Shortly before my visit to London, I contacted Naomi, the witty, intelligent, and charming authoress of the blog Coulda Shoulda Woulda to see if she would be available and interested in meeting. I was delighted when she graciously accepted my invitation. She even suggested a most unusual place to meet.
Naomi writes with a wicked wry sense of humor and her blog is my primary source for all things au courant when it comes to London. I particularly enjoy her round up posts on things she has seen and done about town, and consider them a virtual conduit to my former hometown. Her posts have been known to make me homesick.
We had arranged to meet at 11 a.m. so I exited the busy Oxford Street tube station in plenty of time for our rendezvous. As I headed in the direction of our meeting place, I was delighted to have the opportunity to wander by one of my favorite Regency era churches.
One cannot fail to be wowed by All Souls church with its beautiful circular portico of mellowed honey color Bath stone. The structure sticks out like an exclamation mark at the northern end of central London's resplendent Regent Street.
All Souls church was designed by architect John Nash, who was responsible for much of the Regency era layout of London. His famous curve of buildings on Regent Street by Piccadilly Circus is a marvel, to say nothing of his elegant semicircular curve of stuccoed terraced houses on Park Crescent.
A little further along on my walk, another familiar building presented itself. Affectionately referred to as Auntie Beeb, or The Beeb, you may know it better as the British Broadcasting Corporation.
This iconic Art Deco building is the hub of the BBC's news, radio, and television broadcasting enterprise, which is beamed across the world to a hundred and fifty million strong weekly audience.
Within a few minutes I had located Foley Street and the place I was to meet Naomi.
The Attendant is probably the most unconventional coffee shop you will ever stumble upon. You see, it was at one time, long ago, a Victorian gentlemen's toilet. Yes, that's right, a toilet! I confess it took a little getting used to the fact that I would soon be sitting in an underground former public convenience, much like those I recall frequenting as a child when my mother would take my sisters and I shopping in the West End. The odious stench of disinfectant that I remember so vividly was now, thank goodness, gone, replaced by the pleasant aroma of roasted coffee beans.
Sipping cappuccinos with amiable Naomi was indeed a treat. In fact, I believe this particular coffee meeting was a personal best, lasting four entire hours. We managed to chat up a storm on all manner of topics which, I suppose, should not have come as a surprise judging by some of the subject matter that is covered on her blog. A worldly woman, Naomi is at ease talking on everything from matters of what constitutes a good cup of coffee (which The Attendant can certainly offer), to the finer points of British law. It was a true privilege to have met her, an opportunity I might otherwise have not experienced were it not for this extraordinary social medium known as The Blogosphere.
I hated to tear myself away, but I had a visiting relative to meet that afternoon back at the house. When we emerged from our underground coffee fest, the streets of Fitzrovia were wet. Walking a few blocks together before parting ways, Naomi delighted in pointed out some interesting local buildings and giving me a brief history of the area and its coffee connections. I think she would make a terrific tour guide in her spare time.
I was not prepared for the damp weather so frequently encountered in England and as I happened to be in the area, there was only one thing for it.
Many years ago, I swore off the purchase of yet another beautifully made umbrella because, inevitably, if you are anything like me, you too will be stamping your feet in frustration, trying to recall where you left the darn thing at exactly the moment you need it the most. However, as I was getting rather wet, and one of England's oldest family run businesses was but a few minutes walk from where I happened to be standing, you can guess what came next. As the saying goes "When in Rome...".
A retail establishment like James Smith & Sons is a rare sight in today's modern world, but ultimately, the quality of their sturdy and handsome umbrellas (and walking sticks), along with the fact that we humans are destined to lose them, has kept this family run business chugging along since 1830.
The shop itself is beautifully outfitted with original Victorian fittings and fixtures. Most of the umbrellas are still hand-made in the basement workshop, but the company sells so many nowadays that they have had to outsource some of their work to local small family firms.
As is typical, at least on the occasions I've visited, business was booming. The shop floor was jam packed with patrons selecting the most stylish umbrellas and walking sticks available for sale.
I knew exactly what I wanted and headed directly for the ladies' selection of umbrellas. I honed in on a beautiful claret colored model (the last one I owned was black), complete with a comfortable Whangee cane crook handle and, of course, the sturdy frame that has given James Smith & Sons umbrellas their world-class reputation. The icing on the cake of this particular model came in the form of a little horn ring that conveniently cradles the tips of the eight umbrella ribs in place when closed. What a splendid little detail that is! Every ladies' umbrella is also furnished with a color coordinated tassel.
Walking out into he wet and windy streets of London, I immediately put my new umbrella to good use. Not only that, but I am overjoyed to report that it has become a staple in my hand since returning home to San Francisco. You see, El Niño's downpours have made a welcome appearance to our parched city and for that, I am most pleased.
Next: A visit to my favorite museum.
Nota bene: I am neither paid nor do I receive recompense in exchange for applauding products or services within my blog. I do so because I enjoy them. If you are a kindred spirit, you too enjoy recommending nice things to fellow good eggs.
Naomi writes with a wicked wry sense of humor and her blog is my primary source for all things au courant when it comes to London. I particularly enjoy her round up posts on things she has seen and done about town, and consider them a virtual conduit to my former hometown. Her posts have been known to make me homesick.
We had arranged to meet at 11 a.m. so I exited the busy Oxford Street tube station in plenty of time for our rendezvous. As I headed in the direction of our meeting place, I was delighted to have the opportunity to wander by one of my favorite Regency era churches.
John Nash presiding over his Regency masterpiece
Photo: Chronica Domus
One cannot fail to be wowed by All Souls church with its beautiful circular portico of mellowed honey color Bath stone. The structure sticks out like an exclamation mark at the northern end of central London's resplendent Regent Street.
All Souls glows against the grey December skies
Photo: Chronica Domus
Photo: Chronica Domus
All Souls church was designed by architect John Nash, who was responsible for much of the Regency era layout of London. His famous curve of buildings on Regent Street by Piccadilly Circus is a marvel, to say nothing of his elegant semicircular curve of stuccoed terraced houses on Park Crescent.
Park Crescent
Photo: Chronica Domus
A little further along on my walk, another familiar building presented itself. Affectionately referred to as Auntie Beeb, or The Beeb, you may know it better as the British Broadcasting Corporation.
The entrance to Broadcasting House
Photo: Chronica Domus
This iconic Art Deco building is the hub of the BBC's news, radio, and television broadcasting enterprise, which is beamed across the world to a hundred and fifty million strong weekly audience.
Photo: Chronica Domus
Within a few minutes I had located Foley Street and the place I was to meet Naomi.
The Attendant
Photo: Chronica Domus
The Attendant is probably the most unconventional coffee shop you will ever stumble upon. You see, it was at one time, long ago, a Victorian gentlemen's toilet. Yes, that's right, a toilet! I confess it took a little getting used to the fact that I would soon be sitting in an underground former public convenience, much like those I recall frequenting as a child when my mother would take my sisters and I shopping in the West End. The odious stench of disinfectant that I remember so vividly was now, thank goodness, gone, replaced by the pleasant aroma of roasted coffee beans.
Photo: Chronica Domus
Sipping cappuccinos with amiable Naomi was indeed a treat. In fact, I believe this particular coffee meeting was a personal best, lasting four entire hours. We managed to chat up a storm on all manner of topics which, I suppose, should not have come as a surprise judging by some of the subject matter that is covered on her blog. A worldly woman, Naomi is at ease talking on everything from matters of what constitutes a good cup of coffee (which The Attendant can certainly offer), to the finer points of British law. It was a true privilege to have met her, an opportunity I might otherwise have not experienced were it not for this extraordinary social medium known as The Blogosphere.
Photo: Chronica Domus
I hated to tear myself away, but I had a visiting relative to meet that afternoon back at the house. When we emerged from our underground coffee fest, the streets of Fitzrovia were wet. Walking a few blocks together before parting ways, Naomi delighted in pointed out some interesting local buildings and giving me a brief history of the area and its coffee connections. I think she would make a terrific tour guide in her spare time.
I was not prepared for the damp weather so frequently encountered in England and as I happened to be in the area, there was only one thing for it.
Photo: Chronica Domus
Many years ago, I swore off the purchase of yet another beautifully made umbrella because, inevitably, if you are anything like me, you too will be stamping your feet in frustration, trying to recall where you left the darn thing at exactly the moment you need it the most. However, as I was getting rather wet, and one of England's oldest family run businesses was but a few minutes walk from where I happened to be standing, you can guess what came next. As the saying goes "When in Rome...".
Probably the best place to seek shelter during a rainy spell in London
Photo: Chronica Domus
A retail establishment like James Smith & Sons is a rare sight in today's modern world, but ultimately, the quality of their sturdy and handsome umbrellas (and walking sticks), along with the fact that we humans are destined to lose them, has kept this family run business chugging along since 1830.
Photo: Chronica Domus
The shop itself is beautifully outfitted with original Victorian fittings and fixtures. Most of the umbrellas are still hand-made in the basement workshop, but the company sells so many nowadays that they have had to outsource some of their work to local small family firms.
Photo: Chronica Domus
Photo: Chronica Domus
I knew exactly what I wanted and headed directly for the ladies' selection of umbrellas. I honed in on a beautiful claret colored model (the last one I owned was black), complete with a comfortable Whangee cane crook handle and, of course, the sturdy frame that has given James Smith & Sons umbrellas their world-class reputation. The icing on the cake of this particular model came in the form of a little horn ring that conveniently cradles the tips of the eight umbrella ribs in place when closed. What a splendid little detail that is! Every ladies' umbrella is also furnished with a color coordinated tassel.
My new umbrella about to be pressed into action
Photo: Chronica Domus
Walking out into he wet and windy streets of London, I immediately put my new umbrella to good use. Not only that, but I am overjoyed to report that it has become a staple in my hand since returning home to San Francisco. You see, El Niño's downpours have made a welcome appearance to our parched city and for that, I am most pleased.
Next: A visit to my favorite museum.
Nota bene: I am neither paid nor do I receive recompense in exchange for applauding products or services within my blog. I do so because I enjoy them. If you are a kindred spirit, you too enjoy recommending nice things to fellow good eggs.
