London February 2005
Saturday 12 February 2005
9:05PM flight from Boston easy and uneventful. Arrived 8:30AM and decide to take the tube to Russell Square. No trouble at all even though there’s no service from Terminal 4 at present but the shuttle to Hatton Cross was easy and quick. The Underground staff very helpful in an effort to make up for the inconvenience. A few stairs at the station but staff helping everyone up and down if needed.
The Russell Square Tube stop is only feet away from the Hotel Russell where we have stayed before. The hotel is almost at the end of a refurbishment and it looks wonderful. Many rooms a bit too modern for the Russell but beautiful and well appointed.
Our room was one of the Ambassador suites which is actually only one room with a cozy sitting area away for the bedroom through an archway in front of the windows which look out on Russell Square. Lovely room with all the usual extras such as safe, iron/board, hairdryer and the most spacious bathtub you can imagine. We are average sized people but even a tall person could lie down and luxuriate in that wonderful tub. A real pleasure after a long day.
The room itself was about 20x14 not counting the bathroom. Spacious enough.
If you are planning a visit to the Russell I do have pics or the room and would be happy to share them. It was room 634 by the way .
After settling in we went to the British Museum as usual on the first day. As usual it was a delight. I can never get enough of the place.
Restaurants
A friend of ours happened to be in London for just two nights so we decided to meet him for dinner on our first night. Since he was over at the Hilton Metropole on Edgeware Rd and didn’t know the city at all we decided to meet a pub that I always wanted to visit in that area. The Prince Edward Pub on Prince’s Square is a real local pub with an extra friendly staff and pretty good food. If you’re in that area look it up.
Second night we decided to take it easy and after a strenuous day of walking we went to the local Tesco Express and got takeaway. Sandwiches, salads, sweets and beer and wine and we were set. TV and a nice quiet meal in London. What could be better?
Wai’s (pron. Way’s) Chinese Buffet on Goodge St. All you can eat vegetarian buffet for £6. I’m am not a vegetarian (my wife doesn’t eat meat or chicken) but this place was great. I doubted that it would be filling enough but I leftstuffed to the gills. And healthy to boot!
Anchor Bankside on the river in Southwark was all it is cracked up to be. Even a large non smoking room separate from the bar area. I had a delicious rib eye with pepper sauce and my wife had honey salmon on a plate of mashed potatoes. Both great. A little pricey (£45.) with our miserable exchange rate but worth it.
Fryer’s Delight for Fish and Chips. This place is no frills but absolutely the real deal. We both had cod for our choice of fish and I made the mistake of ordering one extra piece of fish (haddock) and that was one too many. I have never been so full in my life. Stuffed.
Verdi, an Italian place just down the street form the hotel was good but not great. Live piano music while you dine though. I had Halibut with a Provencal sauce and my wife had her favorite, a Margarita Pizza. Both good but not the greatest. We live in Boston and visit NY often so good Italian is something we are used to.
The Friend at Hand Pub is right behind the Russell so very convenient and all round good place. Good beers on hand and pretty good food. A couple of specials every day and good sandwiched and even pretty good hamburgers. Smokey although they do have a small non smoking section.
The Swan Pub is also around the corner for the hotel but can’t recall the street. Its an alley off of Southampton Row. Nice pub but didn’t eat there.
Can’t remember the other pubs we just popped into for a quick drink but we (or I should say “I”) have been to so many pubs I can’t even tell you how many.
Went to see only one play on this trip but it was super. David Suchett (Hercule Poirott ) was absolutely marvelous in Rattigan’s “Man and Boy”. The play opened in 1964 to bad reviews and this is the first revival since then. We liked it but Suchett is total cad in this and he is mesmerizing to watch. Entire cast very good but he is a true marvel on stage.
The London Eye is another one of those things we hadn’t done so this time we were determined to do it. The lines look formidable but they actually move very quickly and it is definitely worth it for those spectacular views. Another couple took our picture for us and it’s a keeper with Big Ben in the background below us.
Took a side trip to Camden Town and it was a lot of fun. The market was enjoyable but a bit like time travel to the 60s and 70s. For anyone into the Goth thing this place is a must. Lots of Goth related items and people but everyone friendly and welcoming.
Another side trip to Islington. Had a great walk there following the Canal for some of the way. WW2 memorials to those Londoners killed there by a Nazi bomb at midnight one night. Very moving. The Camden Passage Market also a lot of fun but no bargains to be found there. Saw a great car along the way as well. A Nissan Figaro! And now I want one. Only 20,000 made and so much in demand at the time (1991) Nissan had to sell them by lottery. If any car buffs want to see it I did take some pictures. Just write and let me know.
Day trips out of town to, first Rye in Sussex. We bought a London Plus Pass for unlimited train travel on any 4 days out of 8 for $97. Very worthwhile even though we used it only 3 days. The convenience of just jumping on any train you want and never having to queue up. Well, except for the first time you use it when it is validated. That day begins the 8 days. Just go to the station you’re leaving from and have them stamp it and that’s it
Rye was wonderful. Charming old cobble stoned street and wonderful pubs and restaurants among the many shops and period buildings. We had a drink at the Mermaid on Mermaid Lane.( The sign outside says “Remodeled in 1420”) and Cream Tea at Simon the Pie Man in front of a roaring fire. Excellent cream tea too and we’ve had it Devon.
Rye is an easy day trip from London Bridge Station to Hastings where you change for Rye. Everything is within walking distance of the station. On the way back we left Rye for Ashford International where we changed for London which shaves 30 minutes off the two hour trip.
Windsor was an easy one as well and though we’d been there a number of times (usually before returning the car to Heathrow) we’d never toured the castle. This time we did and it did not disappoint. We also strolled around Eton which we like very much.
Last day trip was to Cambridge a shutterbug’s dream come true. Charming college town with lots of good places to eat and drink.
We had phenomenal luck with the trains on this trip. It seemed as though every train we needed was waiting at the station for us when we got to the station. Same with the tube and the buses. Of course they are more frequent then here in Boston. By the way, we used the buses more than usual on this trip. From Russell Sq. you can get a bus to almost anywhere and of course our tube pass was good on them as well. If we wanted to go down to Trafalgar Sq for instance we could step out the door and pick up the #91 and be there in the same amount of time as the tube but with a view and no stress. Other buses from that area are the 59 to Waterloo Station and the 205 Paddington as well as the 168 to Hampstead Heath. Don’t ignore the bus systems in London. Its very convenient and unlike the tube your two zone tube pass will get you into any zone at no extra charge. Good way to go.
The only downer on the whole trip was that on our return to Boston our plane was delayed for over three hours. Not completely sure what the problem was but they told us it was a navigational computer problem but from the terminal window I could clearly see them off loading our luggage containers and after a search of one of them removing three suitcases. Hmmmm……. Anyway we did eventually get off the ground and arrived home to snow and even colder temperatures.
Oh, to be in London!
Tesco Express
Still Water £0.72
Sushi 2.99
Chocolate Snaps 1.82
Cole Slaw 0.68
Olives 1.03
Salad w/Tuna 1.99
Chicken &Cous Cous Wrap 1.99
Guinness (4 pack) 4.14
Friend at Hand Pub
Guinness (pint) £2.81
Pinot Grigio (small) 3.10
Pinot Grigio (large) 4.00
9:05PM flight from Boston easy and uneventful. Arrived 8:30AM and decide to take the tube to Russell Square. No trouble at all even though there’s no service from Terminal 4 at present but the shuttle to Hatton Cross was easy and quick. The Underground staff very helpful in an effort to make up for the inconvenience. A few stairs at the station but staff helping everyone up and down if needed.
The Russell Square Tube stop is only feet away from the Hotel Russell where we have stayed before. The hotel is almost at the end of a refurbishment and it looks wonderful. Many rooms a bit too modern for the Russell but beautiful and well appointed.
Our room was one of the Ambassador suites which is actually only one room with a cozy sitting area away for the bedroom through an archway in front of the windows which look out on Russell Square. Lovely room with all the usual extras such as safe, iron/board, hairdryer and the most spacious bathtub you can imagine. We are average sized people but even a tall person could lie down and luxuriate in that wonderful tub. A real pleasure after a long day.
The room itself was about 20x14 not counting the bathroom. Spacious enough.
If you are planning a visit to the Russell I do have pics or the room and would be happy to share them. It was room 634 by the way .
After settling in we went to the British Museum as usual on the first day. As usual it was a delight. I can never get enough of the place.
Restaurants
A friend of ours happened to be in London for just two nights so we decided to meet him for dinner on our first night. Since he was over at the Hilton Metropole on Edgeware Rd and didn’t know the city at all we decided to meet a pub that I always wanted to visit in that area. The Prince Edward Pub on Prince’s Square is a real local pub with an extra friendly staff and pretty good food. If you’re in that area look it up.
Second night we decided to take it easy and after a strenuous day of walking we went to the local Tesco Express and got takeaway. Sandwiches, salads, sweets and beer and wine and we were set. TV and a nice quiet meal in London. What could be better?
Wai’s (pron. Way’s) Chinese Buffet on Goodge St. All you can eat vegetarian buffet for £6. I’m am not a vegetarian (my wife doesn’t eat meat or chicken) but this place was great. I doubted that it would be filling enough but I leftstuffed to the gills. And healthy to boot!
Anchor Bankside on the river in Southwark was all it is cracked up to be. Even a large non smoking room separate from the bar area. I had a delicious rib eye with pepper sauce and my wife had honey salmon on a plate of mashed potatoes. Both great. A little pricey (£45.) with our miserable exchange rate but worth it.
Fryer’s Delight for Fish and Chips. This place is no frills but absolutely the real deal. We both had cod for our choice of fish and I made the mistake of ordering one extra piece of fish (haddock) and that was one too many. I have never been so full in my life. Stuffed.
Verdi, an Italian place just down the street form the hotel was good but not great. Live piano music while you dine though. I had Halibut with a Provencal sauce and my wife had her favorite, a Margarita Pizza. Both good but not the greatest. We live in Boston and visit NY often so good Italian is something we are used to.
The Friend at Hand Pub is right behind the Russell so very convenient and all round good place. Good beers on hand and pretty good food. A couple of specials every day and good sandwiched and even pretty good hamburgers. Smokey although they do have a small non smoking section.
The Swan Pub is also around the corner for the hotel but can’t recall the street. Its an alley off of Southampton Row. Nice pub but didn’t eat there.
Can’t remember the other pubs we just popped into for a quick drink but we (or I should say “I”) have been to so many pubs I can’t even tell you how many.
Went to see only one play on this trip but it was super. David Suchett (Hercule Poirott ) was absolutely marvelous in Rattigan’s “Man and Boy”. The play opened in 1964 to bad reviews and this is the first revival since then. We liked it but Suchett is total cad in this and he is mesmerizing to watch. Entire cast very good but he is a true marvel on stage.
The London Eye is another one of those things we hadn’t done so this time we were determined to do it. The lines look formidable but they actually move very quickly and it is definitely worth it for those spectacular views. Another couple took our picture for us and it’s a keeper with Big Ben in the background below us.
Took a side trip to Camden Town and it was a lot of fun. The market was enjoyable but a bit like time travel to the 60s and 70s. For anyone into the Goth thing this place is a must. Lots of Goth related items and people but everyone friendly and welcoming.
Another side trip to Islington. Had a great walk there following the Canal for some of the way. WW2 memorials to those Londoners killed there by a Nazi bomb at midnight one night. Very moving. The Camden Passage Market also a lot of fun but no bargains to be found there. Saw a great car along the way as well. A Nissan Figaro! And now I want one. Only 20,000 made and so much in demand at the time (1991) Nissan had to sell them by lottery. If any car buffs want to see it I did take some pictures. Just write and let me know.
Day trips out of town to, first Rye in Sussex. We bought a London Plus Pass for unlimited train travel on any 4 days out of 8 for $97. Very worthwhile even though we used it only 3 days. The convenience of just jumping on any train you want and never having to queue up. Well, except for the first time you use it when it is validated. That day begins the 8 days. Just go to the station you’re leaving from and have them stamp it and that’s it
Rye was wonderful. Charming old cobble stoned street and wonderful pubs and restaurants among the many shops and period buildings. We had a drink at the Mermaid on Mermaid Lane.( The sign outside says “Remodeled in 1420”) and Cream Tea at Simon the Pie Man in front of a roaring fire. Excellent cream tea too and we’ve had it Devon.
Rye is an easy day trip from London Bridge Station to Hastings where you change for Rye. Everything is within walking distance of the station. On the way back we left Rye for Ashford International where we changed for London which shaves 30 minutes off the two hour trip.
Windsor was an easy one as well and though we’d been there a number of times (usually before returning the car to Heathrow) we’d never toured the castle. This time we did and it did not disappoint. We also strolled around Eton which we like very much.
Last day trip was to Cambridge a shutterbug’s dream come true. Charming college town with lots of good places to eat and drink.
We had phenomenal luck with the trains on this trip. It seemed as though every train we needed was waiting at the station for us when we got to the station. Same with the tube and the buses. Of course they are more frequent then here in Boston. By the way, we used the buses more than usual on this trip. From Russell Sq. you can get a bus to almost anywhere and of course our tube pass was good on them as well. If we wanted to go down to Trafalgar Sq for instance we could step out the door and pick up the #91 and be there in the same amount of time as the tube but with a view and no stress. Other buses from that area are the 59 to Waterloo Station and the 205 Paddington as well as the 168 to Hampstead Heath. Don’t ignore the bus systems in London. Its very convenient and unlike the tube your two zone tube pass will get you into any zone at no extra charge. Good way to go.
The only downer on the whole trip was that on our return to Boston our plane was delayed for over three hours. Not completely sure what the problem was but they told us it was a navigational computer problem but from the terminal window I could clearly see them off loading our luggage containers and after a search of one of them removing three suitcases. Hmmmm……. Anyway we did eventually get off the ground and arrived home to snow and even colder temperatures.
Oh, to be in London!
Tesco Express
Still Water £0.72
Sushi 2.99
Chocolate Snaps 1.82
Cole Slaw 0.68
Olives 1.03
Salad w/Tuna 1.99
Chicken &Cous Cous Wrap 1.99
Guinness (4 pack) 4.14
Friend at Hand Pub
Guinness (pint) £2.81
Pinot Grigio (small) 3.10
Pinot Grigio (large) 4.00
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