement la destination vers laquelle vous vous dirigez et à chaque arrêt on indique le nom de la rue. Malgré la grandeur du métro, il reste très facile à utiliser. À l’épicerie, on fait une seule ligne et on passe à chacun son tour. Des exemples semblables, il y en a tout plein.

Tout coûte cher. Et oui, c’est un fait. Il faut arrêter de comparer les prix avec chez nous ou convertir les prix en dollars canadiens parce qu’on ne fera jamais rien. À Londres, on vit en livre anglaise et c’est comme ça.

Ce que j’ai appris

On doit utiliser moins d’agent de conservation dans les aliments puisqu’ils se conservent moins longtemps. Par exemple pour le lait, la date de péremption est environ 2 à 3 jours. À Londres on s’intéresse beaucoup à la nourriture locale. On préconise de plus en plus l’utilisation de produits locaux. Le commerce équitable est aussi une façon de vivre.

On n’arrive pas à faire des prévisions météorologiques fiables. BBC Weather, et The Weather Channel ne s’entendent pas sur le temps qu’il fera dans la journée et bien souvent les deux sont dans l’erreur. À leur défense, je dirais que c’est parce que la température est vraiment imprévisible et très changeante à Londres. Si on dit qu’il pleut souvent à Londres, il faut comprendre qu’il ne s’agit pas de pluie comme chez nous. J’avais l’impression qu’il n’y avait presque pas eu de pluie jusqu’à ce que je relise le blogue. C’est qu’il peut parfois y avoir une bruine légère qui dure quelques minutes et l’instant d’après le soleil est revenu. Il m’est arrivé qu’une seule fois d’avoir une journée entièrement grise et en partie pluvieuse et ce fut ma dernière journée à Londres. Snif!

Pour le transport en commun, la carte Oyster (carte à puces) est implantée dans les habitudes des Londoniens depuis un bon moment déjà… et c’est génial. On achète la carte au coût de 3£ et on y ajoute le montant que l’on veut. À chaque utilisation dans le métro ou l’autobus, un montant est prélevé. On ajoute simplement de l’argent quand c’est nécessaire. Le plus beau c’est que même si vous payez à l’usage, jamais le montant quotidien ne dépasse le prix d’une passe d’un jour. Quand vous le désirez, par exemple à la fin de votre séjour, vous pouvez remettre votre carte et on vous rembourse le 3£ et ce qu’il reste sur votre carte. Cool!

Londres est connue comme étant une capitale de la mode. En effet, on ne compte plus les boutiques Cartier, Chanel, Burberry, Dior, Prada, Gucci…pour ne nommer que celles-ci. On retrouve une boutique de tous ces grands noms sur chaque grande artère commerciale de la ville, dans chaque quartier.
Ce qui est étonnant, c’est la multitude de magasins à rayons. On retrouve pas moins de 24 succursales de Next, 10 de Mark and Spencer, 8 de House Of Fraser, 4 de John Lewis, 3 de Debenham, une multitude de Topshop, en plus des Liberty, Harrods, Fortnum and Mason, Selfridges, Harvey Nichols, Fenwick… et j’en oublie certainement. Et c’est sans compter toutes les petites boutiques qu’on voit partout dans Londres. C’est ahurissant!

Mes endroits préférés à Londres

St-James Park est mon parc préféré pour aller lire. J’aime m’y promener, m’y arrêter, regarder les gens, les canards, le palais de Buckingham de certains points de vue.
J’aime aussi les autres grands parcs : Green Park, Hyde Park, Kensington Park, Holland Park, Regent Park. Et c’est sans nommer les petits squares qui ne sont pas sans charme non plus. Mon préféré : Lincoln’s Inn Fields. Et les jardins, dont Victoria Embankment gardens. Ahhhh!! Londres est vert.

Neal yard. Tellement hippie, tellement coloré; je m’y sens bien. Ça me ressemble.
Trafalgar Square. Je m’y sens vivante. Ça bouge et ça respire à la fois. J’aime y rester à en être étourdie et regarder le monde vivre.
National portrait Gallery. Pour la galerie des Tudor et pour les portraits plus contemporains. Je garde en mémoire les toiles de Jason Brook et de James Lloyd. Je pourrais y retourner plusieurs fois.
Somerset House court yard. Pour les fontaines et la quiétude les journées de soleil et de chaleur.
Abbey Road. Je n’ai pas besoin d’expliquer. Abbey Road is in my heart and in my soul…
British Library. Je n’y suis pas restée assez longtemps. J’ai été tellement impressionnée par tous ces livres. Je dois y retourner et y passer quelques heures.
Borough Market. C’est certain que j’achèterais un joli petit panier d’osier et je ferais mes courses à Borough market à tous les samedis si j’habitais Londres. Pour les couleurs, les odeurs et les saveurs…
Hatchards Bookstore. Une magnifique librairie où je serais une cliente assidue.

Mes quartiers préférés

Mayfair. Un quartier où il fait bon se promener. On sent la richesse, le bien être, le confort.
Bloombury. On sent la vie intellectuelle. C’est paisible et plein de petits coins à découvrir.
Notting Hill, c’est coloré, vivant, une ambiance de village.
Candem. C’est funky, tellement exotique et fou. Je devrai y retourner et explorer davantage.
Belgravia : Pour la tranquillité et les maisons blanches en rangée. J’y habiterais.

Les restos

Le meilleur café de Londres est bien sûr chez Monmouth Coffee.
Pour le lunch, il y a toutes les sandwicheries et les cafétérias des musées. C’est étonnant la qualité et le choix de nourriture qu’on peut retrouver dans les musées. À essayer le Victoria and Albert museum.
Pour le Fish and Chip, je préfère toujours Rock, Sole and Plaice.
Mon meilleur repas a été chez Da Mario. C’est vraiment excellent. Je dois admettre que j’ai un faible pour la cuisine italienne. Pour une expérience inusitée, il faut essayer Belgo Centraal.
Pour le pub, Le Grenadier est le plus charmant. Si on recherche de l’animation, ce n’est cependant pas le meilleur choix. Il y en a plusieurs autres : The Red Lion on Parliement street, Sherlock Holmes on Northumberland Street, Cross Keys on Endell street, The Thomas Cubitt on Elisabeth Street…



Bilan

Je souhaitais vivre à Londres. Je pensais démystifier Londres. En même temps, je craignais y découvrir des aspects désagréables qui briseraient l’image que je m’en faisais. En fait, je ne savais pas trop à quoi m’attendre. Est-ce que ce serait à la hauteur de mes rêves ? Est-ce que je pourrais y vivre seule ? Est-ce que je saurais foncer vers l’inconnu ?
Finalement, je dois admettre que j'ai adoré l'expérience mais que je reste sur mon appétit. J’ai l’impression d’avoir commencé un casse-tête et de ne pas l’avoir terminé. Londres ne m’a pas déçu, au contraire. J’aime Londres encore davantage. Je sais maintenant que je pourrais y vivre. En aucun temps, je me suis sentie vulnérable, en danger, ou inconfortable. Souvent j’ai soupiré d’aise et de bonheur. Souvent je me suis arrêtée juste pour profiter du moment. J’étais seule, j’aurais voulu partager mais je sais que même si j’avais été accompagnée, on n’aurait probablement pas compris mon bien être. Voyager en solo a de grands avantages. Ça nous permet de voyager à notre rythme, modifier notre itinéraire à loisir, faire ce qu’on veut quand on veut. Lorsqu’on se retrouve seul, on doit faire des choix pour soi. Il y a des moments, au début, où je me demandais ce que j’avais vraiment envie de faire. (exemples : Retourner voir le même tableau trois fois dans un musée, rester à regarder les livres plus d’une heure à la librairie, retourner plusieurs fois au même endroit, descendre de l’autobus au hasard, marcher dans les rues d’un quartier sans but précis…) Mais il y a aussi des moments où on aimerait que ceux qu’on aime soient là…

Alors, je suis revenue chez moi. Je ne suis pas revenue à la case départ, car je considère avoir fait de grands pas. Je me connais mieux. Je garde un souvenir impérissable de cet été 2008. Mais je ne suis pas allée au bout de ce que j’ai à vivre à Londres. C’est à suivre…

Day 30

August 9

I don’t really know how to say it, but the thing is that all good thing have a end… (how does it sound??) Tonight was our last day in London.

For the first time, included all my previous trips in England, it rain all day and this time it wasn't a drizzle. It rain enough that we couldn't walk without an umbrella. So that is a REAL London rainy day !! It was cold and chilly but I am impartial and I just love it.

In the morning, we went to British Museum. Marcel was quite impresed by all the old treasures there, especially by the mummies. We stay there for awhile and see some rooms and then go to Russell Square for a coffee break. From there, we walk to Neal Street. Neal Yard, Monmouth (to buy coffee as souvenir) and end at Covent Garden when the rain was more and more heavy. I love everything in London, but have to admit it is always better without heavy rain. Because we leave tomorrow, we thought about doing laundry and wish for a better weather later on the day…

It happen just like that. After our laundry, we went out for an apero in a pub and dinner at Ebury Wine Bar. We really enjoy our last night in London. We laugh all night long.

I can’t believe it is my last night here. I know nobody will cry over me because I am now going to Venice and to Paris. But my London trip is finish. I am not sad. I just can say I didn’t get enough of London. I still love London and Londoners… that is it.

Now that is the end of the regular blog. I am going in vacations with my husband and I will keep it private. I will come back for a summary about the entire London experience. Keep it touch for awhile. Add your comments, your questions... I will come back to reply.

Cheers!

2 good friends in London

Day 29

August 8

A very special day, because Marcel arrived in London. To make it even more special, Helene and I had Full English Breakfast at the restaurant. We went to buy holly water for Helen’s mother. We had fun filling up the little bottle. We had to play in the water for a long time. We then hang around until Marcel arrived at my door. So strange to see him just there.

Marcel didn’t want to sit and relax so we went for a long walk : St-James Park, Trafalgar (where there was geant screen presenting the Olympic opening), stop for lunch, Temple Church, Jubilee Bridge, South path out the Thames, Westminster Bridge, Parliement, Westminster Abbaye… Coffee time. We’ve been at the grocery to get what we will need for supper at the flat and go back on our feet to Le Grenadier pub, where we had a pint.

For supper, each of us had something to do : Helene made the salad, I made de spaghetti with tomato sauce and Marcel opened the wine. It was very cosy supper but a lot of fun.

After supper, we went for another walk but not too long this time because it was a very long day for Marcel. (Helen was really impress!!) He is sleeping as I write the blog. Chut!

Day 28

August 7

Time is running. The english trip is near the end… Well, I still have things to do so no lazy day today. First, we when at the hairdresser to have a blow dry. It is a very cool place with no rendez-vous. As Helen was finishing her blow dry, I went at the back rubbing shop for a ten minutes massage. It was so relaxing !!!! We had our coffee at Monmouth (remember ? it is the best coffee in London) and lunch at World Food. Everything is organic there. It is on second floor in Neal Yard where you can have a fabulous view on the yard.

The weather today was very unsure. For awhile it was sunny and the next minute it was raining. We don’t want weather to run our life, so we jump on the tube and went to Candem. What a cultural shock!! Nothing Hill is groovy but Candem is funky!! There was punks, hippies, gothics and many other non conventionnal people all around. It was so cool to walk in the streets and in the markets. Camden Town is world renowned as the place to shop for alternative clothing and jewels. Everything is colourful and so lively. We hang around for about two hours then return with a waterbus on Regent’s canal to lttle Venice and with the tube to our place.

We relax for about an hour and it was time to go for dinner. Tonight, we wanted to try Indian cuisine, so we went at Mela, a place recommanded by some Londonners. We went by Piccadilly Circus for a change and past via Soho and Chineese Quarter. Mela is A1. Service, food and ambiance, everything was perfect. We feel like we were very important persons.

On our way back, as we were on The Mall, I received a call from Marcel. He was about to leave for the airport. Next time I will talk to him, he will be in front of me. :-)

Day 27

August 6

Sunshine is back. Nice day to go at Notting Hill. I’ve been before but couldn,t really see anything because of the Saturday crowd. Portobello Road is colourful with all those pastel painted building. Today, we go much more far away on Portobello Road and we saw the market. It was so enjoyable. There is food, cloth and all kind of original souvenirs. We had a coffee on a terrace.

We then follow our way on Holland park. It is the wildest park in London. We decide to pay ourself a threath and had a lunch at the Belvedere. Oh la la !! That was so classy. We enjoy sitting there and look at the high class people.
We walk in the park for awhile and end up on High Kensington. We took the bus for Sloane Square where we hang about for a moment and it was the middle of the afternoon, a time for a break.

Tonight, we choose to have an italian dinner and give a try to Da Mario in Covent Garden area. On our way we past along many pubs and could admire again how much gentlemen are well dressed. It is very typical of London all those gentlemen having a pint and chatting outside a pub after work.
I heard about Da Mario on Tripadvisor. That was the best decision we could take. This italian meal was the best we ever had, even in Italy. Helen had Linguini a la Vongole and I had home made ravioli. We saw many customers that come in and shake the hand of the owner. We could notice it wasn’t their first visit. We were surprise by the way they make shine the cutlery. They spay vinegar on before rubbing it. Odd isn’t it ?
After a so delicious meal we need to walk and took a long way to our accomodation. We walk for about an hour. We saw and heard Big Ben at night. Beautiful.

Day 26

August 5

It was a beautiful day… even with the rain pouring all day long. In fact it was more a drizzle than real rain like we have in Quebec. I have never been so close of the Queen in my life. We went to visit Buckingham Palace. It is a very interesting visit. The audio guide was perfect and very instructive. I was particulary impress by the balroom where the official banquet take place. Oh wow!! It is so « chic »! Each person have six glasses. Everything is placed with attention.
I learn that on mahogany tree table, they dont put tablecloth. Royalty don’t hide a nice table and the shinning wood make glasses look even clearlier. The view you see on the picture is the music room from where you have a huge garden view. And what a garden!!! You can walk for a long time in the garden. The Queen was there this morning, but she didn’t show to meet us. Sorry…

It was still raining. Ok, then we head up for a lunch at Victoria and Albert museum. Lunch in museum are always pretty good and very affortable. We had a brocoli and brie soup in a somptuous room. So delicious!! We visit a very small part of the museum (there is 146 rooms to see in the museum) and go to see the Natural History and Science Museum. There was so many people, we had trouble to get in. But WOW!!!!! This building is beautiful inside out. The architecture is absolutly marvelous. The place was invaded by family with children. We stay for a little while in the main hall then rush outside to avoid the little crowd. We walk (under the rain) to Royal Albert Hall where we sat and had a coffee.
We came back with bus.

The rain stop in time for us to go to the pub : Le Grenadier. I had to show Helen this very authentic place. It is a very classy pub with many classy Londoners.



For supper, we try a Fish and Chip restaurant called : Seafresh. It was a delight.

We had rain today, but it was about time I can see what look like rainy London ! We did it with a smile. London is beautiful even in the rain.

Day 25

August 4

Helen was at my door by 8am. We had breakfast at my flat and took the bus to Oxford street to see the departments stores. It is much more pleasant on Monday morning than on Saturday afternoon !! We walk from there to Neal Yard. We had a delicious lunch : spinach quiche and salad. We had our coffee at Monmouth Cafe : the best coffee in London. It is very cute and funky place. We share our bench with a couple and a solo custumer. The coffee was absolutly divine! We went back at Neal yard to make an appointment at the hairdresser. Helen took the opportunity to have a back massage. She look like being one cloud nine when she came out of the massage place…

We walk from there to Covent Garden and past by Berwick market, (a local fruits and vegetables market on the street). We stop for awhile at Covent Market and listen to music playing by a string orchestra. I love it... We went to National Portrait Gallery. Helen really enjoyed and we had a thought for Ginette and Lise. They would love this place for sure.

It was time for a break at our residence. Before dinner, we took a walk on St-James Park and went to Goya Tapas on Lupus street. The meal was delicious. We love walking back by different streets. We saw many restaurants we would like to visit. I think we wont have time to try all the places we would like.

Have I ever told you I love London ?

Day 24

August 3

I didn’t sleep well again… I guess it is always like that when I have to travel. I had breakfast with Chantal and Raymond and we talk about our trip on Mathew street when Chantal always run all the way. It will stay on our mind.
Before going at the rail station, I when to Beatles Story shop. I couldn’t help it. It was on my way and I hearded Beatles music when I was just passing in front…
I bought some little souvenirs.
The train arrive in London with about half an hour delay. I was worry because I knew Helene was waiting for me. By the time I arrive at Wigram House, she was already installed in her room on the 4th floor.

After she wrote e-mails to Josiane and Jean-Luc, we went on her favorite place in London : Trafalgar Square. We went to see Love Exhibition and she let a message on the work in progress of Yoko. We stayed on Trafalgar for awhile, just to enjoy to be there and then we walked on Thames path, on Victoria Street and on Ebury street. We went to ASK for a early supper (it was late for Helen) and we call it a day.

For your information, the last picture on the previous message it a lambanana. It is a mascotte of the Liverpool 2008. You can see many different lambanana all over Liverpool. Each lambanana as his own signification. The one you see here is of course a Beatles representation.

Day 23

August 2

Oh what a day!!!
I didn't sleep very well last night because I was worry about missing my train for Liverpool at 8h12am. I set up my alarm clock for 6am and I think I saw every hour of the night until the clock rang at 6 o'clock.
I went to Euston station and got on the train early... hopefully! Many people had to stand up all the way to Liverpool because the train was over full.
Arrived in Liverpool, I found my way to the hotel, let my suitcase there and go for a walk around. I enter a Beatles shop on Albert Dock and just as I was looking at a Lennon mug, I notice the person beside me was Chantal. What a coincidence !!
We went to lunch together with Raymond and then we split : they went to the maritime museum and I went to check-in.

As soon as I had my room, I got back on the streets and went to Hard Days Night Hotel Oh WOW!!! It is like a museum.
I met again Chantal and Raymond on Mathew street. We saw there every Beatleish things to see: John Lennon statue, Cavern Club, The Grapes, Beatles shop, Eleanor Rigby on Stanley Street....
We choose to have an apero at Hard Days Night hotel. It was very pleasant. We than go on Lime street to have a look at all the beautiful buildings and admire the architecture.
We had our supper at La Tasca: a classic for me every time I visit Liverpool. It was pretty good like always.

On our way back to the hotel, I proposed to go by Mathew street to see what it look like at night. Oh boy!! It is pretty lively. Like a jungle. Music everywhere. Alot of people with funny, sexy, different costumes standing in the street. Another world! Chantal was really impress: you should have seen her almost running through the street to get out of there as soon as possible. Raymond and I could hardly follow her. It was such an experience!!!

Have I ever told you I love Liverpool ? It is like a pilgrimage for me.

Day 22

August 1, 2008

What a lazy day! Today I didn’t have any plan. So I take my time reading my newspaper, drinking my coffee. Then I went on Oxford Street to have a look at Debenham departments store. In fact, I was searching for the hairdresser there. It had been recommanded by people on Tripadvisor. The prices are fair. I will come back with Helene for a rendez-vous.

Being on Oxford street, I took the opportunity to visit (again) Selfridges and Mark and Spencer. I will return there too with Helene…

Then it was time to do laundry and pack my things for tomorrow. Early in the morning I am travelling to Liverpool. It is exciting!

Since I had plenty of time I went in my favorite park and stayed there for about two hours reading my book in a perfect weather, not to cold, not to warm… just perfect! Saying that, just before I went to the park, I saw on internet the weather in London and it was showing rain. Really strange. Look at the picture I took…