Good times in London

I've spent the last day and a half in London and, while there is a lot about this city I don't like (crowds, noise, traffic congestion), there is much I love, especially spending time with friends and family.
  The first evening I was here, John (who, with his partner, Pedro, has the flat where I'm staying) and I walked to Little Venice, a short distance from where they live.  We ate at The Summer House, a lovely restaurant right on the canal. Later, Pedro and their other houseguest, Denise, joined us.  It was a fabulous evening.

  Yesterday, I'd made arrangements to meet my second cousin, Vivienne, in central London.  Years ago, Paul introduced me to this lovely restaurant right on Piccadilly Circus called The Criterion. If you don't look closely, you might miss it and, believe me, it is not to be missed!  The interior is amazing (Art Nouveau, if I'm not mistaken) and the food is wonderful.  The best thing though is that you step off the frenetic pavements around Piccadilly and Regent Street into this quiet oasis of calm. It is lovely!  Here are photos from my lunch there.

  My afternoon finished with a walk with Pedro to the iconic crosswalk from the Beatles' Abbey Road album.  I'd waited quite a few years to get that photo.