Into town we go, we go

Got such a splitting headache today I can't remember what I was supposed to write about - and it's beautiful outside. So I'm sitting at home drinking lotsandlots of water. But don't worry, I won't go pop.

I went into town yesterday. Must have walked miles, not in a straight line of course, between Bond Street and Green Park, with a side trip into St Christopher's Place. It's got the same restaurants and cafes as St John's Wood! (Street Sensation is such fun to use.)
Only the day before, I had gone to the London Library in St James's Square to return and pick up some lovely old books for work. We scan any of the good engravings in old volumes for addition to the picture library. Again I passed Christie's, and the doorman smiled at me - oh I miss that place. It was such a joy to bowl down St James's Street once again.

So back to yesterday:
When I got hungry, I went to McDonald's. Yes, the day after the UK network premiere of Supersize Me, I *ate* at McD's. I wanted to eat there. And I enjoyed it. Muah-ha-ha-ha-ha! Behold the power of ..... oh never mind.

By 7pm, I was strolling down - or up - Piccadilly on the other side of the street from Fortnum's. The light was gentle, ethereal; twilight is my favourite part of the eve. Suddenly I looked up, which is something we in London forget to do. (Did it last year on Regent's Street, and the year before on St James's Street - you should try it sometime.) And I was stunned to note how gorgeous the buildings are! I've walked up Piccadilly countless times and never noticed - the humble strip of shops between St James's church and Fortnum's are in what once was, undeniably, the Royal Institute of Painters of Watercolours. It's an impressive classicist do-dah with columns and niches with the named busts of various now-forgotten watercolourists - and proud letters above all proclaim its purpose.

Speaking of 'looking up' in London, nearly every time I walk down St James's Street I notice something I never noticed before. Like watching an interesting movie.
BY THE WAY - the new Patisserie Valerie is now open on the corner of Picc. and St J.

And you know The Wolseley - much more suited to the neighbourhood - which replaced the China Gardens/Palace (?). It looks as if it's been there for centuries. That's the nature of 'establishments' in Mayfair. Gotta love it.
Can anyone recommend it?

Certainly one place I'd love to try out sometime is The Criterion on Piccadilly Circus. It's a real turn-of-the century pleasure palace. There were loads more of those fantastic eating places around back then, sort of to please the exacting Edwardian middle class senses.

*sigh* the headache is reluctantly retreating and...

FIN
(otherwise I'd just keep rambling...)