Feeling very excited about catching up with Shannon and Brian in London today. We caught the 8.56am London Midland train, arriving into London Euston at 10.50am. As soon as we arrived we hopped into a Black Cab which would get us to our hotel quicker than a London tube. Also we got to see all the old buildings as we passed by. We were staying at the London Waldorf Hilton, bit of a treat!!! We checked in and got settled in to our room then went and found Shanny & Brian's room, it was so great to see them both.
Once we had caught up we set off to check out Westminster Abbey, wow what an amazing Abbey it is too. This is where Princess Diana got married and had her funeral service, and recently where Kate and William got married too. Unfortunately we weren't allowed to take photos inside which was a shame as there was so much to photograph!!
Time for some lunch and on the hunt for the oldest pub in London, which we believe is ye olde Cheshire Cheese. A lot of literary figures have been known to be regulars at this establishment too!! Perhaps may not be the oldest pub as it was rebuilt after the great fire of London, but its known for its dark and dinghy feel and intriguing dark intimate areas to sit on all levels. They had their own labelled beers and spirits... the gin was very tasty!! So was the pie, peas, chips & gravy!!!
Once fed and watered we were off again... now onto Harrods for a looksie... passing Nelson's Column on the way.
We loved the food halls...
 |
| Wow so many pork pies!! |
And the gin...
The funky lighting in the ceiling...
After exiting Harrods the boys found a couple of car shops... well this Bugatti was in a mens clothes shop in Knightsbridge!!! It was rather amazing!!
Then down the road there were these McLarens....
The window displays were pretty cool too...
All this window shopping made us thirsty!! So we stopped off at the Buddha Bar for a pre-dinner cocktail!
Back to the hotel to freshen up and out again, this time we had a reservation at Dinner by Heston Blumenthal at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Hyde Park. Wow!!! From the moment we walked through the door till the minute we left the service was impeccable, and the food sensational. The waiters were so knowledgeable about all the food dishes and at the end of the evening we were given a tour of the kitchen and brief background of the restaurant and what Heston is up to next. Which he is opening up the Fat Duck in Melbourne, while its closed in London then re-creating Dinner in Melbourne when the Fat Duck returns to London. Heston doesn't do things by halves!!!
Our Entrees....
 |
| Meat Fruit (c.1500) Mandarin, chicken liver & foie gras parfait, grilled bread |
 |
| Rice & Flesh (c.1390) Saffron, calf tail & red wine |
 |
| Roast Scallops (c.1830) Cucumber ketchup, roasted cucumber, bergamont & barage |
 |
| Salamagundy (c.1720) Chicken oysters, salsify, marrow bone & horseradish cream |
Our Mains...
 |
| Spiced Pigeon (c.1780) Ale & artichokes |
 |
| Beef Royale |
 |
| Brown Bread Ice Cream (c.1830) salted butter caramel, pear & malted yeast syrup |
 |
| Tipsy Cake (c.1810) Spit roast pineapple |
 |
| Sambocade (c.1390) Goats milk cheese cake, elderflower & apple, roast figs & smoked candied walnuts |
chefs at work...
What an amazing evening.
Tuesday 6 January 2015
Early morning start and breakfast at The Kitchen at the Tower cafe next to the Tower of London. We got the early bird special of full English breakfast, great value at £6.50.
How many can you get in to a telephone box??
Once fed we were around the corner to buy our tickets for the Tower of London, we even managed to get on the first tour of the day.
After touring the Tower we walked along the Thames in the drizzle and headed for the Tower Bridge to explore...
I wasn't sure about walking on the glass walkway at first, but had to master it!!
Once over the bridge we then get to see the old engine house...
Once on the other side of the Thames the sun came out, and shone on all the buildings for us which was nice.
The locals call this building the Testicle!!! Its where the Lord Mayor is housed!
The boys on a mission to find a pub and some lunch... The Bridge Lounge and dining room.
... fish finger sandwiches and a drink were in order!! Very delicious they were too.
On the move again!! This time on our way to the Shard...
Views from the Shard... levels 68, 69 and 72...
Coming down in the lift...
Views driving away in a London Cab...
 |
| St Paul's Cathedral |
Early evening strolling around Covent Gardens and Seven Dials...
Once freshened up were were off again, this time to The Phoenix Theatre to watch Once the musical with Ronan Keating!!!!
We arrived at 7pm so that we could go on stage for a drink... then at 7.10pm some of the cast come out on stage and start playing their musical instruments and sing... its such an experience, it felt like you were in the stage show with them. I just love the Irish music, my feet and body wouldn't stop jigging!!!
Can you spot us in the mirror!
Stage show starting... took a sneaky picture... Ronan is third on the left at the back!!
Dave playing silly buggers afterwards!
Spotted the Savoy on the our way back to the hotel...
Wednesday 7 January 2015
Our last morning in London before we headed back home to Stafford.
Dave and I went for a walk on our own this morning, as Brian was dealing with some business and Shannon was having a swim. We were in search of the Knights Templar cracking the Da Vinci code... First of all we had breakfast at Apostrophe just a stones throw across the road from the Royal Courts of Justice.
Afterwards we walked down the Strand to find the Temple Church... we by chance also fell across the film location for Silk the TV Drama, which was very exciting.
Also the car park attendant advised us that Pirates of the Caribbean was filmed in this quadrangle too.
The Temple Church... also film location for the Da Vinci Code...
Spot the organist in the mirror!
Our hotel... London Waldorf Hilton...
 |
| Goodbye! |
Dinner out at The Bell at Haughton. Great night, Shannon had fun chatting up the waiters!! The food was delicious, particularly the steaks and the seafood platter for two.
The following morning we picked up Shannon and Brian from Tillington Hall Hotel to take them to have a look at the Trent and Mersey canal at Little Hayward and Shuborough Hall. It was exciting as neither Brian or Shannon had seen a canal boat or go through the lock system, they watched three go through today.
 |
| Shugborough Hall |
 |
| Essex Bridge, built in 1550. |
 |
| Tixall Gatehouse |
 |
| Tixall Church |
After touring around we had lunch at the Canal Side Farm Shop. Also purchasing fresh scones with clotted cream and jam so Brian and Shannon can experience them! I think they were a winner!! We then popped home to have a drink with Dad for his birthday then later on said a fond farewell to Brian and Shannon at the local train station. They were heading off on their next leg of their holidays on to Monte Carlo, Rome and Dubai. Look forward to seeing you at Easter Brian and Shannon in the Hunter Valley xxx
No comments:
Post a Comment