Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Tuesday 3 July - Return home.

Paddington station is filthy, particularly at the buffer stop ends where the 1970s era diesels are idling. The train shed is black and one wonders at the quality of the air. Isambard Kingdom Brunel must be turning in his grave at this desecration of his work. This is much worse than in steam days.


We had some time to spare and walked through Hyde Park. The animals and birds provide plenty of interest for the passers by. A couple of herons provided good photographic subjects while a squirrel entertained some tourists. 


There were also swans, grebes, coots and moorhens. We particularly enjoyed watching a moorhen with two young in a fenced off area of weeds in one of the ponds. The moorhen had pushed down the netting in one part and the young were small enough to go through unhindered. There are several areas fenced off which have been allowed to grow as undisturbed bush. This is a good example of man reacting in the environment and allowing the flora and fauna to develop relatively undisturbed in the centre of a large city.
The Heathrow Express was its normal efficient self as was the Air Canada check in. The same could not be said for the security check. The flight was quite uneventful and we caught the 97 bus home.

Monday, July 1, 2013

Monday 1 July - London

Breakfast was at the Mad Bishop and Bear in Paddington station.  Before 10 a.m. they can only serve alcohol with a meal.  An old lady was eating breakfast along with a pint of Guinness.  My grandmother's neighbor used to get a prescription from her doctor for Guinness.  I tried that with my GP but it didn't work.

We had a good crowd of Eltham College classmates at the Skinners Arms.
Dai Rhys-Tyler, Derek Browne, Dai Bamford, Peter Gregory, Rob Carter, John Palmer, Mike Fulford, Clive Grenyer and me. We had a great relaxed time with lots of laughter and lots of reminiscences - just good fun. There was some money left over in the beer kitty so the Treasurer, Dai Rhys-Tyler, is keeping it for the next event tentatively set for Monday 2 December.

This being the last night of a memorable month, Mary had found a good restaurant in which to have dinner, Browns Bar and Restaurant just off New Bond Steet.
http://www.browns-restaurants.co.uk/locations/mayfair/
The food and service were both very good, the scallops, trout and duck breast were all prepared very well indeed.

Browns is located in a beautiful listed building
A good way to finish the vacation.