A Labour UK Government It may seem odd for a luxury travel blog to welcome a Labour Government but, with new faces and enthusiasm to make things better, I am optimistic. It helps that I know Secretary of State for Health & Social Care Wes Streeting & am impressed by him. The Ivy Private Members' Club Shortly after the election, I had dinner at The Ivy Private Members' Club with my friend who worked for Tony Blair, when he was in 10 Downing Street, again. A Champagne Breakfast at Pan Pacific. London Pan Pacific, London keep surprising me, in a good way. I went there without booking & was still welcomed by name and given 'free' champagne. The quality of their weekend buffet breakfast is astonishing. A Four Seasons at Park Lane's Bastille Day The Sunday of Bastille Day was spent at Four Seasons at Park Lane drinking Moet champagne and eating BBQ. Afternoon Tea, & The 'Spy Bar', at Raffles, London at The OWO You may not just recognise me in my photo at afternoon tea at Raffles, London at The OWO. That afternoon tea, with the mother of my talented godson, was incredible. The edible punnet of strawberries & cream was a work of art & delicious too. The Hotel MD, Hotel Manager & Director of Wines all came to chat with us. We ended a memorable afternoon/ evening in the hotel's '007 Spy Bar', where Matteo, who I knew from The Dorchester, made me a perfect martini. Rosewood in London I am so excited about The Chancery Rosewood opening in 2025 and proud to know Michael Bonsor, who will be their MD. In July I tried the Cantonese breakfast in The Crystal Room at Rosewood, London. The congee with honey roasted pork was mouth-wateringly good but the dim sum unimpressive and the lack of Chiu Chow chilli oil dip rather a shame. Love that dip at Mandarin Oriental, Hyde Park, the Peninsula, London etc 'Mooncakes' from Peninsula, London After another sensational breakfast at Peninsula, London, on the day of their MD's birthday, the Hotel Manager presented me with some non-traditional toffee & fudge brownie 'mooncakes'. I almost cried again. Shrewsbury's dreadful MP not getting re-elected, alone, made it a '7 teddies' (🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻) month. However, I was sad that Simon Baynes did not win his seat. It was a month when I did not see mum but I rang her every day and did my duty watering my friends, on the 30th floor of The Barbican's, plants while they were away. I do my best to be a good friend. |