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Wednesday, December 1, 2010

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Thursday, November 25th


We left, my friends and I, resigned to the idea that we would have to cope with terrible weather: for days the weather forecast had been telling us that freezing temperatures and snow would expect us in England.
But nothing would have stopped us. Nothing indeed. And we left for London after travelling by car, bus, train, underground from our different home places and, especially after standing at the embark gate for 2 hours because of a delay. Two hours’ delay for flights is something rather average. Only one always hopes in exceptions! We arrived in London and again we took a train + bus and got to  our hotel quite late at night, half frozen for the bitterly cold temperatures. I insisted with my friends, all wool clad from head to toes that  I didn’t need gloves, scarf or a hat because living in the mountains I’m used to cold and do not usually use them. I had to surrender after two days and buy at least a pair of gloves since that cold weather was unbearable!
Once in the hotel, we were exhausted, freezing and dreaming  of being sleeping under warm blankets but our stomachs claimed their rights: what about some spaghetti?
 Day 1 over. No snow in London. Lucky us!

Friday, 26th November


On Friday we woke up to a surprisingly sunny day. Our plan was to travel to the countryside for a picturesque trip. Wwhat better weather, then? We happily took a bus to Marylebone station, then a train to High Wycombe then a taxi to … Turville! What a lovely picturesque place! An enchanting village where peace quiet and fresh air welcome you in the middle of nowhere! Well, actually it is in Buckinghamshire but neither the funny but kind Indian taxi driver knew where it was.  He needed help to find it! What can you do in Turville? Very little indeed and life must be everything but stressing there. The village is much loved by TV and film companies. It is smaller than we’d anticipated, but certainly lovely. 
What did we do? Walked, stared at every little familiar corner, door, path and alley, entered the little church, took a lot of pictures, got our shoes dirty with mud, laughed a lot and , last but not least, ate delicious fish and chips in the local pub. (Sigh!) In the afternoon? Oxford Street. Shopping, shopping, and shopping. Actually I hate it but what wouldn’t you do for your friend? It can be even less boring with friends . Just a question: is London administration in great financial restraints too? The Christmas lights were just the same I had seen last year on TV!
Day 2 over. No snow in London.  Lucky, indeed!

 Saturday 27th November


 On Saturday our goal was Hampstead, a beautiful area of London located 4 miles north-west of Charing Cross. It is known for its intellectual, liberal, artistic, musical and literary associations and for the large and hilly parkland Hampstead Heath. It is also home to some of the most expensive housing in the London area, or indeed anywhere in the world, with large houses selling for up to £50m . 

The village of Hampstead has more millionaires within its boundaries than any other area of the United Kingdom. Were we looking for a wonderful house in London? Not yet. We live in hope to win the lottery though. Were we in search for a very rich husband? Not indeed. Too late for me . While my unmarried, happily single friends wouldn’t mind finding one. 
Actually, we just wanted to visit the parish of the place, St John's-at-Hampstead. What a beautiful church! Perfect location for any kind of religious ceremony, from weddings to funerals (Sigh!)
Lunch in the park of the church at Covent Garden. Our sandwiches were so good that we were surrounded by hungry fat pigeons! We finished them quickly (the sandwiches, not the pigeons) because they were good and we hungry, but especially because we didn’t like the company and it was tremendously, bitterly cold. My hands were purple and ached. That’s when I surrendered and bought a pair of pretty, quite Regency style gloves. 
Then, we walked in the streets nearby Covent Garden in search for Henrietta Street. A plate on the wall reminds the  passer-by that Jane Austen lived there in 1813-14
Early in the afternoon we were in the crazy crowded frenzy of Piccadilly Circus. We had to meet an English friend of one of us, Christine, in the luxurious tea room at Fortnum & Mason’s (since 1707) The lovely lady arrived on time and we had our tea with scones and cakes. Delicious afternoon. So British style. Though I had a very good hot cappuccino very Italian style with my English scones. And strawberry jam.  After a couple of hours there… shopping, shopping, and shopping again!
Day 3 over. Again, no snow in London. 

Sunday 29th November


On Sunday we visited The National Portrait Gallery . The Gallery was founded in 1856 to collect portraits of famous British men and women. You can explore over 160,000 portraits from the 16th Century to present day. Think of any famous British  person you know from history to the arts, from the 16thcentury to these days …


 you’ll find their portrait there. Jane Austen? The Brontes? King Richard III? James Joyce? William Shakespeare? Queen Elizabeth or Bonnie Prince Charlie? They are all there. At the moment you can also visit the exhibition “Thomas Lawrence. Regency Power and Brilliance” .
In the afternoon? Try to guess… Shopping, shopping and shopping!
Day 4 over. No trace of snow. What lucky girls!

Monday 29th November

On Monday,  we sadly packed all our stuff,  had a half British- half Italian breakfast,  faced a strike of the tube workers and took our way to the airport. Incredible but true,  there was only a bit of traffic on the surface and there were plenty of buses running. London is London, not Rome!
Even that last day, with a cloudy sky promising snow …  Not a flake in London. Not until yesterday, when we were  back home. 



What a pity it didn't snow... It could have been the perfect excuse to stay on …


By the way, did you spot any familiar place apart from Westminster with Big Ben? Really familiar?  Pardon? Where am I in all those places?  Behind the camera, of course! However, more pics  (unfortunately of me too!) and words next  (RA) Friday!

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