Arrived

Touched down an hour early 4.30am. Heathrow was so quiet (apparently we were the first to land after the curfew which is 5am ??). We were straight through and out waiting for the driver at 4.45am. He was booked for 6.30am so it looked like a long wait. Had a coffee, recharged phones and Candice attended to emails etc.
Lovely driver who chatted about London and got us to the BnB by around 7.00am. What followed felt like a long morning. After a longed for shower and cup of tea we walked up to Harrods, started at the top floor and worked our way down. Candice bought a gorgeous cardigan and I must say I was just a little uncomfortable with the prices of everything. Candice had booked us in for lunch in the dining hall (which is designed along the lines of a food market). In this lovely atmosphere we enjoyed lemon infused pasta dishes with prawns and a ‘Hugo Spritz’ cocktail (Prosecco, elderflower, lemon and ginger with mint) which was really refreshing and delicious.
Then it was off to the Mandarin Oriental Hotel to meet up with Jo. Jo has been a friend of Candice since they were about 14. They keep in touch a few times each year but the months go by without contact. Imagine her surprise when Candice was relaxing after arriving at the BnB to see on social media that Jo had arrived in London the day before and was staying at The Goring Hotel where we were originally booked in! She called her and arranged to meet after lunch at Heston’s garden restaurant overlooking Hyde Park and located in the Mandarin Oriental Hotel.
Lots of catch up ensued, laughter, way too much champagne and we tried some of Heston’s signature dishes, the Fruit Meat which looks like a mandarin but is in fact a delicious pate; some salmon in a lovely marinade; and some three times fried chips.
We saw one of the King’s horses heading back to Buckingham Palace which thrilled Jo as she is here for an Equestrian holiday in the Cotswolds. She rides and keeps her horse on the Mornington Peninsular.
Walked back to the BnB via Harrod’s Food Hall where we picked up some salmon gateau and salad for dinner.Read more