I should have known better than to promise photos from London. As usual it was a mad rush from start to finish. Paul and I went out for the first few days to do some shopping and then on Sunday he flew back for the start of school and Mark flew out and I joined him to stay at the Millennium Hotel on Sloane St.
The first time it occurred to me to take out my camera was when this dessert arrived - but I should have take the shot before I smudged the sauce, not after!
The view from the bedroom window wasn't what you'd describe as beautiful, but it was fascinating. We could see all the way from Harrods and the V&A on the left to the skyline of the city and St.Paul's to the right. ( The tower in the photo above is the Hilton Hotel on Park Lane.) Right opposite us, in what must be very expensive apartments, we had a nightly show by one of the residents who was fond of walking around in front of the window in his birthday suit, but I was more interested in trying to spot if Louis Vuitton actually had any customers (none that I saw), or if the traffic jams ever eased on Sloane St (only late at night/early in the morning).
The last day, when I took this photo, was a bit grey and damp, but the whole week was amazingly mild, certainly much milder than Geneva.
The best thing about the hotel was it's location. Between Fendi and Gucci at the top end of the street opposite Harvey Nichols and a short distance from Harrods. Not that I bought anything from these shops - I found almost everything I was looking for in Marks and Sparks in Marble Arch! But it was lovely to 'step out' in the evenings for a stroll and take in the sights and the atmosphere around Knightsbridge.
Mark thought the hotel was disappointing - and I admit it wasn't as 'swanky' as I'd imagined for somewhere in that location - but I liked it better for that. I didn't feel at all out of place - no-one on the door looking you up and down! -the atmosphere was very relaxed and welcoming and it was certainly handy for dropping bags off and starting again! I had to be careful not to be lulled into a false sense of security though with the lovely weather, because really I was out to buy some serious winter woolies as I think we're in for a very cold winter here this year.
It was a mad rush during the week because of course I was there to see Mum too, but getting to and from the nursing home took up the best part of the day. Still, she was looking well and Paul was happy to explore places on his own that he hadn't been to before and I had the weekend to relax and do my own thing so there was no stress. But I have to say, from a nursing home to a Knightsbridge hotel, this trip was a bit surreal.
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