We were ready for another adventurous fun-packed day in London. Ray & Sandra were riding the train from Yeoford to London to be us for the rest of our stay. We were excited to have our great traveling partners back in tow. They were arriving at the Premier Inn around 1 PM so we wanted to be certain to be there when they arrived. Our plan was to spend the morning at the fabulous world-renown Harrods Department Store. Knowing the store will not open until 10 AM we chose to use the time left on our Original Tour double deck bus by riding it to Harrods. We were able to take in many of the sights that we had seen yesterday and relive in our minds those experiences. We arrived at Harrods shortly after opening. The building itself is seven floors, Lower Ground, Lower, and 1st through 5th. The square feet of the store is enormous. We looked through many floors from women's to men's to children's to babies to toys to furniture to gifts to etc. and so-on and finished up in the Lower Ground Level just filled with food shops of all kinds and restaurants. One could spend the whole day on this level and gain about 15 pounds that day with all of the good food! We bought some things for us to remember England and also some gifts for others. We enjoyed the entire store. The home store merchandise from furniture to kitchen gadgets is a lot of fun. The clothing is great and the price surpasses it!Harrods Department Store
The awnings at Harrods
Mary Anne ready at the entrance to Harrods
Toy Department at Harrods
If you are not a shopper or just want to relax awhile, Harrods is filled with restaurants and lounges throughout all of the floors. On the first floor between Women's Designer Collections, Classics, Lingerie and Wedding Dress Boutique was the Veuve Clicquot Champagne Bar. I believe that they probably get more male customers than female even though it is located in the Woman's Departments. What a place to drop off the males, eh?Veuve Clicquot Champagne Bar
In the Harrods baby department we saw this oh-so-Kim-like modern red highchair for little baby-coming Ruby. It is just so Carrie & Ed! I have searched the Internet and found that only 1100 of these were produced for the 3rd anniversary of the company founded by 4 enterprising fathers. Here in the States it retails for $600. We are starting a grass-roots campaign to have 100 friends and relatives give up just one $5 McDonalds meal and contribute to getting this highchair for Ruby Kim. We would kick in the last $100 and tax. Do you think that this will catch on? Spread the word he wrote while laughing hysterically!Baby Ruby's "I want that highchair"
Naturally we had to shop all of the sweets in the Lower Ground Level. But not only are there candies, bakery, and all types of desserts, there is a full meat section, cheeses from around the world, breads, olives and garnishes, coffees and teas, jams, jellies, and more ... just everything that you would find in an upscale grocery. Mary Anne bought her coffee beans to bring home and grind. We also bought some candy and other goodies. We looked at a lot more. Check out these and others in the album:Cupcakes in the bakery at Harrods
And more cupcakes ...
We left Harrods and found the underground tube to ride back to our hotel. It would be quicker and Sandra and Ray were arriving soon ... yes!!!Mary Anne in the tube
When we arrived at the Premier, Ray and Sandra were checking in at the very modern self-check-in kiosks. They do have an attendant there to assist as we found out upon our check-in on Monday afternoon. We sat in the lounge chairs and waited until they were checked-in and caught the look when Sandra & Ray saw us there.Lobby of the Premier Inn
We were back together again and off for an afternoon adventure. We walked over to the Strand where we would see Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Love Never Dies" the sequel to "Phantom of the Opera" tonight at 7:30. We continued through Oxford Street, St. John's Wood and on our way to Covent Gardens. Without Sandra & Ray we would have missed this fun area. Covent Gardens is filled with shops, eateries and outdoor vendor booths. The Griggs had bought bracelets crafted from dinnerware forks for some of the granddaughters. Jess had asked if whilst they were in London if they ran across the vendor if they would pick up another bracelet for her to give to one of her good friends for her birthday. The booth was found, the bracelet purchased, and Mary Anne found one to her liking as well, so we bought her that for remembrance.Covent Gardens marketplace
Up the aisle from the bracelet lady
While wandering around we passed Ella's Bakehouse Cupcakes. I had to document this as I didn't know our little 3 year old Ella in Perris California had opened a bakery in London! Checkout the album for some delicious cupcakes!
Ella's Bakehouse Cupcakes
By now it was rather warm and we needed a breather anyway. We found a nice spot for afternoon tea which in our case was afternoon wine, beer, and other cold drinks!The Fab Four in Covent Gardens
Continuing on, we passed the world famous Hippodrome known for smashing concerts and other entertainment venues by the most popular artists of the time.London Hippodrome
As the afternoon continued, our sweet tooths started to call. Passing by a Gelato and Sweets store, we couldn't resist ... and that's because we had NO desire to resist! Larry had to have cheesecake when it was so luscious looking; the other three chose from a wide variety of Gelatos ... 3 cases full!Cheesecake and more ...
... gelatos to choose ...
It was time to head to the hotel for a change of clothes before finding a place for dinner and going to see Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Love Never Dies". This is the first sequel written for a stage production. We had read about the opening starting up when we were planning our trip; London would have the production before coming to New York and Broadway in November 2010. I had tried to book tickets but was having a terrible time of it. Approaching Sandra in an April email, she made the reservations for the four of us in great seats that I could not see on the theatre's reservation site. We had been anxiously awaiting Theatre night in London! After changing clothes and cleaning up a little, we walked back over to the Adelphi Theater area and found a wonderful Italian restaurant to dine in. It was just lovely. The wine, the food, the company ... none could be beat.Larry's Shrimp, Scallop, Muscle, Clam and more seafood Spaghetti.
"Love Never Dies" takes place in Coney Island, New York, USA. The Phantom has been working in a sideshow of the era in Coney Island. A few years later, Christine, Raoul and their 10-year old son Gustave arrive to have Christine begin a singing career at Coney Island. The story develops from there. It is beautifully written with great songs by Sir Andrew and fantasic sets with great projection as well as built settings. The whole musical is moving and very much more operatic than Phantom in our estimation, but the musical scene catcher is Act Two, Scene Six when Christine belts out "Love Never Dies". The chills run up your spine and brings the music of the Phantom into this production. A must see for any Phantom of the Opera fans out there!The Aldelphi Theatre
Sandra & Ray in front of the "Love Never Dies" window marque
Larry & Mary Anne ready for Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Love Never Dies"
"Love Never Dies" programme and tickets
It was a splendid day from beginning to end. Please feel free to view our complete album by clicking on this link. Do Enjoy ...
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