London Trip Part One

I'm back!  I will do this in parts again as too much to blog about in one go. Thankfully we survived the crowds and weren't blown away by the gales! Actually, we went down at the same (popular) time last year on a great offer (or was it a train?) and you couldn't find an empty seat from Lime Street but this year it was practically empty. A visible sign of the times I guess. 

 I have been visiting London regularly since I was in my early twenties (no, they didn't have gaslights then!) and still get all excited and patriotic pulling into Euston.  London is a very beautiful city.

Best  'Wow' factor? This has to be the window displays at Fortnum and Mason's.  We passed them, and the Ritz (will actually go in one day!) on the way home following the first night out in town.

Most surreal experience? After visiting a fab restaurant in Soho we all (sister Karen and our pals) went across the road to a traditional old pub where they were advertising singalongs.  Karen is great at finding all this stuff! So, imagine if you will, a tiny pub with a real cross section of people and a piano in waiting.  The door opens and in bursts a lady I can only describe as a cross between Les Dawson (in lady mode) and a panto dame, all sparkly top and garish make up - think over the top and then some! Very theatrically she took her place and hammered out 'unusual' versions of songs ranging from Crazy and Bohemian Rhapsody to Que Sera and It's A Long Way to Tip a Rarey (what is a Rarey??).  She did all this using only the white notes and knowing only half a dozen (max) chord. And she did all this whilst speaking in the strongest Polish accent you've ever heard! She had never heard of 'You'll Never Walk Alone' not even enough to improvise!  It was brilliant though and so many joined in to sing, from oldies to gorgeous young things, great fun.  Maybe you could set one up near you.............it knackers your voice though!

Come back for part two soon.