Practically Meeting Helen Mirren

Helen Mirren is one of those smart, classy actresses that seemingly everyone admires.  John and I couldn't get tickets for her London Show, the Audience, but we did wait to catch a glimpse of her coming out of the Gielegud Theatre on our walk back from dinner.  As we waited, the guy at the door took fans' programs and returned them with her autograph.  That seemed a nice thing to do.

When Dame Helen finally emerged, she looked radiant and poised in her pink coat and handbag.  We all listened attentively as she paused to thank everyone for coming and that she appreciated everyone's support and time.  With a smile and a wave, she was ushered to a waiting black Mercedes Benz.  As her car drove off, we all stood there, contented and blessed, as if we'd met the Queen.

Doesn't everyone look happy?

Me with Dame Helen's escape car (and a man who wandered into the picture)

Eating our Way through London

Spanish cold meat platter at Barrafina

Sardines at Barrafina

John and I were in London for three days, saw The Book of Mormon and The 39 Steps, went to the National Gallery, did some shopping and basically ate our way through London.  My friend Jen recommended Barrafina, a Spanish tapas restaurant which is all counter service and no reservations.  We went for a late lunch upon arrival into London, and it was well worth the wait.  For one thing, I was seated in front of a leg of jamon and not far from an octopus on ice.  The vibe was great, a mix of trendy lunch dates and business people.  My favorite food was the jamon and chorizo, John's the razor clams and artichokes.  The quail and sardines were also mas fina.

That night, after seeing The 39 Steps, we went for a very late dinner at Shoryu Ramen.  We'd read about it in the Sunday Times originally; this was our second visit.  I wish we had a photo of their hirata buns, the special of the day, incredible with slightly spicy breaded and fried chicken in fluffy white steamed buns.  We both loved the ramen; would recommend the extra bamboo shoots (menma) on the side.

Spicy Ramen at Shoryu Ramen

A couple years ago, John and I discovered Green Queen Street--a modern British gastropub with locally sourced ingredients--recommended to us by a local shopkeeper.  With its dark hardwood interior, the restaurant exudes cultural capital yet feels un-snooty and welcoming.  John pointed out that the wait staff all have classy accents and seem to wholeheartedly believe in what they are selling.  I ordered fish soup, spring greens and artichokes; John had corned beef and radishes and a pint.  We got there in the early noon hour--considered early for lunch by UK standards--took our seats and the place soon filled.

Menu of the day

Spring greens, my absolute favorite

Corned beef and radishes-- sounds unusual, but is really good

We went for a North African/Lebanese dinner at Maison Toureg in Soho.  John and I agree that the moussaka was a little heaven on a plate, especially with the rosemary bread.  We also had babaganoush, meat pastries and sardines.  There was a family near us that kept ordering the sausages.  Must be good too!

Meze selection at Maison Touareg

I should add that we stopped at Pret A Manger here and there for light bites and snacks.  I could eat their baguettes, chocolate covered rice cakes and almond croissants all day.  Too bad the food in London is so good.

Love the Pret advertising

Tweet/ads for Five Guys

Harrogate Then and Now

Michael (age 1), sabbatical #1

Michael (8) and Anna (6), sabbatical #2

Betty's (Nov. 2005)

Betty's (March 2013)

Michael and friend (2006)

Michael and friend with siblings (2013)

London

From Paris, we took the Chunnel to London.  Two things memorable about that journey: seeing a lady from Indianapolis excitedly show a Parisian passenger her Hard Rock Cafe Paris teddy bear (cringe), and the kids' giddy excitement crawling into a spacious black London taxi cab.  I think Michael wanted to live in the cab.  Anna liked that she could freely get on her knees and look out the back at the world trundling along behind us.  Every London taxi we took was really nice.  I'd later heard that they are only allowed on the road for 15 years.  Good idea.

Here are a few photos from our trip to London where we saw the sights and caught up with old friends.

London Eye

Jubilee Gardens, which the Queen opened that day

Bus tour in the rain

Picadilly Circus with our friends from home

Buckingham Palace!

Michael took photos (good thing, since I couldn't see a thing)

Doing lunch at Fortnum & Mason with our London friends

We love the London Transport Museum (Michael falling off a bus)

Heading to our friends' house in Primrose Hill

John & Chuck D at Natural History Museum

Michael reunites with the T-Rex at Natural History Museum,  7 years later

V&A Museum

Being held up at the Tower of London

Bonjour Mona Lisa

The kids were excited to see the Mona Lisa, as she had been a hot topic in Michael's kindergarten class a couple years ago.  The Mona Lisa is embedded deep into the Louvre, but there is great signage guiding you through the labyrinth.  The kids hunted for signs, and before too long, Michael was bouncing up and down behind a crowd of tourists gathered around the painting.  He took a lot of photos, and we finally managed to ease our way up to the front.  It is one experience I will never forget.

"It's this way!"

Excited to be here!

"Hooray!!"

"What is that painting about?"

A lovely dinner at Le Petit Cler with my friends from Chicago

Eiffel Tower

We all loved the Eiffel Tower.  We walked by it everyday en route from our hotel to the hop-on hop-off tour bus stop.  Michael kept taking pictures in excitement; it was so great.  We had lift tickets to the top, yay!  But it was foggy the day we went up, boo!  No matter, we had a grand time being there.  The second floor is being remodeled into more of a destination with shopping, food, entertainment.  We will be back, I'm sure.

First glimpses of the Eiffel Tower.  "Look, there it is!"

One of Michael's photos

Thank you for not making me taking the stairs this time

Yay, we made it!

Fog shmog

The Arc de TriOOMPHe

We love the Arc de Triomphe from a distance.  We love the way it looks; we love the carvings on it; we love the meaning that it holds.  But overall, we had a terrible time.  After queueing and paying, you find that you've queued and paid for a 284 step climb, most of it spiral and narrow, and once you start, you are committed.  There are people in front of you and people behind you.  It was hot, the kids were tired.  John also had the misfortune of carrying all our coats in an overloaded bag.  

Finally, we lumbered to the top, sweaty and out of breath.  It was very bright.  The view was breathtaking.  For about 4 seconds.  

Because we were attacked by gnats.  They bounced off our eyelashes, twisted around in our hair, dive bombed at our ears, pecked at us from head to toe.  If you could blink open your eyes, you could see people all around swatting and dodging while desperately trying to take one decent photo. 

At the end, we spiraled back down the stairs.  Parched and exhausted, we tried to drown our sorrows in a cafe nearby, but we never got served.  That was a low point.

Looks great from the outside. Anna likes the pebbles on the ground.

The ascent.

What you feel like on the ascent.

I'm amazed you can't see the gnats in this photo.

(P.S.  Don't tell me about the elevator.  Heard about that later.)

Italy

One of the benefits of living in England is European travel.  My childhood friend Grace and I had a fabulous time in Italy (Rome, Florence and Cinque Terre).  It was great catching up and traveling together.  We had lots of gelato, tried a few belinis, saw the sights (Trevi Fountain, The Duomo, La Farmacia Santa Maria Novella, piazzas) and shopped.  Grace was an expert at finding good restaurants on her iPad, and I never met a porcini mushroom I didn't want to try.

Cinque Terre was gorgeous

Doorway at Florence aparthotel

Our Room with a View (in Florence)

Ponte Vecchio sunset

Best gelato ever

Fried fish was amazing