Perfect Timing in Paddington

Yesterday's agenda was relatively chill:  check out of one hotel and move across town - with all of our luggage and bags, via the tube - to the Hilton at Paddington station.  While our rooms (the Hilton didn't have one room big enough for all of us - they aren't so much with the rooms for 4 here, we've found, but they were able to give us 2 rooms for not much more than we were paying for 1) were not ready when we arrived, we were able to unload our bags, take a beverage break in the "executive lounge," which looks over Paddington and is also where breakfast is served each morning and head over to 221 B Baker Street and Oxford Street, our two immediate destinations.  Today was a day of luck and skill, as we managed to catch tubes and taxis when we needed them most and arrive to most of our destinations just under the wire :)

Waiting for our train in the Aldgate station, which has been in continuous operation since the 1860's!

A view of Paddington from the Hilton

Our first stop was a late lunch at Speedy's, a nondescript little deli diner made famous by its use - and appearance - in BBC's latest incarnation of the Sherlock Holmes series (which premieres tonight in London, for those who are not aware of the excitement brewing on this side of the pond).  We arrived at an off time so only had to wait a few minutes for a tiny table in the tiny "restaurant" where locals vie with Cumberbatch enthusiasts for the food and scarce tables.  

This door (used for the entrance of 221 B Baker appears in every episode, as does the awning next door, which is why it is duly important for those who love the show as we do.  Apparently the only people who love the show quite as much as Maddie does are the oodles of Asians (South Koreans, it seems, for the most part) who appear to have traveled here to pay pilgrimage.  Not only did we see 5 or 6 distinct groups/individuals come to Speedy's during the hour or so we were dining/taking photographs here, but there were literally HUNDREDS of them at the Sherlock Holmes museum and gift shop at the actual 221 B Baker Street address.... just fascinating to conjecture about the draw (Maddie's research suggests that South Korea's BBC "ships" [Internet lingo for desiring two people to become a couple, for those who have not heard of "shipping" as a verb before ;)] Holmes and Watson; Maddie also ships Hatson/Wolmes (shippers always have to give their couples names), so she was happy to share this sacred space with such devoted fans.

This was a special way to start our Sherlocky day, as only the most diehard fans seek it out, unlike the actual address, which was our next destination.  Meanwhile, as you might be able to see in some of the photos, we were back to London's traditional wet, cold weather, so all of our walking tours, of which we did several, were done through puddles and in a light drizzle.   Ah London.

Maddie was sitting in the same space her beloved Benedict did - a fangirl's fantasy :)

The owners have photographs of their shop - and street - as it appears in the show (note the Baker Street sign - geography be damned!)

After lunch, we took a damp but lovely walk through this part of town, saw the hundreds of people waiting in line for Madame Trussauds (which I don't get at all) and peered into the windows of what is likely some of the best real estate in London, gorgeous townhomes overlooking Regency Park.  Just gorgeous.  When we arrived at our next destination, we found a line that was neary as long as the one for the wax museum.  Since Maddie was never sure she cared much about the "museum" (which consists of the recreation of the famous sleuth's home), we opted to forget the line and just spend some time in the gift store there.  From the basement of the gift store, you were able to get a glimpse of Holmes' study, so we were content with that.

Unfortunately, I somehow lost a group of photos from those couple of hours, including ones taken in and around the museum and at the BBC store, which was our next stop.  Luckily, Dana continued to snap with his iPhone, so here are a few of those shots.

Holmes' study

Maddie was not eager to pose with the guard dude, which was the only way to get a proper photo in front of the actual 221 B (though, she pointed out, not nearly as important as the door she had already posed in front of :)

Daniel in front of the TARDIS; BBC is quite proud of its Dr Who show

When we returned to check in to our hotel and change wet shoes for dry ones, I discovered an e-mail from our New Year's dinner spot cancelling our reservation.  Upon further investigation, I discovered several e-mails, indicating that our initial reservation (done through Top Table, England's version of Open Table) was "provisional," that the restaurant had a special menu for the night - for 105 pounds EACH!! and that if they didn't hear back within 24 hours they would cancel.  Obvioulsy, we allowed them to do just that and called an audible.

Our New Year's dinner would take place right here at our lovely Hilton, and then we would tube our way into the crazy New Year's Eve scene, which is just what we did.  Of course, since our cards needed to be "topped off," and the machine wouldn't take our credit cards, it wasn't quite as worry free as all that.  At 11:25, Dana was running to a shop changing paper for coins, which is the only thing the machines will take.  As we anxiously filled one card after the other (needing to catch a tube, then change at Victoria station to ANOTHER tube, which would get us to our Vauxhall destination, where we could emerge from underground to see the fireworks), the gentleman working the gates decided to open them a few minutes eary (London opens all gate and allows everyone to ride the tube for free from 11:45 throughout the entire night).  We dashed through the gates, down halls, upstairs and waited for the first tube to arrive.  Same thing at Victoria.  Needless to say, we had many other revelers all around us doing the same thing (along with the completely nonchalant travelers who didn't seem to take note that it was a special day).

When we arrived in Vauxhall, we were caught up in a crowd that emerged from the tube and on to the streets.  As we crossed the street and headed for the bridge, cars and trucks started honking their horns in a Happy New Year celebration.  It was quite exciting, as we managed to get to the other side and a viewing spot just as the first fireworks exploded.  Happy New Year!!!  This is one celebration we will never forget xoxo

Taking selfies with a spectacular backdrop ;)

My favorite part of the display were the Londoners all around us - singles partying together, couples celebrating their love, families with children sitting on fathers' shoulders, people covering the bridge (none of my photos came out as I wished, but I have the mental memories)