Episode II: The Tourists Awaken

So, M & B --

Today, we got around "early."  Michael time.  We finished breakfast at Natural Kitchen (I was told for the last time) -- EH had porridge -- around 11.

The EH of the morning (a good example of the phenomenon) was: free range chickens eat more worms so protein, which means their yolks are a brighter yellow than those that are just grain fed.

Huh. (you can imagine the conversation before this tidbit)

Then to the Tate Britain ("home of the Turners"), which I did not get to visit in May-June.  This is EH's picture from there --

Having fumbled around with my Oyster card (the refillable pass for the Tube & bus), we taxied to Westminster Abbey and stood where I took this picture, waiting to pay 20 to get in -- this is the north side & if you know about such churches, you know the west end is where the big glass window is and the altar is in the east nave.

Here's illegal picture of the inside of the Abbey.

You can see the two Christmas trees, the garland on the pillars, and even a bit of the manger scene.  Illegal, though, remember. :)

Then, to the Cellarium, which is in the Abbey close, for high tea.  How "in the abbey"?

High Tea took forever (literally, over an hour) to deliver, and Jude Law never showed up as puffed by the web review ):  But the tea tray was pretty impressive, don't you think?

K & EH ate the cucumber sandwiches first (I HATE cucumber) -- we agreed the quiche and the clotted cream were the highlights.  The brownie (tier 2) was serviceable.

Then off to the play -- Terence Ratigan's *Harliquinade* starring Kenneth Branagh.  I suspect he called Michael for tips on how to play a "veteran" actor.  He was quite good and the play, which a review said was like "Noises Off", is a piece of fluff that is full of funny timings and lines from the wrong place -- they are rehearsing *Romeo & Juliet* and Branagh's character, the Romeo, becomes a grandfather during the play! He admits at one point he can't even see how it works.

With a post-procedure new record for steps (Michael will recognize May all over again) in the books, we go on to episode III -- out of town.