Africa Journal
London Preface
September 15, 1995
Changing of the Guard
I spend two hours leaning on an iron guard rail outside of Buckingham Palace to insure that we have a prime viewing area for the Changing of the Guard. Immediately upon seeing the Guard marching in, Sigrid decides that we are at the wrong spot and she runs off to find better photographic vantage points. . .
Sigrid is rousted by the Authorities
. . . including some locations that prompt a disagreement with the Bobbies. The morning highlight was the Guard Band played a medley of Frank Sinatra melodies, including New York, New York, and My Way. Really.
Lunch was an excellent Indian buffet at the Red Fort in Soho. More sightseeing. That night, we saw Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest at the Old Vic. Very enjoyable. A one hundred year old comedy that can still elicit belly laughs from a modern audience. Later, we had our best meal ever in London at the French House in Soho. It is a small (eight table) restaurant above a bar on Dean Street that was recommended by some locals we met the first night. We started by splitting an appetizer of baked goat cheese on a bed of frisee lettuce with green olives. I had an excellent grilled John Dory and Sigrid had Sautéed wild mushrooms with potato galette and mixed greens. Washed down with a fine '89 Graves Bordeaux. Everything was prepared perfectly.
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