Hatchards of Piccadilly

I was in London on Friday and I was able to indulge my love of books by going to my favourite book shop, Hatchards of Piccadilly. It is the most amazing shop and there are always books that you simply can't get anywhere else. As this is also the premier book shop in London, there are always a number of signed books as most authors will always go to Hatchards for their London signings.

I have collected a large number of signed editions from Hatchards, the latest being Daughter of Empire by Pamela Hicks. Lady Pamela is the daughter of Earl Mountbatten of Burma and when I get a signed copy with this pedigree, I find it amazing that someone so in touch with history has also touched the same book I have in my possession.

So if you get chance to visit Hatchards, I hope you will feel the same about the place as I do.

Www.hatchards.co.uk is the place to find out the latest news.

 

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Princess Marie Louise's Indian Tiara

One of my interests is royal jewellery, these opulent pieces have so much history and yet even today they are still worn and look amazing. They are handed down from generation to generation, some disappear for years and then resurface with a new owner.

One of the pieces that has been handed down is HH Princess Marie Louise's Indian Tiara. Princess Marie Louise died childless and she left a lot of her estate to the Gloucesters. Not only did she leave jewellery to them but also a collection of relics from the Napoleonic era.

HH Princess Marie Louise's Indian Tiara.

 

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Rugby at Twickenham

I wanted to do things this year that were out of my comfort zone and so not being particularly enthusiastic about sport, I decided to "sample" as many as I could this year. So my latest venture was to Twickenham to see England and Fiji battle it out on the rugby pitch. The whole experience was really quite amazing and totally enjoyable.

The 82,000 fans there were amazingly well behaved and the atmosphere had a carnival quality, although there were plenty of refreshment outlets, there wasn't any sign of trouble.

This is something I would go back to see again and hopefully will in the coming year. This year so far, I have watched tennis, hockey, athletics, long jump, discus, javelin and now Rugby, so what's next? Football? Hmmm I'm not to sure about that!

 

 

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Philip de Laszlo, Artist

Philip de Laszlo has to be my favourite portrait painter of to early 20th century. He captured his subjects in an almost photographic quality while at the same time giving his sitter an ethereal aura.

He captured most of the aristocracy as well as most of Europe's Royal Families. His portraits have been reproduced many times and I have included a few of my favourites here.

HM Queen Marie of Roumania

Mabel, Countess of Airlie in the middle and HM Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother.

Some of de Laszlo's portraits can be seen in the National Portrait Gallery in London.

 

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Joe Allen Restaurant, London

After the theatre yesterday, we walked to one of my favourite restaurants in London, Joe Allen. All you can see from the street is a green awning with the name Joe Allen on it. This gives nothing away to what awaits you as you descend the stairs.

The atmosphere of the subterranean restaurant is enhanced with more theatrical posters than you will every see, each one has its own charm. Similar to the menu, which changes every day and also provides seasonal choices.

Last evening, I feasted on Smoked Salmon with cucumber spaghetti with capers to start with and roast pheasant to follow, which was delicious. Although feeling very comfortable, there was just room for a dessert and for this, I chose Pear tart with salted caramel and chocolate sauce. I can't describe how wonderful the flavours were, I hope it will be on the menu again sometime soon.

Joe Allen, one of London's best kept secrets!

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War Horse London

I saw War Horse in London yesterday for the second time. It had not lost any of its powerful message and for me, it was better seeing it the second time. Although I knew what was coming, it really was superb and after about two seconds, you forget the the horses are puppets. You are quickly absorbed into the life of Joey and Albert and you pray that the ending will be what you want it to be.

I am not going to give the ending away, but I would recommend anyone of any age to go and see this wonderful and yet powerful stage play. I have not nor will I, see the film, this is a stage play, the emotion, the horses and the atmosphere with the audience is totally unbeatable.

 

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The Fishing Fleet by Anne de Courcy

I have been reading this book by Anne de Courcy and it gives a great insight into an era that is long forgotten. Today it would be unthinkable that women would travel half way around the World to look for a husband but that is exactly what these courageous women did. Their stories are brought vividly to life by the author and you are totally absorbed into their lives.

Everything in these ladies lives was dictated by very strict social guidelines, far stricter than those in the UK at the same time. One interesting fact was that men in the ICS (Indian Civil Service) could not marry before they were thirty! So the ladies travelling out there were very popular and usually married men much ledger than they were.

As with all Anne de Courcy books, this is well written, well researched and a fascinating read.

 

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Snow in Windsor

Wowww, Winter arrived early in Windsor this morning. I left home at 7.15am to be faced with a min snow storm in full swing. You could see the tyre tracks in the road and still it came down. By the time I had travelled two miles, it had disappeared.

Hopefully this was just a warning for us, simply to remind us all that Winter is just around the corner and to ensure we have supplies of salt and a good sturdy snow shovel.

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Kiehl's Coriander Liquid Hand Soap

I only use liquid hand soap in my bathroom and have recently switched from Molton Brown to Kiehl's. I have used Kiehl's products for many years but have only recently started to use their hand soaps.

Out of the two available in the UK, I prefer the coriander liquid hand soap. The other is grapefruit and this is quite citrusy, although very nice too.

Kiehl's products are fantastic and there is a terrific range of products and this liquid hand soap fits in very well.

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Garter Day at Windsor Castle

Garter Day is held each year on the Monday of Ascot Week. The Garter is in the personal gift of HM The Queen and new knights are announced on St George's Day each year.

I took the above photograph of HM The Queen during the Nineties and the one below of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh.

HM The Queen and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh still walk to St George's Chapel in the grounds of Windsor Castle, even though they are in their 80's and 90's.

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Palace to Palace Cycle Ride

For someone so unfit, I wouldn't have dreamt of cycling 45 miles from Buckingham Palace to Windsor Castle, but I was talked into it and once I have paid the entry fee, I had no choice!

So on a sunny crisp Sunday morning, I started the ride with the other members of the team in the Mall and by the time we arrived at the first Royal Park, I was on my own!

 

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