Not a hugely active day, which is be expected…
Have realized that the place where I’m staying is in a heavily touristed area - all those banks upon banks of stately white Georgian homes seem to contain boutique hotels. Which has its advantages and disadvatages.
After wandering incoherently up Queensway this morning in search of food and coffee, I wound up in a Patisserie Valerie. Wasn’t really wild about hitting this chain again - was in the one in Spitalfields last year, and wasn’t impressed. But it had porridge (rating: meh), one hour of free wifi, and the all-important array of caffeinated beverages, and therefore was OK. At least I didn’t go to Starbucks.
Walked around through Notting Hill and along Portobello Road, which I now realize I did see last year. Then spent three hours in an internet cafe, researching and making plans.
Dinner was at Khan’s, which was recommended to me by a friend who went to school in London. Had the chicken korma, which was fine, but all I could think to myself for much of the meal was, “What am I doing having dinner in a restaurant that doesn’t serve alcohol??!?”. The couple next to me seemed to have a similar level of consternation. Lesson learned.
Had good intentions of hitting a pub this evening, but prying oneslf from the micro-room after dinner has proved to be extremely challenging, hence have only made it as far as the hotel bar. It’s small, dimly lit, and reasonably comfortable, but why, oh why, does it not have a better selection of single malt scotches? Plus, I’m also the only customer here right now.
Still, not a bad day, especially considering the Tube strike. Will do a lot more tomorrow.
