Robert from SmallCarBigCity popped over to our hotel. He persuaded us to dress up in blue overalls and those cool beret-type hats (called “Newsboy” hats) that was the outfit worn in the 2003 remake of the movie “The Italian Job.” We posed for a few pics with bars of gold bullion, pretending to load them into the trunk (called “boot” in Britain). He then stuffed us into his Mini and drove off. We drove all over London, attracting glances and smiles and lots of people taking photographs of us as we drove past.
Afterwards, it was time to undress, more or less, in public mind you, out of our overalls. When you’re away from home it’s amazing what one will do. (Sadly no photos of this “event” are available). A bit of adult refreshment was in the cards. We headed over to Sloane Square and in the Chelsea area to see Kings Road, now a bastion of upscale merchants, but back in the day it was a hippie-dippy area full of music shops and colorful characters. We popped into Trafalgar Pub for lunch and strategized the rest of our day.
My girlfriend and I had a couple local beers on tap (draft in the U.S.; draught in England), and some lunch. She had the fish & chips (her first f&c in London!); I had grilled sausages over a minted-potato mash, surrounded by a rich onion gravy sauce. Tony the bartender took great care of us. He didn’t even mind when I began singing Calypso love songs to the older British women at the table next to ours.
We decided to see Fortnum & Mason, a famous department store, founded in 1707, recognized internationally for its high quality goods and as an iconic British symbol. It offered a brilliant glimpse into gourmet goods from both near and far (including those difficult to find sun-dried caterpillars). What’s especially funny is the collection of American iconic products such as “Lucky Charms” cereal, Heinz Baked Beans, and Aunt Jemima Syrup.
