Sunday, 20 May, 2018
I love going to the Galvin restaurants. A few months ago they closed what I think was their original location on Baker Street and customers (including me) got a conciliatory fifty percent off invitation to their Piccadilly location. At first I didn’t think I would make it since Krish is not a fan. Then my friend Caroline let me know she was free for lunch on the 20th. Booked!
Sunday morning dawned warm and bright so I set off as soon as I could, allowing lots of time to get there. For one thing, the Hackney Half Marathon was on. Since 7am the organisers had been outside planting beacons and Road Closed signs. They were very loud, as were the dozens of drivers who came along afterwards when they discovered their way was blocked. Add to this, Krish yelling out of the window for everyone to shut up and it wasn’t the most peaceful of Sunday mornings!
So off I set on foot, knowing there were no buses to the station today. I had decided to take the overground and underground for once. I am not fond of underground travel so this was a challenge for me.
In the end, I got there so quickly it was silly. five super-packed tube stops from Highbury (which is itself only five to ten mins by overground from Hackney Central). I’d decided to wear a dress and some new shoes since Caroline is always impeccably dressed. I thought about throwing my running shoes in a back pack and decided not to carry that into a fancy hotel.
Coming out of the station into Green Park is crazy. Instant green trees everywhere in such an urban area. Green Park leads down through St James’s Park and on to Buckingham Palace. St James’s is my favourite park in central London but today I wasn’t going to get there. Meanwhile, Green Park was resplendently green and dotted with deckchairs – a very amusing British custom.
Walking away from the park, I thought Piccadilly was looking shabby despite the bright sun. And I already knew my shoes were rubbing – uh oh – kept going. I had originally thought I’d take the bus one stop to avoid the hot walk but I now wanted to find bandaids for my foot (couldn’t) and a souvenir shop – Judy wanted a Harry and Meghan mug (bingo, found one! Dispatched photos to Judy and got the nod to buy a mug). Anyway, the hotel was super modern in a sea of very traditional pillared buildings. (I forgot to take an outdoor shot! Or wait, no indoor shots either) and I waited in the comfy lobby for Caro to arrive.
Lunch! Well, the service was typically wonderful. What did i eat? Smoked salmon with a soft scrambled egg – small, delicate, very nice. Then I had seared scallops with some asparagus (two artfully cut spears) some little peas and some jersey royals (two small ones cut in halves) – again light and delicate. Then they have an unlimited dessert buffet. Everything was very small but I could NOT eat what i took. I did, however, *taste* one of everything except the blood orange cheesecake and had no room for the three cheeses that were there. Poo. Maybe with more time I could have rested and gone back but … the deal is on till the weekend but I don’t think I’ll be going back.
By the time I left my feet hurt and I was hot and sweaty. Oh and Caro was wearing jeans and running shoes! From the waist up though she was wearing a sophisticated little top, jewellery and had a great tan. How does she do it? Even her hair is perfect. A terrible friend to have! 😜
Even then I thought I could brave a walk but by the time I picked up a souvenir newspaper from the lobby, the mug from the shop and shifted my now-full bag, adding a Marks and Spencers – rebranded markle and sparkle for the wedding – but I didn’t see any souvenirs to show that – package of ravioli and a cold water for the journey – I knew it wasn’t going to happen.
So I regretted the shoes (they looked great!), the dress, not bringing my backpack or extra carry bag…and headed to the bus stop – didn’t want to juggle everything in a crowded tube.
From the bus stop I could see flags tantalisingly close and did a zoom on my camera to capture that a bit. I struggled upstairs hoping to see and photograph more from up there but we went too quickly past Regent Street, which I knew had bunting overhead.
Anyway, the day was done and I was glad to have gone but also really glad to get indoors – for a nap!
On the journey back – even the bus bit – I realised how incredibly close we actually are to Green Park etc. That was interesting. I have very poor perception of how the pieces of the London jigsaw puzzle fit together so am constantly surprised by happening upon an area next to or not far away from another area, having never noticed they were actually neighbouring. Odd – my spatial ability sucks.