Some Work and Some Play

Thursday was a day of work for Lisa but fun for Christos. It was also a day of rain so after a hearty English Breakfast, he did not wander too far from the hotel, just taking a walk along Piccadilly to shop at Fortnum & Mason's and other places. He picked up a new tweed jacket (but not at Purdey's which is outrageously expensive!) and a book on the Wars Of the Roses and some biscuits from F&M's before enjoying a lunch of moules marinieres at "The Only Running Footman".

The rain picked up as the day went on and thus Thursday evening was low key with dinner in room from the local Italian place and an early night as Lisa had been working all day.

We awoke Friday to sun and warmth! So after a bit of a late start and breakfast for two at the hotel, it was off for an hour walk through Regent's Park to Camden Market where Lisa bought some lights and Christos picked up a 45" of Cars by Gary Numan. Camden is always such a joy with its bustling courtyards festooned with stalls selling exotic foods wedged next to converted stables now serving as funky shops all peopled by a melting pot of fashion, culture and languages!

That evening we met up with Brian and two of his buddies at the Audley for pints at 6PM and after chit chat for a couple hours, including much talk of a prospective gold mine!, Brian vetoed his buddy's suggestion of a steak place across town and decided we needed to go to Morton's, a private club on nearby Berkeley Square, for dinner.

It turns out Brian had previously worked there and after a couple of calls he secured us a reservation. Fortunately we were both dressed decently, Christos sporting his new tweed!

We strolled the short distance over to Morton's where the Hostess couldn't find us in the reservation book but fortunately the Maitre'D informed her we had just been secured a spot by Brian.

Dinner was amazing with an excellent Italian Red Wine, Tuna Carpaccio served on a bed of Avocado, Green and White Asparagus Risotto and Rib and Roast of Galloway Beef.

After dinner we decided to check out the small bar/club below and stayed for a couple of drinks listening to the DJ in the back play good house music while nobody, except for Lisa and Christos, albeit tamely, danced ... just as we were ready to leave (it being around midnight), a five piece band showed up having just finished their gig and played a set of five songs (including Carly Rae Jepsen's "Call Me Maybe") which got the crowd moving and induced us to stay for another drink before making it back to the hotel forty minutes later.

We both agreed it was an amazing evening, although a bit excessive on the wallet. Six (high end) Vodka and Sodas was (including gratuity) ... one hundred pounds!