Tuesday 10/2

We are settled in our London apartment and it looks very much like it did online; lots of white paint and shabby chic. This is our second apartment abroad experience and both have been interesting. Last year we rented from Paris Perfect and it seems their apartments are only holiday rentals. This year with One Fine Stay we are renting someone's apartment which is a bit too personal perhaps. There are lots of knickknacks around which we are steering clear of and it's a little more quirky. Things like the light switches, the step down in the hall to get to the bathroom. There is a separate bedroom instead of a fold out couch but the bed is not King-sized as advertized. Fortunately it is a queen. If it were only a double we would have been doing some serious negotiation yesterday. The wood floors are painted and positively ancient with lots of squeaks. There is decent storage in the bedroom and a teeny tiny washer/dryer combo which we will try out.

 

 

 

We were met by Matt who helped get us settled in then we walked to Sainsbury's for some groceries last night. This morning I made oatmeal and T had his cereal and we set off walking along Westbourne Grove to Portobello Road just a few block away. We came upon Daylesford organic farm store and went in to have a look around. We stayed for "elevens" or second breakfast which was really good. Bought a loaf of their bread too.

We strolled along Portobello checking out the shops and managed to find a perfect gift for our niece (ah but which one?).  The market is big on the weekends but we intend to avoid the crowds.

After a rest at the apt. we took the Tube to Piccadilly then walked to the Wolseley for tea before the theater. The Wolseley was at one time a car dealership and is next to the Ritz Hotel. It was a big bustling restaurant with marble floors. The tea was quite good, especially the scones and clotted cream. 

After tea we walked past the Ritz toward Green Park then reversed to head to the Noel Coward Theatre for Much Ado About Nothing. The production had a Bollywood twist and was set in India. We both enjoyed it. We took the Tube back to the apartment only to find the power was off all the sockets.  The ceiling lights worked and the security system.  T thinks it's the breakers and found the box but is hesitant to mess with foreign electrical. We are waiting for One Fine Stay to call us back with a plan.

As we waited the rest of the lights went and Tom spent some time on the phone with OFS with flashlights on the breaker box.  We were up past 1am trying to figure this out and finally decided OFS will send an electrician in the morning.  The lights came on at 4am and woke us up.  We finally woke up late and put clothes on when the electrician arrived.  OFS had tried to call and message us but we were asleep.  The electrician thought the system took too long to reset and they will be looking at it further. 

8530 steps (partial)