A friend from America was visiting London recently. I took him to The Grenadier for a Bloody Mary, Ognisko (aka the Polish Hearth Club) for lunch and Opera Holland Park (for Hansel and Gretel). He also was taken by the Judge to the White’s tent at (Royal) Ascot, ticking a 4th box of things he hadn’t done in London.
On previous visits he tended to stay in the tramlines – in his case clubland. So next time I’d like to take him to the Proms – even the Judge has only done that once. There are so many things to do and places to visit in London off the beaten track. Please don’t suggest the Physick Garden – I call it the Psychic Garden. Apparently it serves a decent lunch but – unless you are a keen botanist – it doesn’t look much. The snowdrops, they say, are excellent and that’s damning with faint praise unless you want to traipse around a small wilderness in winter. If I may digress, I follow former chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, with interest and, not exactly stalking him, I made an enjoyable pilgrimage to Bruton the day after his recent (second) wedding. The garden at Hauser & Wirth is a spectacular herbaceous confection. The colour scheme was better curated than the art on display – in my host’s words – “a load of crap”.
I don’t want my friend from America to think the only Sunday morning ritual in decadent London is Bloody Marys so next time he is here I will take him to Matins. There’s a wide choice of churches and chapels most of which have somewhere nearby for lunch when we are both in a state of grace.
So much to look forward to. You are a very kind host.