Day 17 - A Bath Day - Literally

We had a very interesting day today, and took lots of pictures, but unfortunately, the Internet connection in this flat is not as "robust" as the one in our London flat.  So, I will add pictures later.

We reached Paddington station in plenty of time and had reserved seats, so we leisurely wandered to the front of the train to carriage "C" and there were so few people we were able to spread out.

Great Western Railway train to Bath

This is basically a studio flat with a double bed, so hubby and I are going to be "close companions" tonight.

After we met our host, and became acquainted with the flat's layout (which is basically one room with a separate bath) we went for a stroll.

Hubby stopped at a local Sainsbury (grocery store) and picked up some items including a couple of Mountain Dews for me and Dr. Pepper for him.  After that we purchased tickets to see South Pacific at The Royal Theatre tomorrow night.

Bath Theatre Royal

Tickets purchased, we stopped at The Green Tree, a pub that David our landlord or host recommended.  Great place.  Had a lovely conversation with some locals, but no food.

So, we drank two pints of cider and went on to The Star, a pub that was recommended to us by some locals.

Every Friday night at The Star, they have musicians come in to play Celtic music.  We also thought we could get some food to help balance out all the cider we'd been consuming (in England cider has a significant alcohol content that can vary from 6 to 8%).  They did have some pre-packaged sandwiches to offer, so we opted for a ham and cheese with pickles on a cob (a roll of sorts).  Different.  Sandwich and new ciders in hand, we sat down to join some locals.  Again the conversation was great, but the food wasn't quite enough to counteract the alcohol we had consumed.  So, the two of us got pleasantly snockered.  The music was really good, and we enjoyed the company which included a small Bichon Frise dog who joined us along with his master.

I am definitely puppy deprived, so I wanted as much doggie time with "Biggles" as I could get. Rich got to sit next to the small dog, leaving me very jealous.  The crowd grew more boisterous as time went on, and "Biggles" grew a little insecure over the increased noise. So, his "daddy" took him home.  After that, we chose to leave, at least very shortly after that.

We wove our way back to the flat and we're now settling in for the night.  It is late, so I will need to add pictures after we return to London.  In the meantime, I hope all of you have a good night.  We certainly did.

NB: Pictures have been added

Day 11 - Laundry, cleaning and bills - Oh, my!

Today was housekeeping day.  No, that's not our place.  It's Buckingham Palace from the gardens, and it has a sizable staff to keep it clean.  Back at our flat, we did some laundry using "Surf's Essential Oils," which are small purple packets that you toss into the washer.  So, toss one in we did.  Unfortunately, it turned some spots on one of my multi-colored tops (that I had taken Tide spot remover to) purple.  Not a bright purple, but they were certainly more obvious after we washed it, than before.  So, I began to get creative.  I finally used plain bar soap to remove the stains, then washed the top again without any detergent.  The stains aren't entirely gone, but at least they are no longer purple.

Then I dragged out the vacuum cleaner.  It worked very similarly to the one we used in West Ken, so no problems with it.  While doing all this productive cleaning "stuff," I worked on my blogs.  Seems we had a few issues today with links not working properly and authors posting over the stated limits.

Now, we are relaxing and watching the telly.  They still air The Weakest Link here, and Ann is still as caustic as ever.  Hubby did some shopping.  We need to print something, so he went searching for an Internet cafe that had a printer.  Unfortunately, the one we found on the Internet was now a wine and cheese shop.  So he went on a quest.  A successful one.

We had prepared meals for dinner that we heated in the microwave.  Not very exciting.  Still, I thought I'd report in, even though I had nothing good to share.  That's it until tomorrow.

Day 7 - I'm all for home improvement, but at 3 AM?

Not sure what our neighbors were doing last night, but they had a hammer and drill out at 3 AM.  Between their redecorating, the lorries or trucks driving past the flat and the tube rolling beneath us, sometimes it's difficult to stay asleep.  Though I am a fairly sound sleeper.

Today we're seeing the currency ex-changer.  From our many visits, we've discovered taking US Dollars and converting them over to GBP once we're here is the most cost-effective way to go.  Better than travelers checks and converting the money in the USA before we travel.  In the meantime, we tried to book a trip to the Cotswolds tomorrow (the Cotswolds are considered to be an area of outstanding natural beauty typified by rolling hills and farm fields peppered by dots of white sheep), so until we know whether or not that's a go, we can't purchase theatre tickets for tonight.  We booked the trip late last night, so we'll give them a call later to see if it went through.

On our way to Victoria Station we stopped by Covent Garden, and the living statue guys were back.  I'm not sure how this guy does his trick, but there is nothing visible holding him up.  He's very popular with the kiddies, though I must admit we were equally as amazed.

Looks like our request didn't go through for tomorrow, so we are trying again for Thursday.  On this trip we'll be going to Stratford-on-Avon (Shakespeare's home) and Oxford.  Today, however, while we were in Belgravia, we purchased tickets for a performance of Wicked this Friday night.

We took a different bus route back to the apartment, and it was detoured, so it terminated in Parliament square, which obliged us to hop on a different bus with a transfer in order for us to get back to the flat.  Rather than Leicester Square, this bus dropped us off near Chinatown.  So, we stopped and took a picture.

Hubby has gotten pretty efficient at getting us through the complicated layout of London.  So, we were back at the flat in no time, and tonight we're doing laundry.  Yeah, really exciting.  We think we've got the machine figured out (it has temperature dials and other numbered dials).  Hopefully, our clothes will come out in one piece.

Day 6 - To Market, To Market to buy what we can

Another late start today.  Hubby isn't doing too well.  I think he's still having trouble adjusting to the time change, but he thinks it might be something else.  Not sure.  Anyway, plan to take it easy.  We're off first to Marks & Spencer to see what they have to offer in the way of food stuffs.

Marks & Spencer Covent Garden

Well, their refrigerated/frozen food section is much larger than Tescos and they have a fairly extensive Indian food selection.  We saw a lot of Kellogg's products, but no General Mills.  Of course, M&S stocks many brand names that are well-known here, but are unknown in the USA.  Like Fairy dishwashing and laundry detergent.

Fairy Dishwashing Liquid

For laundry detergent you have to choose between bio and non-bio.  I thought it meant biodegradable, and wondered why anyone would purchase something that is labeled as being "bad" for the environment.  Turns out it means biological.  If you're curious, like I was, below is the explanation between the two.

Bio vs non-bio laundry detergent

The key difference between biological and non-biological washing powder is the presence of enzymes. Biological washing powders contain enzymes that help break down proteins, fat and starch. This helps remove stains such as chocolate or hamburger grease.

Biological washing powders containing enzymes (the 'biological' part of ordinary laundry liquids) are more effective than non-biological laundry liquids and powders.

Another difference in the stores here, vs the states, is that they store their bread goods, rolls, donuts, etc. out in the open.  They aren't wrapped in cellophane or protected in any way, however, most of their veggies are wrapped in packages and dated. Shopping is done on an almost daily basis, rather than once a week because places are smaller (including refrigerators) and most people carry their groceries home, so you only want to purchase what you can comfortably carry.

After we finished our shopping at Marks & Spencer, we returned to the flat and put away our stash.  Next we trotted out to Tesco and finished our shopping there.  We took a longer route home from Tesco that had us strolling by Covent Garden before we returned to the flat.  Daytime temperatures are in the low 70's or 19-20 centigrade.  Evening is in the mid-sixties and refreshing.

The Emmy Awards are on tonight, and though I'm tempted to watch them they don't start until 10 PM, which means it will be midnight or 1 AM before they are over.  Besides the winners have already been announced, so I'd be watching solely to hear the speeches and see the outfits.  However, I do want to see Neil Patrick Harris's opening number, so I'll start them at least.

We ate in tonight (I had a tray of Chili con Carne and rice we purchased at M&S and hubby had ham and cheese on a half-baguette). For a short day, we did manage to get a few things crossed off our todo list.  And to paraphrase Scarlett O'Hara "Tomorrow is another day we can get out and about town."

Day 5 - I wish our upstairs neighbors didn't wear steel-toed boots

I originally thought our upstairs neighbors were redecorating at 6:30 in the morning.  It sounded like they were shifting about heavy furniture, or a body in a coffin.  Oh, goodie, a murder mystery.  Then it sounded like they were tossing trash bags down the stairs.  Being a writer, who likes to plot, I imagined she was kicking him out, except there was no shouting.  Then, whoever these people were, they donned their steel-toed boots and clumped down the stairs like they starred in the musical "Stomp."  It sounded like a small army was descending among us.  Turns out, I guess, since I never did peek out to see what was going on, that they were guests packing up to go home and the clomping I heard was the heavy luggage they were assisting down the stairs.  Deja vu.  I do not look forward to that day in November, but I'll keep in mind what they sounded like and try to be a little more considerate of our neighbors.

Eventually, I drifted back to sleep.  Then the bar next door opened up and people were partying hearty, on Sunday, in the morning.  Not sure of the exact time, since I decided not to look at a clock as I pretended to ignore them and drifted back to sleep again.  Next thing I know it is 3:30 PM.  Yikes.  Good thing we didn't have anything planned because we would have missed it.

So, I'm updating my web site and hubby is checking out the telly.  It's nearly 9PM and we're having our breakfast/lunch/dinner meal.  I get the leftover steak sandwich and fries from our Wednesday dinner at Cafe Rouge, and hubby is having toaster muffins with jam.  Yum.  Note: fries do not re-heat well no matter which continent you're on.

If anything exciting happens, I'll check in again later, otherwise I'll see everyone sometime tomorrow.

Day 2 - What do you mean "You" didn't pack the pain relievers?

Our flat's front door

Well, I did pack Aleve, Tylenol, Ibuprofen and Aspirin, actually.  I just packed the small purse size I can take when we're out and about.  What I didn't pack was the large, unopened bottle of "Extra Strenth Tylenol" that hubby said he would pack.  When I informed him Britain actually has medicine now and that they've stopped using leeches for years, I got "the look."  So, I said we'd drop by a Boots and pick up a bottle.  That's when I was informed they don't sell "extra strength" in this country, only regular strength.  Okay I must admit I did not know that, but figured he could "double up."  When I suggested that as a viable alternative, he tersely informed me he would need to "triple up" to get anywhere near the same dosage.  Fine, 3 for 2.  It's not the end of the world.  However, I was careful to make sure I commiserated properly, then returned to what I was doing.

Still haven't gotten used to the time change, so to make sure my posts run when they're scheduled I'm keeping my computer on EDT time, and have moved my watch five hours forward to GMT.  That way I can get really confused. So, back in Ohio, it's 9:30 AM time now.  I was up around 8 AM.  Yay for me!  However, Londoners add another five hours to that, so it's close to 2:30 PM, and I haven't had "breakfast," yet.  I thought I heard hubby mucking about earlier (probably to swallow down a couple of those extra strength capsules before we have to get the leeches out), but he's back in bed now.  So, I'm going to slip into the 3x3 shower (see below), while I can, and think about getting dressed.  No promises, but I'm heading in that direction now.  I get to share the shower with the water heater.  At least I think that's what the big white box in the far corner of the stall is.  Will try to chat more when I return.  If I return..... Bwah haha.  (All I can think of right now is that shower scene in Psycho.)

Small, but serviceable - no tub.

I'm back.  That white box was the force and temperature regulator as well as the "on" button.  I've never seen a shower that has an on button before.  I have to say, that shower is a tight accommodation.  You know those scenes where the hero and heroine make love in the bathroom?  Not gonna happen in this one.  I don't think my toy French poodle and I could both fit in this particular shower.  Human-wise, it's a single person use only, and even that's a close call.

When we finally left the flat, we walked over to Covent Garden where we strolled about like tourists, listened to musicians, watched a juggler, and chose to eat some empanadas.  They are similar to pasties, which are meat and potatoes in a pie shell, but empanadas have more spices in them than the Cornwall Pasties I've had before.  I enjoyed mine, and it became dinner as well.

After our late lunch, we went searching for a Boots (pharmacy) so we could get hubby's Paracetamol (Acetaminophen).  And guess what?  They do sell it in 500 mg.  So, crisis averted.  However, and this surprised us, one individual can't purchase more than two boxes of 16 tablets or capsules each.  So, that means 32 pills is the maximum a person can purchase during one visit.  If another person accompanies you, they will allow you to purchase four, but they have to be separate purchases.

Once we bought an adequate supply of the analgesic, we stopped for a hard cider at a pub, then decided to ride a bus over to West Kensington, near the flat where we stayed in 2010 (and they still are working on the same construction they were doing then), looked about, then rode the bus back.  We live such exciting lives, but it was fun.  Below are some pictures of Covent Garden that we took today.

Entrance into Covent Garden

Thursday Food Market at Covent Garden

Well that's it for today.  Will check in again tomorrow.

Day 1 - We've arrived, and we're ready to collapse

United Lounge in Chicago

As a follow up from yesterday, we did make it to the airport lounge and I was just sitting down with a glass of wine along with some crackers and cheese when they announced our flight was boarding.  Never one to waste a good glass of wine (Cabernet), I drank it rather quickly, picked up our snacks and headed over to the gate with hubby in tow.

I did slip my video camera out and filmed portions of the lounge, which I will watch to select a still frame I can share here. Every time we arrive in London Heathrow airport, we tend to forget that no matter what airline you take from the USA, you have to walk at least 3 miles to get from the gate to Immigration.  Then you need to stand in a never-ending, slow-moving line of people, who, just like you, are waiting to show their passports and landing cards so they can enter the country.  Since we're staying for 8 weeks, the immigration officials tend to look at us as if we're daft, because we're visiting during their off-season.  But we like cooler weather.  Normally, we're here through Thanksgiving to mid-December.  This year we arrived earlier, and we're leaving earlier.

Floor Plan and Stairs

Our flat is on the first floor, that means we had about twenty stairs to drag our very heavy luggage up, because when counting floors, the Brits start with the ground floor, which in the USA is the first floor.  That means if a place is listed as being on the first floor in England, it is actually on the second floor as far as we Americans are concerned.  Hubby and I knew that.  Honest.  Even so, the moment we were faced with all those stairs, we groaned.  Literally.  Will try to take a picture of the stairs tomorrow.  (Sorry, didn't get a picture of the luggage.  Even though we had two less cases, which is a good thing since United charges $100 for a second case, we still had a hard time of it.)

Living Room

The place is small, but well-equipped and clean.  I'll share a few pictures here, and more later.  Hubby is already taking a nap.  Lugging around two pieces of luggage that have a combined weight of 71 lbs and have to be lifted up stairs and across some sizable gaps between the underground train and its platform, can wear a person out.

Flat is on the right, above Paul Smith

Also, my cell phone ran out of juice, so we had to beg a sales person at Paul Smith for permission to use their phone in order to let our landlady know we've arrived.  She gave us a quick tour, showed us how to use the oven and clothes washer, as well as what they use to clean the hard wood floors and hoover (vacuum) them.  The place is small, but very conveniently located, despite the three thousand stairs, so I think it will work out well for us.

Okay, I think I'll have a bit of a lie down myself.  Be back on later this evening.

TTFN

I'm back.  We rallied around 9PM GMT, got dressed and went to Cafe Rouge for dinner (very continental of us).  It's one of our favorites.  (Forgot to take picture of our dinner - just not used to photographing food.) After that, we walked through the Leicester Square area to the neighborhood Tesco grocery store and purchased some staples, then limped back to the flat and unpacked.

We're acting like we're 80 years old with all the aches and pains both of us acquired in the last twelve hours.  It's a little after 1 AM, London time, so I think I'll close down for tonight and post more tomorrow.