And where are we now?

No, we are not staying at the Ritz!  At the moment we are in Dad’s club - the ROSL - otherwise known as the Razzle of  London.

We have had a very nice time since we returned from Spain. We met up with some friends from Salisbury for lunch in Romsey on the Wednesday. Andy’s father Drew arrived that night for a few days. On Thursday, Dad dragged him off to Southampton to look for a suit to wear to the races. They were very successful as you saw from the photo of Dad and Dominic. After that, we all went to Winchester. On Friday, the 3 of us went to Dorking to view a National Trust property called Polesden Lacey. A bit of a trek but interesting house. 

Saturday, dad went off on the train to Ascot.  He had a lovely day as he won on the last race!

Solomon came over and Claire, Andy, the girls, Drew and I went to lunch at a pub on the river. 

This is in the garden we are sitting in for tea overlooking Green Park. Can you see the roller - in all the best gardens!

Sunday was relaxing with another BBQ. Claire was home Monday and we had our weekly visit to Winchester. Drew went home that night. 

Tuesday dad went off to play golf and I mucked about at Claire’s. Wednesday was another day visiting an old house which belonged to Walter Raleigh- he of the cloak on a puddle for the queen to walk on and also the man who introduced tobacco to UK. 

Thursday, dad tried to catch up with his friends at Romsey golf club but they had a day off. It might have been too hot! 

Friday dad played golf again whilst I met up with a lady from Romsey for lunch. 

Now in London, we have just been strolling about really.  I went off to visit Liberty shop and stroll through Burlington Arcade.  Tuesday morning I walked the perimeter of Hyde Park while Dad waited for the washing to finish. That was a bit of an experience as the machines are cashless but you have to download an app then scan a barcode. We sorted it eventually after having to register, sign up, put in credit card details etc Such a pain! The cashless society is a bit tedious at times.  

The breakfast was very nice overlooking the Italian Gardens - Dominic’s suggestion- such a Londoner! 

We went off wandering- dad looking for a golf shop, me to wander through Mayfair and to visit a church where they had a free lunchtime concert - very beautiful! 

These elephants were in a park celebrating summer - not sure about the connection.  

We went home for a bit of a rest as we were to have dinner at Rules - the oldest restaurant in London established in 1798. Delicious meal and a very pleasant experience. 

You will see from the photo that it is daylight- the latest booking available was 5.30 - the next was 8.45- too late for us. We were out by 7.30! 

This is one of the rooms

Today, we went walking out in the East End as far as Hackney where there’s a National Trust house. We started at Liverpool Street Station walking through Spitalfield market, down Brick Lane and on and on till we got through Hackney to the house. It was an old Tudor house so Elizabeth times as the owner had sat in judgement on Mary, Queen of Scots.

On the way there, we stopped at this delightful cafe which was in an old school yard. It was delicious food and in a lovely garden. Matthew, it was mentioned in the London City Secrets - that book is a gem!!

A church near the markets

After this trip, we thought we would go over and have a ride to the top of the Shard - even if it did cost 10 pounds! We found the train station, got off the train, but before we went through the barrier, stopped to make sure it was still open and saw it suggested buying tickets. It turns out it cost 32pounds each so we thought ‘jam that’ and decided to keep coming on to the Rozzle where we are now. On the way we visited a wine shop which was opened in 1698 by a family who still run it. The floor of the old shop is sloping and there is a telegram from the owners of the ‘Titanic’ advising of the sinking of the ship and its cargo of wine!  

The next little detour was down a narrow passage to Pickering Place which is about 12 meters square. 

The wine shop - 

The sun dial in Pickering place

And now we are about to have tea before going to our accommodation near Hyde Park. We are staying in student digs at the Imperial College of London (Claire’s find). It is in a great spot just near the great museums which are truly magnificent. And our room looks over the Uni  Bar!  You can imagine what it was like last night when England was playing Columbia! Fortunately, the windows were double glazed and shut the noise out!  

We are back to Romsey tomorrow and then up to Scotland on Saturday.