Day 5

 Early this morning Phi and Horia went for a day tour to Stonehenge and Bath.  On there way, they got a glimpse of the English  countryside.  

Phi was quite impressed by Stonehenge.  

It was a rainy day in Bath.  Raining or not, there is no bad day for cream tea in a a beautiful place.  They had the pleasure to see a house featured in one of Phi's beloved television series.  

Phi says Bath is worth more than only a day. 

For the three of us, it was a strolling day, in a almost perfect weather of 20-22 degré with a mix of shade and sun.  We walk around Piccadilly Circus and Saville Row where the Beatles did there last public performance on the roof.  It was particulary interesting because we just saw Get Back the documentary.  On our way, we visit Stella McCartney boutique.  Of course, we didn't bought a souvenir there!  Renée interrupted a political conversation that seemed not so serious.

We took a coffee break in the interior court yard of the  Royal Academy of Art.  I wanted to have coffee there one day...  It was a pleasure to do it today with Renée and Carole.  What a beautiful environment!  Each year, the installation in the court yard is different, but always very interesting.   This year it was a wet labyrinth, bringing nature and water to the courtyard, by Spanish artist Cristina Iglesias.

We visited Fortnum and Mason, Hatchards (my favorite bookstore) and it was time for lunch.  It was at Pret a Manger, seated on stools, in a shop window overlooking Piccadilly Circus.  

We then, found our way to Carnaby Street.  I was curious about Kingly Court, that I hearded about many many times, but never get to visit it.  It is a pedestrian street with terraces where you can eat affordable and tempting meals.  Unfortunately, we just had lunch...  Oh well !  It would be for another time. (I will have to come back).

We walk throught Soho to join Covent Garden where we had a beer in a traditionnal pub.  We then pass by the Covent Garden market and, like always, there was a very good performer.  It was a tenor singing Volare.  We sang with him and the crowd for a while.  

It was time for us to go back home for a break before supper.  We didn't feel like cooking, so we go back to a pub.  As it was friday, it was Fish and chips night again.  

After supper we took a walk in the streets in our area.  We saw a street called Tite Street and I saw there a cute little house I could buy... if I win the lottery!  

I realize that even after so many times in London, I still discover something new every day.  

It was a day of 20068 steps.  Not so bad, isn't it ?

Day 4

 A mix emotions day.  Happy: Carole arrive.  Sad: Catherine may had to annule. 😔 Will have to wait to see what will happen.  

Waiting for Carole, Renée and I went at the Saatchi Gallery.  Sadly, it wasn't open for the regular collection.  The only exhibition available was Tiffany and Co.  We didn't had ticket and it was complet for the day, so...  We still had the pleasure of meeting a certain celebrity at Partridge. Then, we just walk around, did the grocery and get back to the flat.   

We had lunch with some left over of the first days and waited for Carole.  She arrived with the bus like a pro.   What an energic person!  She impressed me !

Carol took the time to set herself.  We went to The Chelsea Physic Garden.  Since 1673 Chelsea Physic Garden has occupied four acres of land on the edge of the Thames. First established by the Apothecaries in order to grow medicinal plants, this extraordinary garden in London has had wide reaching impact around the world.  It was a great discover.  It was a very nice visit of 90 minutes .  

We mostly be impressed by all the medical plants.  

Have a look : https://www.chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk/

We came back home to see a peculiar map on the wall in front our building.  All the white, blue and brown plaques in the Chelsea. We found out Mick Jagger, Keith Richard and Billy Wyman were living all around our place.

In the meantime, Phi and Horia made anpother marathon around London.  Horia was particulary interested by Freud, so they went to visit his home in London.  For Horia it was a complementary to what he already learned in Vienna.  

To end the day, Phi and Horia went to a music concert.  

We (the old ladies) had a very good supper at home: Mushrooms raviolis with pesto and spinach.  A real treath.  Steps of the day: 15291

I will go to sleep with Catherine and André in my mind.  

Goodnigh!

Day 3

It was a nice relief today to be able to visit with normal weather. 

Phi and Horia did a marathon, walking from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace. They paid a visit to the National Gallery before going to explore Hyde Park and Kensington Garden and then heading to Notting Hill.  They being back at home just in time for the reservation we had in a pub.  

In the meantime Renée and me went to walk the paths of Regent Park.  Just before entering the park, I saw the Beatles store Richard Porter has just acquired.  I went in but he wasn't there.  I took the opportunity to buy his new book call :The Beatles Fab Four Cities.  It was a signed copy, so it make me very happy.  

We stay in the park so long that it was almost time for lunch when we got out.  Just before to find a place to eat, we went in front Paul (You know Paul who?) house and Abbey Road studio.  It is like a pelerinage for me.  

We found our way in front a restaurant call Paulette.  It was a charming place.  By the time we finish our lunch, it was the mid-afternoon.  Our intention was to go to Camden, but we were starting to feel tired, so we opted to take it cool and went for a refreshing drink in a beautiful place near the canals, then we returned quietly at our flat.  It was 17h30 when we arrived.  

Tonight, we cross the Albert Bridge to had supper in the Prince Albert Pub.  It was a Fish and chips night for Renée, Horia and me.  Phi choose a traditional sausages and mash plate.  What a pleasure to share those precious moments together ! 22120 steps, not so bad for the old ladies.

Day 2

 It was the hottest day of my life.  And yes Helene, hottest than Rome !!  But, you know me, it didn't stop me and my happy travelers to wander around London.

As we were waiting for Phi and Horia we went for a balad in Battersea Park.  This park is just in front our flat accross the Thames.  We stolled in the park on the shade paths.  It was a very calm and pleasant moment.  We had a lot of fun watching the dogs cool off in the large fountain. 

Phi and Horia arrived around 13h30 and as they were willing to go, we went for the Royal tour.  So we saw, St-James-Park, Burckingham Palace, The Mall,  and Trafalgar Square.  We crossed the river by the Jubilee bridge to see Big ben and the London Eye.  We walked on the south path to Westminster bridge, where we can have a gorgious view of the Parliament.  On our way, Phi and Renée could'nt resist of the ice cream truck.  I was only able to drink water and I drank a lot.  After crossing the bridge, we splited.  Phi and Horia when to Hard Rock Coffee and we came back home to rest and supper.  We were lucky enough to have a climated tube!  It was very appreciated.  You can believe us, the cold glass of rosé was pretty good after such a hot day!  Even on the heatwave we managed to walks 21,556 steps.  It feeled like the double tho.

This photo below show what is the artistic even this summer in London.  There is those corkis all around the city

Day 1

Yeah I'm back! In a fairly hot weather but which seems to be very bearable with the surroundings of London.

The flight went well. I was lucky because there was no one in the middle seat. So space and more comfort, not insignificant in times of COVID.

The journey to Heathrow was smooth and pleasant. 20 minutes after the plane landed, I was waiting for my car service. The problem is that due to all the bad news about the airport, my driver estimated 2 hours after landing! So I had to wait. My optimistic side told me that at least I was in an air-conditioned place. He drove me to my flat in a brand new big red Tesla. What comfort!

At the apartment, Viktor, my meeter-greeter, was there to greet me. When we entered the elevator, it was too heavy: the two of us and the luggage, so he got out and went up the two floors. I got stuck in the elevator, halfway between the first and second floors. When he realized this, he ran from floor to floor to make me try the buttons. The guard came to explain to us that there is a sensor which was obstructed and which causes the problem. Well, since then I've been walking upstairs.

The apartment is as expected. We will be fine there.

Renée arrived late, as she had trouble finding the bus in Victoria. Anyway, I managed to see her get off the bus in front of the building. Due to the heat wave, we have limited our activities. We took a walk down King's Road. We did the grocery shopping. We went for an early dinner at a great and cute little Italian restaurant. You will see the pictures. It was good and very pleasant. We are back. Renée is already in bed and I will be going soon.  It was a days of 16,154 steps.

Can't wait to see Phi tomorrow!

View from our balcony.

Demain, je repars

 Demain j'y retourne.  Je me sens pas mal gâtée.  C'est fou comme on apprécie davantage, en ces temps de COVID.  Je repars avec British Airways et je croise mes doigts pour que ma valise se rende bien à Londres avec moi.  Avec tout ce qu'on entend aux nouvelles, ça prend du courage pour vouloir s'offrir le plaisir de voyager.  Je suis une optimiste.

Je vous rejase de Londres ! A+