Visit to London

First things first. It was possible for Doug to get away for a few days because a good and kind friend looked after not only Poppy but the other animals too. You know who you are and we cannot say thank you enough!

We packed not only a lot of eating and drinking, but a lot of culture, sightseeing and other activities in to only three days.

First off we had crispy chinese duck at the Feng Shang Princess in Camden

On Saturday during the day, we visited friends. No photos of them. They have a new baby and were a bit tired but fed us with yummy fish and chips from the local fish and chip shop. It was lovely to see them and the first time Doug saw their very posh new (ish) kitchen.

In the evening we went to the Royal Opera House

To see Verdi - Il Troubador

We sat in the front row.

So close we could just lean forward a little and read the orchestra's music

We dressed up nice

and had champagne and salmon sandwiches at the interval to keep us going

Then curry afterwards

On Sunday we went to the Tate Modern to see Elton John photos (ones he owns rather than ones he took). I enjoyed it a lot as he has many nice things by Man Ray and lots of others.

We went there by river boat. Looking back towards work (hurrah I am having a day off!)

Waiting for the boat

Still waiting for the boat

On the boat

Rain, flag and tower  bridge from the boat

Here is Aidan heading in to the relatively new 'The Tanks' bit where they have emptied out old fuel tanks and added massively to the space.

This photo shows the remains of the crack in the floor 'concept' art from some years ago. I love that you can still see it badly filled in.

This is the view of some flats from the Tate Modern. It would be a very weird place to live with people staring in at you all day like you are a piece of art. I wonder how much the rent is - they look very nice!

Before the art we had lunch at Noodle Street which is near the flat and does good dim sum and various other things

Doug and I both got the same fortune in our fortune cookies! Surely this means it is the dreams about the house being done soon and coming out PERFECT that will come true

In the evening after the art, we had nice food and beer at The Gun which is a gasto pub near the flat

Venison carpaccio with yellow beetroot

Roast beef

Mmmm beer (yes dry jan finished a little before the end of jan!)

 On Monday we went to the British Museum in the morning

Our favorite things in the BM - the Assyria collection

Why is he poking something with a lemon and carrying a handbag?

This was in a new section and interesting because it shows that they are covered in clay or something which explains somewhat how they get the amount of detail in to the carving

We also like the Elgin Marbles. I always say this but they remind me of Georgette Heyer books.

In the afternoon we went climbing at The Castle (near Finsbury park). We had a lesson so that Doug could learn how to do the knots right and I could have some extra tips and practice so I can get signed off to do it safely without supervision.

 More beer was had afterwards

In the Prince Albert in Camden

Camden Town tube - we used to live near here. Bit weird going back

I bought DM boots here when I was a student (as did probably every other student in London at the time)

We had dinner at the Mango Rooms which we frequented quite often when we lived in Camden. It was just the same as it used to be. Perfect!

Yet more beer in the Spread Eagle (where we started going as students and went many more times since)

We now all need a few more days back to the 'dry' of January to recover from so much activity and beer and food... 

It was nice getting out and about with Aidan too as he is off to a job in Falmouth soon so good for Doug to see him plenty as well before he is off.