Enough with the 15km walks! Today I decided to take my first ever London bus ride. There's one not far from the front of the apartment that goes into Piccadilly Circus. Most of the roads I had already walked so not seeing much new though if you sit at the front of the bus on the top deck (such a child!) you can see different perspectives.
You do need to pick your times - go late morning and come home early evening as I did for example. The rest of the time it is quicker to walk! Thankfully this traffic jam was only about 3 stops from the end of the journey so I waited it out.
The plan today was to visit some of the places that are regularly mentioned in the airhead Regency Romances that I read, and which are still functioning today.
Hatchards Bookstore ...
White's Gentleman's Club ... no number or name on it as it is still one of the most exclusive clubs in England. The table in the bow window in the front was supposedly the most prized 'seat' in the house.
St George's Hanover Square, where all the best society weddings were held (surprisingly quite small inside, my photo is taken from the back).
Also walked around Hyde Park where they used to drive the carriages and socialise. Lovely little gatehouse lodges built at the entrances.
Next, it's time for shopping. First off to Waterstones Books, their flagship store in Piccadilly, in the hope of tracking down a book I've been trying to get for ages. Not on the shelf but they have ordered it in, supposedly 3 business days, fingers crossed! Staff member could not have been more helpful, was very friendly, very impressed.
Next, the iconic Fortnum and Mason for food.
The displays don't disappoint. The bowls in this one are all flavours of Turkish Delight.
Marzipan fruit.
HOWEVER ... I can't afford to buy anything. A small slice of nougat was £9. And I thought I would fancy a sundae in the cafe ...
Not for £12. Interesting store to look at but didn't buy anything.
There are some nice arcades and other laneways around. Well, given the area has shops such as Cartier, Tiffany, Rolex, Gucci, Valentino etc etc, it's no wonder.
Burlington Arcade - men in tophats patrol to ensure no rowdy behaviour.
Token phone booth photo
The Royal Arcade
"Pimms O'clock" it says ... but it wasn't open, I might have been tempted.
Next, to Selfridges, it's huge
At nearly £5 a packet I wasn't buying these
What do they say about champagne tastes on a beer budget? THESE I could afford (99p for the small pack)
Fabulous display of cakes, especially the Wimbledon special ones.
Even the (50% off) cupcake packs are cute.
HOWEVER ... the worst department store customer service I have had in a long time. I stood in front of the above counter for quite some time waiting in vain to be served. Finally went behind me on the opposite counter to ask for help. He yells out to someone and the same guy who already has walked past me behind the counter came out and decided to serve me, having to ask me twice what the ONE ITEM I wanted was. I went back to the other guy where I had to pay, who couldn't have been less helpful (grunt) about my query about use an Irish £5 pound note. And then proceed to gyp me on change saying I gave him a 5 pound note not the 10 pound I had given him. After arguing I just had to walk away. Then went to the electronics department to look for a USB plug. Again, heaps of men standing around and despite asking for assistance nobody could be bothered moving off their spot, just vaguely pointed somewhere else. The people where you pay for the chips and snacks couldn't raise a smile or a care factor between them. Seriously, our Myer ladies could teach these people a thing or two. Thumbs down Selfridges. Here endeth the vent.
I stomped off in a huff to Hyde Park to see ...
Marble Arch
Queen Elizabeth Gates
Park entry gates (on the right)
Wellington Arch ... with a swarm of bike riders waiting to cross the road and mow me down (there were only 2 of us on this side of the street).
About a half hour walk back to the bus then home, seemed like I walked another 15km as I was on the go for 7 hours.
You do need to pick your times - go late morning and come home early evening as I did for example. The rest of the time it is quicker to walk! Thankfully this traffic jam was only about 3 stops from the end of the journey so I waited it out.
The plan today was to visit some of the places that are regularly mentioned in the airhead Regency Romances that I read, and which are still functioning today.
Hatchards Bookstore ...
White's Gentleman's Club ... no number or name on it as it is still one of the most exclusive clubs in England. The table in the bow window in the front was supposedly the most prized 'seat' in the house.
St George's Hanover Square, where all the best society weddings were held (surprisingly quite small inside, my photo is taken from the back).
Also walked around Hyde Park where they used to drive the carriages and socialise. Lovely little gatehouse lodges built at the entrances.
Next, it's time for shopping. First off to Waterstones Books, their flagship store in Piccadilly, in the hope of tracking down a book I've been trying to get for ages. Not on the shelf but they have ordered it in, supposedly 3 business days, fingers crossed! Staff member could not have been more helpful, was very friendly, very impressed.
Next, the iconic Fortnum and Mason for food.
The displays don't disappoint. The bowls in this one are all flavours of Turkish Delight.
Marzipan fruit.
HOWEVER ... I can't afford to buy anything. A small slice of nougat was £9. And I thought I would fancy a sundae in the cafe ...
There are some nice arcades and other laneways around. Well, given the area has shops such as Cartier, Tiffany, Rolex, Gucci, Valentino etc etc, it's no wonder.
Burlington Arcade - men in tophats patrol to ensure no rowdy behaviour.
Token phone booth photo
The Royal Arcade
"Pimms O'clock" it says ... but it wasn't open, I might have been tempted.
Next, to Selfridges, it's huge
At nearly £5 a packet I wasn't buying these
Fabulous display of cakes, especially the Wimbledon special ones.
Even the (50% off) cupcake packs are cute.
HOWEVER ... the worst department store customer service I have had in a long time. I stood in front of the above counter for quite some time waiting in vain to be served. Finally went behind me on the opposite counter to ask for help. He yells out to someone and the same guy who already has walked past me behind the counter came out and decided to serve me, having to ask me twice what the ONE ITEM I wanted was. I went back to the other guy where I had to pay, who couldn't have been less helpful (grunt) about my query about use an Irish £5 pound note. And then proceed to gyp me on change saying I gave him a 5 pound note not the 10 pound I had given him. After arguing I just had to walk away. Then went to the electronics department to look for a USB plug. Again, heaps of men standing around and despite asking for assistance nobody could be bothered moving off their spot, just vaguely pointed somewhere else. The people where you pay for the chips and snacks couldn't raise a smile or a care factor between them. Seriously, our Myer ladies could teach these people a thing or two. Thumbs down Selfridges. Here endeth the vent.
I stomped off in a huff to Hyde Park to see ...
Marble Arch
Queen Elizabeth Gates
Park entry gates (on the right)
Wellington Arch ... with a swarm of bike riders waiting to cross the road and mow me down (there were only 2 of us on this side of the street).
About a half hour walk back to the bus then home, seemed like I walked another 15km as I was on the go for 7 hours.
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