Today was odd. I woke up really early and couldn't get back to sleep. It would have been a great day to go out, but nothing opens around here until noon on Sunday. I had on my list a bit of clothes shopping, taking pictures by the Embassy of some buildings I like, and taking the bus back to Notting Hill gate to go to a bigger book store that might have a magazine selection. I was irritated because I had seen on the weather that the rain was forecast to start around noon, just when I wanted to go out.
I felt like parroting my child by saying, "You are forcing me to be indecisive this morning because nothing opens at 10:00 on a Sunday. It is your fault that I'm stuck in this flat at 11:00 and my day is half wasted." Around 11:15 I went out to walk down to the Grosvenor Square. I got three blocks down the street before the sprinkles came. Undaunted, continued and took a few photos of the doorways that I pass and enjoy.
I also took a few of the Embassy for me to have. It is such an iconic building that I wonder if I am being silly by not posting pictures. But I would rather be safe than sorry. However, I think the eagle at the top is OK. Security of the current building is a real concern. I can see why the decision was made to move. The US Embassy London website has posted the design for the new embassy. That will be an amazing structure. I hope some day I can come back when it is completed and get a tour.
Next up on my agenda was Marks & Spencer. I really wanted one more work top and pair of pants. The policy in that store is that you can bring eight items into the dressing room at a time. I hit the max two times. Besides pants, I thought I would try on a few skirts. Not flattering, except for the really expensive one. I ended up with one sweatshirt, pair of pants and nice top. Satisfying to finally find something within a price point that I could stand paying. The only drawback to that store is the temperature. It had to be over 80 degrees in there. I started sweating the moment I walked in until I stepped back out with my bag -- into the pouring rain.
The transportation fairies were looking out for me today. I crossed the street, found the bus stop that I wanted, turned around and the bus arrived. I rode it to Notting Hill gate. I didn't have any luck in the magazine department. And my purse size umbrella got flipped up by the wind and isn't as useful anymore. But I was able to find the stop for bus #27 quickly and didn't have to wait long for the bus to arrive.
Language and accents are funny things. I get on the bus and hear, "This is bus #27 to Joke Farm." I'm thinking Joke? No, York? What farm? At every stop I hear the same canned announcement. It isn't until I realize at the front of the bus is a sign that displays the number, end destination, and each subsequent stop, that I realize the the announcement really says, "This is bus #27 to Chalk Farm. I never would have guessed Chalk. One would think that I would be able to understand English, but sometimes it is harder than it should be.
Since it was still pouring rain, I came home and ate lunch and read. After a while the sun came out. I decided to go out for dinner, but first I wanted to be able to hear by Lovey Lamb, so I waited until 5:45 when I was pretty sure he would be at Mom and Robert's and not gallivanting around. He really is the light of my life and I miss him so much.
Hungry, I set out to find some dinner. I ended up at a Greek Restaurant off of Marylebone High Street. There were quite a few people inside and a nice selection of vegetarian dishes. I ended up ordering twice as much as I could eat. I was too full for desert. I took my left overs and an order of baklava home in a "take away" bag.
Tomorrow I'm planning an early start (yeah!) to a needlework shop in Kensington and then a visit to the Victoria and Albert. My doctor appointment for noon was cancelled and I need to call first thing in the morning and reschedule. The ear thing is wack -- some times it hurts so badly and other times I'm not aware of it at all. The past few days, the pain has been very minimal. I'm thankful.
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