20.11 I’m Shopping in the Rain
0520 I slept much better last night.
0630 Breakfast time.
0730 I spend some time copying my blogs back to OneNote so I can start editing the text for the book of this trip.
The trouble with being an early bird is having to wait for the rest of the world to get up. I fluff around until I think the shops will be open. Today is going to be a browsing and shopping day. No backpack, no big camera and (almost) no itinerary.
0850 I head out walking towards Covent Garden. Walking across Waterloo Bridge the wind is bitterly cold and it’s spotting rain. I had thought of bringing my umbrella but it would have been no help anyway.
0915 I get to Covent Garden but most things are still setting up. I look in a bookstore for a while then decide to head to the other end of my general plan with the intention of working back instead. I notice that all the Christmas lights are still on, even during the day. Admittedly, today is so dull, you almost need them!
1001 I catch the Piccadilly line from Covent Garden to Gloucester Road.
1012 I arrive Gloucester Road. I’m here to visit the European Bookshop. I’m on the hunt for German language books that might be helpful. I find a couple to buy.
1100 I stop for a pastry and coffee. Yum!
1115 I catch the Piccadilly line from Gloucester Road back to Knightsbridge. It’s still drizzling.
1123 I pop into Harrods for a while. I’ve been there before but thought it might be nice to browse. There’s lots to see but the store is way too confusing to navigate around for my liking.
1209 From the Knightsbridge station I catch the Piccadilly line to Green Park.
1216 From Green Park I catch the Victoria line to Oxford Circus. I’m heading to Oxford street.
1219 I arrive Oxford Circus and make my way up to Oxford Street.
I wander in a few of the bigger stores. Selfridges has the most spectacular interior Christmas lighting with massive moving mirror balls. Even John Lewis has an impressive display of lights in the escalator area that’s reminiscent of falling snow. I buy a couple of things.
1420 It’s raining more heavily now. I find a nearby Pret-a-Manger (very easy to do in London) and settle for a “Christmas lunch” sandwich with turkey, stuffing and other goodies. I grab a Bakewell slice too; it’s SO good - better than the slice I had in Bakewell!
I head back to find a store that stocks something I want to get for mum. The rain is persistent now but my coat gives me enough protection.
I head back to Piccadilly Circus station. Should I return to Covent Garden or head back to the hotel? The tube will take me direct to Waterloo station and I’m a little over the rain, so that’s my choice.
1530 I catch the Bakerloo line from Piccadilly Circus.
1540 I arrive Waterlook station and make my way back to the hotel. Luckily there’s a break in the rain.
1550 Back in the warm, dry hotel.
1600 Time to head down to the lounge for a cocktail (vodka martini) while I work on my blog.
1830 Another nice and quiet evening. I had thoughts of heading out to do some night time photography using the water on the ground for reflections, but it’s nice and warm inside and I can’t muster the enthusiasm.
