Six Nations

 It is Saturday morning, I’ve been in London since Thursday and only just now making time to post an entry.  Ain’t it funny, how time slips away (h/t Willy Nelson).  With Brother Matt and Little Uncle Myles in tow,  my honey and me departed YYC for LHR evening of Wednesday after a tiresome work week pushing year end forward for COPL.  AC flight 850 was on time and very comfortable, horror stories about post COVID air travel proved not applicable.  Arrived in London mid morning and found luggage (golf equipment - don’t ask) had been delivered before we could get to the carousel.  Through British customs seamlessly and then on to locate the Tube.  Found it nearby and easy (except for a couple of difficult navigations with golf luggage) and we were off to Earls Court.  900 meters to the flat seemed like 10 miles dragging our kit, but we made it to find Jeremy and Dawn from London Guest Suites awaiting our arrival.  Did I mention the golf club luggage was awkward?  The narrow staircase leading up to the 3 level “flat” was comical. Nevertheless, what we found was a very comfortable 3 bed, 3 bath apartment at the edge of Chelsea not far from the heart of London.  It is fascinating to experience how the nerve center of the British monstrosity has crammed so many humans into the limited geography of this relatively small island in the North Atlantic.  Of particular interest was the staircase leading to the lower level bedroom, new knees/hips need not apply.  “Steep and narrow” do no justice to the architectural wonder that reminded me of the Giant’s Causeway.  Once situated, and since we hadn’t recorded nearly enough steps that far, we were off to explore the neighborhood and locate the Duke of Clarence. We wedged ourselves in beside a rather large Great Dane and settled down for first pints on the ground and a very welcome pub lunch.  Walked back to the flat where the less rested tourists laid down for nap while I located the Sainsbury for some supplies (the ability to sleep on an aircraft is a gift).  Later on, we departed for our first gastronomical adventure to Noble Rot, an entry on Myles’ very lengthy list of must do culinary adventures.  The Uber delivered us to Old Soho almost on time after meandering around Trafalgar Square through the ridiculous traffic cramming downtown London.  This minuscule establishment set up in another narrow property made a sardine can seem positively spacious.  Meals were excellent and with wine flowing freely, we got ourselves a taste of the famous living cost in the center of the British universe.  After dinner, we made our way back to the Duke of Clarence for a cleansing ale to wrap up what turned out to be a jam packed (excuse the pun) first day in London Town.

Day two got off to a blazing start with no one astir until mid morning.  Myself accursed with another good sleep was up and at it early waiting patiently for the other tourists to rise.  My patience might have been wearing thin due to my naive belief this group would be ready to rock in time to get b’fast (or at least coffee and croissant).  Myles identified the Black Rabbit down the way on Old Brompton as a great candidate.  Sadly this eight stool Cafe was chalk full upon our arrival and the wait time was too much to bear for an increasingly hangry tour coordinator (that would be me.). So we hailed an Uber to take us to the Delaunay for a full English Breakfast.  Once more into the breach driving past Trafalgar Square, Myles had to revise the reservation thrice.  Poached eggs and Black Pudding hit the spot, that’s for sure.  After a lovely b’fast I hopped into a cab (namesake Michael drove me down the red Mall up to Buckingham Palace) back to the flat while the rest of the tourists did touristy stuff (museums and such).  I had some work related things to attend and a quick trip to the Tesco for additional essentials (plus Brinkley’s Wine Shop), but there is always time for a pint or two at the Hollywood Arms where I met my COPL colleague Ryan Gaffney and his buddies Edward and Alastair. So I was well primed to reconvene with my touring party and prep for the Show.  Another Uber trip past Trafalgar Square to Le Blanchette for dinner preceded the Lyceum Theater which was packed for what must be the millionth showing of the Lion King.  The artists and puppeteers were truly phenomenal as they presented this compelling archetypal hero story in spectacular costumes and song.  We poured out of the theatre to make our way to the nearby Savoy in hopes of a cocktail at the American bar.  Sadly, lots of other folks had similar plans and the wait time to enter was past last call, so we were off to the Swift in a cab (cash, big tip, oops?). We had to queue briefly but got a seat at the window overlooking No. 9 Peep Show and Adult Video establishment across the street.  Throngs of Lady Folk coming and going from that place made for some fascinating people watching.  Once closing time approached at the Swift, nothing would do but a night cap at Murder, Inc. located along dark alleyway and down into a dark cave.  The humorous waiter noted his relatives in Toronto and Edmonton, one has everything, the other nothing! Thus ended a very long day two, and we grabbed a cab to the flat where all fell into bed exhausted once more.