Smith's Away

 A very leisurely  day today as it's time to organise the case and pack. I caught up on some phone calls and the man came to fix my door lock. The service here really is excellent and thanks to Rutts for the recommendation. Anne is staying here too after her next trip in Europe this year. I decided to walk around my neighbourhood and discovered a lovely Paddington bear park. I went out for dinner and sat by the windows watching the world go by. Quite humid today and a few spots of rain but still very warm. I'm back in my room. Case packed and tickets to Heathrow bought so will head over by 5.30am and head to the airport.  I can have breaky in the lounge and relax ready for the long trip home. See you soon and thanks for travelling with me on my blog.

 Yes I packed in a bit today as it was a little cooler. I had a nice chatty phone call from Tim and then headed to the bus to Hyde Park corner. I then walked down to Buck house under the glorious  shady trees. London  really shines at this time of the year. All the gold is shiny and sparkles,  flags and bunting everywhere.  I got there in time for the changing of the guard as did the big crowd. I finally got up onto Victoria's statue and got a good view of the famous balcony. I walked back up and finally found the bus to take me to Fortnum and Masons. I decided to lash out on afternoon  tea and yes it was a lash out. They add an extra £10 for service, really!! But it was lovely and definitely a one off. I couldn't eat everything so they pack it in a box and I shared it with the staff here at the Norfolk.  Later I headed in by the tube to Charing Cross to see Mrs Warren's Profession.  Imelda Staunton and her daughter were in it playing mother and d...

 A slow start this morning after a late night and coughing. Also 30+ today so had a leisurely start to the day. Then it was time to meet Kim on the corner of Oxford and Wardour streets. So onto my 7 bus which dropped  me at John Lewis shop. Bit different to last night when the homeless were sleeping in front of the shop. I counted at least 8 people with beds set up. All gone today. Love how you meet up with friends on the streets of London. Kim took me to a little Vietnamese restaurant where I had a delicious curry that Kim suggested. Then it was time to get on the tube and head to the ABBA arena. Crowds of people but we got to our great seats and I sat in amazement at the set up of the place. The set up was nothing to the show. It's was like going back in time to watching ABBA on the TV. But they were there in 3d. Live music and holograms of them, so real, close ups, talking to you and the lighting effects, just an amazing show. We all jumped up from our seats to dance to Dan...

 What a day. Just back home after a very full day. Obviously  I've bounced  back from my cold tho still a blocked nose and a tickly cough. After my delicious breakfast I got the bus(I reckon you see more on the buses and cooler too) and headed to Marble Arch to see Frameless. There were 4 rooms with different artist/topics in each. The first one was Dali, Klimt etc and you could sit and watch, like Lume. The 2nd one didn't grab me as lots of bits floating around that were supposed to illustrate paint brush and finally formed a painting. No seats so I left it. The 3rd one had paintings of life, eg boats, wild seas, etc and the last one was abstract, I left that and went back to the paint bits. I loved it once I realised you moved around, moving the paints. I loved it but the music choice wasn't as good as Lume. I had a hot chocolate after and then headed down to Piccadilly Circus. Love being there in the centre  of London!! Found my yellow route hoho bus and did Tower...

 Got up for a delicious  cooked breakfast and then walked to Boots to get Cold and Flu tablets as well as nasal spray. Got back and promptly  went back to bed. Full of a head cold so stayed in bed till around 2. Feeling a little better so got on a toot bus. I stayed on the whole way for about 3 hours and I can use it tomorrow too. London was looking very bright and clean in the sunshine. Bunting up, green gardens and flowers in baskets and pots everywhere. And the traffic was horrendous. I'm surprised they let all these buses in the streets.   When I got back I wanted a tube map, but none to be found. The hotel man showed me an app that was well worth downloading so I should be right tomorrow getting to an art show called Frameless, near Marble Arch. Kim suggested it and it sounds a little like Lume. The last 2 are of the view from my room and the room. I'm in an attic room.