What we did in London

CHRISTMAS IN LONDON
2001
What we did
***
Our Apartment * What we did * Christmas Day
Art I liked * London Sights

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Day 1-Wed Dec 19 -We were picked up at Heathrow by London Transfers (Ray Skinner), who gave us a friendly informative ride through London rush hour. I was impressed by the flowers blooming everywhere - in window boxes, beds, and planters. We arrived at our apartment around 9:00 a.m. The owner was there to meet us, gave us tea and showed us the ropes.
- after short naps Bill went out and got yummy sandwiches from a shop around the corner
- went food shopping at Sainsburys (crumpets, mince pies, pointsettia, and other essentials)
- found EasyEverything internet cafe and sent e-mails re arrival
- found an ATM - loved the warning sign!
- later we walked to Trafalgar Square for Christmas concert at National Gallery
- walked back through the theatre district and marvelled at the "Christmas Fayre" at Leicester Square
- stopped for fish & chips at Rock & Sole Plaice

Day 2-Thu Dec 20 - Bill & Mom went out for breakfast buffet at a nearby cafe with neon art
- Mom & Dad spent the day at the British Museum , where we saw the Elgin marbles, Rosetta stone, Japanese exhibit, Orient Express train
- bought some gifts and had light lunch, tea and cake at museum cafe
- Bill had seen the British Museum on his earlier trips, so he went off to see the Natural History Museum.
- We had a delicious Indian dinner at Punjab, recommended by the owner of our apartment
-Theatre: Stones in His Pockets, a 2 man Irish comedy at Duke of York's Theatre

Day 3 - Fri Dec 21 - Tube to Kew - Public Record Office and National Archives: Christmas Exhibit and research
- Tea at Maids of Honour Tea Room followed by evening festivities at Royal Botanic Gardens
- Took the train to Cecil Sharp House, Camden for Folk Dancing Society Christmas dance.

Day 4 - Sat Dec 22 - full English breakfast at Silva's, little Italian cafe around the corner.
- walked to Sir John Soane House Museum, a really charming and eccentric place.
- had pub lunch at Shakespeare's Head on Kingsway
- checked out Harrod's, bought cheeses, teas, and gifts for grandchildren
- had a special deluxe Italian dinner at Il Passetto on Shaftesbury Ave., the restaurant of Dad's new friend. - wonderful antipasto!
- Bill and Mom saw Dame Judi Dench in The Royal Family at the Haymarket Theatre. We sat in the same row with Pierce Brosnan!

Day 5 - Sun Dec 23 - Joe & Aimee arrived - rested, then we all went for a walk around Covent Garden
- We split up, and Dad & Bill went to British Library, where they saw the Lindisfarne Gospel, and many other impressive documents. They returned via Kings Cross and St.Pancras stations and the Canal Museum
- Joe & Aimee walked around the West End and Soho. They found Neal's Yard Dairy , a cheese shop Aimee had been looking for.
- Mom shopped for Christmas food & candy gifts at Shepherd Foods, a gourmet market on Drury Lane
- For supper we had Japanese noodles, etc. at the original Bloomsbury Wagamama

Day 6 - Mon Dec 24 - Mom did final Christmas food shopping at Sainsburys - also bought more mince pies & crumpets.
- Mom,Dad, & Bill Crossed the river to see the Tate Modern - It was closed. But you can see pictures here.
- Walked along the Thameswalk, under the millenium footbridge, (which has been closed because resonance problems cause it to sway). After we looked at the replica of Sir Frances Drake's Golden Hind, we warmed ourselves with eggnog latte across the street from the restored Globe Theatre
- Toured Southwark Cathedral, where we saw a memorial to Wm.Shakespeare, then hit the gift shop where Joe bought a book The English Christmas. It included a CD of traditional carols from many different cathedrals.
- Joe & Aimee shopped for special treats at Harrods, Harvey Nichols food halls and other small shops
- We walked home via Charing Cross Rd and bought some Christmas gifts at the Dover bookstore. In the Oxfam store Dad got a recommendation from the manager for a Spanish Christmas Eve dinner.
- We all went to the Christmas Eve carol service at St. Martin's in the Fields
- Followed by Christmas Eve feast (Spanish) of paella and other seafood dishes at Cafe Espana in Soho

Day 7 - Christmas Day - after breakfast we opened gifts, then
- called home with Merry Christmas wishes
- cooked and ate our Christmas Lunch (rolled stuffed lamb, sweet potatoes, roasted root vegetables, Christmas pudding with brandy sauce, and other pastries)
- played cards
- read new books and watched a little TV

Day 8 - Boxing Day - Bill got up early and took a ride on the London Eye.
- Then he took a train to see the Alexandra Palace on a hill overlooking London.
- The rest of us took the Big Bus tour of London. It was cold on the upper deck, but you could see more.
- We had lunch at an Italian cafe on Baker Street across from the Sherlock Holmes Museum.
- Mom & Dad took another look at St.Martin's sanctuary, and caught a rehearsal for the candlelight Vivaldi concert, Boxing Day Baroque, then had afternoon tea (with yummy bread pudding) at the Cafe in the Crypt, watched people making brass rubbings, and bought a CD, Little English Cookbook, calendar, etc. in the gift shop
- In the evening Bill whipped up a great Indian dish using the leftover lamb and veggies. Then he went out to get some whisky so Mom could have a hot toddy for her sore throat. The man he bought it from said "Take care of your Mum."

Day 9 - Thu Dec 27 - Aimee and Joe did some more sightseeing and went to the East End to see the Indian and Bangladesh areas.
- The rest of us went to Somerset House to see ice skating and French Drawings & Paintings from the Hermitage at the Hermitage Rooms
- Lunch (soup, panini sandwiches, tea and cake) in the Crypt Cafe at St.Paul's Cathedral
- At the Museum of London we saw exhibits about Londinium (old Roman London), the old wall, and a program about old London Music Halls. I was surprised to see a display about Furnival's Inn. (My step-grandfather Charlie Furnival was from England.)
- We all went to the "Magical Family Pantomime" - Jack and the Beanstalk at Greenwich Theatre in association with Hiss & Boo Theatre Company. We had a light supper in the theatre cafe. Read more about the pantomime tradition.

Day 10 -Fri Dec 28 - Joe & Aimee went to Bath on the train for an overnight stay.
- Mom did research at the Probate Office -nearby on High Holburn St - then took a bus to the National Gallery.
- Dad and Bill went back to Kings Cross Station to take pictures and buy Harry Potter gifts
- They took the tube back to Covent Garden and the Transport Museum, where Dad bought a neat scrapbook with the famous tube map on the cover.
- They had lunch at the wonderful old Salisbury Pub on St.Martin's Lane
- Met up with Mom at the National Gallery for another look at the art
- Took a bus to the Victoria & Albert Museum and arrived just as they were closing. - even though they were supposed to be open on Friday evening!
- Had huge Dutch pancakes for supper at My Old Dutch on High Holburn

Day 11 - Sat Dec 29 - Dad & Bill took a riverboat ride to Greenwich .
- Mom went shopping and browsing at Covent Garden, had a Cornish pasty for lunch
- We had take-out fish-n-chips etc. before Bill, Joe, & Aimee went to the theatre - A Day in the Death of Joe Egg. Bill had gone down to Leicester Square in the morning and got half price tickets.

Day 12 - Sun Dec 30 - Ride to Heathrow with Ray Skinner
- spend remaining £s at Duty Free Shop
- Virgin Atlantic flight to Boston, Logan Express to Framingham,
- stop at Rein's deli for American food on way home

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Did you see it all? Here is an Index of photo pages

Day 1-Wed Dec 19	-We were picked up at Heathrow by London Transfers (Ray Skinner), who gave us a friendly informative ride through London rush hour. I was impressed by the flowers blooming everywhere - in window boxes, beds, and planters. We arrived at our apartment around 9:00 a.m. The owner was there to meet us, gave us tea and showed us the ropes. - after short naps Bill went out and got yummy sandwiches from a shop around the corner - went food shopping at Sainsburys (crumpets, mince pies, pointsettia, and other essentials) - found EasyEverything internet cafe and sent e-mails re arrival - found an ATM - loved the warning sign! - later we walked to Trafalgar Square for Christmas concert at National Gallery - walked back through the theatre district and marvelled at the "Christmas Fayre" at Leicester Square - stopped for fish & chips at Rock & Sole Plaice
Day 2-Thu Dec 20	- Bill & Mom went out for breakfast buffet at a nearby cafe with neon art - Mom & Dad spent the day at the British Museum , where we saw the Elgin marbles, Rosetta stone, Japanese exhibit, Orient Express train - bought some gifts and had light lunch, tea and cake at museum cafe - Bill had seen the British Museum on his earlier trips, so he went off to see the Natural History Museum. - We had a delicious Indian dinner at Punjab, recommended by the owner of our apartment -Theatre: Stones in His Pockets, a 2 man Irish comedy at Duke of York's Theatre
Day 3 - Fri Dec 21	- Tube to Kew - Public Record Office and National Archives: Christmas Exhibit and research - Tea at Maids of Honour Tea Room followed by evening festivities at Royal Botanic Gardens - Took the train to Cecil Sharp House, Camden for Folk Dancing Society Christmas dance.
Day 4 - Sat Dec 22	- full English breakfast at Silva's, little Italian cafe around the corner. - walked to Sir John Soane House Museum, a really charming and eccentric place. - had pub lunch at Shakespeare's Head on Kingsway - checked out Harrod's, bought cheeses, teas, and gifts for grandchildren - had a special deluxe Italian dinner at Il Passetto on Shaftesbury Ave., the restaurant of Dad's new friend. - wonderful antipasto! - Bill and Mom saw Dame Judi Dench in The Royal Family at the Haymarket Theatre. We sat in the same row with Pierce Brosnan!
Day 5 - Sun Dec 23	- Joe & Aimee arrived - rested, then we all went for a walk around Covent Garden - We split up, and Dad & Bill went to British Library, where they saw the Lindisfarne Gospel, and many other impressive documents. They returned via Kings Cross and St.Pancras stations and the Canal Museum - Joe & Aimee walked around the West End and Soho. They found Neal's Yard Dairy , a cheese shop Aimee had been looking for. - Mom shopped for Christmas food & candy gifts at Shepherd Foods, a gourmet market on Drury Lane - For supper we had Japanese noodles, etc. at the original Bloomsbury Wagamama
Day 6 - Mon Dec 24	- Mom did final Christmas food shopping at Sainsburys - also bought more mince pies & crumpets. - Mom,Dad, & Bill Crossed the river to see the Tate Modern - It was closed. But you can see pictures here. - Walked along the Thameswalk, under the millenium footbridge, (which has been closed because resonance problems cause it to sway). After we looked at the replica of Sir Frances Drake's Golden Hind, we warmed ourselves with eggnog latte across the street from the restored Globe Theatre - Toured Southwark Cathedral, where we saw a memorial to Wm.Shakespeare, then hit the gift shop where Joe bought a book The English Christmas. It included a CD of traditional carols from many different cathedrals. - Joe & Aimee shopped for special treats at Harrods, Harvey Nichols food halls and other small shops - We walked home via Charing Cross Rd and bought some Christmas gifts at the Dover bookstore. In the Oxfam store Dad got a recommendation from the manager for a Spanish Christmas Eve dinner. - We all went to the Christmas Eve carol service at St. Martin's in the Fields - Followed by Christmas Eve feast (Spanish) of paella and other seafood dishes at Cafe Espana in Soho
Day 7 - Christmas Day	- after breakfast we opened gifts, then - called home with Merry Christmas wishes - cooked and ate our Christmas Lunch (rolled stuffed lamb, sweet potatoes, roasted root vegetables, Christmas pudding with brandy sauce, and other pastries) - played cards - read new books and watched a little TV
Day 8 - Boxing Day	- Bill got up early and took a ride on the London Eye. - Then he took a train to see the Alexandra Palace on a hill overlooking London. - The rest of us took the Big Bus tour of London. It was cold on the upper deck, but you could see more. - We had lunch at an Italian cafe on Baker Street across from the Sherlock Holmes Museum. - Mom & Dad took another look at St.Martin's sanctuary, and caught a rehearsal for the candlelight Vivaldi concert, Boxing Day Baroque, then had afternoon tea (with yummy bread pudding) at the Cafe in the Crypt, watched people making brass rubbings, and bought a CD, Little English Cookbook, calendar, etc. in the gift shop - In the evening Bill whipped up a great Indian dish using the leftover lamb and veggies. Then he went out to get some whisky so Mom could have a hot toddy for her sore throat. The man he bought it from said "Take care of your Mum."
Day 9 - Thu Dec 27	- Aimee and Joe did some more sightseeing and went to the East End to see the Indian and Bangladesh areas. - The rest of us went to Somerset House to see ice skating and French Drawings & Paintings from the Hermitage at the Hermitage Rooms - Lunch (soup, panini sandwiches, tea and cake) in the Crypt Cafe at St.Paul's Cathedral - At the Museum of London we saw exhibits about Londinium (old Roman London), the old wall, and a program about old London Music Halls. I was surprised to see a display about Furnival's Inn. (My step-grandfather Charlie Furnival was from England.) - We all went to the "Magical Family Pantomime" - Jack and the Beanstalk at Greenwich Theatre in association with Hiss & Boo Theatre Company. We had a light supper in the theatre cafe. Read more about the pantomime tradition.
Day 10 -Fri Dec 28	- Joe & Aimee went to Bath on the train for an overnight stay. - Mom did research at the Probate Office -nearby on High Holburn St - then took a bus to the National Gallery. - Dad and Bill went back to Kings Cross Station to take pictures and buy Harry Potter gifts - They took the tube back to Covent Garden and the Transport Museum, where Dad bought a neat scrapbook with the famous tube map on the cover. - They had lunch at the wonderful old Salisbury Pub on St.Martin's Lane - Met up with Mom at the National Gallery for another look at the art - Took a bus to the Victoria & Albert Museum and arrived just as they were closing. - even though they were supposed to be open on Friday evening! - Had huge Dutch pancakes for supper at My Old Dutch on High Holburn
Day 11 - Sat Dec 29	- Dad & Bill took a riverboat ride to Greenwich . - Mom went shopping and browsing at Covent Garden, had a Cornish pasty for lunch - We had take-out fish-n-chips etc. before Bill, Joe, & Aimee went to the theatre - A Day in the Death of Joe Egg. Bill had gone down to Leicester Square in the morning and got half price tickets.
Day 12 - Sun Dec 30	- Ride to Heathrow with Ray Skinner - spend remaining £s at Duty Free Shop - Virgin Atlantic flight to Boston, Logan Express to Framingham, - stop at Rein's deli for American food on way home