Day Two: May 16 London is my oyster

My flight was uneventful and we arrived in London a half hour early. I polished up as best I could in the ladies room - so as not to frighten the natives. Customs took 45 minutes - not too horrible - and then off to find a cab (Tom's suggestion on getting to the hotel. OMG!!!!!!!!!!! Everything in and around London is under construction. Traffic was beyond belief! The taxi ride cost 75 pounds! That is $118.73! Ye gods!

After a lovely lunch in the hotel Tom and I headed off to on a quest for Herring hunt prints for Tom's friend Blaine....very specific hunt prints...images, a priority list, sizes and other information was spelled out on a two page document. We were to check both Harrod's and Henry Sotheran Limited, print seller. Ach du mein Gute! (Good grief!!!!)

Phase One: Harrod's was bustling but we soon found out where the Antique Print and Book section was. The nice clerk helped us through 40 or so prints not all of which were Herring and none of which were the correct prints. Off to Sotheran's...but wait! Shouldn't we look at the food court since we were here? Hmmmmm...if I remember correctly...yes! I do! The oyster bar! There it is! Moved about 15yards away from its original (my other visit 2004) but still wonderful. @ each Irish, English and Japanese rock oysters and a...what's that?...yes! Of course! A glass of champagne - the perfect accompaniment. The Mignonette sauce was divine. Heaven.

Phase Two: Fortified we hailed a cab and made our way to 2 Sackville Street to Sotheran's www.sotherans.co.uk to see what they might have. Young Richard was very helpful in suggesting that although they did not have them in stock he would see about ordering them and would call us. Righto!

Cab, hotel, dinner, bed, sleep...