Sunday 31 January 2016

Miss Saigon

Miss Saigon, Prince Edward Theatre Jan 16 (2)

Saturday 2nd January 2016

After dinner at the Taro restaurant, we headed to the Prince Edward Theatre on Compton Street in Soho. We had last minute tickets for Miss Saigon. Given the tragedy unfolding in the Mediterranean at the moment as Syrians flee the violence in Syria and the squalor of the refugee camps, this was quite an apt show to see. It was as much an education experience as it was entertainment.

Miss Saigon, Prince Edward Theatre Jan 16 (3)

Taro in Soho

Taro, Soho Jan 16 (6)

Saturday 2nd January 2016

Taro is a Japanese noodle and sushi bar on Compton Street in Soho. We decided to have dinner there before going to a show. It was very busy and being in there felt a bit like being on a production line. Food was good and for London, competitively priced. The only drawback was one of us was served some time before the other.

Taro, Soho Jan 16 (1)

Taro, Soho Jan 16 (3)

Taro, Soho Jan 16 (4)

Taro, Soho Jan 16 (2)

Taro, Soho Jan 16 (5)

Comptons and Molly Moggs

Comptons, Soho Jan 16

Saturday 2nd January 2016

After the National Gallery, we headed into Soho. Brief visits were made to Comptons and Molly Moggs, both gay pubs, and both very different. Comptons was crowded and quite dark. Molly Moggs was quiet and camp, though I have been in there when it is crowded (and still camp).

Molly Mogs Jan 16

Visiting the National Gallery

National Gallery Jan 16 (1)

Saturday 2nd January 2016

From the South Bank we headed to Trafalgar Square. More specifically, to the National Gallery.

National Gallery Jan 16 (3)

This is a busy attraction but thankfully free to visit. It was very busy.

National Gallery Jan 16 (5)

Lots of famous paintings, notably Constable's Hay Wain.

And how about Claude Monet's Water Lilies?

National Gallery Jan 16 (6)

The Anchor, South Bank

The Anchor, South Bank Jan 16 (3)

Saturday 2nd January 2016

A visit to the South Bank took us first to the Anchor, an old, rambling pub not far from London Bridge, for lunch. It is easy to get lost in the inter-connecting rooms. I was a bit irritated by the arrangements for ordering food and drinks. There were two bars next to each other, One of them refused to serve me coffee as that was only available from the neighbouring bar. Why they couldn't just ask someone to pass them a coffee from that bar was beyond me. Anyway, we did eventually manage to order lunch. Food was reasonable though remember, this is London so London prices applied.

The Anchor, South Bank Jan 16 (2)

The Anchor, South Bank Jan 16 (1)

Back to the White Hart

White Hart Crystal Palace Jan 16 (3)

Friday 1st January 2016

Back to the White hart in the Triangle in Crystal Palace on New Year's Day for lunch. Always worth a visit and not too crowded this time. We went for the shared dishes.

White Hart Crystal Palace Jan 16 (2)

White Hart Crystal Palace Jan 16 (1)

Sunday 24 January 2016

Where the Crystal Palace once stood


Crystal Palace Park Jan 16 (9)

Friday 1st January 2016

After walking around the lake in Crystal Palace Park, we walked through the next half of the park, where once the Crystal Palace itself stood. The foundations and some of the walls of the building can still be seen but the rest of the building was totally destroyed by fire in December 1936. It is worth spending an hour or so exploring the site.

The Crystal Palace was designed by Sir Joseph Paxton. You can see his statue near the stadium.

Crystal Palace Park Jan 16 (6)

Crystal Palace Park Jan 16 (5)

Crystal Palace Park Jan 16 (7)

Crystal Palace Park Jan 16 (8)

Repairing the dinosaurs

Crystal Palace Park Jan 16 (21)

Friday 1st January 2016

We took a refreshing walk in Crystal Palace Park on New Year's Day. The dinosaurs there are arguably the most famous features of the park. They are currently being repaired but are still worth visiting, as is the lake. Expect to have to feed the water fowl.

Crystal Palace Park Jan 16 (22)

Crystal Palace Park Jan 16 (20)





Crystal Palace Park Jan 16 (19)

Mediterranea in Crystal Palace

Mediterranea Crystal Palace Dec 15 (2)

Thursday 31st December 2015

Our New Year's Eve dinner was in the Mediterranea, a Sardinian restaurant in Crystal Palace. We have eaten there previously and we have always been pleased with the food and the service. I particularly recommend the fish dishes.

Mediterranea Crystal Palace Dec 15 (1)

Saturday 23 January 2016

Soho pubs

Kings Arms Soho Dec 15

Thursday 31st December 2015

After Highgate we came into central London and visited a couple of pubs in Soho - the Kings Arms on Poland Street and Admiral Duncan on Compton Street.

Admiral Duncan Dec 15 (1)

Admiral Duncan Dec 15 (2)

The Admiral Duncan was bombed by Nazi sympathiser David Copeland in 1999. There is a memorial chandelier to the victims in the pub (see photo above).

The Woodman in Highgate

Woodman Highgate Dec 15 (1)

Thursday 31st December 2015

After our visit to Highgate Cemetery, we went in search of lunch and found the Woodman pub. Food was okay but there was a significant delay between our meals being served. To add insult they automatically added a service charge to the bill. We're not rushing back.

Woodman Highgate Dec 15 (2)

Woodman Highgate Dec 15 (3)

Highgate Cemetery

Highgate Cemetery Dec 15 (11)

Thursday 31st December 2015

Highgate Cemetery's most famous resident is Karl Marx, though there are others, especially from the literary world, such as Douglas Adams. Our visit lasted about an hour and a half. Entry cost £3 and gave us access to the whole site. It is crammed with graves and there are many areas which are heavily overgrown. Worth a visit.

Highgate Cemetery Dec 15 (10)

Highgate Cemetery Dec 15 (7)

Highgate Cemetery Dec 15 (2)

Highgate Cemetery Dec 15 (12)

Waterlow Park, Highgate

Waterlow Park, Highgate Dec 15 (2)

Thursday 31st December 2015

We headed to Highgate on New Years Eve to visit the cemetery. On the way, we called into nearby Waterlow Park.

Waterlow Park, Highgate Dec 15 (7)

I guess that as it was winter, we weren't seeing the park at its best but it looks well maintained and will be worth a return visit in the summer.

Waterlow Park, Highgate Dec 15 (6)

Waterlow Park, Highgate Dec 15 (3)

Waterlow Park, Highgate Dec 15 (1)

Four Hundred Rabbits at Crystal Palace

Four Hundred Rabbits Crystal palace Dec 15 (4)

Wednesday 30th December 2015

When I came down to London at the end of December, dinner was at Four Hundred Rabbits at Crystal Palace. It is a relatively new pizzeria. I recommend it. Our experience of it was positive. Food and service were both good. Give it a try.

Four Hundred Rabbits Crystal palace Dec 15 (3)



Four Hundred Rabbits Crystal palace Dec 15 (1)