A Day Around London

Since we know it is going to be warmer today, we get an early start and walk to the Waterloo Bridge where good views of Big Ben and the Parliament buildings can be had. I am bracing myself for the assault on my senses that will occur when I leave the quiet of my room for the busy, noisy, crowded streets of London. I need to stay focused and pay attention. So much is going on. It is exciting, stimulating and tiring all at the same time. If I lived here, I would have to seek out some quiet places for respite. I see one as we walk along in a little park with green grass and a fountain in the middle. There is a small coffee/tea place with some tables. I could see stopping in there for a few minutes of peace. 

We haven't been along the river yet. It is comfortable walking and a nice breeze by the river keeps us comfortable.The Narional Theater is across the bridge. We stroll around there and then Anne and I part ways with Dave. She and I want to do some shopping in the Covent Garden area and Dave wants to walk across the Millenium Bridge. We go to a nice tea shop, Whittard, where we sample various teas and she gets some for Brad. We stroll around the big square and market which isn't yet packed with people as it will be later in the day. We stop for a cup of tea to rest for a few minutes before walking back to the hotel.

We have lunch at a place Anne likes called Yo Sushi in the Brunswick Center. A selection of sushi on small dishes, color coded for price, makes it way around on a conveyor belt. Customers are seated along the conveyer belt or at tables that have access to the belt. You just take off the belt what you want. You can also order from a menu. At the end of the meal someone comes and adds up what you owe from the colored dishes you have on the table. This was really fun! I wonder of we have something like this in the U.S.

We have already walked 5.6 miles and are ready for a rest so go back to our room to relax and take a nap. Anne and I have our afternoon drink in the hotel bar before walking to dinner at The Lady Ottoline Pub (see below for more on Lady Ottoline) and Dining Rooms on Northington Street. Anne has eaten here before and made reservations for us. It is a nice pub and Dave and I enjoy delicious fish and chips while Anne has a "bavette" steak. It is in a nice neighborhood I think called High Holborn. I'd like to see the inside of some of these condos I see advertised along the street. We walk back on back streets so as to avoid the big, busy Euston Road completing 7.6 miles of walking for the day. It is a pleasant evening. It has been a nice, low key day. 

Turns out Lady Ottoline  (1873-1938) was quite the woman. She was an aristocrat who was a patron of the arts and of literary figures. She was known for her eccentric way of dressing (not sure what that means), her aristocratic manner, yet was very shy, and for being a loyal, good friend. She had many affairs, as did her husband (guess they had an "open" marriage), and was the mistress of Bertrand Russell.

One picture needs some explanation. We bought a little stuffed chicken we saw at Mary Arden's farm and have been taking pictures of it in different locations to send to Kai. Of course, if you know Dave, you have heard his many references to "poultry" and Kai knows about "poultry" too. So you will see the chicken on the rail of the Tower Bridge. 

                         Sylvester the chicken near Tower Bridge

               The Lady Ottoline Pub and Dining Rooms

                                Flowers in a window box