A 4am wake can be difficult. It's too early to get dressed and I am a noisy beast so I tried not to move around the house too much. After a long (and a noisy) search for my I pad, I snuggled down to watch one of the movies Johnny saved for me for just such an occasion. I watched Julie and Julia. A film about two food obsessives and the food they created got too me and I started searching the fridge for some cheese to nibble on. I found some eggs and decided to surprise everyone with poached eggs and coffee for breakfast. Wil had a little sleep in this morning so he had just enough time to scoff the breakfast before heading off at a pace. I thought we might try Porterhouse steak with chips tonight. Britt was straight on to the Hubbub website to order the makings online from the Ginger Pig. They will have it at the door as we arrive home at 6pm tonight. Amazing!
Today was the day for touring the west end. We began by meeting Danae for a coffee and passing over the gift that Helen sent her. We gave ourselves lots of time to get there but once we got right into the centre the traffic slowed to a crawl. It was faster to jump off the bus and make our way there by foot. it was a nice catch up.
Danae has so enjoyed her time in London and with graduation imminent is now focussed on the job of finding a job. She is so independent. Once we waved off Danae we popped into Liberty then made our way through to Carnably St. John and Britt became fascinated by the stuff in a stationary shop. We were there for ages but I just couldn't see the appeal. Now the shops down Picadilly were another thing. There were so many big name stores. It was all just window shopping and wandering until we spied Fortnum and Mason. Britt had the brilliant idea of getting some little gorgeous things and taking them down to Green Park for a picnic. We got ciabatta bread, scotch eggs, proscuiutto, salad, beetroot chips and some lovely elderberry bubbly. It was so nice and the sun came out on cue for us. In Fortnum and Mason we also saw the same ghurka bag I bought 30 years ago. Each bag is numbered and the design has not changed at all. The floor walkers were dressed in morning suits and the whole place was steeped in 1920 culture. Gteen Park was a sea of tourists and workers lunching in the sun. As if on cue a couple of red-coated guardsmen in their bearskin hats strutted through the park. lunchtime for them too I guess.
We then tracked back to the Ritz to take a contemporary version of the photo of Britt and John we took 30 years ago. Then there was more window shopping. We also found a wonderful open market in the grounds of St James' church. There were so many interesting things to see. Just a stone's throw away was a treasure of a place. a French publisher had its flagship store there. The most beautiful large format books were to be found there. You have probably seen bookshops with attached coffee shops. this one had a superb cocktail bar. It really was something special. until we finally went into a bar for some mocktails. John re-lived his childhood memories with a dandelion and burdock with ginger. I had cranberry, lime and lemonade mocktail. Britt had a ginger, lime and chilli Vietnamese inspired creation. They were so refreshing. The Burlington arcade was an eye opener. there was shop after shop of collectable watches. some of the watches cost as much as a new car. You knock on the doors of the shops and a shop assistant unlocks and lets you in. All very high security.
By this time it was late afternoon and time to head home to take the dogs for a walk. There was a lovely little park just a street away from Britt's. It was more of a private walled garden than a park but it was close and let the girls stretch their feet after being inside all day. Couldn;t help thinking how expensive an area like this would be if it were back in Melbourne. There was barely any time to rest as Hubbub arrived with the supplies we had ordered online and cooking for dinner had to begin. What an amazing system. This truck had travelled around to all the suppliers and picked up everything we ordered, put it into named bags and delivered it with a smile.
It was tomato, basil and mozzarella bruschetta followed by home made hamburgers with salad, mushrooms and onion rings for dinner (yes we changed our original plans). Oh yes and some of Britt's really lovely sweet potato oven cooked chips. We have cooked extra so that Wil can take some to work tomorrow. Against the background of all thus activity Britt is constantly on the phone, making contacts, responding to job applications, writing articles and doing the hundred and one jobs that you need to maintain a lovely home.
It was another really good day. Catch up with you tomorrow. Cheers, Lily
Today was the day for touring the west end. We began by meeting Danae for a coffee and passing over the gift that Helen sent her. We gave ourselves lots of time to get there but once we got right into the centre the traffic slowed to a crawl. It was faster to jump off the bus and make our way there by foot. it was a nice catch up.
Danae has so enjoyed her time in London and with graduation imminent is now focussed on the job of finding a job. She is so independent. Once we waved off Danae we popped into Liberty then made our way through to Carnably St. John and Britt became fascinated by the stuff in a stationary shop. We were there for ages but I just couldn't see the appeal. Now the shops down Picadilly were another thing. There were so many big name stores. It was all just window shopping and wandering until we spied Fortnum and Mason. Britt had the brilliant idea of getting some little gorgeous things and taking them down to Green Park for a picnic. We got ciabatta bread, scotch eggs, proscuiutto, salad, beetroot chips and some lovely elderberry bubbly. It was so nice and the sun came out on cue for us. In Fortnum and Mason we also saw the same ghurka bag I bought 30 years ago. Each bag is numbered and the design has not changed at all. The floor walkers were dressed in morning suits and the whole place was steeped in 1920 culture. Gteen Park was a sea of tourists and workers lunching in the sun. As if on cue a couple of red-coated guardsmen in their bearskin hats strutted through the park. lunchtime for them too I guess.
We then tracked back to the Ritz to take a contemporary version of the photo of Britt and John we took 30 years ago. Then there was more window shopping. We also found a wonderful open market in the grounds of St James' church. There were so many interesting things to see. Just a stone's throw away was a treasure of a place. a French publisher had its flagship store there. The most beautiful large format books were to be found there. You have probably seen bookshops with attached coffee shops. this one had a superb cocktail bar. It really was something special. until we finally went into a bar for some mocktails. John re-lived his childhood memories with a dandelion and burdock with ginger. I had cranberry, lime and lemonade mocktail. Britt had a ginger, lime and chilli Vietnamese inspired creation. They were so refreshing. The Burlington arcade was an eye opener. there was shop after shop of collectable watches. some of the watches cost as much as a new car. You knock on the doors of the shops and a shop assistant unlocks and lets you in. All very high security.
By this time it was late afternoon and time to head home to take the dogs for a walk. There was a lovely little park just a street away from Britt's. It was more of a private walled garden than a park but it was close and let the girls stretch their feet after being inside all day. Couldn;t help thinking how expensive an area like this would be if it were back in Melbourne. There was barely any time to rest as Hubbub arrived with the supplies we had ordered online and cooking for dinner had to begin. What an amazing system. This truck had travelled around to all the suppliers and picked up everything we ordered, put it into named bags and delivered it with a smile.
It was tomato, basil and mozzarella bruschetta followed by home made hamburgers with salad, mushrooms and onion rings for dinner (yes we changed our original plans). Oh yes and some of Britt's really lovely sweet potato oven cooked chips. We have cooked extra so that Wil can take some to work tomorrow. Against the background of all thus activity Britt is constantly on the phone, making contacts, responding to job applications, writing articles and doing the hundred and one jobs that you need to maintain a lovely home.
It was another really good day. Catch up with you tomorrow. Cheers, Lily
