Worktrip to England: London & Windsor
Feb. 15th, 2025 09:19 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
beelikejWent on a worktrip to England for two weeks(!) in January, I visited London and Windsor on the weekend in between. I already posted a short impression on my Instagram, below is a picspam of all the food in between and after work plus a full report on all the sights on the weekend. The first week was mostly me an my UK colleagues preparing for the second week when delegations from all over world came over to nerd/work together;-)
I traveled by Eurostar train which still required a transfer in Brussels, Belgium on the way to London (due to renovation of the customs building in Amsterdam), but is going directly from England to the Netherlands on the way back. From my hometown the best connection is through Rotterdam.
Day 1: Travelday NLD Home to GBR Work
If I'm on a train for work, I get to travel first class, baby!
The toilets at the Brussels Eurostar waitingroom already get you in the mood for England :-D
Since Eurostar combined with TGV, first class is now called Eurostar Plus (there is also businessclass which is called Premium; same seats, but you get a hot meal).
My cold lunch: A breadroll, smoked trout bowl with giant couscous, golden beetroot and candy-stripe beetroot. Sweet treat: Apple Brownie. I had apple juice and tea with it.
After ariving in London I took the tube and train to my final destination; I checked into my hotel around 19:00 (7 p.m.)
I settled in and then went to the kebab place next door to get a doner burger en fries (chips;-) - I had bought a bottle of my favorite drink (freshly squeezed lemonade) at the M&S food store at Waterloo Station in London.
Day 2: 1st workday
When I was there last December the hotelrestaurant was being renovated (I was there in December for work as well, but only posted on my Instagram), this is the all new breakfast buffet corner, I love this look and the lay-out is much more convenient than before.
Okay, I won't show my English breakfast every day; I did vary them slightly, but they usually at least have the hashbrowns, sausages and eggs, because I don't eat that at home.
I'm only a walk away from work and I love this green roof and all the birds that I pass along the way (there's a park on the other side).
This week I'm going out for lunch with my UK colleagues, today we're going to local pub where I had a classic fish and chips with mushy peas, nom! Also loved the mocktail with raspberry lemonade, orange juice, lime juice, served with orange.
For dinner I tried the hotel's restaurant, which was completely empty. As it turned out they didn't have everything on the menu, but the very nice lady who was doing service listened to what I'd had in mind and prepared a lovely meal of what she could find and even created an amazing combination dessert. She put everything on a tray for me to take to my room, it was perfect!
Dinner: Meatballs Arrabbiata with Garlic Flatbread. Dessert: Warm Sticky Toffee Pudding with warm custard, decorated with strawberry sauce and Biscoff crumb.
Day 3+4: worklunches and take-out dinners
For our second worklunch we tried Chaiiwalla, an Indian Street Food Cafe. I had the (all-day) English-ish Breakfast: Masla omelette with masala beans, 2 lamb bacon rashers, 2 chicken sausage and 2 slice of toast.
After work, I went back there to get dessert: a Ghulab Jamun Cheesecake, I took it back to my hotel together with a Stuffed Crust Garlic pizza from Flamingo Flames.
Our third worklunch was at Amigos: I had a grilled chicken wrap with sweet potato fries and a Maltesers Milkshake.
My dinner was from the kebab neighbours again: Garlic Waffle Bread. I got desserts from the nearby supermarket: strawberry trifles, mmmmm.
Day 5: a Saturday in London
I slept in a little and then got on the train to London. Then went to one of my favorite Underground stations Tottenham Court Road where I took the time to look at all the mosaic walls by E. Paolozzi (1984).
So. Cool.
Right outside Tottenham Court Road station, at Giles Street, there are three immersive art rooms from The Spaces in Between with wrap-around videoscreens. There are benches to sit down to look at the surrounding videos. Recommended.
Check out my vid of The Butterfly Trail
After browsing comic-book and nerd store Forbidden Planet, I walked to Seven Dials market for lunch; a rose custard and white chocolate wheelcake (from Wheelcake Island) with a salty, savoury Kashmiri Chai from the Chai Guys.
Passed the art deco Freemasons Hall (1933) on my way to Theatre Royal Drury Lane, where I booked dinner and a play for the evening.
Came across some pretty details walking around this 19th century playhouse, of which the entrance is nog on Drury Lane at all!
Until the play I have plenty of time for some shopping at the Transport Museum and some reading on a bench at Covent Garden, followed by some exploring of Lincoln's Inn Fields, a park nearby.
Memorial bench of Margaret Ethel MacDonald (1870-1911), feminist and social reformer; she participated in the setting up of the first trade schools for girls in 1904. Bronze statue by Richard R. Goulden (1914)
Gothic water fountain (1861) and sculpture Camdonian by Barry Flanagan (1980) at the corner of Lincoln’s Inn Fields (restored in 2022 by Rupert Harris Conservation).
Lincoln’s Inn Fields; I had hoped to visit Lincoln's Inn, but it was closed for the public, so I walked back to the park and settled on a bench for some more reading :-)
At the end of the afternoon I walked back to the theatre; had to do a little detour to find my way through traffic, which led me past the beautifully lit up Bush House, a grand building from the 1930s before I found the entrance of the theatre in Catherine Street.
Had booked a fancy three-course a la carte theatre dinner in the Grand Saloon, up the red stairs, below the massive dome.
Got drinks (elderflower lemonade + water) and some freshly baked bread with salty butter.
For my starter I chose: Pork terrine (with dried figs, balsamic onions, cornichons).
Main course: Ox cheek bourguignon (with pickled onions, carrots, watercress and mashed potato)
Such cute plates! (See the full design at my Instagram). Dessert was Crème Brûlée.
After dinner I was allowed to enter the theatre through the innercircle.
I saw The Tempest with Sigourney Weaver, the play also had a very impressive set design to show the storm and grim landscape.
Walking back by Covent Garden on my way to the Underground station.
I decided I had enough time to try and visit Battersea Power Station for the Light Festival that was on until 23:00 (11 p.m.)...
I had about 40 minutes to try and see all the light sculptures. This little horse installation is called Never Ends by Luigi Console & Valantina November (ITA)
The Battersea Power Station is also gorgeous to look at!
This is Atlas by Jon Voss (GBR) [A beautiful spot for it; I could walk around it and got a much closer look than when it stood in the canal at the 2023 Amsterdam Lightfestival]
Inside the Power Station hung the colourful Aurora by James Glancy Design (GBR)
Funky sculpture in Power Station Park: Local Vocals by Jesse Wine (inspired by reclining figures of Henry Moore) In the background you can see Parabolic Lightcloud by Amigo & Amigo (AUS) [I made a video! and I also saw this in Amsterdam in 2018]
Another lightwork: Spin Me A Yarn by Studio Vertigo (GBR) [a better presentation than I saw from the boattour at the 2022 Lightfestival in Amsterdam]
In Bloom by Kumquat Lab (GBR), yes I now see those globes look like boobs in the photo ;-D It's a light sculpture with sound, best experienced in the video below; by touching the globes you added tones to the symphony. I had fun making music with the elderly couple that was there :-)
I almost forgot the time, with five minutes to spare I was allowed by the guards to go into the Power Station again to run to the final installation: Spider, which was unfortunately already turned off when I reached it [But this one had had a much better spot on a bridge at the 2018 Lightfestival in Amsterdam
On my walk back to the station I saw the final lightsculpture up close, which was also turned off, but I had seen it working from the distance upon arrival, but decided to skip since it was in another direction and I wouldn't have managed to see all the other light art. Tornado by UxU Studio (TWN) also looked really nice as a regular sculpture in between the wonky architecture of the Battersee Power Station area.
I arrived back at the hotel after midnight; check out all the loot from London!
Day 6: a Sunday afternoon in Windsor
On Sunday I met up with my Australian colleague, who was staying in a town nearby and we took the train to Windsor together. It was a rainy day, but the town still looked adorable.
We walked around the castle together, took some pictures and quickly bought some souvenirs. Me and queen Victoria at Windsor Castle (1070).
Then we found a lovely cafe in the old station building.
We had scones and tea before walking back to the other station for the trainride back to our hotels.
My souvenirs and take-out dinner at my hotel: I had a doner box with cheesy fries and the lovely neighbour gave me some kebab springrolls to try as well!
International workweek
The second week in England was all work and no play, but it was so great to see everyone again and nerd-out together during discussions:-) I was joined by a colleague L. from the Netherlands on her first international meeting. Breakfast and Lunches were not that exciting, so it's mostly photos of my take-out dinners below!
Monday dinner: Deep pan Meat House pizza with Garlic Base sauce
Around 20:30 (8:30 p.m. - I was already in my pajamas) the fire alarm went crazy and kept blaring and turning off; there was much confusion, but eventually everyone walked downstairs (the lifts/elevators were not working, I was on the eight floor...) where the hotelstaff frantically tried to find the key and code to turn off the alarm, because everything was fine, pffff)
Tuesday lunch; Sandwiches, fruit, cookies, crisps and tea :-)
For dinner I took L. out to the pub for some classic UK food.
I had a Caledonian burger with Haggis and actually liked it!
For dessert we had a warm Cookie Dough sandwich with vanilla ice, mmmmmm.
Had to take some photos of the new artwork in my hotel restaurant; it has a concept now!
On Wednesday we went out to Nando's with a whole bunch of delegates. I had a Garlic Churrasco Burger with two flame-grilled chicken thighs and a PERi-Mac & Cheese: cheesy macaroni with a crunchy, garlicky PERi-PERi crumb topping. Drink is a Strawberry & Dragon Fruit Quencher.
Dessert: a Warm Chocolate Pud served with vanilla ice cream and a sweet orange curd that’s got a flicker of chilli. Delicious!
Thursday take-out: cheese & masala beans toastie, aloo paratha with a spiced potato filling and a strawberry lassi shake.
Friday take-out: lasagne with chocolate orange cake.
Foodgifts: homebaked cookies, honey comb goodness and Welsh cakes.
All packed: managed to still get my laptop inside of my backpack and had one big paper bag with souvenirs and goodies.
Last hotel breakfast with fruit!
All strapped in and ready to walk to the train to London.
Train and underground got me to St. Pancras International station on time, where customs and baggage control went smoothly. Eurostar left 40 minutes late.
Good food though: Honey and mustard chicken bowl with cracked wheat, butternut squash and pickled beetroot. Dessert was a chocolate caramel cookiecrumble sweet treat.
With the delay I didn't have to rush at Rotterdam station for my transfer, which was a good thing because my big paperbag was falling apart and now I had time to put the souvenirs and goodies in spare bags and get some food (White bun with croquettes) for that final train home. Last part was with the city bus, I got home around 19:00 (7 p.m.)
It was a very succesful worktrip :-)
The End.
J.
X-posted to https://beelikej.livejournal.com/586077.html
Lurk or comment wherever you like:)
I traveled by Eurostar train which still required a transfer in Brussels, Belgium on the way to London (due to renovation of the customs building in Amsterdam), but is going directly from England to the Netherlands on the way back. From my hometown the best connection is through Rotterdam.
Day 1: Travelday NLD Home to GBR Work
If I'm on a train for work, I get to travel first class, baby!
The toilets at the Brussels Eurostar waitingroom already get you in the mood for England :-D
Since Eurostar combined with TGV, first class is now called Eurostar Plus (there is also businessclass which is called Premium; same seats, but you get a hot meal).
My cold lunch: A breadroll, smoked trout bowl with giant couscous, golden beetroot and candy-stripe beetroot. Sweet treat: Apple Brownie. I had apple juice and tea with it.
After ariving in London I took the tube and train to my final destination; I checked into my hotel around 19:00 (7 p.m.)
I settled in and then went to the kebab place next door to get a doner burger en fries (chips;-) - I had bought a bottle of my favorite drink (freshly squeezed lemonade) at the M&S food store at Waterloo Station in London.
Day 2: 1st workday
When I was there last December the hotelrestaurant was being renovated (I was there in December for work as well, but only posted on my Instagram), this is the all new breakfast buffet corner, I love this look and the lay-out is much more convenient than before.
Okay, I won't show my English breakfast every day; I did vary them slightly, but they usually at least have the hashbrowns, sausages and eggs, because I don't eat that at home.
I'm only a walk away from work and I love this green roof and all the birds that I pass along the way (there's a park on the other side).
This week I'm going out for lunch with my UK colleagues, today we're going to local pub where I had a classic fish and chips with mushy peas, nom! Also loved the mocktail with raspberry lemonade, orange juice, lime juice, served with orange.
For dinner I tried the hotel's restaurant, which was completely empty. As it turned out they didn't have everything on the menu, but the very nice lady who was doing service listened to what I'd had in mind and prepared a lovely meal of what she could find and even created an amazing combination dessert. She put everything on a tray for me to take to my room, it was perfect!
Dinner: Meatballs Arrabbiata with Garlic Flatbread. Dessert: Warm Sticky Toffee Pudding with warm custard, decorated with strawberry sauce and Biscoff crumb.
Day 3+4: worklunches and take-out dinners
For our second worklunch we tried Chaiiwalla, an Indian Street Food Cafe. I had the (all-day) English-ish Breakfast: Masla omelette with masala beans, 2 lamb bacon rashers, 2 chicken sausage and 2 slice of toast.
After work, I went back there to get dessert: a Ghulab Jamun Cheesecake, I took it back to my hotel together with a Stuffed Crust Garlic pizza from Flamingo Flames.
Our third worklunch was at Amigos: I had a grilled chicken wrap with sweet potato fries and a Maltesers Milkshake.
My dinner was from the kebab neighbours again: Garlic Waffle Bread. I got desserts from the nearby supermarket: strawberry trifles, mmmmm.
Day 5: a Saturday in London
I slept in a little and then got on the train to London. Then went to one of my favorite Underground stations Tottenham Court Road where I took the time to look at all the mosaic walls by E. Paolozzi (1984).
So. Cool.
Right outside Tottenham Court Road station, at Giles Street, there are three immersive art rooms from The Spaces in Between with wrap-around videoscreens. There are benches to sit down to look at the surrounding videos. Recommended.
Check out my vid of The Butterfly Trail
After browsing comic-book and nerd store Forbidden Planet, I walked to Seven Dials market for lunch; a rose custard and white chocolate wheelcake (from Wheelcake Island) with a salty, savoury Kashmiri Chai from the Chai Guys.
Passed the art deco Freemasons Hall (1933) on my way to Theatre Royal Drury Lane, where I booked dinner and a play for the evening.
Came across some pretty details walking around this 19th century playhouse, of which the entrance is nog on Drury Lane at all!
Until the play I have plenty of time for some shopping at the Transport Museum and some reading on a bench at Covent Garden, followed by some exploring of Lincoln's Inn Fields, a park nearby.
Memorial bench of Margaret Ethel MacDonald (1870-1911), feminist and social reformer; she participated in the setting up of the first trade schools for girls in 1904. Bronze statue by Richard R. Goulden (1914)
Gothic water fountain (1861) and sculpture Camdonian by Barry Flanagan (1980) at the corner of Lincoln’s Inn Fields (restored in 2022 by Rupert Harris Conservation).
Lincoln’s Inn Fields; I had hoped to visit Lincoln's Inn, but it was closed for the public, so I walked back to the park and settled on a bench for some more reading :-)
At the end of the afternoon I walked back to the theatre; had to do a little detour to find my way through traffic, which led me past the beautifully lit up Bush House, a grand building from the 1930s before I found the entrance of the theatre in Catherine Street.
Had booked a fancy three-course a la carte theatre dinner in the Grand Saloon, up the red stairs, below the massive dome.
Got drinks (elderflower lemonade + water) and some freshly baked bread with salty butter.
For my starter I chose: Pork terrine (with dried figs, balsamic onions, cornichons).
Main course: Ox cheek bourguignon (with pickled onions, carrots, watercress and mashed potato)
Such cute plates! (See the full design at my Instagram). Dessert was Crème Brûlée.
After dinner I was allowed to enter the theatre through the innercircle.
I saw The Tempest with Sigourney Weaver, the play also had a very impressive set design to show the storm and grim landscape.
Walking back by Covent Garden on my way to the Underground station.
I decided I had enough time to try and visit Battersea Power Station for the Light Festival that was on until 23:00 (11 p.m.)...
I had about 40 minutes to try and see all the light sculptures. This little horse installation is called Never Ends by Luigi Console & Valantina November (ITA)
The Battersea Power Station is also gorgeous to look at!
This is Atlas by Jon Voss (GBR) [A beautiful spot for it; I could walk around it and got a much closer look than when it stood in the canal at the 2023 Amsterdam Lightfestival]
Inside the Power Station hung the colourful Aurora by James Glancy Design (GBR)
Funky sculpture in Power Station Park: Local Vocals by Jesse Wine (inspired by reclining figures of Henry Moore) In the background you can see Parabolic Lightcloud by Amigo & Amigo (AUS) [I made a video! and I also saw this in Amsterdam in 2018]
Another lightwork: Spin Me A Yarn by Studio Vertigo (GBR) [a better presentation than I saw from the boattour at the 2022 Lightfestival in Amsterdam]
In Bloom by Kumquat Lab (GBR), yes I now see those globes look like boobs in the photo ;-D It's a light sculpture with sound, best experienced in the video below; by touching the globes you added tones to the symphony. I had fun making music with the elderly couple that was there :-)
I almost forgot the time, with five minutes to spare I was allowed by the guards to go into the Power Station again to run to the final installation: Spider, which was unfortunately already turned off when I reached it [But this one had had a much better spot on a bridge at the 2018 Lightfestival in Amsterdam
On my walk back to the station I saw the final lightsculpture up close, which was also turned off, but I had seen it working from the distance upon arrival, but decided to skip since it was in another direction and I wouldn't have managed to see all the other light art. Tornado by UxU Studio (TWN) also looked really nice as a regular sculpture in between the wonky architecture of the Battersee Power Station area.
I arrived back at the hotel after midnight; check out all the loot from London!
Day 6: a Sunday afternoon in Windsor
On Sunday I met up with my Australian colleague, who was staying in a town nearby and we took the train to Windsor together. It was a rainy day, but the town still looked adorable.
We walked around the castle together, took some pictures and quickly bought some souvenirs. Me and queen Victoria at Windsor Castle (1070).
Then we found a lovely cafe in the old station building.
We had scones and tea before walking back to the other station for the trainride back to our hotels.
My souvenirs and take-out dinner at my hotel: I had a doner box with cheesy fries and the lovely neighbour gave me some kebab springrolls to try as well!
International workweek
The second week in England was all work and no play, but it was so great to see everyone again and nerd-out together during discussions:-) I was joined by a colleague L. from the Netherlands on her first international meeting. Breakfast and Lunches were not that exciting, so it's mostly photos of my take-out dinners below!
Monday dinner: Deep pan Meat House pizza with Garlic Base sauce
Around 20:30 (8:30 p.m. - I was already in my pajamas) the fire alarm went crazy and kept blaring and turning off; there was much confusion, but eventually everyone walked downstairs (the lifts/elevators were not working, I was on the eight floor...) where the hotelstaff frantically tried to find the key and code to turn off the alarm, because everything was fine, pffff)
Tuesday lunch; Sandwiches, fruit, cookies, crisps and tea :-)
For dinner I took L. out to the pub for some classic UK food.
I had a Caledonian burger with Haggis and actually liked it!
For dessert we had a warm Cookie Dough sandwich with vanilla ice, mmmmmm.
Had to take some photos of the new artwork in my hotel restaurant; it has a concept now!
On Wednesday we went out to Nando's with a whole bunch of delegates. I had a Garlic Churrasco Burger with two flame-grilled chicken thighs and a PERi-Mac & Cheese: cheesy macaroni with a crunchy, garlicky PERi-PERi crumb topping. Drink is a Strawberry & Dragon Fruit Quencher.
Dessert: a Warm Chocolate Pud served with vanilla ice cream and a sweet orange curd that’s got a flicker of chilli. Delicious!
Thursday take-out: cheese & masala beans toastie, aloo paratha with a spiced potato filling and a strawberry lassi shake.
Friday take-out: lasagne with chocolate orange cake.
Foodgifts: homebaked cookies, honey comb goodness and Welsh cakes.
All packed: managed to still get my laptop inside of my backpack and had one big paper bag with souvenirs and goodies.
Last hotel breakfast with fruit!
All strapped in and ready to walk to the train to London.
Train and underground got me to St. Pancras International station on time, where customs and baggage control went smoothly. Eurostar left 40 minutes late.
Good food though: Honey and mustard chicken bowl with cracked wheat, butternut squash and pickled beetroot. Dessert was a chocolate caramel cookiecrumble sweet treat.
With the delay I didn't have to rush at Rotterdam station for my transfer, which was a good thing because my big paperbag was falling apart and now I had time to put the souvenirs and goodies in spare bags and get some food (White bun with croquettes) for that final train home. Last part was with the city bus, I got home around 19:00 (7 p.m.)
It was a very succesful worktrip :-)
The End.
J.
X-posted to https://beelikej.livejournal.com/586077.html
Lurk or comment wherever you like:)
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Date: 2025-02-16 11:51 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2025-02-16 05:37 pm (UTC)