LXXVIII: More "Music" (If That's What You Call It)

I managed to avoid having to attend a concert featuring Goo Goo Dolls and Matchbox Twenty by instead sending Jim as part of his punishment for . . . something . . .

Better him than me being handled by the boy.

Not even sure what a "goo goo doll" is . . .

This meant, however, I was unable to escape having to attend the next outing, which consisted of a man named Gavin DeGraw and bands known as The Script and Train. (We've seen that last one before. A number of times.)

Oh, but before we get into that . . . First we went for tea and dim sum. Specifically it was the pork buns The American was looking for. Because she'd had a dream about them the night before.

"Gallifreyan" pork buns and tea. (Long story.)

And then we of course had to eat something sweet. For no good reason.

Remains of a cupcake.

I'd say I was examining the scene of the crime—that of the disappearing cupcake—but seeing as John appears to be using his scarf as a napkin . . . Well, and I had half. It was tasty.

Then we walked down to the America's Cup area. The concert was to be played in the Pavilion there, but since we still had a lot of time, we stopped in at the sports bar. The American has a new favorite drink now, thanks to the attentive bartender (Brian) with the blue eyes and Australian accent. (What's that, John? No, I am most certainly not jealous. Yes, even though we stayed in her bag the entire time.)

Anyway, unable to pick something from the drinks menu, The American told Brian she wanted something sweet. (Yes, John, you might have detected some derision there.) He asked her alcohol preference, which I feel he should have been able to deduce would be rum, then made her something called a "Caribbean Buck." She took her time nursing it, I must say. And then went on to have a Coca-Cola and some pork belly sliders. *sniff*

Finally, after lingering so long, we went (a) to shop and buy an America's Cup shirt featuring the British flag (grudging approval), and (b) into the Pavilion to settle for the concert (but only after buying a hoodie and a t-shirt). We had good seats, sixth row. She's very spoiled, you know.

Notice my attempt to escape . . .
John, meanwhile is quite content.

And then noise and lights happened. She wrote about it here. And if you follow my Twitter, you will have read some of my thoughts as it happened. There was the one guy, then the skinny Irish boys, then Train (again) . . . A long night, and not even the kind I enjoy.

What's that, John? What kind of long nights do I enjoy? I think you know the answer to that.

LXXVII: America's Pastime

I was subjected to this yesterday:

Well, first this:

Not sure what's wrong with the boy here

And then:

What you get when you let the boy use the camera

And to make it all the worse:

Yes, that is candy floss

And John had the gall to be jealous of all this. By all means, John, next time you may go in my stead.

LXXVI: The Last Day

Our last full day in London started with a stroll down to Seven Dials for some shopping before heading on to Highgate.

More pens than last time.

John was excited to find, as he put it,
"a head bigger than" mine.

She is inordinately fond of statues and monuments . . .

It occurs to me upon review she may simply be inordinately fond of angels.

Our final meal was at Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester. Once again, I somehow failed to merit a seat at the table, but was given a consolation prize at the end of the night.

The following morning we packed up and flew away.

LXXV: Day 4

We started with a walk down to Westminster Abbey.

And then went in Westminster Abbey, but they don't allow photos inside. Still, nice gardens:

And the food in the Cellarium was actually remarkably good.

Then on to the National Gallery. Because somehow we had not managed to see enough museums yet.

Another lion. Because we can't not take a
picture of that.

We had reservations for tea at Apsleys that day, too. So we went over to Hyde Park for a bit.

She wanted a picture with these because they
are her favourite colour.

And on to tea.

Waiting in the Library Bar

And then they sat us at a very visible table.

They fed us so much, we had to walk back to The Savoy just to work it all off.

We made that one an early night.

LXXIV: Day 3

This time I chose to stay in and sent John and Jim off. They went first to Harrod's then on to the V&A (another museum, and her particular favorite).

Eurydice

She loves the castings room.

Then it was off to The Globe to see Macbeth.

And just general walking around, buying tea and taking random photos.

They went out to Piccadilly Circus later that night but left us to make our own fun.

Don't ask how it ended.