Lunch at the George & Vulture in London

So on a recommendation from Ian in the London office, Anthony took me to a place for lunch called "The George & Vulture". The word is that this place is over 400 years old and to be Haunted? It's found in a little alleyway that features both the Jamaica Wine House and the George & Vulture. The alleyway itself was used as a setting by Charles Dickens in A Christmas Carol, and the George & Vulture is a 400 year old restaurant said to be haunted upstairs by the figure of a woman. 
 
So I followed Anthony through the streets of London and we found the place. It is a place that Charles Dickens used to frequent himself quite often. On the top of the menu this place as established in the 1600's. It's one of the few places to survive the great London fire. We had reservations and they took us upstairs to a sitting area that was not very big. The tables are all heavy wood and covered in nice linen clothes and fine glasses.
The menu was pretty interesting, pretty much ala cart and they start off with a big basket of warm bread and yummy butter.

We ordered up drinks and lunch (I had the Filet with a mixed green salad and bubbles & squeak. Anthony had the same, but added some grilled tomatoes, mushrooms and chips. On each floor level they had a cooler cart with the fresh cuts of meat on them and then they would cook the on a little plate. Kind of interesting, but I really miss the Grilled BBQ flavor on a steak.
 
I'm finding that there are some real differences with the food here and at home. Nothing has much seasoning to it, everything is done in it's traditional way. They don't have the same sauces, I miss my American Ketchup, A1, Heinz 57, Mayo and Mustard. I have to say that I have enjoyed everything I've eaten. Yesterday at lunch Ian had me try some mustard and said it was really hot. I did and I didn't feel any heat, but it ok. Today they brought out some mustard and I gave it a go. Yeah, lots of horseradish and some real bit to it. Anthony tried some and it about took his head off?

I don't think I was looking to disappointed with anything, especially with the Cold pint of Ale! or two :-)

So all through lunch I was looking for this ghost, I didn't see anything or at least I didn't think I saw anything. When I got back to the office and read that it was a figure of a woman, I knew I had seen a ghost and I was greeted by the ghost on the way out of restaurant.

I'm sure that this lady was ghost, I knew there was something going on. I guess she could have been the Host or the Ghost?

Dinner and a night walk on London Bridge

I finished up at the office tonight and went to dinner at Lowdowner's which was on the way back to the hotel. It was recommended for a good Gourmet burger and fries and lots of choices of beers.
So I started with the Beer :-) Groelch Wiesbeer @ 6%.
 
It was an unfiltered, cold smooth, with a nice head on it. Best thing I've had since Germany. Comparable to the Hoffbrauhouse beer.

 
This was a really good burger, a little different than a good American Burger. This has the different Lettuce, with a little Balsamic vinaigrette dressing, Small gherkin pickles, Tomatoes, 1/2 pound burger Patti, Cheese, Red Onions, grilled Portabella mushrooms, English Bacon on a nice grilled bun. Then it's some Belgium spice fries with a side of Mayo and Curry Ketchup.

It was a big burger so I had to have a 1/2 pint to finish up the burger. This was a very good Pilsner, lots of flavor. It went down pretty quick. Quick enough that the waiter commented that I didn't waste any time putting it away.
Obviously I was thirsty and it was tasting real good and looking at the beer menu I couldn't pass up tasting a real Heineken draft.
  
So 1/2 pint of cleanest, smoothest Heineken you could imagine. Nothing like a bottle Heine' you would get the states. Really not even compariable.
 
Yes it was really good!
 
This was a nice place and as you can see it wasn't busy, I really missed my Jill and wished she was with me!
So not to waste any time, I was on my way back to the hotel. I changed my clothes and went for a walk down to the Tower of London and London Bride.

It's been another cloudy and cool day with a little rain. It was nice to go for a walk and see the sights at night and walk off the beer and dinner.

It was a lot of fun but never as fun as when I get to share and experience things with my sweetheart. I really look forward to seeing things with my Jill next time.
I made it back to the hotel and was able to talk with Jill over the computer and now that's it 10:30 pm in London (3:30 pm in Utah) I ready for bed and a good nights sleep. Tomorrow's a New Day, it just comes sooner to some than others.  Good Night.

First day of Business in the London Office

I finally got to sleep yesterday and made it into the London office. I was taken to the Photo room and got my new pass to get in and out.
The office is a little smaller than I expected and it's defiantly more of a fish bowl that I thought. I didn't realize the wall to the center of the building was glass.

Looking Down from the 8th Floor

Looking Up from the 8th Floor

Looking Across from the 8th Floor

Looking at Igor on the 8th Floor
Looking at Mark on the 8th Floor.

The office building is very interesting, they have made it so there is nothing in the way of walls or dividers on bottom trading floors. All of the pipes, electrical, bathrooms, elevators, air ducts, etc. are on the outside of the building.
 
I did take a photo of the rest room (Don't ask why, it was just a feeling I had) but it fits in with the rest of the building decor.

The elevators are on the outside of the building and all glass. It's a really good view to the city, but today it's a bit cloudy and wet.
 
There is a lot of construction going on around this area, and from what Ian says, there are a few of the buildings that will be sitting empty?
I was surprised to see so many big buildings? The other interesting thing to me was how the people are walking around in there dark suites and coats. I would have to say that  half of them had ipod earbuds in ,and they would all have there heads down and with a destination and all business. Somewhat like New York, nobody wanting to make eye contact.
There are some neat views from the office areas, you can get a good look at the "Gerkin" offices.


Looking down the hall way of the 8th floor, again the hallways are on the outside of the building.
Well it's time to call it a day and get a bite to eat, Ian and Igor recommended the Lowlander Grand Cafe, on 20 Creechurch Lane. Looks like a fun place with lots of beers from all over the world.
http://www.lowlander.com/flash.html
I will let you know how it was.

Mark's First Day in London - Planes, Trains, Automobiles, Walking.....

First of all you can see all the photo's at http://www.markframpton.com/marknew/London%20Day%201.htm

Well it's been a long trip so far, but I made it and safely typing away in the hotel room, trying to stay awake so I can sleep good and be ready to go Monday morning in the office.

Started  the first flight at 9:50 am Saturday morning from SLC to Atlanta. Thought I was going to have empty seats around me "Silly me" they don't have empty seat any more. Almost a four hour flight to Atlanta and then a two and half hour layover in ATL.

The plane finally took off from Atl at 6:00 pm, another full plane and an eight hour flight ahead. Pretty interested flight, watched two movies "Mr Poole is here"? and "One Vote or something? "Kevin Costner" I watched "Spy Games" on the laptop. I had to laugh at myself when I looked at the two dvd's I picked to take on this trip.
"Spy Games" Not bad, but the other was "Cast Away" I was thinking this was a pretty good movie, but laughed out loud when I thought about playing a DVD of a plane crashing over the ocean? Not real funny. A crazy thing about that same time, we hit turbulence and  I mean the plane was dropping and shaking and people were screaming, and drinks were all over some people that didn't have there meals picked up. (like the lady's behind me, had red wine all over them. Pretty funny, and pretty scary!
Talk about meals, we had a choice of Pasta or Chicken. I went with the Chicken. Kind of a Teriyaki, with corn and some black beans, salad with 1000 island dressing, a roll, crackers, Swiss cheese spread, and a pretty tasty brownie.

Well I made the flight to London. It was dark the whole way. Made it through customs, was able to call Jill and let her know that I arrived. Got my first passport stamp.
I Picked up my luggage and had to go over to the South terminal and take the train "Gatwick Express" from Gatwick airport to Victoria Station, London. It's an express, non stop "30 minute ride" through the outside of London. (Pretty interesting seeing what others live in).
 
Next was a taxi ride from Victoria Station to the Chamberlain hotel, where I am staying. It was about 15-20 Minute ride and almost 17 pounds for the fare.

I saw a lot of historic buildings, buses and stores. It was quit the ride and I was glad to make it to the hotel. I did see the Double Deck buses, Black Taxis, London eye, Big Ben, Parliament, and more.

 
Once I made it to the hotel Chamberlain, I was able to check my bags, as the room wasn't ready for me. I headed out for a walk to see the office. (Lloyds building, about 5 min walk from hotel)

Within a block from the Swiss Re, "Gerkin" building.

I then kept on going and made my way to the Tower of London. I took the tour with the audio headphones. It was very interesting and look forward to Jill doing the tour. They have the real Jewlery "Crowns, Swords, Etc."  that they still use. Amazing Diamonds and gems.  The torture rooms and defense of the tower was very interesting.

  You can also see the London Bride, which is right next to the Tower. This is all right on the Thames  river and a lot going on around this area.

I made it back to the hotel and about four hours of walking around.
I was able to get some lunch and check into the room.
Pretty authentic lunch to get the trip started. Lamb, with Potatoes, Yorkshire pudding and gravy, side of carrots, parsnips and green beans. (all fresh) and a side of mint sauce (I didn't care for the mint). I couldn't do it without having a pint of London's Finest. Very good.
Here's the from of the hotel. The room is ok, but I will be glad to get home. Two twin beds pushed together, nothing on the TV but BBS news and Soccer "English Football" is on the only two sports channels.
Well it's about time to get some sleep and be ready for Monday Morning. I need to try and contact Jill on Skype, if you want to talk, look for markframptonut and give me a call. It's Free.
Cheers for now!