darlings
we’re here!
and quite MAD (in a funny way) from the overnight flight from NYC to London in 51H (don’t ask) with probably not-exactly-2-hours-sleep but the Virgin Atlantic staff were splendid – all perky british essex voices and a kindly way about them – especially when dispensing tea or hot chocolate (nobody was allowed coffee as we were all supposed to Sleep) and then the Lights Went Out and we all did, duly, sleep (sort of).
now we’re here!
gosh.
London looks lovely in the rain.
but there again, it always did….
we braved the Tube (must not call it the Subway) because, well, getting a taxi is just Foolish with London Traffic.
we had a little snafu before we left Manhattan – our hostess for tuesday night suddenly got STRUCK down by a Flu Virus *shudder* and so we decided we had better NOT get sick as we’re en route to South Africa to do some important work (well, we’re not doing it, who-we-are-in-RL is doing that bit, but we’ll be reporting in Here).
so we had to ask Mr. Expedia if he had a last minute room and he did but we couldn’t check in until 2PM and the flight arrived at 7AM so we had an adventure (see pictures).
this is the only thing that still annoys us about England – the private worlds of the privileged.
yes, yes, we *know* Los Angeles has many a gated community – but one doesn’t know about them unless one does know about them – here the private parks are on full display and one presses one’s nose up against the railings to no avail. *sigh*. 
but this cheered us up immensely. 
as did a breakfast at the Troubadour. 
that’s been on site since 1951 (which is not actually that long for an English Establishment but now we live in L.A we practically reeled with excitement.)
so many marvel(l)ous Mews around our hotel (Earls Court – decadent and threadbare but utterly perfect gentry-wise). 
more up-against-the-railings-shots. 
ah – a sweeping Georgian Terrace. 
many Minis. 
and the sort of places Vita Sackville-West would have visited when In Town. 
this is our little room in the eaves.
isn’t it sweet?
sort of Student Nurse in size. 
one could almost be in paris with a rooftop view.
and now we take a short nap.
before heading out into the night to thrill to the lights of soho and Beyond.
ta dah!
crazy with lack of sleep but remembering to use a Proper English Accent, darlings.
oooooh. you have chosen such a wonderful hotel, all those pictures. have instantly turned me sane again (in the crazy world). I must admit london is really a distant love for me. a world star I admire from afar because fate never let us cross our paths. still, I know I would love it. and I know london would love me back.
and of course I had to giggle at the beatrix potter garden plate :)
Dearest G
What a shame you won’t have time to go to Bloomsbury… remember nearly all the squares are public there and so no need to squeeze noses up against fences (all urchin like I imagine).
Yours ever
The Perfumed Dandy
an excellent point but an unbearable melancholy ensues in bloomsbury darling.
oh I do love a perky Lord Essex … oh wait, I’ve got that wrong. MISS YOU!
XXXXX
missing you!
I have been away what, less than a week and you are in London?? My goodness, I certainly have catching up to do and all of these photos are just gorgeous!
stay tuned!
south africa by friday….
So much London loveliness, I can’t handle it! Your little room looks so cozy. You’ve handled the detour quite well and deserve lots of tea and pastries. xo
ah.
no pastries, love.
just lots of TEA.
A room in the eaves; sigh! That is glorious. And Beatrix Potter too. I feel a little homesick, although London was never my home in a real sense.
it’s the sort of place that makes one homesick even if one didn’t Grow Up Here.
I believe so.
All the best my dear and always keep wandering! :)
thank you!
Brace yourself for the most unromantic thing anyone is EVER going to say to you………,,’Waving from Catford!’
Safe train journey home love.
Gorgeous!
It’s so very londonesque
hope you are having a proper cup of tea!!
PGTips in room with electric kettle!
OH have the best time! I love seeing All. That. Green!!!!
And rain! ;)