This post is a continuation of the trip to Toledo Spain (not yet posted) which started on April 21st.
Upon arrival at the Madrid airport we found out to be the only ones who showed up for the BA flight to London, which was supposed to depart at 10:40am, but got canceled, yet we were not notified beforehand.. One of these unexpected expectencies, so prevalent
now in Corona days. Luckily we were placed on the noon flight, but no other compensation beyond British polite verbal apology, was extended
Accommodation in London
St James Hotel and Club at the Mayfair
Situated in a peaceful cul-de-sac road close to Mayfair, Green Park and off Piccadilly Rd. this hidden elegant townhouse, with roots as a diplomats' club, and a feel of a boutique, which was recommended by dear friends - Vera & David,- is very quaint and convenient.
The room we got was great and we thourougly enjoyed staying there
It has a gourmet restaurant, a bistro, and fine collection of artwork.
It was raining and cold on the day of our arrival, so we kept tucked in at the hotel until early dinner, at Sheekye's Sea Food off Leicester Square,which after, catching on evening play, was as planned.
City Scenes
Sunny pleasant weather, conducive to staying outdoors had kept us walking the streets.
on the second day.
Clifford the big red Dog - At Leicester Square
By Floral Street Covet Gardens
There are few restaurants in this quint hidden court at Covent Garden
"La Goccia Rosini " and "Pertersham"
Museums Visited
V&A (Victoria and Albert) Design Museum
(More on the V&A museum) Another one of my favorites museums in London, in which we saw these 3 exhibits .
Faberg'e in London (until may 8)
The work of the Russian master goldsmith from St Petersburg and the rise and fall of his London out post. which opened in 1903.
The fabulous exhibit is sold out , but it is worth buying an annul membership, which covers the entry cost, to the special exhibits, and then one can enter the Fabarg'e when you arrive at the museum. That's how we got to see it.
Beatrix Potter (until Jan 2023) illustrations of the best loved children's author of 20th C.
Fashioning Masculinities - (until Nov 6th)The Art of Menswear.
Less exciting exhibit
++++++++++++
The Academy is one of my favorite
places to frequent when I visit London.
The back building was purchased , renovates and added more space to the museum complex.
The 2 worth seeing exhibits are:
Exhibit :1 -Whistler's "Woman in White" Joaana Hifferman - 2/22-5/22/2022
James McNeill Whistler’s an American painter who studied in Paris, lived in London and
feature the red-haired /model figure of the Irish Joanna Hiffernan, with-whom he had work and personal relationship.
Man's fart which threw his wife up in air
Kawanabe Yokasai - The Israel Goldman Collection
(1831-1889)
A whimsical, witty and imaginative Japanese painter of the 19th C
Known for his independent spirit, one among Japan’s most important master painters.
Ram caught in a Golden Thicket
One of a pair.
(the other one is at University of Pennsylvania Museum in Philadelphia)
Mesopotamia and the ancient Middle East were the places which captured our curiosity, on this visit at the museum which we hadn't frequented for a very long time.
The Ram/Goat is In room 56 at the museum
+++++++++++++++
By the River Thames
Potter Fields Park where the Bridge Theater is situated ("London Bridge" Tube Station)
is an an open green space off Tooley St, by the Thames next to Tower Bridge.
In the 1600 the area was famous for English Delftware Pottery after many Dutch potters
arrived from Holland. Also a pickle herring Pottery was established in 1618 and closed in 1708. From mid 1700 wharves, warehouses and docks were built. By 1970 the docks were closed and ecological park was established.
The Pub on Tooley St
Scenery from the Bridge
Theater Plays we saw
Jez Butterworth’s classic, with the amazing Mark Rylance revives his performance as “Rooster” Byron, alongside Mackenzie Crook
Less of a play genre we like, but the acting was amazing
+++++++++++++++++++
The 47th President
Who will be the 47th President of the United States?
Mike Bartlett’s new satire, at Old Vic
is a fabulous witty play in Shakespearean spirit, with an excellent award-winning cast from King Charles III
which includes:
Bertie Carvel as Donald Trump,
Tamara Tunie as Kamala Harris and Lydia Wilson as Ivanka Trump.
++++++++++++++++++++++
Ralph Fiennes in the world premiere of David Hare’s play Straight Line Crazy at the Bridge Theater, plays New York City public official Robert Moses
+++++++++++++++++++
Jonathan Bailey and Taron Egerton star in the West End premiere of Mike Bartlett’s "Cock" at the Ambassadors Theatre. The award-winning play explores the impact of changing relationships and sexual fluidity.
Great play and an amazing acting.
++++++++++++++++++++
Tribute to one of the greatest play writes: Oscar Wilde
The first public monument to Oscar Wilde outside Ireland by Maggi Hamblin, which was installed in 1998
++++++++++++++++++++
Restaurants
We have tried several highly rated Indian places and by far the best is Tamarind near Green Park .
..
Tamarind of Mayfair - Indian Cuisine Restaurant
The first Indian restaurant in London to receive a Michelin star
Sheekey , (since 1896) very near Leicester, square, in the heart of theater. It is a classical high end Sea-Food restaurant we love .
Rules - London's oldest restaurant (since 1798) is a good historical British Game-Food,
and beautifully decorated in Covent Gardens
Saint Jacques Richard Weiss, iconic restaurateur and sommelier open this French Bistro
Fumo - Italian Restaurant
In the heart of Covent Gardens on Martin’s Lane, which we passed and which looks very inviting.
Eating places in Covet Garden
Artisan Bakery Neal's Yard Cheese Popular Take a way
Beautiful dish display at the Burlington Arcade
Practical Tips
+ No special forms needed to be completed, nor mandatory vaccination or masks were required, at Heathrow airport, on the flight from London to the US, or upon arrival in SF.
+For London walks - great on sunny weathers.
+A ride in the Tube/Bus costs much less, per a ride, with Oyster Card (sold in every Tube station and can be recharged) or with a Wi-Fi Credit Card.
CC swipe needed upon Tube entrance and at exist. but on bus only on getting on.
+ Fortnum & Mason fantastic store on Piccadilly St. sells daily, at the end of a working day (after 6:00pm) the remaining of selected goods, like pastries, breads, chocolates, at a bargain 50% off.
+ A discount Taxi drive to and from the Airport
Paul Wilder 07815 867998 (whatsApp) e.paulwilder@live.com
+++++++++++++++++++++
Flying back to SFO, on 4/29th, was thankfully, uneventful, although the cues at
SFO Passport Control were too long and time consuming..
Also thankfully, things in the house seemed all OK, after this long absence.
Ten days of touch-down at home, should re-energized us before taking off, again.
THE END !!!