Still in London...

Today, I don’t feel like doing anything; nothing at all. So I stayed in bed as long as humanly possible, while poor Ross ventured out to sort out the oyster card and SIM card debacle. It took him all day, but he did bring me home some lovely salmon rolls and assorted pastries at 4 o’clock. I was so hungry I just about ate him as well!

He also bought some lovely cheeses, including a large jar of Stilton, which we took to Joe’s to share, but I ate most of it. Consequently, I wasn’t hungry for the bangers and mash. I did manage to consume a fair amount of the prosecco we’d bought, and managed to break one of Angela’s beautiful crystal champagne flutes, which was on the floor. I had been warning Ross to be careful where he put his feet when he crossed his legs, and here it was me who broke it. I didn’t kick it; I just nudged the rug on which it was standing (away from my feet!) and that was enough to send it toppling over and the stem breaking off. I felt so bad. I am really careful with stemmed glasses, but obviously not careful enough.

We both had a good sleep, which was fortunate as we had a big day planned. First we headed to Westfield where we stopped for brunch (eggs salmondine) and coffee before hitting the shops. The House of Fraser, Marks & Spencer, Debenhams, The Entertainer, before finally stopping for a bite to eat. Ross had a huge pie with peas and gravy; I just had a coffee as I was saving myself for dinner.

We still hadn’t managed to get the toy tool set Marie especially wanted for Eli for his birthday. Ross located a Toys’r’us shop in another suburb and we exited Westfield, and caught a bus to near where the shop was located. Maps on his phone took us the weirdest way in the pouring rain, but eventually we found it. We were both saturated and bone-weary, but I was determined to make it to Zizzi’s for dinner ever since Ross brought me home their festive menu yesterday.

We were loaded up with presents, but managed to get two buses almost right to Zizzi’s door. We were given a table just round the corner, which was great as there was plenty of room for all of our parcels. The festive menu was on the placemat, so I said, "I’ll have that, that and that," while pointing to the three options: they were entrée, mains and dessert in case you think I ordered three main meals!

Ross was not hungry (remember the huge pie?) so just had a duo of dips, and a small plate of gnocci, and vanilla gelati for dessert. To wash it all down with, I ordered a Viognier Siciliano, which went perfectly with my three courses. To be truthful, I struggled with the dessert, but I didn’t let it defeat me. The most delicious meal I’ve had in a very long time and with the most uncomplaining man in the world.

By the time we reached our home base, it was after 11pm. What a day!

We slept all night again! We were supposed to be relaxing this week but have done very little of it! Joe called around to pick us up. It was a bright, sunny day- well, almost- so we headed out to Richmond Park to see some deer and squirrels, and to have a coffee in the lovely Pembroke House, which started life as the mole-catcher’s cottage, when moles were a danger to horses carrying hunters. The Hunting Lodge now houses the Royal School of Ballet.

After coffee, we drove into Richmond to buy a road atlas for Europe. I don’t want to rely entirely on maps on my phone! We parked by the side of Richmond Green and walked up into town. We located just what we wanted at W.H. Smith- oh, I love that shop! Then on to The Duke Pub for lunch: Ross and I shared 4 starters; all delicious except the soup which was very bland potato soup (we think); it could have easily have been flour and water! I couldn’t resist the sticky toffee pudding (I like it much more than sticky date; it’s much moister) and Ross ordered the pannacotta. Delicious!

After collecting Eli from nursery, we parked the car, grabbed Eli’s pram and caught the bus to Richmond Station, then tubed it to South Kensington and walked to Hyde Park to check out the Winter Wonderland. Bright lights beckoned us but it was almost a 6km walk to reach it. We sat down to rest and Ross bought me a mulled spiced cider- very sweet; and Joe bought us water, which didn’t even touch the sides; the walk had made me very thirsty. I had smoked salmon (you could actually watch it being smoked) and chips and a tasty curry sauce. It sounds disgusting but it was lovely.

We walked through the Christmas market stalls and sideshow alley, before Ross and I had to call it quits. Eli was still running at 100 miles per hour- oh, to be young again! He had Olaf (the snowman from Frozen) in a helium balloon keeping him company. Olaf now sits pinned to his lounge room ceiling. When we could walk no further, we called an Uber, and were very impressed to be picked up by a Toyota Prius for a very smooth half hour ride home for just 20 pounds. We made it up the stairs to our second floor bedroom and crashed again.

Last day in London, and we are washing and drying clothes, wrapping presents, packing and planning the next part of our adventure. Joe picked us up for a lovely Thai take-away  at his house. Eli opened 3 of his presents. He absolutely loved the tool set that we had walked miles in the pouring rain to get for him from Marie, but it was worth it to see the smile on his face. He just wanted to keep on playing with it, but it was bedtime. Not too long after, it was bedtime for us too, but first we must finish packing.

Cillian, our lovely airbnb host, ordered a cab for us for 5am tomorrow. It’s now midnight! Goodnight from London!