Monday, September 12, 2011
London, England
Tara and Jonathan away early to work by car, a rare treat for her, Jan and I still sleeping in and feeling the jet lag experience. Finally, up and about, showered and dressed and on a walk to King's Road to catch a bus (#22) into Central London, terminating at Picadilly Circus. Passed the 'Worlds End' district of Chelsea again, always amused by the number of businesses in the area that feature that name, perversely, on their signage. Passed by Hyde park again, site of the concert of Saturday evening. Tubing about, we have come to know pockets of London fairly well but not what lies between the pockets of knowledge. Bussing about, or walking, we fill in the blanks and get more of a feeling for the girls adopted city.
Jan and I walked up Regent Street a short distance, then crossed over a street to the left as far as Savile Row, then up that street to Tara's office. We visited there a short time, then the three of us walked over to Jonathan's parking garage to meet him and pick up the car. All this detail to lead up to the cost of parking in London, over C$70 for the day. Then a short drive down to Soho, park again, then for dinner and meeting Leanne at 'Yakitori Bincho', a boutique Japanese restaurant in Soho near the theatre. Dinner completed, we walked the five minute distance to the Apollo theatre to see a performance of 'Yes, Prime Minister'. An interesting play, a comedy of sorts, featuring the humourous side of British politics and coupled with foreign diplomats attempting to engage underage girls as prostitutes, with the compliance of the Prime Minister's office, on which a 13 billion pound oil pipeline hinged. A sticky wicket, what? But all's well that ends well, as it has been said before. A great evenings entertainment, sort of Economics 101 coupled with Civics 101, with a comedic twist in the British style. Enjoyed by all.
Leanne by tube home, the rest of us in another direction in Jonathan's car. A great night, and to bed before midnight. Jonathan on a flight tomorrow morning to Turks by way of Miami.
