Oct 26 - Harrod's

 A light day today.  I took the Tube to Knightsbridge and walked to Harrod's.  I forgot to take a photo of the outside of the store, so I stole one out of Google.

I thought I'd wander around and check into Harrod's prices for items I knows about.  So, I skipped through Cosmetics and Ladies Wear and headed for Appliances.

I stopped at the Espresso Makers on the 4th floor.  Here are two, the same manufacturer as ours, but 'higher' models.  

The Marax on the left is  1199.95 GBP ($2232), the Bianca on the right is 2199 GBP (4090).  The numbers in brackets are Cdn Pesos.

For comparison the prices from Coffee Addicts in Calgary are $2575 and $4135 respectively.

The nice Saleslady that I spoke to told me that people do buy over here because the prices are lower, but Harrod's warns them that they have no warranty service. Also, these machines weigh 15 kilos or so; taking that in your carry-on luggage could be an issue (unless you offer to make the airline crew Lattes).

It was hard to walk by this dining room display (would you like to have coffee here when you have a hangover?).

From the adjacent sign, I think the table costs 51,444 GBP and each chair is 4,752 GBP.  These prices would fall into the category of "If you have to ask, you can't afford it," so I didn't ask.

Laura is busy looking for a 8 foot x 10 foor rug for our renovated TV deck.  Look what I found!

I flipped over the corner to check the price - more than 9,000 GBP.  I don't want to arrange the shipping, so we'll pass on it.

I went down to the Food Halls.  The customers were crowded shoulder to shoulder.  Here's the butcher's counter:

If you can't read the prices when you click on the photo, here are some:
-Aberdeen Angus Rump Roast:           36 GBP / kilo   
-Aberdeen Angus Centre Cut Fillet:     88 GBP / kilo 
-Aberdeen Angus Ribeye:                    68 GBP / kilo
-Beef Wellington:                                  32 GBP / each

Here's the butcher with his nice hat

No Ribeye for me today.  Over to the prepared dishes counter.

Plain pasta is 2.80 GBP / 100gr

The artisan bread in the bakery looked beautiful.  

I would have bought some if I thought I could finish it before I leave.

I did buy a Cinnamon Bun and Raisin Swirl.  

Last price examination:  Do you know anybody you love / hate enough to give him / her one of these?  Good thing, because the one on the right would set you back more than 9,000 GBP.  I backed out of there carefully because I didn't want to turn around and knock it over with my backpack.

Last photo.  Unfortunately, not a good photo, but the Central Escalators are in a very ornate shaft.  Lots of gold - possibly designed by Donald Trump (oops, that's my inner voice talking).

I left Harrod's and headed towards Hyde Park for the walk to the Tube.  Here's some of the architecture outside the store.

Nice buildings.  That line on the right is to get in.  On a Sunday! I was sure lucky I arrived early.

In Hyde Park this made me wonder what it would cost to stable a horse around here.  Another one of those "If you have to ask, you can't afford it" 

 The Rose Garden at the corner of the park.  Still a few brave blooms.

Last photo of the day - an empty platform at Russell Square.  A contrast to yesterday when the platform was full.  The station was opened in 1906.  Still doesn't look too bad.  The cars on the Piccadilly Line are all 1973 vintage.  They rattle and squeal a lot, much more than the newer cars on the other lines.  Our guide on the Tube Tour told us these are due for replacement.

That's it for today.  I want to get a good night's sleep tonight for the trip / tour of Windsor Castle.  

Greg