Day 3

We’re really getting in the swing of things now.  Morning coffee at the local cafe, an evening drink at the local pub.  There’s a pattern forming.

And, walking.  Mayfair is a prime position to walk just about anywhere, withing walking distance, that is 🙂

There was another tourist/historic site to tick off the list so off we headed to the Tower of London.  It was a fairly long walk along The Strand, Fleet Street and past St Paul’s Cathedral, where we stopped briefly to inspect the basement and crypt.  We weaved our way towards the Thames to get a great view of the Tower Bridge and finally made it to the Tower.  So many tourists, so many……

We decided not to pay an arm, leg or a head (a Tower joke) to see inside.   Jeff had done the tour previously.  Ducked into the gift shop for a quick look.  You can buy anything Royal in there, including a stuffed corgi but the crown grabbed my attention.

My little legs were tired so we opted for the ferry back down the Thames to Westminster and then the Underground from there.  Home, where the promise of a Tomato and Basil soup from the local deli awaited and a relaxing afternoon, book in hand.

Iranian Food

We were especially determined to make it to our Iranian restaurant booking (see comment in previous blog) and we weren’t disappointed.  Iranian food is right up our alley.  A very happy Jeff indeed!

For starters, there was a selection of dips and fresh herbs with a hot off the stone oven flatbread.  We then shared a Lamb and Eggplant with Lentils dish.  It didn’t look the greatest, but was delicious.

Day 4

Walking this city is like walking a Monopoly Board – Regent Street, Oxford Street, Park Lane, Picadilly Circus, Fleet Street, Mayfair.

Private Clubs are popular.  Popular amongst those who can afford to join and attend anyway.  There’s a large private club across the road from our apartment called LouLou’s and we’ve walked past a few times trying to peer in the windows without being obvious, hoping for a glimpse of a celebrity or a Royal.  The doormen look quite stern so we didn’t loiter.

Another private club we came across was Annabel’s, clearly celebrating a 1st Birthday.  Tasteful??  I don’t think……

London’s West End

Regent Street is long and imposing, the big red double buses look dwarfed by the massive buildings.

We wandered through the back lanes of the West End looking for the Berwick Market in Soho which was supposed to be open being a Saturday morning.  Disappointingly only two stalls were open.  There were some interesting shops in the Soho district though.

Another West End destination was Carnaby Street.  This street has been around since the 1700s but became more notable in the 1960s when it was popular for aspiring hippies, designer fashion boutiques and underground music bars.

This shoe shop has stood the test of time and still remains as a fashion icon.

Picadilly Circus

As a child, I thought this was an actual circus.  It’s simply a road junction and a public place where people meet.  Listened to a busker who was very entertaining and had some of the crowd up dancing.

Peoples Vote March

A massive anti-Brexit March went right near our door in Mayfair.  There was purportedly more than 1 million people, with thousands wandering down our street to join the March.  Jeff, being a keen protester from way back, lurked on the edges for some timely photos.

Her Majesty’s Theatre – Phantom of the Opera

What better way to end a West End day than a night at the theatre.  It had been 28 years since I had seen the Phantom in Melbourne and Jeff had never been.  We loved the whole experience so much – the grandness of the theatre, the elaborate stage sets, the costumes, the music.  Everything.

There was a strict “No Photos Policy” inside the theatre but I did manage to get this sneaky one.  We were seated on the middle level which was perfect.

A London black cab home to end the evening.

Jeff and Catherine xx