I dedicate this posting to our friend David Willis who loves to eat.   You are a lot of faithful readers who have followed me on this journey and the beginning of our London Connection blog.  I can’t wait until the site is interactive, and it is not only I posting.   I hope you have been having fun, and perhaps the postings have been helpful for your planning your trip to London.  I have enjoyed writing these entries because I have been going different places and seeing different parts of London which are new to someone who has almost been a resident in this city for many years.  And I have loved your emails which keep me going.  So, let’s talk about my Sunday.  The Sabbath?  Hm! Don’t report me, but it was really fun.

I attended my church activities for only an hour today because I love to sing my songs and I enjoy being with my people when I am so far away from home.  It is always like charging the batteries, and after this schedule, I need it.  I knew I was going to have a full, full week ahead, so these moments are as always a good investment.  I bolted after my first meeting to arrive at my first appointment for the morning which was to view a small and budget flat in the heart of Chelsea on Smith Street.  It is a perfect spot for younger people who like to be near the activities of the King’s Road:  restaurants, shopping, clubs, and gathering places for young people.  I came to this property to discuss with the owners the necessity to redo the shower and tile the bathroom floor. What a charming couple for sure.  Petronella is a lovely English lady who lives in the beautiful house on the upper floors.  Her husband is Riccardo who owns Riccardo’s Restaurant on the Fulham Road.  I will attach a link of the flat so you can enjoy it.  It isn’t grand, but it is perfect for a couple traveling on this budget.

I am not a great gourmet, and I am certainly not a famous cook.  But, I have my few favorite restaurants where I go back and then again.  At home, when real, real hunger strikes, my car just flies to the Red Iguana in Salt Lake.  That restaurant and I have been friends for a long time, and I have found the trick to avoid the long lines in front.  I call the Red Iguana manager Israel as Stephanie and I leave Ogden;  by time we arrive in Salt Lake, our table is ready.  I learned to do this because for years I suffered back pain and couldn’t drive for 45 minutes and then stand waiting for 45 minutes.  Well, now I no longer suffer this horrific pain, but the Red Iguana “style” carries on.  Riccardo’s is becoming my London habit–Riccardo’s Tuscan Restaurant.  Yesterday, I met our company’s long time friend Maureen here for laugh and talk about old times but also to taste the food.  Anyone who comes to London should try this food.  It is fresh, made almost in front of your eyes, and a far cry from my favorite bolognese which I am sure one day will be sculpted on my headstone.  Imagine, a headstone with spaghetti carved into the stone.  Well, it would fitting in my case.  This restaurant is not just bolognese;  the recipes are Tuscan, northern Italy where Riccardo is from. We ordered the special of the day which was an amazing linguine with prawns, clams, chilli and tomatoes, and 1/2 Canadian lobster.  I will send you a photograph, and you will see what I mean.  I couldn’t believe the flavor.  Amazing.  But, the apple juice amazed me.  All fruit juices are made at the counter.  There was the cook pressing all the apples right in front of my eyes.  I had heard of doing orange juice this way, but apples!  Again, the flavor–wow!  The other real hit of the visit was Maureen’s Fish soup with scallops, lobster, clams, prawns, tomatoes and chili.  I tasted it, and I have to say I have never had soup like that before. There was a very long Italian wine list as Riccardo brings his own wines from Tuscany and the cellar is reported to be one of the best in London.  I really recommend Riccardo’s.  The waiters are wonderful, and the owner is very much a part of the daily activity at the restaurant.  I will attach a photo of Riccardo and a few shots of his restaurant;  I arrived moments before the restaurant opened so I could visit with Riccardo and see his operation before the Sunday morning mob began to arrive–just like the lines at the Red Iguana.  ”It ain’t cheap” but it is worth it.  Lobster linguini–imagine that, Julia Child!

Maureen was my chauffeur because I was running between appointments.  I rushed off to meet Laura Beare and to see her exciting flat in Maida Vale, a wonderful part of London near The Prince Regent’s Canal and St. John’s Wood.  This is a part of London I have not known, so I was having a new adventure.  I arrived at the property to meet the owner and check out her home where she lives part of the time–living in Portugal the other part.  Her flat was on the first floor of a period building with those beautiful French windows and balconies.  The house is full of African art, Persian rugs, contemporary art with incredible color.  I was right at home, for sure!  I have sworn that I am going to get five huge canvases all stretched with linen, five buckets of paint–all bright colors–and away I go!  It won’t be Picasso, but it will be Tom!  I photographed the flat, had a glass of sparkling water, and off we went.  Great experience!

Well, the serendipity.   As we walked down the stairs, the owner of the house asked if we had ever been to Abbey Road and the Apple Recording Studios.  Yikes!  It was a flashback to the 60′s, and all I could hear was ALL WE NEED IS LOVE–bang! we were off!  Abbey Road.  Well, it wasn’t hard to find it–only a few blocks from Laura Beare–because groups of people were still coming here, taking photos, and writing memories of the Beatles all over the walls of the gate posts.  It had become a mecca with people talking about this huge music history which literally changed modern music.  There I was remembering those songs and listening to young people talk about the Beatles–youngsters who weren’t even around when the Beatles were singing.  It was easy to understand that this destination would soon be a shrine.  Well informed Beatle fans were all talking about the details of this music group as if it were all happening again today.  Really a fun moment for me–a bit like going down memory lane.

Well, I had been to church, visited a flat on Smith Street, ate an early lunch at Riccardo’s, visited Laura Beare’s flat near the Regent’s Canal in Maida Vale, ran into the Beatles, and then went to visit what is considered one of the most famous wine shops in this part of London.  I photographed the interior of the wine shop, but the exterior signed really made me laugh: WINE FLU?  WE HAVE THE SOLUTION.  It made me smile;  aren’t people clever?  Words..Words..Words–aren’t they a fun part of our lives!  Some of them are anyway!

The day continues as we drove down Park Lane on the east side of Hyde Park.  TRAFFIC YOU CANNOT IMAGINE around Marble Arch!    There were mobs of people everywhere celebrating Ramadan.  There is a very large and active Moslem population in London, so the festivities of Ramadan have become an established part of the London calendar.  The traffic was moving so slowing through the crowds, and my eyes were like saucers, trying to take it all in.  Wow!  Very interesting and exciting!  Right here in river city–London!  A lot went through my head, I assure you.  I felt ashamed of myself because I know so little about the Arab world, but I left that experience determined to learn more.  So, so interesting!  We had to press on–frankly, I had to go to the loo and spend a penny!

By now, it is late afternoon and nearing dinner time.  No one in London eats before 7:00 pm.  I knew this would be the only night I could have my steak and kidney pie at Rules on Maiden Lane in Covent Garden.  I have been coming here for years and years, and the same high quality service and food have not changed.  Rules is the oldest  restaurant in London, established in 1798. King Edward VII dined here with Lilly Langtree in a private room on the upper floor which now has been redesigned into a before dinner drinks bar.  Same 18th century wood walls and fireplace, but just moved around a bit.  I walked upstairs because the manager suggested I photograph it before the evening mobs arrive.  My eyes could not get over the trays of salmon, smoked venison, oysters, cheeses, on and on.  Best capers I had ever tasted!  We went downstairs to the restaurant to take some photographs before it became too busy.  I was cautioned to take photos at angles which did not disturb the arriving guests.  Well, I knew I didn’t want to get thrown out of here–Where would I go to get my steak and kidney pie?  Certainly not at the local pub for a 4 pound Sunday special!  No way.  I was tempted to stray a bit and try something different on the menu.  Maybe grilled calves liver and bacon with spring onion mash?  Hm, perhaps breast of Telmara farm duck with black cherry and artichoke?  Hm–roast squab pigeon with summer cabbage and smoked Cumbran ham?  Oyster pudding with runner beans?  No, I am sticking with my routine: stilton and watercress soup, steak and kidney pie, and golden treacle sponge pudding with custard!  NOW THAT IS THE WAY TO END A DAY! I won’t count the calories because they too will add up as large as telephone numbers.  Oh, we will worry about that later.  When the blog is up and running, I am going to put Rules Restaurant on the side bar.  This is hallowed ground.  AND THE ATMOSPHERE.  All those VANITY FAIR engravings of 19th century politicians–caricatures, rather–on the walls! Goodness me.

Coming home to Basil Street on the tube, propping up my feet to watch a new Buckingham Palace video called FOR THE ROYAL TABLE, and enjoying memories of a very exciting and profitable day–it was perfect. A perfect day!  I have to say, you could get used to this kind of life, but only if you could keep up with the waist line.  You would spend half the day having fun and the other half the day working off the calories.  Oh well, the answer is WALKING, walking without a worry in the world.    These are moments we dream about, and I am grateful for sure.

I couldn’t get to sleep.  All that steak and kidney pie!  Incredible.

You are brave to keep reading.  I hope I have left you hungry and smiling.  Amazing, just the end of day 14 of an amazing trip, and you have been gracious to come along with me.

What I do for my readers!  Several readers and their readers have emailed me about their shopping at Harrods Department Store in Knightsbridge.  It seems that this store has taken on a legendary life of its own.  It is one of the few places in the world where all that glitters is gold.  I write about Harrods, not because I intend to buy very much in the store, but because all the newest fashions and displays are remarkably presented.  Everywhere it is a work of art.  First, however, let me give you some of the history of Harrods.  Henry Charles Harrod opened a small grocery on Brompton Road in 1849 which was an immediate success because of superb service and the best quality merchandise. In 1851, the owner moved the store to where it is located now. At one time, it was reputed that Harrods could supply anything from a box of pins to a live elephant–not today, but not far off.  The department store carried the Royal Warrant blazoned up the front of the building for many, many years indicating that this store had Royal patronage.  During the later years of the 20th century, Mr. Mohamed Al Fayed became chairman of Harrods, a department store which thrives there today and has become a beacon for luxury goods all round the world.  I go to Harrods to be dazzled and amazed.  The rooms of the finest porcelain, furniture, glass, household items, and the newest technology are seemingly unending. I was admiring a vase in the porcelain department today, and I said to myself that the price looked like a telephone number.  I wandered through the men’s fashions and then into the jewel collections.  That is where the trouble started.  I was happy shooting pictures of the displays and was thrilled with the images which were capturing this beautiful commodities.  Suddenly, a security man approached me in a very abrupt manner and told me NOT TO TAKE PICTURES.  Well, there I was in the middle of my play and a man twice my size was playing very rough with me.  I told him I had taken wonderful photos and wanted to share them with my blog friends.  I showed him my photos, and he let me continue.  I think it is the gray hair and the ability to charm the birds out of the trees–well, so to speak.  So, I carried on a bit more discretely.   I don’t buy at Harrods, but I enjoy the inventory and stand amazed at the work of the designers.  It is the store which is designed to satisfy those who have an insatiable need for luxury–the best luxury for sure.  I prefer to wander through Harrods and then buy at Harvey Nichols.  I am attaching a few photos.  Be warned, don’t get thrown out because of a natural inclination to photograph beautiful things.  Yikes.

Let me share with you a new flat we have for the visitors of our company.  It is on Basil Street in the heart of Knightsbrige, immediately next to Harrods.  It is one of those beautiful properties owned by a property developer who has retired and is now training his horses at his breeding farm in Ireland.  The quality of the property is amazing.  There are two wonderful bathrooms which are beautifully done.  Both have bathrooms with showers and tubs.  You would find this quality of property only at the Ritz. The living room is luxurious with fireplace, large white sofas, large television  (not common in London), and an amazing kitchen with granite counters, American style refrigerator, hob, microwave, and wonderful utensils.  There is a porter to this outstanding property.  When considering its location, its quality and comfort, it is an incredible destination to spend your holiday in London. Take a look at the photos.

Well, by time I had been nearly thrown out of Harrods and then adding a new property to our offerings, I was ready for a change, and a change I got.  Stephanie and my old friend, Maureen Walker, called me to have lunch.  Hilarious!  She asked me if I had ever gone to the south bank near the Old Vic to a pie and mash shop.  This meal is the favorite dish of the Cockney community of London.  So, off we went.  I had a plate of mash and two beef pies covered with green sauce.  I had heard of pie and mash, but I had never seen or eaten the delicacy.  But the pie show was amazing to me.  We arrived just at the right time, before the Saturday clientele arrived.  When we left the restaurant, the line went all the way down to the corner.  I heard language and that wonderful cockney accent like I had never heard it before.  Cab drivers were parked up and down the street enjoying their pie and mash and speaking to each other in a language which was very foreign to me.  Amazing and very enjoyable.

We were driving back to the West End and home; spontaneously, we decided to drive to Oxford.  I have always wanted to attend the summer literature lectures at Oxford, and maybe one day I will.  But those buildings with students in their uniforms and caps/capes walking up and down the streets is a wonderful sight.  These are the halls of a privileged few, and for a moment I was very happy to be among them.  The age and tradition of the setting was amazing;  the architecture of the various schools at Oxford was beautiful.  It was a moment when you suddenly wished you could do it all over again.  I bought Thomas Jr. an Oxford sweat shirt with hood for his biking activities but also to keep that name OXFORD  in my grandchildren’s eyes hoping that perhaps someday, maybe, one of them might be curious and perhaps eager to come to Oxford. I would certainly be for it.

Well, we returned to London, and I am catching up on my writing to my faithful readers.  I hope some of these tales and events might interest you as you plan to come to England.  It really is a world apart.  I just stand by the lamp post and wonder about it all.

Today is a Bank Holiday in London.  What does Bank Holiday mean?  That means the entire city closes down for the last family time of the summer.  The City seemed deserted.  The only activity in the Capital is the Brazilian Carnival in Notting Hill which has become so large in recent years that millions of Londoners have joined the Carnival partying, especially for the dancing and certainly for the fantastic food.  But, I am not in London for Carnival, so I will go elsewhere.  Thomas Lawrence in 1935 said that “all men dream;  but not equally.”  For whatever that is worth, I have chosen to spend the day at Kew Gardens, outside London about half an hour by tube.  England and its gardens have a long history;  English sailors brought plants back to England from all over the world including Captain Cook and many others.  Since England is an island with a powerful Royal Navy sailing the world, access to rare and exotic plants came first to those living in London with hot houses and green houses.  King Louis XVI of France and King George III of England shared their plants and in particular their trees.  Green Park in London, next to Buckingham Palace, is called Green Park because it once exhibited the tree collection of the King with not a flower in sight!  All Green–thus, Green Park.  When Fredrick Prince of Wales, father of our King George III, began spending more and more time at his Palace at Kew about 1760, his exotic plantings went to Kew instead of to London.  In 1758, Princess Augusta created the first small garden here on 9 acres and thus the history of this world destination was born.

Don’t be tempted to take a cab to Kew.  The Tube is an easy ride.  Grab the Tube at Embankment Station in the direction of Richmond.  Kew has a stop on the line, and it is a five-minute walk to Kew Gardens with entrance at Victoria Gate.  When you walk in those gates, it is ALL GARDEN and plants.  For someone who has had his hand in the dirt all his life, Kew is the ultimate plant experience.  It is a large  park with interesting aspects everywhere.  I suggest you take the Kew Explorer for an overview of the gardens and then return on foot to the displays which interest you most.  I love the large glasshouses including the Fern House and then Temperate House which is home to the world’s largest indoor plant.

Everywhere,  there are planted beds of perennials.  I love to go here to get ideas.  I first saw Prince Charles’s experiments with planting vegetables among his perennials at Kew.  I tried it at home in my own gardens in Ogden, and the cabbages and kale add great variety and texture to my gardens.  Thank you, Kew Gardens, for that idea.  This year, hundreds of flower beds are planted with succulents of all kinds.  I stopped to see how the begonias had been planted among the cactus plants.  Kew definitely breaks the barriers of traditional planting.  I am going to try a few large cactus plants in my roses next summer.

Tomatoes staked on tall poles gave height to the beds, and the tomatoes themselves gave interest and color.  But, the cabbages with patches of kale are my favorite.  The colors are just wonderful.  The beautiful English boxwoods are trimmed to an inch of their life but give that rich green and a sense of formality to these gardens.  In many parts of the park, entire gardens are lined with boxwoods with English laurel as backdrops and English yews extending into the woods.  It is like somebody really knows what he is doing!

As I walked through the park, I asked one of the rangers what the small patches of hornbeam fences were for.  To my absolute delight, I was told that there are now 35 bee plantations placed in the gardens, all behind those hornbeam hedges.  Obviously, the hornbeams are there to keep the visitors from disturbing the bees.  Like everywhere, gardeners cannot depend on spontaneous hives of bees,  so conservationists everywhere have become beekeepers.  Mick, the ranger, unlocked one of the gates to show me inside the hornbeam shelters.   I can tell you that I was dazzled:  bees, bees, and more bees all going and coming, actively, with their loads of pollen.  Some of the hives are two levels, some are three.  The Ranger told me that the Prince of Wales has led the national campaign to save the bees and has placed a large bee shed near the perennial gardens–26 hives.   The Ranger was kind enough to walk me to the area, and when we arrived I was taken aback with all the boxes filling a shed, each hive a different color so the bees could distinguish their own hives.  Even the bees have a sense of color as do all good gardeners.  I was thrilled as I thought about the beehives in my garden and in the garden of my friends Lisa and June Gibson.  I think we have 19 beehives in place in our gardens.  So we are doing our share.  I bought a book called KEEPING BEES AND MAKING HONEY.  What an enjoyable read.

Kew is not only a world famous garden.  There is even a royal palace in the grounds:  Kew Palace.  Kew Palace was first built in the late 1600′s and was later acquired by Fredrick, Prince of Wales who loved to get away from royal protocol in London.  He and Princess Augusta built a large palace called The White House where they entertained and enjoyed their large family.  Their son, George III, the last king of America, also had a passion for gardening and spent many years planting his gardens and experimenting with trees.  He was living at Kew Palace when the American Colonies decided they wanted to be free–the 4th of July, 1776.  Interesting to note that the King wrote in his diary for that day:  NOTHING HAPPENED TODAY.  Well, two hundred and fifty years later,  Kew Palace is open to the public.  A visitor is amazed by the King’s simple tastes and by his love of intimate spaces where he could enjoy his large family and his many, many plants and animals.   When you are walking through the gardens, enjoy the 18th century Pagoda–so typical of English 18th century passion for the oriental.  Also, the Japanese Gateway and King William’s Temple.  These “follies”  were all the fashion in the 18th century.  If the gardeners are working in the compost garden, watch what they are doing to recycle the plantings.  It is really lovely.

Your feet will be killing you, but your eyes will have had a real feast.  Exit the park at Victoria Gate and walk the two blocks to the small village of Kew.  There are small cafes and shops there as you wait for your train.  There is a train returning to London every 15 minutes so don’t rush.  Enjoy the village.

Kew is a World Preservation Site.  It is the best of the best.  It is not just a garden; rather,  it is a garden that tries new things and leads the way to even better gardens of the future.  For our visitors who are gardens, add this site to you visit.  Fabulous.

Well, I am off to see new flats and meet owners.  So, if you can keep reading, I will keep newsy stuff on our blog.  Thank you so much for coming along.  I have enjoyed it.  I hope you have. I am visiting new flats tomorrow, and I will post photos and make recommendations for your next visit to London.