and neither were these FEET! Nevertheless, failing hiring a wheelchair, they have to transport me around for the next 10 weeks!
First things first. BREAKFAST! I hadn't eaten since 10am on Friday and it's now Saturday 8am. 22 hours without food must be some sort of record. The Corner Cafe was recommended for breakfast, so we made our way there through the very pretty backstreets covered with autumn leaves moist with dew. (see Keeley's photo)
Breakfast cafes must be an English icon as this one was identical to the Whitton Cafe, which Ross and I frequented last trip to London. Same chairs, same menu, same prices and same friendly service. I opted for set menu 1 (see photo) which was just what I needed, while Keeley ordered the veggie option which was huge, but we both ate the lot and wiped our plates clean with fresh bread! The coffee was divine- first coffee I've had since leaving Australia.
As we left the cafe, it started raining softly. I had brought my umbrella but Keeley hadn't brought hers. To escape the rain, we jumped on the first bus that came along, not caring where it took us. We crossed the river and hopped off in Regent Street. I knew Selfridge's was close-by, but do you think I could find it? Keeley did find H&M though, and I bought her a beautiful jacket and a mickey mouse sloppy joe for her birthday.
We popped into Swarovski to drool over the bracelets. They had a limited edition set for £99, and I wanted to know how many and what colours they were. There was a lineup at the counter so thought I'd help myself to the free champagne while I was waiting. They also had delicious looking cupcakes which I resisted as were we meeting Joe and Angela and Eli at the Blueprint Cafe for lunch, which is where we were headed. I only knew it had a view of Tower Bridge and was on the river. So the plan was we find our way to the river and then walk downstream till we found it. It couldn't be too far... famous last words...we walked more than 8 km and were 40 minutes late for lunch. As well as the distance, we had to fight against the mob walking the opposite way, so there was a lot of dodging, as well as barging. (Keeley had Eli's presents in the Thai bag which kept hitting people as she weaved her way through the seething mass) I didn't realise how much Keeley hates crowds and crowded places. I'm not fond of them myself, but hers is a real phobia. She would rather walk up 111 steps than to get into a crowded lift!
We finally made it thoroughly exhausted and dying of thirst. I didn't even introduce anyone- I just collapsed in a chair crying, "Water! Water!" After a few minutes, I regained my composure enough to speak like a human being. Joe and Angela had chosen well. The Blueprint had marvellous views of the Tower Bridge (see photos) and delicious food as well (see photos)- the Market Lunch was a 3 course menu with plenty of options for £20. We also ordered a bottle of Spanish rose to celebrate Keeley's birthday.
After lunch, I gave Eli his birthday present, and he gave me a beautiful thank-you hug in return. He's such a delight. I don't think Corduroy will last too long as Eli started chewing his fur immediately. Hopefully the books will last longer! We all dawdled back to London Bridge Station where we left them to catch the tube home to Elephant and Castle-only 2 stations thankfully, stopping off at the Tesco to buy supplies for breakfast ( the Corner Cafe doesn't open on Sundays!) and some Cornish Clotted Icecream- my favourite! By the time we arrived home, I was too tired to eat, but did manage to down a Smirnoff Ice before crashing. Keeley said this morning I was trying to convert miles into kilometres and fell asleep in the middle of the calculation!
First things first. BREAKFAST! I hadn't eaten since 10am on Friday and it's now Saturday 8am. 22 hours without food must be some sort of record. The Corner Cafe was recommended for breakfast, so we made our way there through the very pretty backstreets covered with autumn leaves moist with dew. (see Keeley's photo)
Breakfast cafes must be an English icon as this one was identical to the Whitton Cafe, which Ross and I frequented last trip to London. Same chairs, same menu, same prices and same friendly service. I opted for set menu 1 (see photo) which was just what I needed, while Keeley ordered the veggie option which was huge, but we both ate the lot and wiped our plates clean with fresh bread! The coffee was divine- first coffee I've had since leaving Australia.
As we left the cafe, it started raining softly. I had brought my umbrella but Keeley hadn't brought hers. To escape the rain, we jumped on the first bus that came along, not caring where it took us. We crossed the river and hopped off in Regent Street. I knew Selfridge's was close-by, but do you think I could find it? Keeley did find H&M though, and I bought her a beautiful jacket and a mickey mouse sloppy joe for her birthday.
We popped into Swarovski to drool over the bracelets. They had a limited edition set for £99, and I wanted to know how many and what colours they were. There was a lineup at the counter so thought I'd help myself to the free champagne while I was waiting. They also had delicious looking cupcakes which I resisted as were we meeting Joe and Angela and Eli at the Blueprint Cafe for lunch, which is where we were headed. I only knew it had a view of Tower Bridge and was on the river. So the plan was we find our way to the river and then walk downstream till we found it. It couldn't be too far... famous last words...we walked more than 8 km and were 40 minutes late for lunch. As well as the distance, we had to fight against the mob walking the opposite way, so there was a lot of dodging, as well as barging. (Keeley had Eli's presents in the Thai bag which kept hitting people as she weaved her way through the seething mass) I didn't realise how much Keeley hates crowds and crowded places. I'm not fond of them myself, but hers is a real phobia. She would rather walk up 111 steps than to get into a crowded lift!
We finally made it thoroughly exhausted and dying of thirst. I didn't even introduce anyone- I just collapsed in a chair crying, "Water! Water!" After a few minutes, I regained my composure enough to speak like a human being. Joe and Angela had chosen well. The Blueprint had marvellous views of the Tower Bridge (see photos) and delicious food as well (see photos)- the Market Lunch was a 3 course menu with plenty of options for £20. We also ordered a bottle of Spanish rose to celebrate Keeley's birthday.
After lunch, I gave Eli his birthday present, and he gave me a beautiful thank-you hug in return. He's such a delight. I don't think Corduroy will last too long as Eli started chewing his fur immediately. Hopefully the books will last longer! We all dawdled back to London Bridge Station where we left them to catch the tube home to Elephant and Castle-only 2 stations thankfully, stopping off at the Tesco to buy supplies for breakfast ( the Corner Cafe doesn't open on Sundays!) and some Cornish Clotted Icecream- my favourite! By the time we arrived home, I was too tired to eat, but did manage to down a Smirnoff Ice before crashing. Keeley said this morning I was trying to convert miles into kilometres and fell asleep in the middle of the calculation!
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