So as an early Chrimbo gift to myself, I decided that for once and for all I was going to document the last things I did on my (Around) 75 Days and 101 (More or Less) Things I Want to Do Before I Leave London List®. So whether you're ready for it or not, so here goes a series of posts that will certainly make me, and maybe you, smile.
Jess was one lucky London duck when she came to visit. Knowing my days at work and London town were dwindling, I took two days off to cover some tourist ground with her (and cover off more things I've always wanted to do!).
On Friday, September 11th, we bolted for Buckingham Palace to have a Royal Day out in the State Rooms and Gardens. I have a love/hate relationship with Buckingham Palace. See, many peeps (once including me) think if there is ONE THING you must do when you come to London, it's get on your high horse and head to the watch the Changing of the Guards at the Buckingham Gates.
Oh, how wrong I was and they are!
See, when I came over to the LON with my Etown Oxforders in '02. We mistakenly headed to the only place we're really ever heard of, you guess it, the Palace. It was rainy, it was cold, the Guards were stoic, but didn't change. It was actually then and there I declared I 'hated the Lon' (and maybe used a few other expletives rhyming with Piccadilly) and would NEVER be back.
Oh, boy. Did I Eat. My. Words.
When I decided to return to London, I still had bitter memories of Buckingham. And although nearly 50 people have passed through our Offord road doors, not one of them will tell you did I ever recommend or go with them to the famous icon. As the months and days have gone by, however, I've softened to the building and realized that ACTUALLY maybe there was something I was missing out on. So with Jess in tow, we bowed out and went in.Now, what I now say may surprise you. But I dare you to go. Leave out the changing of the Guard, and if you happen to be lucky enough to be in London town when the Queen takes up residence in Balmoral or Windsor and opens her doors.
Go. Visit Buckingham Palace State Rooms. They are truly lovely, inspiring, and full of history. Enjoy the time and tour there - because although I'm not a huge fan of pre-recorded tours, it's one of the best in the London-biz.
Sarah P, Andi, and others I apologize for writing off that lovely day in London as a loss. As I look back now and realize if we hadn't gotten lost at the Palace, I may have never found all the other gems of London that I lived to tell about here.
This may have been the longest planned 'to-do' on the list! When Jess booked her trip to London, she made a lil request that we save this one for her. And so she came, and off we went!
I have a soft-spot for the Southbank and often find myself making excuses to peruse the area to get a glimpse of the Globe Theatre (not the original let me remind you). But, with all my passion for theatre, literature, and the arts in general - I've not once thought to buy a ticket and go in. Until now.
As the name suggests, a 'groundling' ticket means you are on the ground (or the yard) watching the play from standing room only. The concept is the same it was in Shakespeare's 1600s as tickets are still cheap at only 5 GBP a pop and you stand for the ENTIRE show. In the 21st century, however, we sophisticated Groundlings certainly don't swear or throw food at the actors and we most definitely don't stink!
Anyway, I regress. Our tickets entitled us to enjoy the three hour long performance of 'As You Like It'. The play got FANTASTIC reviews and, while I won't bore you with the specifics ('cause you should go and do it for yourself) I'll just pause to say that we all whole-heartedly agreed. Fast moving with a lot of wit, it (and some of the cute actors) won our hearts and we most definitely will go back for more!
Jess, Lorna, Jenny, Tamsin: Thanks for Shakespeare-ing it up with me at The Globe! And a huge thank you and dedication to Mr. Knutsen, a fantastic HHS teacher who taught us all to live, love, and learn about Willy the Shake.
I've updated my archives to include historic NYLON snaps...They document all the fun and frolics we've had here in Londontown since my arrival in Feb 07. Check out more gems like the one below above out here (scroll down the page)!
More sappy leaving London Posts to come.. beware!
A huge THANK YOU to our dear friend Cat Powell who not only house-sat for us during our month abroad in April/May but also treated us on tea for two at the super chic Charlotte Street Hotel.
Tea is one of my ultra-favorite fab things to do in the LON, and yet for all the teas I've taken at the Dorchester, the Berkley, the Covent Garden Hotel (oh the list goes on!!), Mike has NEVER had a proper English Tea in the whole five years he's been here!
Dining on tea sandwiches, scones, mini-cupcakes and more was an absolute delightful way to spend Bank Hols Monday. And since the Charlotte Street flicks weren't on that day, we treated our gluttonous selves to a movie at the local Odeon.
TA Cat! You were with us in spirit even though you've been living it up in Madrid!
Happy birthday to me! On the 3rd, Mike surprised me with dinner at Michelin starred Marcus Wareing at the Berkley followed by a Sex in the City Style Romantic Open Bus Tour for two around London at night. This just so happened to check off two things, one on my "life things to do list" (The Berkley) and the other a London "to do" (#17!).
Both were fabulously fun (and maybe a tad bit frivolous) but a fantastic way to celebrate the big 2-8 with my new Hubby.
Thanks MA - love ya to pieces for all that you have done to help me learn to love London a little more each day.
Let me first explain that my list of "101 Things" has no rhyme or reason to the order. Nothing was meant to happen first, last, or at all for that matter. So while many people have queried why this obscure "To-Do" was listed as Numero Uno - I really have no reply. It simply is / was!
Anyway, if I were to craft an explanation as to why I - and you- should want to go check out St. Martin-in-the-Fields, all I have to say is its a fascinating church in the middle of the hustle and bustle Trafalgar Square (the epicenter of London for all intensive purposes). Its just been completely restored so it's very pristine!
Breaking free from the hustle bustle of our normal work day, Lorna and I took a cultural lunch excursion on Friday, August 28th to listen to classical piano on our lunch hour. The Free Lunchtime Series is an integral part of the musical life of St Martin’s. The concerts continue a tradition reaching back over 60 years to the start of the Second World War and pianist Dame Myra Hess’s war effort.
A big high-five to LC for sneaking out of work (for only 30 minutes we promise!!) to enjoy the super-calming Sonata's.
There's a little story that goes... Long long ago (alright alright three summers ago!), when I first moved to London, Mike and I discovered Hampstead Heath and within it the magnificent view of London from Parliament Hill.
One summer day (everyonce in awhile that season makes an appearance),we set up a picnic and hung out in the park watching the pooches and playmates frolicking in the fields. That day we dreamed about how our life in London would pan out, and chatted about how before we left the LON we hoped we would have established ourselves enough to play in the park with a handful of mates, soaking up a rare sunny London day and taking in the view from the hill.
That dream became reality (how poetic!) two Saturday's ago during a day-long excursion to the Heath for Button & Wolfe's yearly birthday bonanza. The sun was shining, the wine, cider, and beers, were flowing, and games of cricket were in full circuit (Side Note: Wow, I have friends and a husband who know how to play cricket! That's almost a to-do in itself!).
It was a "brilliant" day filled with "lovely" memories and more than succeeded crossing off this London to-do not for good, but for now.
A huge holla-back to Button, Lorna, Wolfe, Kate, Hannah, Tamsin, Jess, Bracey, John, Lex, Larissa, Dave, Jenny, and the rest of the crew!
There is one thing Mike and I had always said we wouldn't miss before leaving the LON - secure a coveted reservation and enjoy the culinary creativity of molecular gastronomist Heston Blumenthal at his famously fabulous Fat Duck. So two months ago, with a little help from our Amex concierage, we nailed a ressie for August 18th and got the Illsley's signed on to keep us company.
The restaurant, which is ranked 2nd in the world and boasts three Michelin stars, is known for its menu of unusual dishes. Our 14 course, four hour long gastronimc extravaganza included:
This supreme eating experience was technical perfection, playful, artistic, surprising and very tasty. It can truly be defined as "food as theatre, theatre as food."
A Michelin Star and 10/10 to Nick, Erica, and Mike for making this foodie fantasy a reality.
