Italian Odyssey - 3.

We have just boarded the EuroStar for our fast trip to Paris, so time to post a blog as we zoom across the English and French countryside. We have had a frantic three days in London. Thankfully the train trip back to London proved a lot more leisurely. We arrived at Euston Station on a cold windy day. It was past lunchtime, so we sought refuge in a traditional (not!) English joint, called Ed's Diner, that specialised in American Fast Food! Refreshed, we made the short walk to our hotel, The Premier Inn Euston, which is nice and comfortable. A short walk around was enough, as it was quite unpleasant in the wind and frequent showers. That night, we found a very close, cosy pub, and had a few drinks, and dinner of Pulled Pork Nachos. How much pork are they pulling around the world?? Two years ago it was unheard of, now it is on every menu!! Still it was tasty, and with the pub full of football fans watching the European Cup semi final between Real Madrid & Juventus, the place was jumping?

The next morning dawned wet and very, very, windy. It was extremely unpleasant. We booked ourselves on one of the "Hop On Hop Off" Bus tours, and off we went. The first thing we noticed was all the construction. Holes in the ground everywhere, and a skyline full of cranes. We passed by St.Paul's Cathedral, Tower Bridge, and all the many landmarks that seem so familiar to us, even though it is 22 years since our last London visit. We hopped off the bus at the London Eye, and thankfully the rain had stopped for a while. We had booked a ride on this enormous Ferris Wheel. Carol is excited, John is petrified! Off we went, and I have to admit it was incredibly smooth & stable despite the howling wind. Some unbelievable sights of London. I kissed the ground on return! Next it was on a ferry back along the dirty Thames to the Tower of London, where we got off and had a walk around, until the rain and bitterly cold wind forced us back onto the bus. We did the full loop on two seperate bus routes, and saw quite a lot, through rain streaked windows. That night, we were ready for happy hour back at our hotel. Two for one drinks for two hours, was a lot better than the pub! We braved the wind and cold for a quick walk down the street, to a small Italian Restaurant, recommended by the hotel manager. It was lovely. We shared pizza & tiramisu.

Thursday, we were catching up with Nancy & Keith, so we jumped on the tube for the short trip over to Green  Park, right next to where they are staying. There is something very special about meeting friends in a strange land. We took a slow walk through the park down to Buckingham Palace, in time for the changing of the guard. When Carol stands in front of Buckingham Palace she truly feels like she is in England. 

Thankfully, today the wind has gone, and while still cool, the sun is mostly shining. With all the pomp and ceremony over, we jumped into a taxi to head off to meet up with Pete, their son, who now lives in London. They have chosen the most amazing place for lunch, one of the only private galleries in the world, open to the public, and it is free. Called The Wallace Collection, it is housed in an 18th century mansion, and is the result of 5 generations of collecting. It is simply unbelievable! There are hundreds of priceless works by Rembrandt, Titian and more, as well as the famous Laughing Cavalier by Hals. There are sculptures, and furniture, and an Armoury collection better than any we have seen. Add to this, the Atrium Cafe, and it is one special place. Pete looked great. It is ten years since we last saw Pete, and it was lovely to catch up. Since moving to London, he has remarried, and tonight we will meet his wife Linda, at dinner. After the gallery, we walked a short distance to a favourite spot of Pete's, a pub called The Gunmakers. This was the favourite pub of Winston Churchill, and there is memorabilia to boot. Another short walk and we are outside the Ginger Pig, no not a pub, but a famous butcher shop, and home to "the world's best sausage roll". Pete bought us one, and I can tell you, we won't be disputing the claim. Absolutely delicious! Here, we left Pete, and headed down to Covent Garden for a wander around, before heading back to Nancy & Keith's Club (hotel), for a drink before dinner. It was hard to get a quiet table. They were trialling some live music. There was a violinist and a piano accordionist, a strange pairing, strangling some old favourites. I fear the trial is doomed!! 

Pete & Linda mercifully rescued us, and we headed off to the nearby restaurant that Linda had chosen. As a partner in a large London legal practice, Linda has some serious connections, and we found ourselves at a lovely restaurant called La Caprica, which was Lady Di's favourite place. It was a wonderful dinner, and Linda is a delight. All too soon the evening was over, and we were back on the tube to Euston and our hotel. It has been an extremely full time in London. Now we are whizzing across the French countryside, enroute to Paris.