London Day 3

 

Today is suppose to be even hotter! Ian decides on a quiet day doing some shopping and walking around in the area close to the hotel. Karen, Aaron and I head off through Trafalgar square, down the Mall and through St James Park. It's a lovely green space with ponds, flowers, birds and lots of shade! We walk down to Buckingham Palace, then through Green Park up to Piccadilly.  This street has many high end hotels, restaurants and shops. We make a stop at Fortnum and Masons, so many lovely food items at not so lovely prices! We continued on to Piccadilly Circus, and found the sport that Karen and I stayed on our first trip to London in 1980. By this time it was noon, so we had a picnic lunch in St James Square.

Then Karen and I did a shopping trip to Uniqlo in Covent Garden. It's a Japanese chain of casual wear stores, and they have lovely affordable merino wool sweaters amongst other things.

An hour back at the hotel to put my feet up and have a cup of tea. Then Karen, Ian and I head over to the National Portrait Gallery which is just down the street. Free entry unless you're going to one of the special exhibits. It's fairly busy but not crowded. And it's air conditioned. I didn't attempt to see everything, just picked a few subjects that interested me. Because I've been doing so much reading about Tudor England in the last few years, I especially enjoyed that gallery. Also one on inspiring people, and the contemporary portraits.  

After a couple of hours my feet were sore and it was time for another cup of tea and relax before dinner. Hard to believe this is the last night with Karen and Aaron. We head over to a pub called the Bear & Staff, going upstairs to the Chaplin room. Apparently Charlie Chaplin used to stop by this pub when he preformed in London. All of our meals were excellent, and my fish pie was exceptional. It's a lovely temperature for our walk back to the hotel. Time to get a little work done. And I guess it's time to think about packing again!