Theatre, St. Paul's and Portobello Road

Rick Steves, the well-known travel writer, advises London visitors to take time away from sightseeing and enjoy London as a Londoner does, strolling in the parks, shopping at the local markets, attending an Evensong service at Westminster Abbey or St. Paul's, taking in a play in the West End theatre district, etc. We intended to do more of this than we actually did, but one of the highlights of our week in London was attending Mousetrap at the St. Martin's Theatre. Mousetrap, by Agatha Christie, is in its 62nd year (over 25,000 performances!) and the longest running production in London. We thoroughly enjoyed the intimate, historic theatre venue and the performance was superb. After the applause has died down, the cast has a final message for the audience...as with the 61 years of audiences before us, we were solemnly charged with keeping the "whodunit" secret! So, I can't tell you how the play ended, but we ended our evening across the street at "The Ivy" which we later discovered has a history of its own with many celebrity sightings over the years. No celebrities the night we were there, but the food was fabulous.

Our intention to attend an Evensong service did not pan out, but we were lucky enough to arrive at St. Paul's Cathedral during choir practice which was amazing. (No photography was allowed inside the cathedral, so we only have pictures taken from outside.) As for shopping, I (Nancy) managed a morning of shopping in Portobello Road, a picturesque and totally unique area in Notting Hill. Alas, strolling in the parks will have to wait for our next trip.

Magnificent St. Paul's

Portobello Road