Cricket and Check out....

Ooooo. You know I love my cricket. Hubbie's school had a "Brits against the World" match the day before the last day of school. It was fabulous. Of course what's not to love. It was sunny, warm ( maybe too warm), there was food and drink. A true cricket day. Did I mention the drink? Beer, wine, water, squash and of course, Pimms. Oi. Lovely.

cricket green with Chelsea Hospital in back

Hubby on the pitch

the spectators

Nicky on the score board

Dolly and Richard on the grill. Burn baby burn

The match started off well with the Internationals batting.Then it was all out, and the Brits took tot bats. It rapidly went down hill after that. My man was too eager, and on his first bowl, it was wickets down. Boo. He never got his chance. He was robbed!!
We toted our own picnic and ate Coronation chicken salad sandwiches, Mexican coleslaw, macaroni salad and gluten free brownies. And there was, of course, Bellini s. Mmmmm.

Then today, the last official day of RCDS, we attended the all faith service at Eaton Square. The lovely old church had quite the modern interior.

Back at Seaford House, they held the end of the year Award ceremony. Students were awarded for their dissertations, sport achievements, and over all "Good Egg" award ( the popularity award).

 All wrapped up, we headed to Hyde park Corner and the Bap gal for a burger. So there we sat, in the park dressed in suits and fascinator. Oh not together, I had the fascinator. So this ends the school portion of our journey here in the UK. Now three weeks of running around, waiting for the movers and our flight.

Return of the "Guest Blogger", this time talking about Savoy, Sex, and the Sunshine Boys.

That's right all, the Guest Blogger is back.  Now that I have your attention, I must be honest.  It should just read Savoy and The Sunshine Boys, but I knew "Sex" would get your attention.  So here it goes.  We went out on the town on Saturday night (21 July), and decided to do it up right.  Got a little dressed up, and then we were off on our way to the Savoy.  It was a pleasant evening weather wise, so we were able to enjoy a bit of summer clothing.

First stop at the Savoy Hotel was the American Bar where we had a cocktail prior to dinner. 

 El Diablo Cocktail

Dinner that night was at the River Restaurant, also in the Savoy Hotel, just on the North bank of the Thames River in London.  Service was excellent, and we really enjoyed ourselves.

 Grilled Salmon on a bed of spinach, served with grilled fennel and a shrimp ravioli

 Roast Pork with Asparagus, grilled onions, and risotto

 Raspberry puree with a yummy creme brulee type thing (it was good).

Cheese Tray for me.

After dinner (and desert) it was off to the Savoy Theatre for the main event, the Sunshine Boys with Danny DeVito and Richard Griffiths.

 Third Row center in the Dress Circle (nice seats).

 Glass of wine at intermission, in the American Airlines Bar.

After the curtain came down (actually before the showing).  No photos during the show.

All in all, it was a wonderful evening out.  This was our second show this week, as we had gone and seen Agatha Christie's, Mousetrap earlier in the week.  It was fun to get somewhat dressed up, enjoy a nice meal with someone I cherish, and laugh for over 2 hours during a really good show.  One more show coming up next weekend, but more on that one later.

And yet, another walk.....

We have three walks left in our London Hidden walks book. That is, after today. This one was Spitalfields and Whitechapel, in east London, just east of the City. We both found it fascinating with all the late 18th century and Georgian architecture in this area. In a nutshell, this area has been inhabited by immigrants of which ever era ( Huguenots, Jews, Bangladeshi). And since being an immigrant area, it goes through the throws of starting off impoverished, then gaining respectability each time till the next wave of new nationals come to take hold in the area.

Transom of Dennis Severs' House

Elder Street

Old vs. New

56 Artillery Lane, built 1705

Tenter Ground - old Huguenot silk weaver's building, now owned by a local artist

18th Century home which looks new. But look closely at the brick ( lower left)

Moorish Market, now a fashion college

Just bopping down these little streets and alleys are so fun. But there is also a darker side. This is the part of town where the Whitechapel murders took place in the 1880s. Never heard of them? Oh yes you have. They were done by Jack the Ripper. At certain places along our tour we were reminded of the grisly crimes. Luckily most of the sites/building have been demolished. but onto Brick Lane. Portobello Road has nothing on this street market!!

Original 1880s milliner sign above shop, near Spitalfield Market

Artillery Passage, looking as it did 200 years ago.

Bottom of Brick Lane

street sign in Bangladeshi

Old Jewish shop sign - Fournier St

Fire protection badge on a house

Real cool Arts & Crafts tiles in a pub.

We then worked ourselves eastward along Whitechapel Road to where the "whitechapel" once stood. Sadly, no pictures, as it is now a park. The original church, St Mary Matfelon with it's lime washed walls, hence Whitechapel, was destroyed in the Blitz. There are a few gravestones scattered in the park as well as a water fountain from 1879, a reminder of when the area was plagued by cholera.
Then onto the Whitechapel Bell Foundry. All Americans should know, or at least heard of this place ( I actually had). It is the birthplace of the Liberty bell ( as well as Big Ben).

Some more walking took us through the alleys and passages which over the years have made street markets famous. Spitalfields Market and Petticoat Lane have become institutions in their own rights. Hubby wasn't too thrilled, by I enjoyed the view.

Brits, Booze and Boogie....the Summer Ball

At last, a festivity at Seaford House where it's not too crowded, the food is good and we stayed till the end!! It's almost as if we were adults. Last night we attended the Summer Ball for RCDS. What a glorious time. The numbers were small, as many students have already left or are in the process of leaving the country. But the "usual suspects" were there in force.
We had decided to book a room around the corner at the Caledonia Club. So it was only a matter of  dressing, and wandering a block to SH, then stumbled back again. Of course there would be the full Scottish breakfast in the morning!!

Highlands and Island Room

But we needed to wander downstairs first for a dram of the Malt of the Month....and who should be bump into? but more students!! So a few" before shots" were necessary.

Carol, Kate and a stunning Edwardian

American, Ewan and Pete

We were welcomed to a champagne reception and classical music by the quartet. Of course, I had to pack my own since I can not do champagne. But no problem.... Then we were treated to the Royal Marines  beating retreat.

Royal Marines

enjoying the beat retreat

Chat, chat. Blah blah blah. Let's eat. I'm hungry!. so off to the ante-room for dinner. I heard the chef was the chap who had been Princess Diana's cook. (Ewan mentioned the fact that she was bulimic and anorexic. so not sure how dinner would shape up). But it was great!! Really..

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American and Czechs

quartet

Yummy lamb

Hello Dolly!!

Then onto the dancing. Yes, we do dance, perhaps not that well. But with enough alcohol, anyone can do it. It was a pleasure to see citizens of other nations having "no rhythm" as well.

It's better with Cheddar....

Cheese, glorious cheese... wait, that's been done before.But really, we've been to Cheddar!! Yes, Cheddar, as in the cheese. As in the original cheese producing area. It's out in Somerset. Somerset UK. While it wasn't our reason for heading west, we did get to visit Cheddar Gorge. Very beautiful. Here's the proof

Yes, we did shop at the chochkee shops. we had been warned they were icky, but we found them as typical touristy place. there was one which had new and used items. Kind of a mini indoor car boot sale.
The tour went on to Wells. not Wales. Our host, Nigel & Isobel, are from Northern Ireland. TO hear them say "wells" it sounds like Wales. After we figured out what he was talking about, we could follow his tour easier. Wells is a huge village, well it's actually classified as a "city". The cathedral there was begun in 1100 and it's very impressive.

vicar's close 1136

street in town

market day

moat around Bishop's palace

But the cutest place we stayed was with our hosts in their village of Wedmore.  Isabel and I attended the village opera they do every year. It was called  Elinor Vale, and had been specially written for the event. We met up with the others after at the local pub, the George.

Holly

village church

local "colour"

lots of run-off this year

It was a fantastic weekend. Fun had by all. We would definitely go back in a heart beat. So until next time...