Wednesday, June 05, 2013

Escapade: Part VIII

Under An English Heaven




Saturday, 11 May 2013

I left at 10 and took the tube to Pimlico. The first charity shop I went to stocked some branded items but nothing caught my fancy so I took the tube to High Street Kensington. If you want to buy second-hand books, there is a good shop at Church Street. I then walked to Fulham Road (but tried as I did, I couldn’t locate the third shop on my list) before walking to Brompton Road. I found a pair of Giorgio Armani trousers but decided not to take it. I then rode the tube to Oxford Circus and went to the Salvation Army charity shop. Despite the shop being frequented by students of the nearby London College of Fashion, I hit jackpot there. I then walked along Regent Street, even entering Hamleys before returning back to the hotel, stopping en route another charity shop but didn't buy anything.

I spent the rest of the evening catching up on footie action, particularly the FA Cup Final between Man Shitty and Wigan. Wigan won 0-1.

Sunday, 12 May 2013

I decided to visit British Museum this morning and walked over to the museum at 10. It was nearby and a mere five minutes' walk away. I spent close to three hours at the upper floor of the museum. I had visited the lower floor last year (and in 2008). It would probably take me a day to complete the whole museum. There was also a paid exhibition on Pompeii and Herculaneum.

I emerged out after 1 and walked to Oxford Street. I found The Plaza and bought some confectionery at WHSmith there. Then I returned to the hotel.

It started raining shortly after well into the night. I spent the rest of the day packing and finishing up my novel.

Monday, 13 May 2013

I got up early this morning and went off for a walk. I walked up to Camden then walked along the canal up to the London Zoo before returning back to Camden. There were a lot of people cycling and walking along the canal and I didn’t know why I never came to the canal before. I bought more confectionery on the way back to the hotel.

I checked out at 11 and hauled my heavy bag down the stupid stairs. Then I sat in the living room and read a new novel. I left at a quarter to noon and took the tube to Terminal 4. Russell Square station has lifts so no hauling my bag up and down the stairs. Very fine with me indeed.

There was no queue at Etihad counter and I dropped off my bag. Had some bite before going through security check. Went to browse the stores before heading to my gate. We boarded the plane late as it arrived late from Abu Dhabi. As the non-existent queue at the earlier counter showed, the flight was quite empty (just like my flight back to Abu Dhabi last year) and I managed to stretch out (but not managed to sleep). I finished my novel before watching Jack Reacher. I’ve read two novels on this character (he’s like Jason Bourne) but didn’t manage to watch the movie when it was released earlier. Tried to get some nap but didn’t succeed because the Middle Eastern men sitting nearby were not quiet.

Tuesday, 14 May 2013

We landed at Abu Dhabi after midnight. I had a bite before making my way to the gate. It was a full flight back to KL although a French woman sitting across the aisle managed to stretch out.

We landed at KLIA at 2:15 pm, slightly later than scheduled. I was on the 3 pm KLIA Express train and was home just after 4 pm and just before the rain.

So that was my trip. Where to, next year?