Our circadian rhythms determined an early start and my need for breakfast encouraged us to find the nearest café. Drury 188-189 had the best reviews, and I remember going there with Lara, a few years ago when we had stayed at that end of Drury Lane. Unfortunately we would have to wait until eight but as luck would have it Café Verona, next door was open, warm and welcoming. 

The city rousing from sleep is an enchanting place to be. We decided to wander. By the time we reached Piccadilly Maison Assouline was open and John was able to go into one of his favourite bookshops. I went to church. It was next door. St James’s Piccadilly is quite an icon. Designed and built by Sir Christopher Wren in 1684, the church is a little bit different. Their website describe it as ‘a place where everyone can reflect, belong, create and debate.’ There was a exposé on Cugoano, who, in 1787 wrote Thoughts and Sentiments on the Evil of Slavery, from lived experience. He was born in Ghana, kidnapped, sold and transported to Granada and arrived in London in 1772. And I got to talk to Jim, a volunteer who had his grandson helping out too. 

John had heard about an immersive art experience called Frameless showing at Marble Arch. We have enjoyed these before at Carrières de Lumiéres in Provence so decided this might be worth the effort. It was. A selection of some of the world’s greatest artworks are brought to life using animation and sound across four galleries themed Beyond Reality, Colour in Motion, The Art of Abstraction and The World Around Us. We were enchanted. The highlight was the unbridled joy the children experienced in the displays. It really added to the magical experience. 

It was time to head back so onto Bus 23, which by the way is a great bus to explore the city. We got off at Aldwych and walked to Twinings, 216 Strand where I paid a ridiculous price for a few packets of leaf tea. Oh..it has history- 300 years of it. It is the oldest tea shop in London and really what is more English than a good cup of tea?

There is so much to discover in Covent Garden. We were walking past what used to be the Magistrates Courts when John’s curiosity got the better of him and he was questioning a doorman about the very discreet looking hotel? He was invited in. Well it just goes to show you cannot judge a book by it’s cover. The NoMad was quite a hotel. We settled into the library and indulged in a cocktail:- John had a Cardinal and I had a Brambles and both were delicious!