Day 221 - 11th August

Saturday - London Baby Yeah.

AM - Packed ready for our trip, lovely sunny day, so should be nice by the Thames and in the hustle and bustle of the Olympic crowds. I wonder if there will be a different 'party' atmosphere down in the big smoke.

Decided to drive to Bedford to save on train fares. I can't quite believe how expensive it is.

PM - Nice hotel, ice machine right outside the room, literally on top of Trafalgar Square, down the road from Covent Garden and a hop, skip and Jump from the Thames and Soho (Ronnie Scott's). Just perfect. I would just like to point out at this point that the ergonomic office chairs in the hotel are just wonderful.
Went for a stroll to Covent garden and finally found, after asking, Ben's Cookies place. DW just loves these and to be fair he has a point, they are the most amazing cookies you will ever eat, I recommend them. You can buy them on line in addition to little outlets. Walked to the south bank and partook in some merriment in a pub, then back to the hotel as time was ticking on.

China town for dinner, which was fabulous, fresh tasting noodles and duck to start. Amazing atmosphere and also a stones throw from Soho. Do we dare to go into one of the 'bars' on Old Compton street? Yes we do, off we pop into G.A.Y bar, the security people were very scary, in fact I thought one of the security staff was a man, but no as they wanted to frisk me not DW! We declined the foam party tickets this time round, just wanted a drink, but we got so much more than that. Dark and dingy, Olympics were on and Tom Daly is his tight Speedo's worked the male crowd in the bar! Many drunk people and one guy who we couldn't work out whether he was a) Gay and single trying to find a suitable young chap, b) Gay and married but left wife at home or c) Not Gay at all and in wrong bar. He was extremely drunk and continued to rub himself up against a pillar near us, most amusing. Fair to say he didn't pick anyone up whilst we were there. Bless him.

Ronnie Scott's - 10.30pm showing (naughty stay up late)
Band playing music from Ray Charles - very good and so comfortable in the room. Very cosy place, doesn't hold that many people which is why you have to book in advance. Waitress service for drinks all night. The band went on until 1.00pm and another band were playing until 3am, unfortunately we could not sustain that level of night activity (not at our age) so off to Bedfordshire. Great night.

Sleeps x