OLD BLIGHTY

                                                LEANDOR'S LONDON JOURNAL

Nov. 17th - Beginning Preparations for the journey:

    Pulling papers and books etc together
    Choosing Clothes
    DR from Quaritch here tomorrow to see Italian books and others for valuation

Nov. 18th -
Leaving Thursday early - too much to do!

Q's here today valuing the remainder of the library.

Nov. 20th -
 Checked in for our flight.

Morgen arrives today.
I am packed but Jenna is still messing about - hope she finishes soon!!!!

Nov. 21st

Left today. Had an early care 6:15 as the BA flight to London now leaves at 7:50. Thought we would be scads early but as it was we were not. Security cleare3nce was jammed for some reason - not seen that before. But arsine procedures and less then intelligent personnel were unchanging. One woman TSA  person was particularly obnoxious - load and rude. So what is new as they say.

For some reason we did not end up in the seats I had chosen but where we ended was acceptable. Just annoyed that I paid extra to choose seats early and it did not seem to matter much. I may write for a rebate.

The flight was uneventful but for the failure of the entertainment system! No movies etc. As I napped and read it hardly bothered me.  The chap in charge was much put out and kept apologizing. Hardly his fault but what ever. 

The other surprise was the breakfast they served. I was expecting the usual "English Cooked Breakfast" of scrambled egg, sausage, bacon and potato. Well much to my surprise what emerged when I opened my plate was a small piece of beef, sausage, bacon and some potato concoction! The tray had the usual yogurt, juice and bun. QUELLE SUPRRISE!  Was this an error? Was it planned? The menu we were handed advertised the standard breckers they always sever on this flight. So perhaps another error.

We booked a car form Addison Lee to take us to the Club. Worked well but very pricey.  Not sure it was worth it in the long run as we were quite some time at boarder control and collecting luggage so never made it here for last orders for dinner.

Ah well - contented self with brandy and some buttered bun and espresso.

And so to bed! Tomorrow the show at the National Portrait Gallery on Elizabeth and her world. PM to Chris with John G - dinner and tons and tons of Britten by the 16. Need to scout out the nearest Pub in case an escape at th3e interval is needed.

Nov. 22nd

After breckers this AM and packing up to move room (we have two changes this trip!) we set off for the Natl. Portrait Gallery. Seeing the exhibition of Elizabeth the first. Not too crowded and a nice assemblage of pictures and objects.

 

 

 

Giant Rooster in Trafalgar Sq.

What was this all about? No Idea.

 

On the way back we saw this Chap - Master of all he surveyed.

 

Master of all he surveys!

 

Off to concert tonight (The 16 doing Britten for 3 hours!!!!!). We shall see if we survive - may be Britten overdose. Dinner in Islington with CH and JG.

Nov. 23rd

Survived the Britten last evening. Some of it quite nice. But left before the last piece which promised to be dreadful. Back to St. Mary's Grove for claret and cheese. Late night - back here at Club well after 12 where the Ball was in full swing still.

CH and JG to dinner here this evening. I need to do some reviews of new studies for the IRB so shall spend part of the day in the library. Not sure of any other plans now but to go to breckers and change room for the last time this trip!

 

 

Stepped out to Piccadilly to go to Hachards . Could barely walk down the sidewalk past Fortnum's for the crowds. The silly season has begun in earnest.



 

A Room With A View

Finally settled in our third and final room! Thank god. 

Nov 24th

On the way to Cheswick to see J and N and godchildren for lunch. No coffee at the club this AM so stopped at Nero and got coffee. Then to tube and Cheswick.

The Decent

On the Platform

Flower Stall at Turnham Green

A pleasant meal and visit and quantities of good wine....

Nov. 26th

Off to lunch yesterday at Melborn with JG. Typical Cambridgeshire day - damp and chilling cold! Warming lunch with good wine and good company.

Booking Hall Kings Cross

Took stopping train back to London. At Meldreth when train came got on but no Janet!!  She had gotten n a few cars behind me but could not move from car I was in to check. Panic!!! She did not have her phone with her so no hope of contacting her. Had to sit patiently for the next hour or so wondering if she had gotten on the train. Great relief at Kings Cross when I saw her walking towards me on the platform.









Nov. 28th

HAPPY THANKSGIVING FROM  OLD BLIGHTY