Where exactly? You ask in that exasperated kind of way. Well I'll spare you the detail but I've been in the UK, in London, in the beating heart of what was once the greatest empire in the world. Alas no longer, but the place's architecture reflects its glorious past.
Speaking of which, many of the city's Clubs still remain and I love them all, each good in their various way. That said, I enjoy the Reform on Pall Mall, utterly congenial, and if you stay there you get breakfast in the Coffee Room (Dining Room), which ain't shabby.
So week one was all about setting up in Pall Mall and entertaining old friends in pleasant surroundings. Week two began with Sung Mass at St. Peter's London Docks, which is thriving, followed by outstanding beef from the trolley at the East India Club on St. James Square. Man, I tell you, their Sunday beef is exceptional, try it out if you get the chanace.
Then, the following day, ride the rails to Cheltenham and behold the slightly faded splendour of this beautiful spa town which used to be your home back in the mists of time. Still lovely, no doubt about it, but somehow more shabby. A friend who lives there agreed, "It's because they don't clean the streets and there's far more louts." He had a point.
Cheltenham over, drift back to London and a few nights in Soho followed by a weekend at the Reform and Sunday Mass at the Brompton Oratory. I love the Oratory and you might too. Oriented Latin Novus Ordo, recording quality music and the place is packed, there must've been well over a thousand souls at the Solemn High on Sunday.
Next step. Stroll down Knightsbridge with one of your sisters for yet another perfect Sunday lunch at the East India, followed by tea at the In & Out. Hey, if it's not broke, don't fix it. And this week? Just taking it easy, striding about town and visiting old haunts and friends before flying back to the great state of Texas on Friday.
All this by way of update, analysis, ahem, to follow.
Cheers,
LSP
