Bilan 2019

Le bilan

Incroyable que cela fasse déjà cinq semaines que je suis en Angleterre.  Je commence l’écriture de  ce bilan le matin de mon retour.

La première partie du voyage s’est passée à Deal, dans la région du Kent.  C’est sur le bord de la Manche, face à la France. On m’avait suggéré cette ville selon les critères que j’avais donnés : belle petite ville ou beau village, sur le bord de l’eau, avec facilité de transport pour rayonner.  C’était tout ça et plus.  Une ambiance très locale, de petite communauté.  C’était charmant et très peu touristique.  En fait, on peut voir quelques touristes anglais pendant le week-end.  La plage de galets est libre d’accès, sans sauveteur.  Les week-ends il y a plusieurs familles qui y viennent.  Aussi, c’est étonnant de voir autant de bons petits restos pour la superficie de cette ville.  Il y en a même un étoilé Michelin! 

Notre hébergement était tout aussi étonnant que charmant.  Une maison attachée de 8 pieds par 20, sur trois étages.  Et en fait la largeur est huit pieds en entrant, mais rétrécit à environ quatre pieds à l’autre extrémité de la maison.  Mais, c’était très propre et confortable.  Marcel dirait s’il n’y avait pas eu de mouettes, cela aurait été parfait. 

    

  

Après six belles journées de découvertes et de repos, nous sommes partis pour Londres.

J’ai très souvent parlé de Londres; je vous parlerai en particulier de cette expérience de l’édition 2019. 

J’y ai reçu mes parents et amis à tour de rôle.  Marcel était avec moi pour les premiers jours, pour accueillir d’abord Carole et le lendemain José et Denis.  Nous avons fait un très heureux quatuor.  Après leur départ la petite famille des Lynch est arrivée.  Cela m’aura amenée à voir les choses avec des yeux de jeunes.  Très rafraichissant!  Puis Raymonde et Robert les ont remplacés après une semaine.  Une autre dynamique s’est installée.  Ils avaient un bon plan de ce qu’ils souhaitaient voir à Londres.  Je garde un excellent souvenir de la bonne humeur constante de Raymonde.  Et on a eu le plaisir d’accueillir Isabelle et Raymonde pour quatre jours dans la dernière semaine.  Ils apportaient avec eux un vent de folie et de légèreté.

Ce qui a changé à Londres c'est que comme partout dans le monde l'affluence de touristes est de plus en plus importante.  Il y avait beaucoup de touristes...  il y en a encore plus.  Toutes les visites doivent désormais être réservées à l'avance.  Peu de place pour la spontanéité dans ce contexte. 

Ce qui reste inchangé: les anglais sont toujours aussi charmants qu'ils étaient.  

Mes moments  ‘’coup de cœur’’ avec chacun :

-Avec Marcel : La semaine à Deal + le souper chez Davys à Londres

-Avec Carole : Le lunch au Gordon Wine Bar.  Ce n’était pas dans les plans, ça s’est juste présenté… un beau moment.  Mention spéciale à notre afternoon Tea. 

-Avec José et Denis : Notre découverte du resto Stockwell Continental.  C’était aussi un hasard.  J’y suis allée quatre fois finalement.

-Avec Marie-Josée et Hugo : Le 50^e anniversaire du ‘’crossing’’ à Abbey Road.  Un moment historique.

-Avec Raymonde et Robert : La promenade dans Belgravia.  Un temps doux et plaisant qui s’est terminé par un repas au Thomas Cubitt, ce pub que je me promettais de visiter depuis longtemps.

-Avec Isabelle et Raymond : Notre souper à la maison le jour 28.  C’était jovial et plein de bonheur. 

-Seule : Ma rencontre pour le café avec Nicole et André.  Une mention spéciale aussi pour la rencontre au pub avec Linda et son conjoint.

J’ai reçu une nouvelle un peu triste ce matin.  Cette maison qui nous a accueillis en 2017 et en 2019 sera vendue.  Une nouvelle loi à Londres interdit la location de résidence pour plus de 90 jours par année, à moins que la résidence soit enregistrée commercialement (hotel ou bed n breakfast).  Je croyais que cette loi ne touchait que la bannière Air BNB, mais c’est pour toutes les résidences.  Les propriétaires m’ont écrit ce matin pour m’en informer. Ils devront vendre leur maison.  C’est bien dommage!  Ils ont été particulièrement attentifs à nos besoins avec le ménage entre chaque groupe d’invités, les fleurs fraiches changées et l’offre de transport pour Carole.  Merci Bev and Jeff.

jour 33

I hate this quote: Every good thing has a end.
It was our last day in London.  Tomorrow Raymonde and Robert will take the Eurostar for Calais and I will cross the Atlantic to get back home.

It was the last day and it was also another beautiful day.  We went on Regent Park.  Once again, I didn't saw the same paths I have seen before with Carole, Jose and Denis a few weeks ago.



Of course after Regent Park, we went to see Paul.  He wasn't home.  I saw in the newspaper he was in New York today.  The story of my life: when I am in London, Paul is in America.  We are not made to meet. 


Robert cross the famous street in front the famous studio.   As usual, there was many fans crossing in front the car drivers who are sometime impatient. 


Then we were lucky enough to catch the waterbus to Camden at 11h30.  The boat was almost full.  We arrived just in time for the lunch.  A very good lunch.  I had falafel with halloumi: delicious!!  Raymonde et Robert shared a good plate of chicken.

 We walked on Camden High Street and stopped to eat a good ice cream on our way.  The girl who makes the ice cream cones has a great talent.  The cornets have the shape of a flower.  Although Camden was famous for punks, we only saw a few. It was better than the last times when we didn't saw any of them.
  

On our way back, there was severe delay on Victoria line.  So, we came back with the bus.  It was great to see for the last time Trafalgar Square as we past in front.

Before we had a very good home made supper, we had our last apero on the terrace.
Goodbye London!  See you on the flip side!!

jour 32

It may be redundant to say it was a beautiful day, but what can I said....  It was another splendid day in London.

We start our day in the rain.  We catches the bus and the tube and went to Victoria and Albert museum.  We made a great visit.  It was the first time I saw the jewels collection.  It is very impressive.  We had lunch in the museum.


After about two hours in the museum, we went to Kensington Garden to admire the Albert Memorial, the Kensington palace and the garden  near the palace.


We took bus 452 to Harrods.  As usual, there was a crowd there.  We didn't stay long there but I took the time to buy the tea for Jose.

After Harrods, we went in Belgravia.  We had a coffee on Elizabeth street, near our goal: Joe Love.
As soon as we started to walk in the streets of Belgravia, Robert noticed the luxurious cars everywhere: Bentley, Roll Royce, Lamborgini, Bugati. Austen Martin. Jaguar, Mercedes, McLaren....
He was quite impressed!


Raymonde offered her best memory of London: a Jo Loves set.


We want to go to the Grenadier for the supper, but it was a little bit to early and they didn't have availability for later.  Change make often good things: we ended up to Thomas Cubitt pub.  That was on my list of to do, but I never got the opportunity to go before.  It was a very nice experience.  It was delicious for the 3 of us and the service was excellent.  They even offered us a dessert of our choice because it took time to have our meal.  Very nice touch!


The day ended like it had start...in the rain.  At least, it was sunny the rest of the day.

jour 31

This morning we said goodbye to Isabelle and Raymond.  It was a short visit, but so pleasant.  They are a lovely couple.

As you can see they would have stay longer if it had been possible.

Raymonde et Robert went to Greenwich with the Thames Clipper.  It is a city boat who is sailing on the Thames river. Of course, they visited the observatory but they also enjoyed the maritime museum and the market in Greenwich.
    

In the meantime I went to explore a new neighborhood : North of Mayfair.  I was charmed.  I thought that maybe I may find an accommodation in this area next time I will visit London.  At first, I walked on Marylebone High Street.  I visited Daunt Books.  It is a beautiful Edwardian books store.


I also entered in the famous children clothes store Rachel Riley.  It was very difficult to not buy.  The sales was very interesting but since I already bought clothes for Zoey and Mila yesterday, I had to be reasonable.  I also entered many other boutiques of clothes and decoration. I saw a singular ice cream store.  Make me had a thought for Robert.


I ended up St-Christopher place.  As is was time for lunch, I went at Sofra, a well know Turkish chain restaurant in London.


After lunch I was near Oxford Street and Selfridge was just around the corner, so I decided to pay a visit at the famous department store.


I followed my way and crossed through the richest corner of Mayfair.  Oh la la!!  That was luxury!  Raymonde would have enjoyed for sure.
   
I came back by Green Park.  Finally, it was a 9.8 km ride.

jour 30

We splited again this morning.  We get out late because we have been to sleep late last night.

Isabelle and Raymond went around Piccadilly Circus and to visit Buckingham Palace in the afternoon.  For lunch they went at 50 Kalo where they ate a very delicious pizza. 

They where lucky enough to arrive just in time for the changing of the guards. 

They were both quite impressed by the luxurious of Buckingham Palace.  Isabelle had a suggestion for the Queen.  In the park in front the Palace, the flowers are beaufiful but she should put more flowers in her backyard.  And if she need recommendation for a good florist, she can suggest a very good one.  

Raymonde et Robert went to Wimbleton.  They are huge tennis fans, so it was a must to visit Wimbleton.  They were quite impressed by the history  and wealth of tennis.  The neighborhood is beautiful.  Also, they saw their first golf course in London.  

    

As for me.  I was alone in London.  You bet that I wasn't sad to be alone!!  I've been to that tea room that was on my list to do since a long while.  It was just like I expected.  It is very near Buckingham Palace.  It is suprising founding a restaurant of that kind in such a tourist area.  

After the lunch, I've been at Mark and Spencer to buy clothes for Mila and Zoey.  And I found a nice woolen jacket for Charlie, Karine second little girl.  

We ended the last day for Isabelle and Raymond  at Stockwell Continental.  A favorite of this 2019 edition of summer in London.  I asked them what was there must: Tower of London, with a special mention to Covent Garden.

jour 29

Isabelle and Raymond went to visit the Tower of London, St-Paul Cathedral and Covent Garden.
After the visit of Tower of London, they decided to cross Tower bridge and discover Hays Gallery, where they chosen to have lunch.

  
Raymond had fun at St-Paul"  Men were shorter in those past days.


Isabelle finally taste her first fish and chip in London.

On their way back to home they saw a manifestation and saw police officers arrested some people.

As for us, Raymonde, Robert and me, we went to Liverpool.  Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!  It was very chilly in Liverpool today but the sun came up in the middle of the day so we walked our 10-11km.
As soon as we arrived in Liverpool we went for the lunch because it was near noon.  We did like british do and ate outside.  We didn't notice it was wet where we chosen to sat.  Hopefully, with the wind it dry fast!

I didn't visit Beatles Story this time, because I saw it last week.  Instead I've been in Premier Inn lobby to relaxed with a coffee and wandered around the dock a little bit.  Raymonde et Robert joined me at the Beatles shop and we went for a walk on the dock.

We have been on Mathew Street where I discovered a new museum.
  
Of course, we got down in the Cavern, but we didn't stayed long, Robert didn't feel well in the ambiance.  (the beers on the table wasn't ours, we didn't had drink in the Cavern)

Then we went to see the Anglican Cathedral, instead, we arrived in from the Luke Church.  It looks a like  the cathedral but much smaller.

 When we noticed it was the wrong place, we followed our route and finally arrived in front The Cathedral.  I went inside the Cathedral for the first time.  Surprisingly, it was free entrance.   It is big and majestic.
Then, we walked to the Roman Catholic cathedral that is the largest catholic cathedral in England.  It was built in the early 60's.  The architecture dont let anyone indifferent: some like some dislike.  But what I can said is that it is very different!  We didn't visit.  We have been discouraged by all the steps to climb at the end of the day.  I have already seen the interior and it is not so impressive.  So....

We followed our route and stop for the apero in a pub.  In fact, today, we had two aperos.  At the first pub, we chatted with a lady from Scotland that was in vacation, with her husband who was a native from Liverpool.  Then at the second pub, we saw a fight in the pub between two men who had been drinking at little too much.

Then it was time for supper before getting back on the train that brought back to London. We arrived at home shortly after midnight.  No blog until the morning, that is why I am a little bit late.

jour 28

Rainy day!!  All day long with some short sun breaks.
We start our day a little bit later.  We took the bus 87 to Trafalgar, then the 15 to St-Paul  Our goal was to cross the Millenium Bridge.  It was nice to do it under the rain. When we reached the south path, the rain was stronger, so we decided to enter at the Tate Modern.  We visit a room, and it was funny to heard all the comments from Raymond and Robert.  Obviously, they dont appreciated modern art!  As for Raymonde, it was a very emotive visit because she saw Picasso's painting : The three dancers. Lysanne made a magnificent copy  of the ''tableau'' for Raymonde.


We had lunch at the 9e floor restaurant.  It was expensive, for a very light lunch.  Raymond and Isabelle had fun in the elevator as we were going out.


The rain stopped so we followed our road to Borough market.  Raymond et Robert were attracted by the donuts stand.  We took advantage of the opportunity to buy our meal for supper.  We hesitated between coming back  with the tube at London Bridge or walking to Oxo Tower.  We walked a bit and have a look at the Big Bus souvenirs Store.

As the rain was heavy, we choose to jump in the tube.
When we were having our apero, Bev, the owner of the house, came with flowers to replace those we already had.  What a nice touch!

Robert took the picture to show you how we ended the day after such a rainy day.  We are not to be pitied in London... 

jour 27

Today I welcomed two new guests: Isabelle et Raymond.
They arrived for lunch time.  After a chat and a lunch, we went for the ''royal tour''.  It is always a pleasure to do this tour with new guests.  On our way, of course we crossed those famous red telephone boxes.
 

Like always, after enjoying the frenzy of Trafalgar Square, we went for a peaceful rest at the crypt, were Isabelle and me had a tea.  Raymond was more tempted by a beer.


We cross on the south path and came back home.



In the meantime, Raymonde et Robert visited the Buckingham palace and Churchill Bunker.  They were quite impressed by there visits.
  

We had apero on the terrace and we went to a pub called: The Duchess.  It is a nice and friendly community pub, near the Battersea power station.  Tuesday night, is hamburger night: it is half price.  The price is good and the meal succulent.