Sunday, February 1, 2009

"Lucid Dreaming . . . "

Good evening,

Next week begins a somewhat gruesomely busy 10 days in my life, so tonight, before I drift off into the world of dreams, I've decided to go on a little REM sleep vacation before the gauntlet of Monday begins . . . .

ZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz . . . . . . .

. . . . just landed at London/Heathrow and have only a few moment before the taxi carries me away to South Kensington to my favourite hotel near Hyde Park.

First, a yummy dinner at the Indian place around the corner - and a good night's slumber . . . then there's a morning run through Hyde Park, with a few laps around "the round pond" by Kensington Palace as the day begins.

After a shower, a yummy breakfast at the hotel, and the required "viente, 1/2 caf, non-fat latte" from the Starbucks near the High Street . . . then maybe some shopping.


David Linley's shop in Pimlico for amazing hard-carved home accessories . . .

Hackett, in Sloane Square, for a few new things for my wardrobe . . . wander down King's Road to search for antiques . . .

or brave the crowds at Portobello Road Market. Hopefully, some antique tartanware from that great little place in Gray's Antique Market . . , or maybe Henry Gregory?

in the afternoon, the glories of Bond Street - Burberry, Pringle, Gieves & Hawkes. . . and a wander through the Polo Store. Oh, can't forget Crockett & Jones for some new shoes. And, hell, Paul Smith too.

gonna need some culture . . . some Shakespeare - "Henry V" or "Midsummer Night's Dream" - and hopefully some new productions in the theatre district . . . and let's chuck in a big-budget musical just for balance.

The National Portrait Gallery, near Saint Martin's-in-the-Field. It has been, and remains, one of my all-time favourite art/history galleries.

and finally, a glorious Sunday service at Westminster Abbey . . . and since I'm in charge of this dream, we'll have all my favourite hymns, the 8 part Martin Mass for double choir, and the Bach G Major Prelude/Fugue as the postlude.

beep, beep, beep, beep.
time to get up and face the week.

tartanscot