We got there in the end - expensively and a good bit later than planned. What should have been a simple trip to Terminal 5 with BA then a tube straight to Gloucester Road, just across from our Fraser Place apartment, became a bit more complicated when we had to go with Flybe to Gatwick, then the Gatwick Express and a taxi.
No matter - we got there in time to check in, grab a quick snack then walk round to the Royal Albert Hall. Jools Holland was preceded by a half hour set by Rumer, then Jools and his band did a straight through 2 hour set with the usual array of guest artistes, notably including a slimline Alison Moyet.
We walked back after the gig and bypassed the bistro I fancied, back down to the Compton Road/Gloucester Road junction. We failed in a couple of attempts to get a meal - too late, Guv - it's after 11pm - "but your sign says open until midnight" - not for food, mate. So, much to Jo's chagrin, we settled for a couple of pints, some pistachios, olives and crisps!
After breakfast on Sunday morning, we took a taxi to Piccadilly and wandered round Green Park, The Mall and Clarence House before our 11:30 am booking at the Ritz. I recalled my time between 1974 and 1977 working in Devonshire House for James Buchanan & Co - we even walked past the site of the IRA bomb that blew up our offices.
Nowadays there's a whole new entrance to Green Park tube station being constructed, which is the reason for the temporary green woodwork in Green Park as I posed in front of my old office:
It was a beautiful, crisp and bright morning with lots of tourists walking along the Mall to Buckingham Palace:
Finally, inside the glitzy Ritz tearoom:
A harpist played in the hall:
We needed to walk after almost 2 hours of drinking endless cups of tea and eating sandwiches and cake, so we strolled along Piccadilly and popped in to Fortnum and Mason's:
Up past Eros, and up Regent Street for a bit, then back along towards Bond St, then a full loop back to catch the Tube to Heathrow, where we were initially told that our flight was cancelled. Fortunately, I asked somebody else and it turned out, that, whilst Aberdeen airport had been shut intermittently, it was open again and our flight was going - so we got back at a fairly reasonable hour after a short but hectic weekend.
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