58 years and counting

Greetings ladies and gents!

We're so glad that you loved the very first Benning's Abroad podcast. We'll be continuing those for our week two adventures, but first we'll catch you up on our last few days in London via the written word.

So, chronologically speaking, you all are waiting to hear about Monday. After a slow start, we ventured out to our little coffee spot, Cafe Nero. Rosemary was very excited because the barista asked if we wanted the usual!! We now felt established and the theme song to Cheers played in our heads as we felt like native brits. After coffee, it was time to venture to the astounding store that is Harrod's.

After a short tube ride, we arrived to this unbelievable sight. Harrod's is massive. It's comprised of 7 total floors of goods. It has everything you can imagine. Everything from furniture, antiques, electronics, CD's and DVD's to a Christmas store, jewelry, sporting goods, handbags, perfume, homeware, clothing, cigars, wine, a florist, wedding dresses, etc. The list keeps on going. In fact, what is quite possibly the most amazing thing about Harrod's is the food court. It is filled with fresh foods as well as restaurants of all kinds. As Rosemary says, "You feel like Charlie walking around the Chocolate Factory. Yet, instead of chocolate, it's a factory of all kinds of food." Speaking of food, it was time for lunch. Of all the different restaurants available, Rosemary was craving the oven-fired pizzaria. So, we stood in line for a bit until we got a seat at the rounded bar. We got to watch the chefs prepare each pizza and put them into the wood-burning oven. We ordered the Pollo pizza, which had chicken, roasted peppers and olives. It was quite tasty, especially after washing it down with a Harrod's lager. After lunch, we ventured through the store some more. We made a quick purchase in the humidity controlled cigar shop and headed back to the tube. The sheer magnitude of the store is quite astounding. The quality of goods in Harrod's is exceptional and of the highest of the high end. Even though we didn't purchase that much, it was a treat to walk through the store.

We headed back to the flat to change clothes because it was off to the theatre for Rosemary and Winston. Rosemary changed into her European inspired outfit of a black belted dress with leggings, boots, a blazer and killer headband. Winston opted for the more traditional dress pants, white shirt, pop of color tie and v-neck sweater. The two of us together looked quite dashing. After catching the tube, we arrived in London's theatre district, the West End. It's the most comparable spot to NYC's broadway. Picaddily Circus, which is just a short walk, is very reminiscent of Times Square with it's tall and bright flashing lights and chain restaurants. In fact, there was even a TGIFriday's. Winston commented that only Americans probably eat there.

We had a little bit before the show and decided that a pub might be quicker than trying to find a table at a more relaxed, romantic dinner venue. We opted for the Sussex. It was a traditional English Pub that was quite hopping. Rosemary had a coke and nachos while Winston went with the Greene King IPA and the fish and chips. While Winston was ordering, Rosemary offerred the two seats beside us to a couple of French travelers. While they engaged in their own coversations, Rosemary was glad she helped some fellow foreigners out.

The food was good and the spot was a good choice. So, we had just enough time to hike over to the theater, find our seats, and enjoy a little quiet time before the performance, or so we thought. Instead of asking directions to the theatre after dinner, we thought we knew which way to go.....WRONG! We hiked all the way across Leceister Square in the opposite direction. We finally made it back to the other side, asked numerous individuals where the theatre was and made it to our seats just as the bell for the beginning of the performance tolled.

You may all be wondering what show it was that we saw. Well, we went to Agatha Christie's "The Mousetrap" at St. Martin's Theatre. It is currently the longest running play in the world, and it's in it's 58th year. The theatre is very small and intimate and has a historic and vintage feel about it. There are small brass bins on the walls that say "Please put cigarettes in here as they will burn holes in the carpet." That sign evokes images of "Mad Men," when smoking in public places, especially the theatre, was the norm. The play was fantastic and Rosemary enjoyed it much more than Henry IV Part 1. We definitely want to catch some other great shows on a return journey, however, if any of you are in London and haven't seen "The Mousetrap," we would definitely recommend checking it out because it is worth it.

After our day of shopping, dinner and a show, it was time for us to retire for the evening and ponder if "The Mousetrap" will run for another 58 years.

Cheers from your favorite English couple!