I’ve never been to Westminster Abbey, but am not interested in a tour of all the famous dead people. Would rather go to Church there and enjoy the choir, organ, sermon, etc. So, we charted our bus route – one bus from near Alfred Place all the way to Westminster. As we went to board, the driver said, “Only making two more stops, ma’am, then all the transport into that area stop for the rest of the morning. Half-marathon, ya know.” Welcome to the weekend in London.
We dragged ourselves home to read The Sunday Times. Then Ed headed out to Kew Gardens while Norah and I walked over to Liberty of London – one of my favorite stores. We arrived a bit early and while enjoying a coffee across from the entrance, were entertained by a couple “sleeping rough” right out of our cafe window. They didn’t appear to be roughing it too much – mattress, duvet, bags of food, ciggies, folks bringing them cups of coffee – and a Jack Russell terrier who spurned offers of food because he seemed to be well fed.
Liberty is such a beautiful store – inside and out. In years past, I’ve been able to purchase clothes, fabric, tchotchkes, at reasonable prices for the quality. Now, it’s way upmarket, the least expensive thing I found being a small box of plain paperclips for £4. Not that I need to purchase anything. When I return home, I’ll enjoy all of past purchases that are still lovely and used often.
We had a mediocre lunch at the Liberty Café. Norah had eggs benedict with tough bacon and I had a bowl of soup – leek and potato, not exciting. After, we strolled (really fought our way through the crowds) up Oxford, picked up a few groceries at the M&S Food Court, which is a lovely, and as chock full of goodies, as I remember. Then home, because Sunday evening, all the UK watches the weekly dance-off on Strictly Come Dancing.
The busses around city center are new, clean and run constantly - except on the weekends.
Sleeping rough, but upmarket
Interior of Liberty of London - what a beautiful store.
In my "good old days" at Liberty, there was a cafeteria in the lower level that served beautiful food at reasonable prices. Had my first summer pudding there. You never forget your first summer pudding...
Ed enjoyed Kew Gardens. I went twenty-five years ago and that will hold me for a lifetime.
We haven't a clue who these contestants are, but they dance so much better than the U.S. contestants, have more fun and the show is not so repetitive. No wonder it's such a hit.