March « 2011 « The Anglophile

March 31, 2011

TIME OUT: Ben Pentreath LTD Shop in Bloomsbury — Best of new London shops in 2010

Filed under: antiques,shopping — tmooresr @ 9:08 pm

One of my favorite London friends who is an interior designer thought I would enjoy seeing a new shop which TIME OUT had described as one of the best new shops in 2010. I was somewhat surprised to hear that the shop was in Bloomsbury on Rugby Street, but I found it very charming. Ben Pentreath started the shop in the past couple of years and had developed a very attractive inventory. The lady who ran the shop was full of great ideas and had a good sense of design. I am on my to London in the next couple of weeks, and I need a pair of Chinese vases for an apartment I rent, and I thought I would purchase the nice pair from this lovely, little shop. I thought I would post a few images from Pentreath’s website in case some of my readers might also be interested. I am particularly interested in the plaster casts; they are very attractive. Nice.

Enjoy.

Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918

http://www.londonconnection.com

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PRINCE HARRY: We are all behind you–keep going. WOW! AMAZING

Filed under: Prince Harry — tmooresr @ 11:16 am

I am certain the Duke of Edinburgh is sitting on the edge of his seat. This is his favorite grandson. Two peas in a pod.

Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918

http://www.londonconnection.com

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LONDON ITINERARY – THE PERFECT 7-DAY STAY

Filed under: London itinerary — tmooresr @ 10:31 am

This week, I posted a comment that I would write a 7-day itinerary which we consider as ideal as possible. I have received 66 emails with suggestions. I decided that I needed to post the consensus from all these readers. I am really thrilled with all the emails. Let me establish the perimeters for our recommendation: (1) The trip is taking place in August (2) Flight to London and the day flight return home are no included (3) Taxis as well as Tube are used for transportation (4) Maximum use of time–on the go 100% of the time (5) Itinerary starts on Thursday–mid-week. So, put on your walking shoes and have lots of energy. So, here we go. This is a high-energy 7 days. Be excited and in good shape.

Day 1 Thursday

Arrive Heathrow/Gatwick/Eurostar Proceed to accommodations and meet let-in lady and enjoy flat orientation. Pop into a local grocery store to stock the kitchen with food items

a. Churchill War Rooms

b. Walk up Whitehall past 10 Downing Street and the Banqueting House to Leicester Square for dinner. Buy tickets for theater tickets at the Half Price Ticket shops. Relax and return home for a good night’s rest after a long and tiring flight to London

Day 2 Friday

a. Have an English Breakfast in a local restaurant. You can have breakfast the next days in the flat, but an English Breakfast is a great experience.

b. The National Gallery on Trafalgar Square

c. The National Portrait Gallery

d. Taxi to Borough Market for lunch and fun

e. St. Paul’s Cathedral

f. Concert at St. Martin in-the-Fields (buy the tickets for the evening concert while you are nearby at the National Gallery on Trafalgar Square)

Day 3 Saturday

a. 7:00 am Portobello Road

b. The Victoria and Albert Museum (select exhibitions before arriving – see Michelin Guide)

c. Apsley House – The Wellington Museum

d. The Wallace Collection — Thomas Moore’s favorite collection

e. Performance: Royal Albert Hall

Day 4 – Sunday

a. 9:00 AM at Westminster Abbey for morning prayers and hear the Choir Boys (check exact times Westminster Abbey website)

b. Westminster Pier to catch a boat ride down the Thames to Greenwich

c. Maritime Museum, and Royal Observatory

d. Lunch at pub in Greenwich

e. Return Boat Trip

f. Best dinner – Rules Restaurant 9 reservations required – check website)

g. Theater if time permits

Day 5 – Monday

a Buckingham Palace – Summer opening of Buckingham Palace – the State Rooms

b. Buckingham Palace – The Queen’s Gallery

c. The Royal Mews

d. Jubilee Market Antique Market Covent Garden

e. Chinatown for dinner

Day 6 – Tuesday

a. Early departure for Windsor/ Windsor Castle

b. Train to Kew Gardens

c. Lunch at Kew

d. Return to London / Royal Opera House

Day 7 – Wednesday

a. Tower of London – at the Tower and in line by 9:00 AM

The Crown Jewels

Tower Bridge –

b. Lunch at the Cheshire Cheese (Check their website)

c. Imperial War Museum

d. PM theater

DEPARTURE – return to the airport

Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918

http://www.londonconnection.com

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ST. MARTIN IN-THE-FIELDS: April Performances

Filed under: Music — tmooresr @ 2:45 am

Look at this! The performances for the April season are power. If you are in London in April, St. Martin’s is a definite “must-do.”

Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918

http://www.londonconnection.com

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March 30, 2011

AND THE SEARCH GOES ON! Amazing 20th century stories reveal the journey of some of the greatest paintings of the Western World.

Filed under: Art and Sculpture — tmooresr @ 10:52 pm

Remember THE MONUMENT MEN? Well, the search continues.

Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918

http://www.londonconnection.com

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HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN: A LETTER WE SHOULD HAVE SEEN LONG AGO! A LOVING MOTHER AFTERALL

Filed under: The Queen — tmooresr @ 10:18 pm

I hope this solves the mystery once and for all. It is brilliant!

Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918

http://www.londonconnection.com

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THE ROYAL WEDDING: LEGOLAND COMES TO THE WEDDING! THIS THEME GOES EVERYWHERE

Filed under: Prince William and Kate Middleton — tmooresr @ 9:55 pm

Every day, I am amazed by the next new development for the wedding of Prince William. First, we saw the puzzles, then the souvenir mugs, then the knitting patterns, and finally the paper dolls. Now, we have LEGOLAND. I think all this creativity for the Royal Wedding is an indication that people are really excited. Something there is that loves a wedding, and lots there are that revel in a Royal Wedding! Now if we can keep the hooligans and young anarchists out of London for the great event, we will be fine. There is no room for those who want to rain on this Parade. Those who have been allowed to grow up in a welfare state now are resenting having to fend for themselves a bit. They had better get used to it. And, they had best keep away from this event.

Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918

http://www.londonconnection.com

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ROYAL ALBERT HALL: Mikhail Gorbachev 80th Birthday “The man who changed the world.

Filed under: Music — tmooresr @ 10:09 am

This is the man of my era who changed the world. I remember the events like they were yesterday! Now this brave man is celebrating his 80th birthday with a black tie concert at Royal Albert Hall–black tie and all. This great event is a fund raising event for charity. Great singers and orchestras will perform to honor this amazing man! It all happens in London–how wonderful this is!

Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918

http://www.londonconnection.com

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DAME MAGGIE SMITH: Wow! I couldn’t believe my eyes! I prefer “our” Dame Maggie

Filed under: Film and Theater — tmooresr @ 8:17 am

This about blew me away! That’s not the Maggie Smith I know. I thought my readers would enjoy seeing these images. Wow! I suppose we were all “young” once, but not our

MAGGIE! Oh, heavens NO!

Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918

http://www.londonconnection.com

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METROPOLITAN BEES: LONDON, PARIS, AND MELBOURNE — and someday………….?

Filed under: Bees and honey — tmooresr @ 8:08 am

London’s Mayor Livingston has supported a buzzing city with beehives on roof tops all over the capital. Fortnum and Mason sells its own honey gathered from the most elegant hives I have ever seen–right on top of their building. I was in Fortnum and Mason on Piccadilly in January; and to my surprise, a small jar of FM Honey was 20 pounds sterling. But, the point is, hundreds of buildings throughout the capital have their own hives and provide honey for the owners. I have written several articles about city beekeeping as it is a passion for me. It is all the rage in Paris, Rome, and Vienna, etc.. Now, Melbourne is coming to its senses. Imagine, if every city were a haven for our friendly bees which find “sweetness” in every corner of the places we call our cities. Read this article. I wish it were the story written about the town where I live where the finest honey in the world would be produced because with London, we are the “sweetest” place in the world. Yummy!

Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918

http://www.londonconnection.com

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THE PERFECT 7-DAY ITINERARY FOR A FIRST-TIME VISITOR TO LONDON

Filed under: LONDON SITES — tmooresr @ 4:51 am

Last Saturday, a lady from New Orleans sent me an email and asked me to comment. It was an itinerary for a 7-day visit to London for a first-time visitor. She had found the itinerary on TRIP ADVISOR and felt that it was lacking but didn’t know why. When I read through the itinerary, I thought to myself WHY BOTHER TO GO TO LONDON? I felt they would have had a much better experience watching a travel guide movie to London with our friend Steve and thereby avoid jet lag, drizzle, luggage, and London traffic. So, I am going to put together what I think is the perfect week in London which I think will make all those travel challenges worth suffering. It is going to be packed morning to night and written for people who are determined to have the perfect week. I am not going to write it alone. YOU, my readers are going to help me. I am going to spend the rest of the week writing, organizing, and reading your suggestions. I will publish our work that we all have written together next Monday. Now, put on your thinking caps and email me your suggestions. This is going to be the consummate week in London, and it will be THE ANGLOPHILE PERFECT WEEK IN LONDON. Let’s get to work.

Let’s have fun.

Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918

http://www.londonconnection.com

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PRINCE CHARLES: A speech in Portugal spoken as no other person can do!

Filed under: THE PRINCE OF WALES — tmooresr @ 4:36 am

For me, this is leadership. This is the work of a hero who has spent his entire life supporting causes which affect all our lives. PRINCE CHARLES, YOU ARE A STAR. You have stepped up to the Plate. I love to read the Prince’s speeches on the Clarence House website. I am eager to share this one with my readers.

Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918

http://www.londonconnection.com

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Helen Mirren: Queen of Hollywood Blvd

Filed under: Film and Theater — tmooresr @ 4:26 am

I am sure I am out-of-step in my comments here, but I did enjoy Helen Mirren’s performance in THE QUEEN. I felt Mirren’s portrayal of the Queen was overly harsh at the beginning of the movie because I have always believed the Queen has had a keen eye on her public. This is not my point. My disappointment in the film is the portrayal of the Prince of Wales which I thought was vile. I accept his weaknesses, but this portrayal was absolutely extreme. The second great disappointment is the portrayal of the Queen Mother. We all know that she was a “hard nut” and was tough, but her appearance and stature in the movie was disgusting. I was so angry when I saw her in the film; I wanted to throw an avocado at the screen. The Duke of Edinburgh can certainly be a real piece of work sometimes, but I like him, and so does the Queen. He was more like a shallow bartender than a Royal Consort. I accept the fact that is was the Queen who finally realized what was going on, and it was she who was the one who made sweeping changes, far beyond what people felt she could make. Even Tony Blair was amazed by her ability to perceive what and where. But, I had to turn my head the other way when Prince Charles’s portrayal hit the low mark. That part of the story is absolutely wrong. He is a different Prince, but he is superb for Britain, and he has my vote. I have seen the movie The Queen twice; I can’t watch it anymore. Besides the Prime Minister, the characters of Prince charles-Prince Philip-the Queen are slightly off-the-mark–enough to irritate me. The script should have been more truthful. Helen Mirren’s acting, however, was wonderful. I liked her walk.

Congratulatons, Helen Mirren. Long overdue.

Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918

http://www.londonconnection.com

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March 29, 2011

DAME MAGGIE SMITH: Downton Abbey

Filed under: Film and Theater — tmooresr @ 10:19 pm

Years ago, I saw Maggie Smith play the part of a tour guide through an old house in a West End play. I laughed so hard and enjoyed it so much, I never forgot the experience. I have been marching in her parade for over thirty years. But, I have to say that her performance in DOWNTON ABBEY has been the best experience of all. I bought the PBS DVD and have watched it over and over. I laugh and laugh, over and over. Dame Maggie Smith puts on a show-stopping performance as Violet, the charmingly stubborn Dowager Countess of Grantham, the irrefutable authority on everything. The series pits the traditions of hundreds of years of the British Aristocracy against the tides of social change–some call it progress. I would feel absolutely remiss if I did not honor Dame Maggie Smith in her performance. I will write another comment later about the entire series which is the most enjoyable TV time I have ever spent. Thank you, Maggie Smith. You are splendid. The title DAME is wanting. I can see Dame Maggie having tea with Queen Mary–two peas in one pod, for sure! Wonderful.

Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918

http://www.londonconnection.com

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EUROSTAR LOGO HAS CHANGED. ST. PANCRAS HOTEL IS NOW OPEN

Filed under: Eurostar — tmooresr @ 9:26 pm

The logo for Eurostar has changed. The magnificent Renaissance-style hotel at St. Pancras Station is now open to the public, and the Eurostar logo at Saint Pancras has a new look. So, for those Chunnel travelers, don’t get confused with the new logo. It is still the same Eurostar but with a different face. Nice.

Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918

http://www.londonconnection.com

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BUCKINGHAM PALACE: The George IV copper pots and pans – ca. 1825

Filed under: Buckingham Palace — tmooresr @ 9:06 pm

With all the excitement about the Royal Wedding, several fantastic photographs have been made available. Today, the copper cooking pots which were ordered for George IV in 1825 are still in use the kitchens of Buckingham Palace. They all carry the King’s markings. These are amazing images. The King loved to entertain his many guests in grand style, and these fabulous copper pots would have seen a great deal of use in the kitchens at Brighton Pavilion. Imagine, nearly 200 years of continuous use.

Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918

http://www.londonconnection.com

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THE ROYAL WEDDING: The excitement is catching

Filed under: Prince William and Kate Middleton — tmooresr @ 8:58 pm

Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918

http://www.londonconnection.com

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CYCLISTS HAVE PRIORITY IN CENTRAL LONDON: new 20 mph speed limit in London

Filed under: CYCLING — tmooresr @ 11:47 am

Central London is soon to have a 20 mph speed limit to protect cyclists on the streets of this busy city. Read this. Amazing.

Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918

http://www.londonconnection.com

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THE RITUAL OF TEA IN ENGLISH LIFE: My grandmother and great grandmother’s tea services

Filed under: tea — tmooresr @ 11:20 am

Last evening, I watched several parts of the series from Masterpiece Theatre DOWNTON ABBEY. Maggie Smith is outstanding. During the series, TEA plays an important part in the life of the noble family in this series. When Maggie Smith was making tea in the movie, she did it exactly as my grandmother and great grandmother used to do. My grandmother used her silver hot water kettle on her tea table. She poured a bit of hot water into her teapot to heat up the porcelain; she put that hot water into her “slop” bowl. Then she put two spoons full of her favorite blend of Twinning Tea into the pot and added further hot water. After the tea had steeped, she elegantly poured the tea through a Georgian silver tea strainer into one of her fine Derby or Rockingham teacups. She always asked if her guest liked their tea white. Did they wish sugar. This was a ritual that was so much a part of her life; watching Maggie Smith in DOWNTON ABBEY was exactly like watching my own grandmother.

I am posting images of my great grandmother’s 1865 tea service with a beautiful gilt tea leaf motif. The service has two teapots, two sugar canisters, one creamer, and one slop bowl. She used her mother’s Rockingham dessert plates with beautiful Irish scenes which were made at the very high quality Rockingham Porcelain company about 1820.

My great grandmother’s grandmother had a Worcester Bar Flight and Bar 1800 tea service which has been in our family for 210 years. Every piece is marked BFB. This is obviously a very important family heirloom. I love the shape of the Regency pot and slop bowl and stand. There are 8 cups and saucers and 9 tea bowls without handles, but with deep saucers. My grandmother told me that these two styles of tea cups and tea bowls indicate that the service was used during a transitional period when people drank tea in two different ways. The luncheon service that was used by this ancient family member is an 1805 Derby “Japan Pattern” service. I think it is absolutely exquisite and feel very lucky to have had it in my family for all these years and now in my care. I am taking these photos of the tea services on my grandmother’s satinwood 1928 grand piano where the china has been off and on for a very long time.

I loved watching DOWNTON ABBEY and the various gatherings where tea was offered. The series made me think of my grandmother’s stories told to me when I was very young. England and its tea rituals are an historic part of English life. There is a great tradition, and the English take their tea very seriously. The Queen has her own special blend of breakfast tea. Queen Mary’s magnificent Georgian tea service was on exhibit at the Queen’s Gallery several years ago. King George III’s vermeil tea service has also been on exhibition. Extraordinary.

I hope you enjoy these images. I hope I have not bored you terribly. The tea ritual is very much a part of English life.

Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918

http://www.londonconnection.com

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LONDON FLOWER STALLS: “Say it with flowers”

Filed under: Flowers — tmooresr @ 5:00 am

The flower stalls on the corners of the busiest streets in London soften the blow of a bustling and active city. Our friend Maureen Walker has picked me up at 5:00 AM on several occasions to take me to the Covent Garden Flower Market to see all the truck loads of flowers which have been flown in from all over Europe, especially from Holland. Being a gardener who loves his flowers, I can hardly take it all in: the orchid merchants, the lilies, the amazing roses, the magnificent selection of tulips, and of course the primroses. Within a couple of hours, the flowers are on the street corners for busy Londoners to take to the office or home to their partners. We all remember “My Fair Lady” and the important role of the flower sellers in Covent Garden, central London. It is the same story all over the city. On the King’s Road, near Sydney Street, there is the most amazing stall/cart. Each spring, he has tulips and hyacinths in pots which will dazzle the eyes. I am in London always in February, and the first thing I do is head for this stall to buy my bulbs to “smell up” the house for my visit. I love the hyacinths which warm up in the house and begin to send out the most beautiful fragrance. Visiting a friend for dinner causes one to think about a gift to bring along for the hosts. A bottle of wine? Maybe OK. A bouquet of flowers? Perfect. In February, I went into Peter Jones to buy some fabric for one of our hall chairs–the Alexandra pattern, fabulous–and left the department store out the north door. Of course, I ran right into the store’s florist who is always creating the most amazing arrangements. If I have been clicking flicks on a walk, I never fail to include this lovely flower shop. London and its flower stalls–Oh my goodness! Gorgeous. The only thing better is a rose garden in Gloucestershire in June when you put your whole face in a bunch of rose on the rock wall–careful of the thorns!

Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918

http://www.londonconnection.com

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KING JAMES 1611 EDITION OF THE BIBLE FOUND IN VILLAGE CHURCH

Filed under: BRITISH HISTORY,LITERATURE — tmooresr @ 4:27 am

In the village town of Hilmartin in Wiltshire, an original 1611 edition of the King James’s Bible has been found in the church of St. Laurence. There are known to be 200 of the original printing, and most of those are in cathedrals and great libraries. A Bible sitting on a table in a village church which was built in the 12th century is an amazing phenomenon. I am publishing the video because I think you will find it very interesting. This is the year of the 400th anniversary celebration of the King James’s Bible, without question the most important book in the English language. I hope you enjoy the story. It is really amazing.

Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918

http://www.londonconnection.com

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10 OF THE BEST LONDON ATTRACTIONS according to “The Weekender”

Filed under: LONDON SITES — tmooresr @ 4:10 am

THE WEEKENDER published “10 of the Best London Attractions” this early morning. It is a good list, but it is not my list. It fails to include the Queen’s Gallery, the Wallace Collection, The British Museum, The British Library, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Apsley House, The National Portrait Gallery, The National Gallery, St. Martin in-the-Fields, The Houses of Parliament, The Royal Mews, Borough Market, Spitalsfield Market, The Victoria and Albert Museum, and the Royal Opera House.

I will publish THE WEEKENDER’s list and hopefully London visitors will enrich the publication’s choices. Interesting.

Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918

http://www.londonconnection.com

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March 28, 2011

Anish Kapoor: 2002 Image at the Tate Modern

Filed under: Architecture,Art and Sculpture — tmooresr @ 8:37 pm

Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918

http://www.londonconnection.com

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LONDON RESTAURANTS: PORTERS – Good old English Fare — Henrietta Street, Covent Garden

Filed under: Food — tmooresr @ 6:38 pm

Finding a good English restaurant in London these days is not an easy task. Italian dining? Every corner. Chinese cuisine? Every other Corner. Thai meals? Around the corner. Kentucky Fried chicken? Straight ahead. A Kabob? Next to where you are standing at any moment. But where do you really get a meal with real English cooking? Rules on Maiden Lane! Perfect. PORTERS on Henrietta Street in the heart of Covent Garden. Some events require dinner at Rules–suit, tie, and all that. Some meals require a hungry person craving Steak and Kidney Pie or some other very English fare–that’s at PORTERS.
For over 15 years, the London Connection had a very large flat for 10 people on Henrietta Street, right across the street from Porters. I used to look out the large window and see the big green Porters awning every morning. Believe me, it was the perfect way to stir the morning appetite. I grew up eating Steak and Kidney Pie, Roast Lamb, Roast Beef and Yorkshire Pudding, and all those other English dishes that serve lots of Mash and tons of gravy. For my father, a Sunday Roast or Roast Lamb was de rigueur. Game birds were roasted in our kitchen, and I found them so much richer in flavor than that awful Thanksgiving turkey. When I am in London, the solution to my problem is PORTERS. I thought it was time to post their menu because I know some of our readers will enjoy these meals. Some of our friends just returned from London and couldn’t find “real” English cooking. Ah, I forgot to tell them. English fish and chips? Well, that is like locating Noah’s Ark. But English cooking–I can help you with that search! PORTERS on Henrietta Street in Covent Garden. You will love it. AND THE PUDDINGS—OH, MY GOODNESS!

It is time to post an image of a Steak and Kidney Pie and a proper Roast Beef and Yorkshire Pudding.

Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918

http://www.londonconnection.com

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London Vacation Rental: The London Connection’s Flat in Knightsbridge — A client’s report

Filed under: LONDON CONNECTION FLATS — tmooresr @ 12:39 pm

The London Connection offers a wonderful flat in Knightsbridge in Beaufort Gardens. It is an absolutely beautiful apartment. I am so pleased with this report and thought my readers would like to know about this flat. For further information, check out our website www.londonconnection.com it is wonderful

Client report:

Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918

http://www.londonconnection.com

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