The train journey into London was my first inkling that this was not going to be a comfortable day. Even in the middle of summer, often with standing room only there is still a bit of space to zone out, but this trip was exceptionally awful - sardines in a can is the description that comes to mind. Balancing in the middle of the carriage, out of reach of any handhold, there were a couple of instances of grasping total strangers, much to their surprise, in an attempt to keep upright when the driver applied brakes. Fortunately it was an Express train, but it was a pretty awful 20 minutes. Absolutely no way I was getting on a tube! So even though it was drizzling and grey it was a relief to head from Paddington into Hyde Park.
Early enough to stop off for coffee at the Italian Gardens Cafe.
The Hyde Park Winter Wonderland was in full swing and there was a constant stream of people heading in that direction, but funfairs are not my idea of fun.
There were lots of tourists around but also locals with dogs who see this as their own back yard. There was a fair bit of unsuccessful stalking happening. The birds just laughed at him and flapped a bit further on. Endlessly entertaining.
A Police Station in the middle of the park with their own colour coded Christmas tree.
As you get closer to the Serpentine there are lots more birds - these ducks completely ignoring the humans and striding out determinedly away from the water. I wonder where they were off to?
There were a few more people in this part of the park and increasing as I headed towards Knightsbridge. Desperately grey but not that cold, it had been a surprisingly warm December so far.
Whirling seagulls.
Posing. Or waiting their turn to take off - a bit like Heathrow.
A lucky Heron.
Out of the park and over South Carriage Drive which was closed to traffic for repairs. It's a national sport here - roadworks. Which gave me an opportunity to look at the artwork in the gardens alongside. The sculpture is called 'The Rush of Green' by Jacob Epstein - sometimes known as the Pan Statue with Pan piping a family with a dog towards the park. Not to be confused with the Peter Pan Statue in Kensington Gardens. Scary stuff.
This is 'The Search for Enlightenment’ by Simon Gudgeon in front of One Hyde Park. A bit empty headed perhaps?
Feeling more relaxed for having some air to breath and some space, I plunged back into the crowds and traffic of Knightsbridge. You can't really see it from this photo but Harrods is outlined completely in lights. Must be quite a sight at night, not sticking around for that though.
I don't even know how I ended up in this corridor but it was EXPENSIVE...
This is more like it. We arranged to meet in the Food Hall. It took 20 minutes to find everyone and what I found was not good. Panic attacks were imminent. Those unnamed persons in the group who don't do crowds were seriously stressed out. I thought I was bad. No comparison.
So after a quick look around and in the interests of public safety, we decided to come back next year. Phew! That was close.
Just around the corner from Harrods we found a Italian restaurant, Montpeliano. London has some fabulous Italian restaurants run by Italians - no franchises here. Some are the small side street coffee bar type eateries that you will find in Rome, with excellent food - to be recommended for a quick lunch - I know of a couple near the Barbican that you wouldn't generally notice, but keep your eyes open, they are worth stopping for. However the restaurant we found today is worthy of Knightsbridge and it's the long slow Italian dinner that can be expected. Loved it - great food, attentive waiters, attention to detail, pricy but worth it.
The days end so early now that by the time lunch was over it was dark and starting to rain. We all headed off in our respective directions - still walking. Nobody prepared to get on to the tube. We'll try again some other time.
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