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Tuesday Tidbits at London Relocation

Tuesday, July 6th, 2010

This is going to be one of my more all-over-the-place posts, giving you a glimpse at an average day in the life of a Londoner.

It’s a busy week ahead as I prepare to fly home for Chicago on Friday, and mixed in with my packing are a couple great visitors. Very excited about today in particular, as one of the top Anglophiles is in London this week – Jonathan Thomas of Anglotopia! I’ve given a shout-out to Anglotopia here before (“London Relocation Loves Anglotopia” post) and have the privilege of meeting with Jonathan this afternoon for lunch. In selecting a central meeting place, we’ve opted for Ye Olde Cheschire Cheese off of Fleet Street (yes, the Fleet Street of Demon Barber renown). Rebuilt in 1667 after the Great Fire, it is believed that its cellars date back to a monastery that once stood on the site, dating back to the 13th century. So, in about a half hour I’ll be catching the Central Line at Notting Hill Gate tube station.

I always enjoy an opportunity to venture into the City centre, especially on a gorgeous sunny day like today. It is unreal how warm this UK summer has been so far; unfortunately, the grass is the casualty—I’ve never seen the UK so brown. I’m still hoping to sneak a peek, though, at how the gardens of New Square off of Chancery Lane are holding up, as well as venture off to Sports Direct for a UK sports-related birthday present for my nephew—they usually have stellar sales and am hoping now that England is out of the World Cup that one good outcome is slashed prices on football paraphrenalia And what a lovely thing ’tis that I can run such simple errands with St. Paul’s Cathedral as my backdrop, which is an aspect of London that makes the everyday extraordinary. The spouse works around there, too, so perhaps I’ll catch him for a smooch before having to return home for…

…the Virgin Media guy. When you move to London and set up your utilities, a few options you have for TV/phone/internet packages are Virgin, British Telecom (BT), Onetel, and Sky. Londonistas from our London Living network have been asking me lately about this, and I’ve related to them that, while we might have opted for Sky for its movie channels, it required a landline, which we don’t have. Virgin Media, then, has been the provider of choice, and we’ve been so far satisfied with their broadband and cable (complete with On-Demand movies and television shows as well as DVR functionality to record and stop/rewind/fast-forward live TV); the only issue we’re encountering now is the not-so-”Smart Card” we recently received in the mail and had to swap into our box…alas. Not the best timing with the World Cup and Wimbledon underway, is it.

*sigh* After that, I’m sheh-juled to meet with another friend in town with his family. Today, they’re off on the Stonehenge/Bath bus day-tour, so their return should perfectly coordinate with my 4-7pm cable-guy window. As they’re staying in Earls Court, there are a myriad of restaurant options to choose from for dinner, be it a low-key pub like the Blackbird, a gastropub like the Pembroke, or my cafe fave, the Troubadour, not to mention a range of Italian, Thai, Indian, Greek and other cultural cuisine.

Oh, all the wonderful ways in London to procrastinate from packing…All right then, all this being said, I’ve gotsta’ go!

Tags: Anglotopia, Central London, London Living, London Relocation Services, London utility services, Moving to London, St. Paul's Cathedral, Stonehenge Bath tour, The Troubadour, Virgin Media, west london, Ye Olde Cheschire Cheese
Posted in London Food & Beverage, London Recreation, London, England History, Moving to London: London Sightseeing, Moving to London: Tips & Culture | No Comments »

Living in London – Rock on!

Monday, August 10th, 2009

Author: Colleen

Just try to fathom it: 4,000 years!!!

When you move to London, the guests will follow, to be sure. My present visitors to this fine city of London have inspired today’s post, as when I left for work this morning, they themselves were about to depart for their day-long bus tour of Stonehenge and Bath. Wanting to see the former attraction, I had recommended they bundle it with something else (as most bus tours do in an array of combinations) to make the venture out into the country truly worthwhile. Now before anyone gets worked up that I may have just implied Stonehenge would not, on its own, be “worthwhile,” that is not my personal opinion; however, I have known enough people who have shrugged it off as just so, rendering it one of those experiences that truly differs for everyone. “To each his own” and “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” as they say time and again.

At any rate, no one can avoid being awed by the history of Stonehenge that is communicated so efficiently via the audioguides you are given upon entry (admission is often included in the price of your tour–check to be sure). Okay, no, you can’t touch the stones, and for much of your circuit round the boulders you are viewing from a bit of a distance, but it’s all in the name of preservation. In total, this visit takes less than an hour.

You can't bathe here, but try just up the street at the new thermal spa.

As for Bath, this well-preserved bounty of Georgian architecture and Roman history makes for an enchanting daytrip. The Roman Baths (also usually included in your tour) and Abbey are the primary attractions; otherwise, just stroll along the river, browse the shops on Pulteney Bridge, or make an atmospheric climb to the Circus and Royal Crescent to feed your eyes (and to feed your belly, on a little side street just near the Crescent is delightful strudel bar, Hansel Und Gretel…PERFECT on those cooler, drizzly days to warm you in body and soul). Do as the British aristocracy once did and “take the waters” to cure what ails you in the Pump Room that adjoins the Roman Baths, getting the resultant terrible gritty taste out of your mouth with tea and scones in this opulent setting.

And then? Just sit back and relax to the dynamic green landscape that whirs by outside the bus windows as you return to London.

This doesn’t just have to be a recommendation for guests. When you relocate to London (hopefully with the aid of London Relocation Ltd.), take advantage of all the convenient day tours available–they make for ideal weekend getaways.

Tags: london move, London Relocation, London Relocation Services, Moving to London, relocating to London, relocation agents, Relocation London, Stonehenge Bath tour, Things to Do
Posted in London Recreation, London, England History, Moving to London: London Sightseeing, Moving to London: Tips & Culture | 1 Comment »