Down to London prior to going cruising

The day started really well, our neighbours took us down to the dock and we all jumped onto the bus, including our neighbours who had decided to take a day out themselves in Glasgow. We were so pleased that it was Thursday, as the previous day the seas had been horrendous, so much so that the small ferries had been cancelled. The sea was hitting the walls and washing the shingle over onto the road, possibly due to the collision of the hide tides and the gale force winds.

The crossing was remarkably smooth as the ferry cut through the non-existent waves. What a change. Quite odd sitting on a bus, sitting on a ferry with lorries and cars all-round you. It wasn’t long before we were bumping over the ramps and heading along the coastal road heading East, firstly to Greenock, then Port of Glasgow before popping into Braehead, a massive shopping centre only fifteen minutes outside of Glasgow. The public transport system must be excellent, in fact the free service that we encountered was amazing, but also the car parks were virtually empty, yet the place was humming. Busses were dropping loads of prospective shoppers at the entrance to this massive centre. The consumer society still continues at full tilt even though we are supposed to be in a recession, they should at retail therapy as an Olympic sport, we should manage to get quite a few medals, perhaps only Bronze behind the Russians and the Americans.

 

 Rather overcast as we set out and head for Glasgow

We then headed for the centre of Glasgow and the bus station at the end of Sochehalle street, conveniently positioned next to John Lewis. Great opportunity to seek out furniture and more importantly sit in it, test it out, and without the bloody cushions. Since the TV has been obsessed  with home makeovers, all the shops dress their furniture with oodles of cushions. They overflow the sofas and chairs and negate the possibility of sitting on the chair in a manner for which it was designed.

Eventually l found just the sofas and seats. Only one problem, Judith didn’t like them. So we moved on until we had a compromise. Or should l say until we found those that Judith liked. Not true really, we both enjoyed the eventual choice, although not the price. But John Lewis do deliver to our part of the world completely free of charge.

 

Then it’s a quick lunch and walk through Glasgow the short hop to Central Station. I love railway stations. It’s the start of a journey, the commencement of a new adventure. And what an adventure, travelling first class with all the whistles and bells. It’s been a long , long time since l last travelled first class. Been quite content in cattle class, but at £30, it’s a no brainer.

Must say the experience was excellent, none stop pampering. Large comfortable seats, hot and cold running girls attending to our every whim, serving teas, coffee, drinks, snacks, sandwiches and at 6pm a hot meal. Notwithstanding this, they also kept bringing round chocolates, biscuits, chocolate brownies and very delightful wines that they insisted on us trying. Bill would have been proud of me. I did hold my hand up on many occasion and say no thank you. WELL CAN YOU IMAGINE HOW MANY GLASSES YOU CAN CONSUME OVER A FOUR AND HALF HOUR JOURNEY.

 

Said farewell to our conveyance of luxury through the murky wet and cold exterior of the North and alighted into the lights and thronging mass of LONDON Euston.

There is something about cities, they always give me a buzz. I seem to absorb the energy of the city which initially gives me a lift, a spark of brightness. In truth these days, after two days and nights running around the Capital, my energy levels are deleted and l enjoy getting back to the rural tranquillity. But for now its invigorating. Bring on the dancing girls.

We check into the hotel on Kings Cross road, refreshed, watered and fed too much and settle down for a good night’s sleep. At 4.30am, Judith wakes me up to say she hasn’t been asleep. The noise outside is unbelievable. We might as well be in a cardboard box on the side of the road. The double glazing was totally ineffectual. I’m one of those lucky people who goes to sleep as soon as their head hits the pillow, but poor Judith has an awful time in the best of situations.  I think she managed to get off at about 6am for a couple of hours. The staff on reception where very apologetic and moved us immediately, but when you consider that 80% of their rooms are on the front of the building, they must have an horrendous complaint record. They did say that it was about to be totally refurbished, and not before time. They must be taking £30k per night in room revenue alone, so their annual profit would easily cover a refurbishment charge. Especially when you think that it’s been operating as a hotel for the past fifteen years, with a turnover of well over 10 million a year and minimal staffing costs. Someone has been making some money.

I will get off my band waggon as its dry and sunny outside and we are strolling along to the British Library. Never been there in my life, and it’s truly amazing. The exterior architecture and sculptures alone make it a worthwhile detour. But inside is a labyrinth of interest. Displays of stamps, new technology and how it manages statistics, exhibitions, talks, guided tours and that’s before we get to the library section proper. Truly amazing!

From here we headed to buy our oyster cards, but l was eager to see the new Renaissance Hotel next to the Railway station.  They have restored what was l imagine one of the old British rail Hotels, but they have done a great job. The lounges, reception, restaurants and meeting places were superb. Wonder if their double glazing works? We have stayed in many four and five star hotels where the sound proofing has a lot to be desired, what with listening to the ablutions, sexual activities and prowess of the neighbours along with the odd domestic tiff. But it really is so unnecessary with the technology available today.

We eventually ended up in one of their restaurants called (The Gilbert Scott Restaurant), glorious looking place, and the menu was excellent at not overly expensive for what seemed to be a fairly upmarket place. Well worth a visit on a future excursion to London.

From here we jumped on the tube and sped off to Sloane square, visiting the Tachken book shop prior to looking round the Saachi Art Gallery. They do have some weird stuff that they call art, although there were a few things that set you off thinking, but l found 90% of the subject matter way off the wall. Nevertheless, the schools were using the areas to enable their students to draw and investigate the subject matter. 

 Art by Michael Cline - the only paintings that l understood and liked in the whole exhibition

 Then weird sculptures in Imberico ham. What a waste of a gorgeous ham

Then this room was quite special. Photographs of what seems to be Russian Mafia with their favourite cars, drinks etc.

Different to say the least.

It was so glorious, we sat and eat a sandwich in the park before heading north, visiting Peter Jones to check out their furniture and confirm in our own mind what we were going for. Then l treated myself to a lightweight  mini laptop come tablet with a keyboard, called a Microsoft Surface. Presently using it to type this blog. What was l saying about the consumer society.

Anyway, it’s great, and weights nothing, just the ticket to take around with you, and l find that l prefer a proper keyboard, plus l know how Microsoft works and it can talk to my other computers, transferring files and work. So that’s my excuse for splashing out. Why do l need an excuse. To appease my conscience.

Headed up toward Knightsbridge, calling into The Conran shop. Some great ideas. But the prices………….

Then past the old converted Michelin Building that houses the Bibbidum  Restaurant, one of Conran’s  originals. Still looking good, busy and the menu is once again priced reasonably. It just goes to show, that London does offer value for money, even though their rates and costs are so much higher than the provinces, although this is offset by the volume of traffic. Compare this to the price and quality we received at the Osborne in Innellan the other night. We could have had a three course dinner at the Bibbidum for less money, and the quality would have been so much better.

Then its on the move again heading North and the national history museum, one of our favourites, although today it is bombed out with school children on holiday, along with coach parties from France and Italy, most of which have not learnt the niceties of waiting in queues. Worst than visiting Chelsea football club on a bad day.

Enjoy the planet earth section, especially the area dedicated to volcanoes, but the crowds got the better of us and we slipped out the side exit and into the V&A across the road. 

A haven of tranquillity. Peace reigns, although its very busy, the people are more relaxed and refined. We have a coffee in a lounge, whilst listened to the pianist, very civilised. 

Then its a stroll around the exhibits including the new area outside that has been converted to a Japanese mystical world in miniature.

After a couple of hours drifting from one section to another we departed and headed for Harrods. Love walking through their food hall, then into a book shop to see what restaurants were up and coming. Thought we would try Arbutous on Frith street, so we headed off walking through the parks. Strolling and enjoying the vibrancy, the lights, noise and vibrancy of London.

Didn’t like the menu on offer at the restaurant so we went to another recommended restaurant, this time Chinese, called Ba Shan. Well we were close to the China Town, although this was set also on Frith street, a little away from the main drag. The cooking was from the North Western part of China, Hunnan province l believe, famous for their peppers. Surprisingly, not hot, lots of it just had glorious levels of flavours without the heat. Tremendous. We were the only western people in the place. Great. Chopsticks were rattling in time to their clipped tongue and high pitched laughter.

Then more walking, this time along High Holborn skirting alongside Covent Garden. Humming with vitality. 

 Think this show would be worth a try on our next trip south.

Eventually we reached our hotel, and our new room on the back. As promised they had moved everything for us and the room was totally quiet, enabling us to have a well deserved rest after the previous night’s fiasco.

Up late and checked out the hotel and walked with our rucksacks on our backs West then South before getting on the tube and headed for Victoria. The tube was held up at one point, due to a person “falling” under a train. What makes people so desperate to take their own life. They must be in a really bad place. Feel sorry for the driver who sees what’s happening and can’t do anything about it.

Arrive early and jump on the first available coach heading back to Dover. It was surprisingly comfortable, and swift. The train takes 1 ½ hours and the coach took 2, for £5. A no brainer. Big comfortable seats, broadband. But no girls serving beverages and refreshments.