After travelling from Torquay by rail to Paddington Station (and by the way – there is a new Paddington Bear book that I was excited to read until I discovered, as one newspaper put it, “Paddington Bear will encounter migrants, electronic tagging, and ‘elf ‘n’ safety laws in a brand new story”… Ah, thank you, no) – I then took an iconic London Black Cab to my lovely hotel, where I was greeted by a doorman wearing a top hat…
The reason for this London trip?
A members-only Q&A with Daisy Goodwin, one of my favourite authors and the author of the mini-series, “Victoria”.
It wasn’t really the place for photos so instead here are a couple of stock photos to give you an idea…
First, as the event was in the evening after closing time at Kensington Palace, it was admittance through a private gate (not quite as an illustrious gate as this below), then driving past the residence of Prince William and Princess Kate, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge…
…and for the event itself that began with hors de’oeuvres and a lovely crisp white wine, it was off to the magnificent Orangery, built in the early 1700s for Queen Anne…
Hosted by Lucy Worsley, another of my favourites and Chief Curator of Historic Royal Palaces…
…what I didn’t know was that Daisy Goodwin was once Lucy Worsley’s boss!
The event was extremely interesting and Bridgit was encouraged that my question to Daisy Goodwin related specifically to her transition from books to screen…
Also in attendance were several of the actors, including Jenna Coleman who plays Queen Victoria.
View as we were leaving…
Back now in my lovely hotel and tomorrow going first-class rail for the four-hour journey back to Torquay – but thankfully we have a direct line from Paddington Station so there are no transfers or changing trains between here and there…
I may not have seen much of London on this trip, but every time I come here I love it! I wouldn’t want to live here, but I adore visiting London…
~ Bella
PS: view from inside the train carriage on the way home…
…and Paddington Station…
