Made-To-Measure Shirts

Has anyone bought one of these shirts online yet? It is my intention to order one eventually. According to Which? - the consumer magazine - they are worth considering, even compared with Savile Row.

Roast Beef And Kensington Flask

I bought virtually nothing during my trip to London. Turnbull and Asser did have a sale of selected shirts; but not the classic ones I was interested in. I sought a royal blue Bengal stripe shirt. I already have one with a white collar.

I ventured in to several shoe shops, including Church's. I fancied a pair of slip-on thick leather monk shoes; but they hadn't my size. I'll go back to Reid's in Belfast instead soon.

While I was at Kensington Palace, a diminutive waistcoat flask caught my eye. It was monogrammed with a crown and the Palace's name (the one to the right has another royal palace) ; and it wasn't an unreasonable price. I bought it. It shall suffice perfectly well for a dram of my Rusty Nail concoction.

As I mentioned previously, there was a Tesco Express supermarket on Tottenham Court Road, near Warren Street tube station. I noticed the Finest Roast Beef Sandwiches on the shelf; they looked appetizing enough at about £2.50, so I bagged them. I ate them back at my accommodation and, I can say, they were delicious! I'm looking forward to buying them again, if they are sold in the Province. They were well filled with lean beef; just the right amount of creamy horseradish sauce, which was not too fiery. Sumptuous.

Operatic Bookings

I checked Castleward Opera's website again today. Hopefully tickets shall be on sale shortly for this summer's anniversary season.

I already have a ticket reserved for La Traviata at Belfast's Grand Opera House in February; and today I booked another seat in the Dress Circle for HMS Pinafore in May.

More Hedge-Laying At Gibb's Island

I only took an apple and a banana with me on Saturday. It was the first meeting of the National Trust volunteers' weekend group since Christmas. I usually bring sandwiches; however, since I've been indulging in big breakfasts and a lot more this past week in London, I wanted to ease off a touch. This notion was in vain, as it tuned out, since Patricia offered me two fingers of Kit-Kat (irresistible) and Anna passed round her home-made fruit-cake into the bargain!

I arrived at beautiful Gibb's Island slightly late, at about 9.40 am. Initially there was no sign of anyone; Craig's pick-up vehicle is normally parked in view. I walked along one side of the island, the wrong choice it transpired. They were all at the leeward side, because it was so windy on the other side.

There was a good turn-out on Saturday: twelve, including some staff. We made very good progress with our hedge-laying, creating quite a few yards of new hedge from the hawthorn trees bedside the old wall which surrounds the wood. It is thought that the wall was originally built merely as a feature of the landscape. Gibb's Island was part of the Delamont Estate nearby. Of course it also would have afforded some protection to the newly-planted wood. Today the National Trust has reinstated the old practice of cattle-grazing at certain times of the year; Galloway cattle are used.

We carried on till about 3.30pm before departing.

I collected the Dowager at about 4.30. In the evening we didn't even indulge in a take-away meal! We munched away at freshly-made salmon and mayonnaise sandwiches instead. I may make a kedgeree this evening.

London Visit

I'm back at last; I actually arrived home from London quite late last night. It was a pleasant flight, in an aircraft I've never flown on before: an Embrear 195 jet with 118 seats. The mini bottles of gin now cost a rip-off £3.50; and the tonic-water £1. I didn't buy that.

I was staying at the corner of Fitzroy Street and Maple Street, which was convenient for the Warren Street tube, about five minutes' walk. There was a Tesco Express nearby too, where I could buy food and drink, sandwiches and that sort of thing.

I used my Oyster card a lot. It's really handy on the Tube and saves time.

On Thursday evening I attended a performance of Turandot by Puccini, at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden. I managed to get a fairly good seat: stalls circle 21a. This seat is practically four rows from the front, although it is at the side and at right-angles to the stage. I had a reasonably good view of the stage as well as the large resident orchestra (including two harpists!). The glossy programmes cost £6, by the way. The opera house was totally full, as it invariably always is anyway. A seat in the stalls costs about £180. The royal box, in the second tier and very close to the stage, had five occupants whom I did not recognize.

On Friday morning I paid a visit to Kensington Palace. It's quite a few years since I've been there. When I left the Palace, as I walked along the path between it and a formal garden, lots of squirrels were scampering about - in their winter plumage - and darting up to passers-by seeking crumbs and morsels. They are so tame. It's truly a joy to behold. One little devil snatched a piece of biscuit from a visitor's hand, ran away with it to a park-bench, stood on its hind legs and began munching away! Wonderful. These squirrels saw off the pigeons and a large carrion crow was standing, watching them and looking quite bemused too.

I also visited the completely restored church of St Martin-in-the-Fields at Trafalgar Square. It's like a new church; an astounding feat for a centuries'-old building.

I paid a brief visit to the National Gallery before walking down the steps to the Square. I stood and admired the panorama, including Nelson's Column. Admiral Lord Nelson still stands august and proud, gazing out towards Whitehall and the grateful Houses of Parliament; the greatest monument that a Nation can bestow upon one of its finest Heroes. The Trafalgar Square fountains were frozen solid, by the way; that's how cold it was!

I ambled down Whitehall to Downing Street. A grand, solid steel balustrade of steel is currently being constructed along this section of Whitehall; it will have a facing of elaborate sandstone - the iron fist in a velvet glove.

So I'm home again. It was enjoyable. I was up at eight this morning and drove to Gibb's Island to partake in a spot of hedge-laying. I'll post a piece about that tomorrow.

Flybe Online Check-In

I have checked in for my Gatwick flight with Flybe already. This can be done 36 hours before the flight. The seat seems to be at the back of the plane: 28a. 1a would have been more suitable; however, it shall suffice.

I'll be unable to check in online going home, unless I can find a public computer with a printer.

My flight arrives at 08:20, I think. I have my rail ticket for London Victoria, so I ought to be at my destination well before, say, 09:30; that's long before the accommodation check-in time of 2pm. In which case I shall leave my luggage with them and venture out elsewhere!

If I am near a computer in London, I'll continue to post some experiences.

Flight Restrictions

I was in Boots the Chemists today, having a look at travel-size cans of shaving foam. The only one they sell is the Gillette Fusion gel stuff, so I had to get that. Flybe hand luggage restrictions dictate that you must not have any liquid or fluid in your hand luggage exceeding 100 ml; so the standard size cans can only be carried in hold luggage, as far as Flybe are concerned.

While I was there, I checked the over-the-counter sleeping pills: Boots sell their own label ones, called Sleepeaze; and the 50mg ones are, according to Boots, just the same as Nytol One-a-night; except that you get 20 and they are cheaper too! I'll try them.