It started yesterday when I realized there were several flights of steps going down to the St. James tube station and taking the ginormous bag was not something I wanted to deal with. I decided a cab would be the best option. So I went online and thought I booked a cab, emailed the owner of the studio flat to let him know I'd be a bit early.
Got most of my stuff packed and went to bed. Woke up and puttered about...mostly finished packing and read my email. Found out that my cab booking had been cancelled! So, I went back and rebooked with another service that cost more, but was rated "more reliable." That booking was accepted.
Sat down to watch TV until the cab was scheduled to come. The cleaning lady came a little early, which was fine as it was only about 10 minutes before I was due to vacate. I went down to wait for the cab. I checked my booking and noticed a mistake...it was for noon on Tuesday. I know that I put in TODAY at 11, so I called, found out that they couldn't come for a half hour. So, hung out on a street corner with my suitcase waiting for my ride. He showed up about 15 minutes late. There was some sort of shindig going on at Buckingham Palace, so we got stuck in traffic and I was later....
Now, you know I chose to bring the ginormous suitcase because both flats had lifts (elevators). I got to rental number two where I was told that the lift was on the blink...and I'm staying on the 4th floor (that's 5th floor to those of us in the US). So the owner's 87 year old father comes down to "help me with my bag" which entailed his dragging it up all but one floor as I got that far before he took it from me.
He was a very charming and interesting man who had stories of his experience as a child who was relocated out of London in the second world war (like in Bedknobs and Broomsticks) and fighting in Korea during that war. He told me which museums to see, how to get to them, and all about his fascination with set building for plays. All interesting, all charming...but I really had to pee...
He finally headed back to the train to go home and I headed out to the tube to go to Whole Paycheck UK and do some grocery shopping. I was really hoping to find the stem ginger fudge I still dream about that I got there the last time I was here. I found one last package and paid a lot for my week's worth of food. Headed back and unpacked the food and found out that, while the fridge had been defrosted, the tray holding the melted water had not been emptied...yep...EVERYWHERE!
I decided I needed a warm jacket...ideally, a hoodie. I had checked out the Gap next to Whole Foods and I didn't want to pay London prices for something I could get back home (no cheap fleece there), so I decided I needed to go back to Primark. I google mapped that I'm actually pretty close to Oxford street and I could take Bayswater along Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park...so off I went.
And I ended up at a favorite spot of mine...the Italian Gardens. I decided to try to retake some of the photos I took last time to see if they came out better
Mostly, I love this fountain and the face of the cherub holding it up
Her face is still melty, but I think the fountain wasn't working last time
and this is the view up The Long Water, which actually becomes the Serpentine when it enters Hyde park
I headed to Oxford street and got in Primark 10 minutes before close. Found a cheap hoodie, a couple of t-shirts and some Harry Potter socks. That done...I'm exhausted.
Went into Hyde Park on the way back and took it slow. Stopped a couple of times and sat on a park bench.
Oh well, at least they're not steep, weirdly shaped stone steps like the ones in Rome last year, so small mercies.
Made spaghetti and had it with fresh buttered bread and organic white wine. So, I'm tired and a little buzzed (yes, only one glass).
Time for bed...tomorrow is Harry Potter!!
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