I did one of my flying visits to London Thursday and Friday – to visit with several friends I hadn’t seen in person since Covid. Of course, there’d been contact on phone, online, etc, but we all know that’s not the same.
I arrived midday at Paddington station with the expectation of stopping at the weird Dorothy Circus gallery in sort of west-central London with the plan of trying some Maria Candida Gentile perfumes. Got to the turning for that and decided I didn’t have the will. It was cold and blowy in London, with that weird, irritating, whispering wind.
So, instead walked on to Selfridges to get the friend I was meeting that evening a birthday gift and card. At least that wasn’t too fraught: a small Diptyque candle and a card. Found the place for gift wrapping only to see the cost was £7 which is just silly. The nice small Diptyque bag would have to do. Did a small wander thinking I might try on some lipsticks but it was all just too manic (and I was getting hungry). So, made my way towards the exit. Just as I was thinking I’m going to be released there was the Officine Universelle Buly stand – which was the other house I was planning to sample. There seem to be some really interesting less sweet scents like mint and cucumber. It appears some houses are looking at botanical fragrances which sounds an interesting direction.
But as I stopped in front of the stand I just got overwhelmed again (a lot, and I do mean a lot, of bottles). Just too frenetic.
So, I left and will have to order samples.
I felt such silly relief – even with the wind still doing that stupid whispering stuff. And sometimes it’s better to eat something, drink a load of tea, and watch the world go by.
Thus fortified, I went and checked into the hotel. Just as an aside, if you’re planning a London trip and are confident enough not to stay in central London The Montague on the Gardens near Russell Square is just … the bees knees. A bit old fashioned English with considered but not obsequious service, really nice rooms, wonderful bathrooms (that sort of thing is important to me), and just the most wonderful, comfortable, huge beds with way too many pillows.
(Interior courtyard view from my hotel room window —
London has a number of these lovely enclosed garden areas)
Which was all very good to return to after a verrrrry long evening with birthday friend eating, drinking and catching up on loads of news. Roza is someone I met via my son when he was nursery age. He and her son became besties and we benefited from that.
Returned to hotel freezing cold and very tired straight into hot shower and bed with very weird vivid dreams about magic. Go figure.
Next morning was breakfast with another friend. A place called Dishoom (which I’ve written about before) for sausage stuffed naans and a lot of chai. Again, hours of catching up. Was surprised they didn’t turf us out.
Finally, on to tube and Docklands Light Railway toy train to friend who lives in the Docklands area of East London for lunch (was really not hungry by that point). This is someone I went to secondary school with who also ended up in England. Last saw her in person … a lot of years ago. Hours upon hours of chat.
(View of the Thames from Pamela’s balcony. She lives in apartment in
refurbed old warehouse in Docklands area.)
Then back to Paddington for train home. Another very late night but this sense of contentment, of being filled with the catching up and the company of unusual women with oomph.
Back to perfume next week, but do you have those types of encounters – with long-time friends whoever they are? It’s totally nourishing of the soul. And while I wanted to go to bed at 8 o’clock on Saturday night it was all so whirlwind I think I will feel full of this sort of simple but necessary pleasure for quite some time.
Oh, and I brought Perfumer H Smoke with me. Perfect in the blustery grey London weather.
Pics: Pexels and mine
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