Tuesday, April 22, 2025
Up early today. Slept most of the night, but woke up at 5:30am. I’ll take it! Today began with a fairly odd bucket-list item. I took the train to Holland Park, a few train stops away letting off at Kingsington High Street. My reason was two-fold. One was to meet up with Val as she was going for a run, the other was just to walk in Holland Park while listening to one of my very favorite Michael Ball songs that he recorded way back in the 90’s (before he was THE Michael Ball) - Holland Park. Here’s the youtube link for the song.
I listened to it on repeat for a while. I met with a lot of doggies, even a few schnauzers, but no bulldogs in pants. Some beautiful flowers, a Japanese Garden and miles of paths. Odd Bucket-list item accomplished. Of course, I’d go back. I met up with Val and we walked and walked - and talked. We ended up walking in Holland Park, through High Kensington and into Kensington/Hyde Park. It’s hard to tell where the line is that separates Kensington and Hyde Parks. We saw lots of swans, and more dogs - many dogs. Dogs are always welcomed. We commented to each other on just how well dogs are behaved here. My 2 would not last a minute with all the other dogs around. But I guess they would get used to it if they had to. We had walked through the park, through the Italian Gardens and ended up on the other end of Kensington park about 3 blocks from my hotel. We said our goodbyes for now and went our separate ways. That was a great walk. A great way to start the first “real” day in London.
Pictures of the walk can be found HERE
I got back to the hotel and showered and got ready for the day. I headed out to the tube and towards Oxford Circus. I had some looking around to do for a dinner spot on Thursday - failed mission - and I had some idea of what I wanted to do with my day.
On the way to wherever I was going - still didn't know where- I stumbled about Soho Square. Particularly look for people selling flowers and dropping "H's" everywhere. I asked a random gentleman "You sir, did you go to school" and he promptly replied "What do you tike me for, a fool" - I walked away sighing and thinking no one taught him "take" instead of "tike". So, I shoved on.
I ended up near the Phantom theatre and stopped a bit because I needed some coffee so I found a Cafe Nero - got some coffee and took the laptop out to check out some matinee choices for Wednesday and Thursday if I decided to do that. As I was poking around, I saw that The Curious Case of Benjamin Button had a Tuesday 1:30pm matinee. I had heard that it was a great show, some people coming here just to see it, so I got a ticket and was on my way. I really hate google/apple maps for walking. My favorite phrase is “continue on the path” and I’m like “WHAT PATH” - that happened a LOT in Holland Park this morning as I was trying to figure out how to get to a certain spot to meet Val. Literally walked in circles - but I digress…..
I got to the theatre and found my seat, which was sort of a box at the back of the Stalls (Orchestra section in the USA) There were 4 seats in this “box” and eventually was surround be 3 wonderful English ladies. At intermission, we talked about the show, the lady on my right said “to be honest, I’m having a hard time staying awake” I told her that I totally understood what she was talking about. I was so excited to see a show that afternoon, that after I purchased a ticket, I suddenly realized how not really awake I really was. Still adjusting to London time AND a long walk, I was still in sort of a “chill” mode and could probably sleep as soon as you put me in front of a TV or even live theatre. So, I was hoping for the best, and I think I did OK. Can’t say I didn’t zone a few times, but I’m pretty sure I didn’t miss much.
After the show, I stopped in a Pret for some water and a snack and then head out to meet Val, Joe and Autumn for dinner before we were all seeing The Phantom of the Opera. Dinner was fun. It was at a restaurant called “Americana” which was “American” food. Food was good, and the conversation was sparkling, I was the only one at the table that had seen The Phantom of the Opera in ANY form. Before tonight, Joe’s musical tally was 2 - Hamilton and Back to the Future - the Musical. OK - I guess if you have only seen 2 in your life until now, those we two good ones to see. Our restaurant was across the street from His Majesty’s Theatre, so after we finished dinner, we headed over to the theatre. Our seats were in the second balcony in the second row. London theatre are small, so even from the second balcony, the views were great and for t a show like Phantom, sometimes its better to be able to see everything. It was worth it when the chandelier rose pretty much in our faces, and the view at the end of the first act was fantastic. Joe had asked “why is this theatre called “His Majesty’s Theatre” and the guy in front of us said (without missing a beat) “Because she died”. I explained that the name of the theatre used to be “Her Majesty’s Theatre” but when the queen died, they changed it. I felt that my inner theatre-snob was showing. Talk about inner-theatre snob, at the intermission, Val asked about the accents and if they were always the same. I explained that the show takes place in Paris - and all 3 were like “What?. Oy…. I then went on about the novel by Gaston Leroux and how while the dropping of the chandelier is mentioned in the novel - which was semi-based on real life situations - it was actually a stage weight that fell from the ceiling. And yes, the Phantom was a real person and I explained how he came to live in the Paris Opera House. It was at that point where I knew my inner-theatre geek was showing for sure. We had a lot of fun and the show was top-notch. I did some quick math and realized that this was my 23rd viewing of the show. 20th with the original design and 3 with that crappy designed “New” national tour that came out almost 10 years ago.
After the show, we had dessert at Cafe Concerto and we talked about the show. Joe told us that out of the 3 musicals he had seen in his life, he liked Phantom better than Hamilton. But he liked Back to the Future for the action. I was happy to hear that he felt that way. Phantom is an odd duck that it is written in an operatic style which is harder to listen to for some people and I was worried that it would effect their experience. But they all loved the show.
We said our goodbyes - I took the tube home and crashed. What a day!
Cafe Concerto AND Americana in one day!?!? You are following in my Phootsteps
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