The weather was superb and we walked around several residential areas where are located near the restaurant that we dined at. Also embassies are nearby.
The plaque on this home indicates that poet Alfred Lord Tennyson lived there between 1809 and 1892. If this was in the USA it would be considered very old but in London it is far from old.
Following our walk, we then headed to the restaurant for dinner.
We dined at Santini which is an Italian Restaurant located less than ten minutes on foot from the Hotel. The concierge at the Hotel had recommended this restaurant to us as we were looking for a restaurant where casual attire was acceptable and one that was in reasonable walking distance from the hotel. She also made a reservation for us.
There was both indoor and outdoor dining and we chose indoors. The dining room was very appealing with candles on each table along with white tablecloths. The waitstaff was Italian. We were the first to arrive as we knew we would be tired. By the time we left several people were dining.
We each began with Classic Caesar Salad and for our entree we each enjoyed Branzino Santini which is poached sea bass. The portion size was just right and it was very tasty. It was accompanied on a bed of lentils and mixed herb and balsamic dressing.
We often don't comment about rolls or bread but just wanted to note that the bread was very tasty and very Italian. There were five different choices of bread.
We did not order dessert but at the end of the meal we were given this complimentary dessert. This brought back childhood memories for Anne Marie and some tears in her eyes as her Italian Grandmother (her Nana) who lived with Anne Marie and her family used to make this dessert for the family from time to time.
As we walked back to the Hotel it started to rain but we had an umbrella with us so we were fine. This was pretty much the weather for yesterday as within a matter of minutes the weather changed back and forth from being overcast and dry to some mist in the air and even rain. Before dinner, while we were walking, it almost seemed as if the sun would pop out.
Back at the hotel we enjoyed some wine and fruit. We then went to sleep. Keith slept well but Anne Marie didn't do as well. Hopefully, by she'll sleep better this evening.
Keith likes to start the day early and that is what he did today. As mentioned, there is what is known as the executive lounge on the floor.
The lounge is for the use of all guests and it is staffed and open 24 hours a day. In the morning it provides a complimentary cold breakfast for all guests and an English Breakfast either for a price or included depending on what type of room rate booked. Throughout the day something is served including scones and tea in the afternoon, as well as various cold cuts at another time in the afternoon and from 8:00 PM to 1:00 AM various food items. We were told that coffee is available 24 hours so Keith went by there early and the gentlemen from the staff made Keith coffee in the kitchen which Keith took back to our room to enjoy.
Views from each side of the lounge. There are two different entrances.
There are several different size tables places throughout the lounge.
Various Cereals.
Shortly after Anne Marie awoke, we had breakfast in the lounge. We just had cereal, fruit and coffee.
Keith's cereal.
After freshening up, we continued to explore London. As they say what a difference a day makes. We felt rested but the weather was superb. It had rained very early in the morning but by the time we left the hotel shortly after 8:00 AM there was no sign of any rain and with each passing hour it became warmer and the sun finally broke out. It was a perfect day to walk and walking is what we did. In fact, we walked and walked and walked for hours.
Our first destination on our walk was to Regents Park which is about an hour from the hotel on foot. We passed by several areas on the way.
St James Church from 1684.
Eventually, we came to Picadilly Circus.
Lots of buses out from the regular buses to tour buses.
The BBC Building and friend Wes had posted about having taken a tour here.
Regents Park. We have been to the part on several previous occasions and it is always fun to walk the park. We walked till we got to the London Zoo.
On our way back from the zoo we ran into a nice man who now lives in London. He is originally from the United Kingdom, married a woman from the United States and lived in an area that was about 10 miles from where we used to live. We chatted for awhile. He enjoys photography so we talked cameras and also about where he used to live and where he lives today.
We decided to walk towards another park, Hyde Park.
Rose Garden in Hyde Park.
Eventually we walked on a pedestrian and bicycle path and many bikers were out and about.
The Serpentine within Hyde Park.
At the Manege the military were on horses.
We arrived to the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain. We first visited the memorial almost ten years ago to the day before we boarded the Crystal Symphony for a crossing from Dover to New York City.
After lunch we made our way over to the Royal Mews which houses the Royal Carriages and Horses. This was our first time visiting the Mews.
World War I Memorial.
If we remember correctly, this is Wellington Arch in Hyde Park Corner.
We had lunch at Patisserie Valerie. They have several locations throughout the city. It's nothing fancy but was precisely what we wanted. We have eaten at some of their locations in the paste and we just had salad entrees.
All in all we had a terrific time and enjoyed our fairly long walk.
We wanted to mention that for the areas that we have visited we felt very safe and you can't say that about all cities around the world. People are so very friendly, you just feel the tradition and history as you walk around the city and we feel so very thankful to be able to travel as we do.
This evening we will have an early dinner and then go to the theatre and we will post about this tomorrow.
Keith & Anne Marie
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