Saturday, November 15/2008

Paul arrives with a bag of brochures, etc. just as we're leaving. Take the Northern line tube. Two women (mother and duaghter?) sit opposite in animated sign language conversation, laughing as they talk.

We do a bit of theatre checking and then wander down to Covent Garden. There are open air performers to admire, including a pearly king and queen collecting for charity, their black clothing studded with pearl buttons in traditional Cockney style. Check for Christmas cards at St. Paul's Covent Garden, the actors' church. The garden behind the church is a little oasis full of memorial benches. A lovely spot to have a snack, though unfortunately others seem to have thought so as well and left their rubbish, despite the bins provided.

Tube out to Shepherd's Bush to check out the new Westfield Mall, supposed to be the largest in Europe. Pretty upscale - forty restaurants but no plasticland, chandeliers much in evidence. Home via Camden Town. Check for a French dictionary but the shop where I got the last one seems to have disappeared.