A week in London with Pete and Walter

[DISWolves]

Another great report.
Any chance of posting a BAD picture?

Great photos yet again

 

[Becx N Gav]

Walter wanted to check out the South American area

We then walked through the library which was full of books as well as all sorts of items!

It said Sir Hans Sloane was the 'founder' of the museum

Sorry for the reflections but I don't think I've ever seen a duck billed platypus before

We walked back to the hotel - I loved that it was so close we agreed that we'd meet back up in a bit and then head off for a curry We booked a table for 4 at Sheraz on Brick Lane - sorry if the link doesn't work, site might be down?

I'd looked at reviews and this one seemd to come out well, they also had quite a varied menu. We got a taxi there, it took about 10 -15 minutes and we were suprised by the cost of it, about £10 each way which isn't far off the cost of a journey by tube for four people

We ordered a bit of everything, Pete wanted something that wasn't too hot so we suggested the thali. Most things he enjoyed but he dipped his naan bread into one and was glad he didn't take a mouthful Walter was a bit more adventerous but was disappointed with what he ordered, however when he added Pete's 'hot one' it was just right. We came out stuffed which IMHO is the sign of a good curry We wandered down the road towards Whitechapel Road, we crossed over and soon spotted an available taxi. All the drivers we had were great and as I said the price seemed very reasonable, a 6 mile journey back in Northampton cost about £15

 

[Becx N Gav]

Another great report.
Any chance of posting a BAD picture?

Great photos yet again

Thanks So you noticed I've left out the ones that weren't focused

 

[Chilly]

Good spot on the little bit of disney.

 

[irongirlof12]

Fab day out in London, love the museum piccies

 

[florida sun]

Fantastic report and brilliant photos

 

[UKDEB]

You're reminding me how fabulous our capital city is and making me think a visit is long overdue.

 

[suzycute]

Really enjoying your trip report and your pics too - keep 'em coming Becky!!

 

[jns]

GREAT PHOTOS
Thanks again for sharing

 

[fizz13]

Loving the report so far, well done on the piccies. and am wondering why on earth i have never gone to the British museum now!

It was very nice to briefly meet you on the sunday as well. can't wait to read more

 

[Becx N Gav]

You're reminding me how fabulous our capital city is and making me think a visit is long overdue.

I know what you mean, when you think about all the things there are to do it's easy to spend a week there. We should go more often, the train tix cost as little £12 each return

Loving the report so far, well done on the piccies. and am wondering why on earth i have never gone to the British museum now!

It was very nice to briefly meet you on the sunday as well. can't wait to read more

We had a great time on Sunday, it flew by though! It was lovely to meet you too and all the other UK Disers

 

[Becx N Gav]

When Pete had said he wasn't sure if he'd enjoy the London Eye we thought about other ways to see a panoramic view of London, both Hampstead Heath and Greenwich were suggested by people we asked. We'd not done either ourselves and we thought if we did Hampstead Heath we could spend as little or as much time there as we wanted (with Greenwich there is the Obervatory and stuff which would require a full day). So we suggested Hampstead Heath and for some reason when DH was saying it Pete thought Gav had said Hamster Teeth

So that was the theme of the day

We looked at the tube but I think the Northern line was closed from Camden Town and a replacment bus took you north from there. As we'd had such great experiences so far (and as Pete had already experienced the tube enough for one visit) we hopped in a taxi

It didn't take too long and we got dropped off near Paliament Hill, it was a short but steep climb to the top but well worth it

Despite the haze you could still see a few recognisable places.

This was great (although a bit out of date - somtime during the 80's!) as it showed what was on the horizon

A panoramic shot

Loads of people were out walking their dogs

We headed down the other side of the hill towards the ponds

They had doggie paddling areas as well as ponds for swimming

This gives you an idea of the height of Parliament Hill

People swimming!

 

[Becx N Gav]

We doubled back and headed for the egde of the heath, we stumbled upon a little Mediterranean cafe - Bistro Laz. We decided to have lunch here and it was really good. They had a really vast menu and it connected with a pizza place (I think it was run by the same people)

I went for the sampler, it was a lot more than I was expecting and also came with pita bread

We had a quick wander around the area, there was a cool furniture shop that sold chairs upholstered with the union flag, they even did little kiddie ones

This looks similar

We headed around the corner but there were only a couple of shops. I noticed the buses that headed back towards the city went through Camden, Pete seemed to like the idea of shopping and we thought it was a great chance to ride a bus. One came in a couple of minutes and we got upstairs front row seats It was a bit bumpy but only took a few minutes to get to Camden.

 

[Linda67]

Another great update
I've never been to Hamstead Heath, it looks like a great spot for a lazy Sunday afternoon

 

[Cotillard]

What a great report - and awesome pictures. Thank you.
Your Mediterranean lunch looks amazing!

 

[Chilly]

I've never been to the Heath either, looks lovely.

 

[TotallyAngelic]

Stunning photos !!

 

[Becx N Gav]

We had a quick look around Camden Market but it all seemed like stall after stall of similar things, I'm sure years ago it was a bit more varied.

I was sure they would enjoy Camden Lock, I was right. There were cool jewellery stalls, hand made items of all sorts. One cool thing we saw that I wished I had got was granular wax that you can put into any container - including peppers and other hollowed out veg! You get a few wicks and can choose from various scents, we have tons of old scented candle jars and no particular use for them. I'll make sure I get some next time.

We had a good look around the upstairs area, it wasn't too busy but had a fun feel!

We spotted a cafe and sat down outside in a covered porch type thing, it was fun people watching and there were some students busking - they did 'I wanna be like you' from Jungle Book

Another randon Disney sighting

We walked back out and headed to find a taxi to take us back to the hotel

I loved these seats, there were tons of little shops and places to get food, I'm sure this wasn't there when I went last (in the 90's!)

We had a bit of a rest at the hotel and arranged to meet up and find somewhere for dinner.

We walked towards Covent Garden and checked a few menus on the way, no where really tickled our fancy and we ended up near the Garrick Theatre and saw a steak house. We looked at the menu which had a nice selection and decided we'd give it a go! It was called Steak and Co. who are an idependent restaurant. I'm so glad we did as this was awesome, I'm not a huge fan of steak but will have it if I know it will be good (like at The Yachtsman Steakhouse). I ordered the smallest fillet with a garlic sauce, we got a plate of ribs to share between us too. When we ordered we were told that our steak would come out slightly under done but they serve it on a heated granite slab so it continues to cook until it reaches your prefered level of cooking. This is mine

This is Gav, I think he went for the sirloin (and Guiness )

I also had a side of mushy peas

And these ribs were so good - I'm not a fan as I don't like nibbling at bones but I could have eaten the whole lot

The granite stayed hot (too hot to touch) all the way through dinner and we were sitting outside. Walter was cooking the juice from his mushrooms when he'd finished, it just dryed right up. In fact when they took away the trays the table was lovely and warm underneath

Despite being full the desserts sounded so good, I tried the chocolate mousse and it was yummy. Rich but light and there was a biscuit type base which made the texture lovely

On the (slow) walk back to the hotel we noticed this building, it's the Freemasons Hall. It looked lovely lit up

We slept very well that night after all the walking and good food

 

[suzycute]

Great new instalments Becky!

Did you have to hold Pete back from shouting "Stay out of the damn lakes" when you saw people swimming at Hampsters Teeth??

 

[Chilly]

That restaurant looks great. I may try it.