Day 22 London - last day (Easter Monday 9 April)
I stayed in bed for most of the day, snuffling and coughing. The weather encouraged me to do so: not just overcast, but sometimes raining, though not heavy enough to notice. Until I went out about 6 pm, having decided that after two plus days in the room I needed to get out, and I needed to do something other than subsisting on biscuits. I noticed it then right enough, especially as I'd been silly and left the umbrella behind, relying on my rain jacket's hood. OTOH the wind, coming back, would have made the umbrella useless, so. I did wonder for a while if going out into the wet and the chill for food, civilisation, variety and tomorrow's breakfast and lunch would make the cold worse, but it seems not. I was warm enough once I was back in my room.
I did a little food shopping in Marks, then hiked around St Pancras International to Le Pain Quotidien for a final meal. I didn't think I'd be able to eat an actual dinner - particularly after looking at the generous salad plates on my neighbours' table - so I ordered soup (with bread and butter), and a glass of wine for that touch of civilisation I'd wanted. The soup was excellent (carrot and lentil, with herbs), as was the bread and butter, but the wine, a French sauvignon blanc, was so sharp I had to make sure I had it all drunk before I finished the soup, so I had something to wash it down with. Maybe next time I'll go for the Chilean wine. However, it was pleasant sitting in the bustle of the restaurant and the station, watching the world go by.
I was back in the room not long after 8 pm, and glad to be there.
This morning, despite the forecast of rain, is bright and sunny (and still), though there is a sharp cold air sneaking in the tiny gap between the open windows. So at least I shan't have to fend off the rain while getting to Marylebone Station with my baggage for the Stratford-upon-Avon train.
Goodbye London! See you again in early May, when I hope to be in good shape for some vigorous touring at the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Museum of Natural History.
I did a little food shopping in Marks, then hiked around St Pancras International to Le Pain Quotidien for a final meal. I didn't think I'd be able to eat an actual dinner - particularly after looking at the generous salad plates on my neighbours' table - so I ordered soup (with bread and butter), and a glass of wine for that touch of civilisation I'd wanted. The soup was excellent (carrot and lentil, with herbs), as was the bread and butter, but the wine, a French sauvignon blanc, was so sharp I had to make sure I had it all drunk before I finished the soup, so I had something to wash it down with. Maybe next time I'll go for the Chilean wine. However, it was pleasant sitting in the bustle of the restaurant and the station, watching the world go by.
I was back in the room not long after 8 pm, and glad to be there.
This morning, despite the forecast of rain, is bright and sunny (and still), though there is a sharp cold air sneaking in the tiny gap between the open windows. So at least I shan't have to fend off the rain while getting to Marylebone Station with my baggage for the Stratford-upon-Avon train.
Goodbye London! See you again in early May, when I hope to be in good shape for some vigorous touring at the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Museum of Natural History.