The Rush to London

Our son, James, was flying into London for a four-day course for work and so Michael and I decided to pop over to see him for the weekend.  I will never get used to the fact that people can just go to England or just about anywhere in Europe for a weekend from Ireland.  There are so many countries close by and it is easy to decide on a whim to travel abroad, especially as no visa is required.  We caught the plane from Dublin airport, which in itself was a novelty as we hadn’t flown in 14 months and yet in that time we had visited 6 countries, all by ship or train.  I have never enjoyed flying, so when the captain announced that it was clear night and that we would be treated to a wonderful view as we flew into London, I grudgingly looked out of the window.  There before me was the glorious sight of London by night – all twinkling fairy lights with the Thames clearly visible and the London Eye shining bright red in the night.  Perfect.

We landed at Heathrow and made our way with our luggage to the exit with our passports in hand ready for examination – and just walked through!  There was no one to even glance at them or stamp them - so much for the high terror alert and heightened security measures.  We had the same experience when we have taken the boat from Dublin to Holyhead, however I really thought that things would be different at Heathrow. We caught the train from Heathrow to St Pancras International and from there it was a short walk to the Ibis at Euston where we were staying.

Michael and I were so excited to see James looking so well and happy, if a little tired, as he had spent the previous week in Saudi Arabia with his work.  We walked him to his hotel, The Hoxton, in Holborn and then breakfasted at Freestate Coffee.  James filled us in on his adventures over breakfast and then we set off to explore as much of the city as possible.

The weather was glorious – 16 degrees and sunshine.  James found it a little chilly however it was the warmest Michael and I had been for the last 5 months. Michael had mapped out a walk that would take in many of the sights of London.  The walk went something like this:

We started at Hyde Park Corner to view the Australian War Memorial then wandered through to Buckingham Palace, then off to Horse Guards Parade and through to Westminster via Downing Street, then across Westminster Bridge to the London Eye, past Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre and the Golden Hind.  We stopped for coffee at the Borough Market and then it was across London Bridge to the Leadenhall Market, past St Paul’s Cathedral through Fleet Street and then up the Strand.  We lunched at the Crypt in St Martin-in-the-Fields.  Then it was off to Trafalgar Square to see the smallest police station (for his Grandmother) and the marker for the centre of London (for his Grandfather)

Centre of London

followed by a stop at Jermyn Street so that James could purchase some business shirts.  Naturally we called into Prestat for some more of the Queen Mother’s favourite chocolates followed by a walk through of Fortnum & Mason.  This was followed by a visit to Hamleys, then Carnaby Street and finally Saville Row.  We walked 28 kilometres in all and felt that we had well and truly earned our dinner at Hawksmoor, a steak restaurant at Seven Dials.  I think James enjoyed his tour as his father and I took turns in passing on all of the useless information that we have stored, although he did comment at one point, when I was showing him the first clock in London with a double-sides face (at St Dunstan’s Church), “how do you even know all this?”  We even showed James where a man was killed by a phallus falling from a statue above Zimbabwe House. 

We met a slightly weary James on Sunday morning – a combination of jet lag, sore throat and possible exhaustion from the walk the day before.  Michael had planned a slightly easier day and we started with breakfast at the Columbia Road Flower Market so that James could hear some authentic East End accents.  We then strolled through Shoreditch to the Brick Lane market and to view the street art in the area.  This was followed by a visit to the Old Spitalfields Market.  We then took a bus to the Tower of London and walked along the forecourt there.  Lunch was at the Punch Tavern where we dined on a Sunday roast of pork belly.  James was much revived after lunch so we continued on to explore the Seven Dials and Covent Garden.  Michael decided that since we had walked nearly 24 kilometres, we had earned a drink so we found a bar, which had been recommended by one of James’ friends, Gordon’s Wine Bar which is near the Thames at Embankment.  The bar was packed and we sat outside and had a sherry tasting.  At one stage, a young lady got up and played the bagpipes.  Whilst we were at Covent Garden, James had spotted Shake Shack, and so we decided to have dinner there.  James of course had dined at the one in New York and now he can say that he has been to the London one as well.  We took James for a walk around Leicester Square so that he could see the theatre district by night and also walked him through Chinatown. 

It was very sad to say goodbye to James and I hope that he enjoyed his time with us.  At least he experienced a comprehensive overview of London and I hope that he will return one day.

Michael and I spent our final morning strolling around Fitzrovia and all too soon it was time to catch the train to Heathrow.  Michael and I both managed to set off the alarms at security at the airport and so dutifully removed our shoes so that they could be x-rayed.  Then we both had to be patted down and searched and then stand with one leg propped on a chair (like a bride having her garter removed) whilst the magic wand was waved around us, all in view of the queue of passengers.  Seriously, do we look like middle-aged terrorists?  An uneventful flight took us to Dublin where we actually had to pass through customs and had our passports stamped with the incorrect date.  Welcome to Dublin!