Consolation Prize
- Kim Gilman
- Jul 11
- 3 min read
We were disappointed last week to have to cancel our 4-day trip to Biarritz, France in the Basque country. We were so looking forward to the bridge tournament and beach time (not to mention the outstanding chocolate shops in the area). Our elderly dog Gingersnap has started to feel her age, and when she had a couple bad days just before our departure, we realized we couldn't leave her with her sitter (even though the sitter was our very kind and caring sister-in-law Leni). I'd really been looking forward to France and hoped until the last minute Gin would improve. But in the end we decided to stay home with her. Gin is currently doing OK and further tests have revealed no specific ailments. Happily as I write this, she is feeling better.
With Gin stabilized, we decided we could console ourselves with a day out in London. (In your email, the photo is of the London train approaching our suburban station.) One of the reasons I love London so much is that you can find something from almost anywhere in the world. Could we find a little Biarritz? There are certainly Basque restaurants about. And bridge games! Basque chocolate shops? Some say the best chocolate in France comes from Bayonne, next door to Biarritz. Finding that particular chocolate in London proved elusive though. An Italian chocolatier stood in. What about a sandy beach with warm, gentle waves? Well that's not going to occur anywhere in England, BUT see below for the consolation prize.
We began our London excursion with lunch at Pintxito, serving traditional tapas, wine, and Basque cheesecake for dessert. Located in Covent Garden, we really enjoyed the meal (but once again, being hungry got the better of me and I forgot to take pictures before eating most of it).
Our next stop was the Leicester Square Tube station. I've been wanting to see the famous "Hollywood" statues in the square, so even though not part of the day's theme, we stopped to take pictures of Mary Poppins, Laurel & Hardy, and Gene Kelly among others. (Robin keenly spotted Batman on a roof.) Even though Harry Potter and Bridget Jones were cut off by a construction project, it was still lots of fun visiting (and trying to find) all the film icons.
We then took the Tube to the Battersea area. Battersea is a former power station on the banks of the Thames, now converted to shopping, housing, and more. In that area is the pretentiously-named "Art'otel," but guess what, they have a heated rooftop pool. We booked a room for the afternoon -- not the beach, but enjoying a swim up there was a fine consolation.
Finally, we made our way to the Monday night duplicate bridge game at the Battersea Labour Club. We were given a warm welcome, and like most bridge clubs in England, they suggested we order a drink at the bar. Drinking seems counter to the concentration required to play bridge, but when the game was two-thirds over we did partake of a draught (beer for Robin, cider for me). We enjoyed the game and company.
We recently found a terrific dog-walker through Rover.com, so we've been able to leave Gin resting peacefully with a check-in and walk provided by Katie. Yesterday we visited the county of Suffolk, where Sophie (our younger dog) and I did a circular 7-mile walk from the impressive Framlingham Castle.
Afterwards, we had an excellent lunch in the garden of a nearby pub, where Robin declared the local draft beer fantastic. Then we set out to fulfill our longstanding wish to visit Sutton Hoo --- but not before we detoured to the brewery making that beer (Earl Soham).
Sutton Hoo is an archeological site where a huge ship full of treasure and artifacts was buried as a tomb for the 7th-century King Raedwald. The excavation in 1938 was the subject of a fantastic movie, "The Dig." The antiquities from the ship are all in the British Museum in London, so there's not a lot to see at Sutton Hoo, but we were still very glad we got a chance to be there. We're going to rewatch that movie soon. (Fellow TV watchers -- are you loving "The Other Bennet Sister"??)
Meanwhile, our fingers are crossed that Gin will hold steady for our Scotland road trip next week. She'll have a nice comfy bed in the back seat and will be offered tasty Scottish morsels. Meanwhile we look forward to soaking up some gorgeous scenery on the Isles of Skye, Harris/Lewis, and Mull. Thanks for following along!
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Loved reading about your consolation prize trip and appreciate your ability to pivot! Thanks for sharing!
GIN-GER-SNAAAAAAAAPPPPP!!!! Good to see you, Gin! What a gorgeous photo of you! (Good to see you, too, Kim & Robin.) 😊
Looks like your ability to embrace "plan B" offered some fine consolation prizes.
One thing I know about all Gilman pups is that they're magnificently loved. Way to bounce back, Gin! Here's to a wonderful Scotland road trip! Looking forward to reading about it. 💞
well done with your consolation planning. It all looked like quite an inviting day. I do hope Gin holds up for the Scotland trip.
Wow, I'd say you made the best of your consolation prize! Love the pics and the report, and glad Gin is feeling better. I don't subscribe to Brit Box but maybe will have to add that in... Kathy
Love hearing that you walked 7 miles!! And glad Gin is feeling better. The rooftop pool looks sublime, and yes, really enjoyed "The Other Bennet Sister"; wish they'd do another series of her. Cheryl