London
City of Westminster and The West End
I left the Hilton London Metropole (View from the window) and took the Underground to Piccadilly Circus. Then I walked past No. 9 Pall Mall (there’s that number 9 again), the home of Farlows, an historic game-fishing and country sport outfitter, before continuing to St James’ Palace in the City of Westminster.
The “City of London” is a 1 square mile financial district, and the “City of Westminster” sits next door as the political and cultural center. Both hold “city” status within Greater London. “West – minster” means “western church,” specifically Westminster Abbey, which is the church that is west of the City of London.
St James’ Palace is the most senior of the English royal palaces, built (1531-1536) in the time of the famous King Henry VIII (Tudor) in the signature red brick of the period. It is the official seat of the Sovereign of the United Kingdom and formal venue of the Accession Council, which proclaims the monarch. Foreign ambassadors are formally accredited to The Court of St James. It is the royal residence of Princess Anne (The Princess Royal), Charles’ sister, and Princess Alexandra, cousin of Queen Elizabeth II. Pictured are the north facing Gate House and wings, and the Proclamation Gallery around the corner.
Taylor of Old Bond Street is a provider of gentleman’s grooming products and accessories. Several years ago I began using a straight razor so I started looking for a shaving cream, and I wanted one with aloe. I came across Aloe Vera Shaving Cream by Taylor of Old Bond Street, established 1854, made with pure products. This is the one for me. I also needed a shaving brush to whip up the cream. Eventually I started using their aftershave and colognes. The original salon was located on Old Bond Street, but in later generations of the company, the flagship shop was moved to the nearby location at 74 Jermyn St, City of Westminster.
The West End
James Smith & Sons Umbrellas at Hazelwood House
The Mousetrap at St Martin’s Theatre is the longest running play in history. Written by Agatha Christie and opening in the West End theatre in 1952, it has had over 70 years of performances. I saw performance number 30,703, as stamped on my program. The Queen Mother attended the 45th anniversary of the opening of St Martin’s Theatre in 1961, and Queen Elizabeth II paid her respects for the 50th anniversary of The Mousetrap in 2002.
Then I walked thru Chinatown on the way to Piccadilly Circus to get the Underground back to the Metropole for a delicious steak dinner with triple chips (boiled, deep fried and deep fried again), and a Laphroaig 10-year with a sparkling water back.
