A Trip to Olde London Town

My last post about the most amazing Christmas present Himself gave me, became a reality on New Years Day.

We caught the train up to London.

We were off to see War Horse at The National Theatre and it was so exciting and terrifying. 

That's right terrifying, I hate crowds, so rarely go up to London as there are just so many people, but Himself works there so knows his way around. I just hold his hand keep my head down and go where I'm led.

The trains weren't too crowded until we got to the Underground and it was standing room only, they whiz along and standing is not ideal when your not too steady on your feet like me. Nobody ever offers a seat, even when they are sitting in the priority seats for elderly and disabled, luckily I was able to wedge my self into a corner and hang on to the rail, Himself stood in front of me in case I over balanced, but all went well and we made it to Marble Arch without any accidents. 

 

Although one of the escalators we had to use wasn't working and I caused a massive traffic jam of people. I had to use the handrail on the left (a big No No apparently, you must always stand on the right) because I'm most unsteady on stairs and the risers on the steps were so much higher than normal steps. Luckily nobody moaned at me for being in the way, I suppose it was because they could see I was struggling. I have been moaned at in the past on London's escalators for being in the way, until etiquette of escalators was explained to me that is.

  We were staying at The Cumberland opposite Marble Arch. As we were early we went for a wander down Oxford Street to check out some of the shops. First stop the Rolex Shop, what a beautiful place, but it's one of those "If Only" shops I could never ever afford anything in there, but glad we went for a look to see how the other half lives!

Next stop was Selfridges what an amazing shop this is, the outside is amazing and still maintains the oldie worldie look, it has the most amazing clock out the front I just had to take a picture.

I also took what I think is a beautiful  picture of the whole frontage, which I have used as this weeks Silent Sunday picture in my photography blog.

Then it was time for a quick bite to eat in Subway (I was surprised how few eating places there are in Oxford Street) and time to go and book into the hotel. The Reception is amazing with several huge pieces of art and a water feature, which of course I had to have my picture taken in front of, yes very touristy of me, I think I look like the Honey Monster in this shot, what do you think?

Photo Credit

When we booked in our room was upgraded to an Executive Suite, it was amazing with a massive wide screen TV, I did take some pictures but deleted them by accident **slaps head at stupidity**. It was on the fifth floor with no accessibility issues at all.

Time for a quick change, then back onto the Underground to Holborn and the Theatre, it was dark by now and the Christmas lights were on in Oxford Street they were pretty spectacular, my picture really doesn't do them justice.

Whilst waiting for the tube I spotted this lipstick kiss on the window so took a picture for fun, I didn't have long as our tube was due any second (I could hear it in the tunnel) so the focusing is all wrong, but I thought it was a lovely piece of humour, maybe it was you who kissed the window?

When we got to the Theatre we were directed to our guide, a lovely lady, who escorted us round to the back of the building to the lift for disabled access, she left us in the bar area until it was time to go in whilst she went off to collect somebody else. She then escorted us to our seats and I was totally enthralled until the end. We had the most amazing view, the puppets are amazing and all the little actions of the horses were spot on, it was the most amazing thing I have ever seen. A little spoiler if you've not seen the show:- Watch the Goose, he is very funny...

I have read the book and seen the film, but the play is definitely the best interpretation of the story in my opinion  you feel you are right in the middle of all the action. It's an emotional story so don't forget to take a hanky. 

When it was all over we were escorted from our seats through the back area passing several of the actors on their way home, we said hello which made the evening even more special as we left.

There were no issues with my mobility and getting about in such an old building, as Himself had informed them at the time of booking and arrangements were in place when we arrived. The National Theatre staff couldn't do enough for us, they were so helpful and helped to make it a special night.

Thank you again to Himself for a wonderful Christmas present, what an earth I will get you next year to top that, I have no idea!!!

A Great Weekend, But...

We have just spent the weekend at Selsdon Park Hotel for Himself's work Christmas function, what a beautiful place and so full of history. 

All the ceilings in the public areas are wonderful and have been lovingly restored, I took loads of pictures of them but here are just a few.

This stained glass window was amazing too, this picture just doesn't do it justice, it must be outstanding when the sun is shining through it!

This window was beautiful too, and opposite it was the most stunning fireplace I have ever seen.

We booked in, then headed off in search of our room on the second floor. We couldn't find a lift so started to climb the stairs, which turned out to be a massive mistake, there were so many twists, turns corridors and small staircases both up and down. 

It was a very difficult climb with my limited mobility, I was very soon worn out and in extreme agony, we saw several members of staff but only one of them asked me if I needed any help with my bags, of which I didn't as I only ever take what I can carry, I never expect Himself or anyone else to carry my bags, I know I'm far to independent for my own good. 

Eventually we found our room and right next to our room was the lift so we had a laugh about that, but then noticed it was out of order.

I was far to exhausted to worry about it at the time, and we let ourselves into the room and had a nap to be ready for the evenings proceedings.
Here we are all dressed up and ready to go

Then we remembered we would have to find our way back downstairs again, as the hotel is so massive we set of in search of another lift on our floor. Up and down these little staircases and what seemed like miles of corridors, after the climb this afternoon to get upstairs my knees and back were in a pretty bad way, I was in agony and I was really struggling to walk.

 We found this beautiful corridor with a very old phone, we didn't dare pick it up to see if it had a ringtone but it was all wired in with a modern plug so guessing it is in working order still.

Eventually we found a lift that took us down to the lobby and we proceeded to make our way to the Tempest Bar and it was absolutely packed out, there were lots of large groups all meeting at the same time, it was like being crammed into a cattle truck, several times I was nearly knocked off my feet by people squeezing past and there was nowhere to sit, we had to stand around like that for approx 30 minutes and the whole time my body was screaming in agony until we were called for our meal. It was total chaos and very hot, I was starting to feel most unwell.

The food I have to say was outstanding, I had some sort of Duck Pate to start, Sea Bass as my main, which was delicious and for desert I had the most fabulous chocolate mousse which was very rich, I could have eaten two of them.

I couldn't stay for the entertainment as I'd had to take so many painkillers to get through the evening that I was starting to fall asleep. Because our room was so far away I decided to go to the lavatory before making the journey but was shocked to find the Disabled toilet was in the Gents, so Himself went in first to discover it was actually next to the Gents so I went in.

It wasn't very pleasant, as men had been using it and there was a lot of urine on the floor. We then set off upstairs, we opted to take the direct route up the stairs rather than use the lift and face the maze of corridors and stairs, as Himself had earlier found a direct route to our room whist I had been having my nap when he went outside for a breath of fresh air.

Once I was sorted back in the room, Himself went back downstairs to join his work colleagues and I had a bath and went to bed.  

As is usual I was up first and set off to find the Dining Room for my Breakfast, Himself isn't a Breakfast person so I left him to sleep. I could barely walk by this time and the agony I was in is the worse I have suffered in a long time, my painkillers barely touched it.

I decided to take a picture of each of the four flights of stairs on my way down to Breakfast, it was a very slow journey with many rest stops but I got there in the end.

I was feeling very shaky by the time I got to the Dining Room and had to sit at my table for about 10 minutes before I could summon the energy to go and get my Breakfast, which took me six trips as I only have one hand free as I couldn't do it without my stick, and no offers of help were made by any of the staff.

Before I headed back upstairs to wake Himself and pack, I spoke to Reception about the stairs issue and all I got was "I'm sorry about that"

I've never before stayed in such a disabled unfriendly Hotel, it totally ruined the weekend for me which is a shame as it is a fantastic building.