It’s been a bit quiet this week because I have visitors. But I haven’t forgotten the raffle. So first things first. The winner of the latest Guy shrine is… Kate! I hope the little tin gets past hubster 😅
Congratulations. Hope you’ll have with this vintage tin – and do put your own picture into the shrine. I mean, who wouldn’t want to share an apple with temptation himself??? And if all fails –…
This is what happens when you don’t read properly: I did a swap with FantasticRCA and we hashed out that in return for a German language iPad keyboard that J___ had bought by accident, I would make a RAPS for her. As we all know, Miss Guylty is changing her name by deed poll to “Mrs Slow”. And since J___ is well-known to be an admirer of Sir Guy, I conveniently forgot about J___’s wish for Chop…
A little bit late today, as I am just back from what I like to call “doing the Armitage”.
Sadly, without eponymous Armitage there, of course. I was recording some German language exam practice dialogues. I do this every year, and it is great fun. However, it also always brings home to me, how difficult it must be two narrate an entire book. It sounds easy – you sit in a box, microphone in front of you, reading from a page. But it actually requires a lot of concentration: In order to read consistently, you have to be constantly aware of your speed and your enunciation. There is someone on the other side of the window who will stop you if you make a mistake, and then you repeat the sentence where you got muddled. But the aim is always to read as naturally as possible, and to do so without making mistakes that require a rewind. The most difficult thing, actually, is minimising all background noises. Moving the pages is one thing, but with 3,000 Euro microphones that pick up even the slightest growl of your stomach, you have to be quite still while you are reading. I can imagine that that must be extra hard for an actor like RA, who is *performing* rather than just monotonously reading a text. Yet, when you move your arms, you can sometimes hear the rustle of your clothes! Hence it became clear to me why RA always dresses casually (in jumpers and the like) when recording – and taking his shoes off. The big biker boots I was wearing today, occasionally creaked under the table when I moved my legs, that’s the extent of the noise sensitivity. – In any case, once you get into the flow, and the sentences smoothly fall from your lips, you really feel a rush of satisfaction. 62 pages of dialogue took us 5 hours today. And now think of Armitage, recording a massive tome of Dickens for an audio book… Impressive, I can only say. I do hope he is paid handsomely for his work. He really is a masterful audio performer, a skill that is very precious!
I like it when he doesn’t take himself seriously. That spy look over the lapel is so much better than any selfie.
Effective cover.
But best of all – sounds as if there was a whole proper shoot. That means new PHOTOS!!!!!!! Can’t wait. It’s been quite a while since a big shoot (not counting event photography). Off we go, checking out Mr Gotts’ oeuvre…
RA Fools Around on IG
😂 That’s the kind of silliness I like. Yep, that says something about my level of humour.
Flat Richie is criss-crossing the globe. After his European tour all through the late summer, he rang in autumn… eh… spring time… in Australia! I can let you know that he has already arrived in the Northern hemisphere in the US, but before we hear from his time with his latest US host, here is a lovely report from Mezz with lots of pictures. Sit back and relax…
When I was notified by a card in my post office box that there was a parcel waiting to be collected from inside I didn’t think twice about it, having been on bit of an online spending spree and not really pondering on what it could be this time. When I saw the box I actually stood there for a few moments wildly trying to think of what I had bought from Amazon. Surely I hadn’t been so click-happy that I had forgotten making a purchase from there! Then it hit me – Flat Richie had arrived! I was very excited and could hardly wait to get home and open up the box.
He has certainly had some adventures over the course of his travels, but I’m afraid that he was in for a very quiet week with me, as he arrived on the Monday, having come all the way from Be66 in France and I intended sending him off again by Friday. Any activity tended to be of the domestic variety, since I am retired and quite happy to spend much of my time pottering around at home. However, I think he was glad of the respite after all his globe trotting, and didn’t mind when I headed off to the gym by myself. We had a couple of days of beautiful weather that week, so we spent some time in the garden, and I took him for a drive up the hill to show him the scenery around the town where I live in south-eastern Australia. I introduced him to my Little Thorin who was a bit miffed that there was another King in the house!
I had a difficult time trying to narrow my gift choices down to the required three, there were so many goodies in the box! Flat Richie’s hosts have been so generous and many of the items were two and three things parcelled together. This is what I finally ended up choosing, I couldn’t resist the items with RA on them!
I loved reading the journal, something I did several times, and feeling like I got to “know” some of you here a little more through your contributions! It was such fun being a part of this project, thank you Guylty!
Mezz xx
A marvellous letter from Australia. I am envious of all the sunshine. Oh, and I am big time jealous of that mouse mat! Time to bring my own RA mouse mat out again, once gifted to me by a lovely, now inactive fan from Romania. A big thank you to Mezz for taking us on a little trip through her home and surroundings. And of course to the lovely people who put the gifts in the box. I am so thrilled to see all these different bits and pieces. There is *always* something new and exciting in there. Everybody gets a shot at receiving some fabulous mementos and RA-related goodies. This has turned out better than I had hoped for.
Here is the customary map view of Richie’s world trip:
And now looking forward to the next stop!
#FlatRichie Down Under
Flat Richie is criss-crossing the globe. After his European tour all through the late summer, he rang in autumn…
Have you got your tickets for UV locked down? Maybe you are like me – tickets bought but not all other details finalised. Priorities, right? The most important consideration is to make sure we get to see RA on stage. Flight? Accommodation? Can be dealt with later. On the latter, I’ve had a few questions bts about hotel recommendations. Now, I do not want to presume better local knowledge than all the English/British fans. However, as a frequent visitor, and particular while I was still working for my London client, I was put up in hotel accommodation on many occasions. In that sense, I may have seen more London hotels than our actual London-based fan sisters *waves at Hariclea and tinyclanger and anyone else whom I am shamefully overlooking here* and can possibly make some recommendations.
A quick note on location and transport
My collection of Oyster Cards. Yes, I’ve had to buy several because I stupidly left mine at home… They give you a little wallet for safe-keeping when you buy yours.
All hotels are fairly centrally located – if you are a walker and do not mind 45 minutes walking, they would even be in walking distance of the city centre of London. Transport, on the whole, is not a problem in London. The tube is never far away. I recommend you buy a so-called Oyster Card upon arrival in London. This is a commuter card that you load credit onto. You can buy it at any (larger) tube station (ticket counter). You can get the £10 deposit back when you return the card before you leave London. You charge your card via the ticket machines located in every tube station. Paying for the tube is via flashing the card at the gates for entry and exit. A display at the gates will always tell you how much money you have left on your card. An Oyster card is a must, even if you only stay for three days. The difference in price between buying single tickets and using your automatic card credit, is significant: A single journey will set you back £4.90 whereas the Oyster card is £2.40!!! Also, the Oyster card has an automatic cap. That means you will pay a maximum of £8.20 (zones 1-3) versus single journeys or a daily travel card at £13.10 (zones 1-4)!!!
However, the best tip when it comes to London public transport, I received from local Hariclea: Bus fares are much cheaper than the tube. A single journey will set you back only £1.50. The daily cap for Oyster Card here is £4.50. So if you can, take the bus. Or walk, that is *my* personal tip. For a long time on my travels to London, I did everything by tube, thinking that London was a huge city and everything was very far apart. It took me 3 years to realise that Piccadilly Circus was only 250 meters away from Leicester Square! Doh. So make use of Google Maps and walk. You will be rewarded with a fantastic view of the city, too, because London treats you to a journey through all architectural ages in almost every street.
Fleet Street. From Tudor half-timbers to 1920s in 500 meters
Guylty’s Hotel Insights
I’ll give you a little review of all the hotels I have stayed at in the last four years. A caveat at the beginning. At least half of them were paid for by my client – and they didn’t skimp. I would not have paid £350 for a hotel room myself. My budget – even while still employed by them – would usually not stretch to that. However, I am including it here, too. Who knows, maybe you have a significant birthday/anniversary, or you want to treat yourself to an extraordinary London experience. Or maybe you just appreciate a lovely boutique hotel, just like I do. Where possible, I will add my own pictures – and occasionally even videos – for a little more insight into the hotel. Links to the hotel website under the name. In no particular order…
Pop!Thoza sneaks up on breakfast
The Rookery – my absolute favourite, but the above mentioned luxury option. Located in Farringdon, opposite Smithfield Market – a boutique hotel completely furnished with antiques and with every room looking different. Close to two tube stations, near the Barbican centre, too. It really looks like the photos on the website – or in my videos. Yep, I have three of them, just because the hotel was so beautiful, I had to document it every time. But I’ll only bore you with one of them. (If you want to you can see the other two if you click on my name on the video below!) This hotel has beautiful common rooms but no breakfast room. So if you want dinner, you need to eat elsewhere. Breakfast is available – but only served in your room. However, it was not any more expensive than in other hotels, and at the same time so good that I always set the alarm for two hours early so I could have long, leisurely breakfast in my fluffy bed before I went to work.
Citizen M in Southwark (Bankside) is completely at the opposite end of the style spectrum. Ultramodern hotel. Every room has a kingsize bed (no single rooms available) and lots of tech gimmicks. Has a fantastic entertainment offer with wide screen TVs in every room. You can operate different lighting scenarios with an iPad in the room, and the blinds are automatically adjusted depending on whether you have set the room settings on “romantic” or “business” 🤣. Located behind the Tate Modern, but still very central. I loved this place and stayed there a couple of times privately, too – my son called it the “cyber hotel” and specifically asked me to book us in there when I gave him a trip to London as a gift. He (age 18 then) even shared the kingsize bed with me – that was the price for being in the cyber hotel… Buffet style breakfast is available in the hotels bar area. I loved the cool style and design of this hotel.
The Park Plaza County Hall is also situate d on the Southern bank of the Thames. I was upgraded to a suite there – with a separate sitting room and a small kitchenette. Comfortable, modern, light-filled rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows. The kitchenette would be really useful if staying for a few days and trying to budget a little bit because eating out in London is expensive. It doesn’t mean you have to cook – but just having a fridge for a pint of milk for your cornflakes in the morning, would already save you a good bit of money. I did like this one very much and remember making a little video – can’t find it anymore, unfortunately. It is part of the Radisson chain, so good quality.
I slept on top bed – wanted the “young” feel
Z Hotel City Another very modern hotel, centrally located in Fleet Street. The rooms are very modern, but also fairly small. I had a room that was billed as a “family” room with two double beds. But even though the room was tiny, they solved the problem really well: One double bed was like an enclosed alcove (fitted with a big TV) while the second double was built on top of the alcove and you accessed it via small steps. The second double also had a TV screen. The drawback was that the hotel did not offer breakfast, and even though it operated a café next door, it did not provide a discount to residents. However, as you can see from the photo, this kind of room would really lend itself to sharing if you are coming with a friend. Share the costs – still get privacy. And style, too.
No real vines, that’s the graffiti on the wall!!
The Malmaison on Charterhouse Square. Another boutique hotel in Farringdon (like the Rookery above) (near Barbican), located on beautiful Charterhouse Square where you get London at its historic best: There is the eponymous Charterhouse from the 14th century, then there is Georgian architecture, the Victorian hotel building, and an Art Deco block of flats (which was used as location for Hercule Poirot’s flat in the Poirot TV series with David Suchet). Every room differently decorated – modern eclectic. The rooms were small but beautiful and all decorated differently. The first time I stayed there, I had an “inside” room with a kind of blind window into a lightwell. The room had really funky decoration with a graffiti-sprayed wall. Breakfast was not included but available in the basement restaurant – really nice, though.
Glimpse of room on the right. Bathroom had massive dimensions. Wheelchair compatible
The Premier Inn County Hall is probably on the affordable end of the scale. Centrally located, directly behind the London Eye and more or less directly on the banks of the Thames. The rooms were not particularly cosy or original, but clean, light and big. Probably more on the practical side. Prices are pretty good for London – and for the location. Breakfast available in the hotel – nothing special, but good price.
You can see what I had for breakfast
The Marlin Aparthotel was an affordable option when I took my mum to London last year. This hotel is fairly well connected, just behind Waterloo Station. In walking distance of the Old Vic Theatre and Westminster on the other side of the Thames. The rooms were bright and modern – and they came with a kitchenette. We ate breakfast in our own room every day and saved on another tenner for meals that way. This hotel is easily accessible by bus – which will also get transport costs down…
Lastly, The Grange Strathmore Hotel is the last hotel I stayed in when in London in April this year. The building is the former residence of the Earl of Strathmore (the Queen Mother’s father), and as such an imposing Victorian residence in a very pretty part of London. The room was small and looked out onto the mews at the back. Kensington is a very nice area for walking and looking at the grand white townhouses, but it’s not as central as the other hotels listed above. Also, I didn’t find the transport options quite as close as the other hotels.
So, here is an overview of the hotels and their relative location. It’s an interactive map – you can click on the markers and see which hotel it is.
That’s it for my own experience with hotels in central London. As I said – not necessarily the cheapest *thanks to my former employers*. I am sure there are other, if not better options available. If anyone has some recommendations, please add them in the comments! And for further questions – I’m delighted if I can answer, although I am sure that the resident Londoners are probably better equipped than I am.
Leaving you with a little London Lucas for good measure.
Notes on Staying in London
Have you got your tickets for UV locked down? Maybe you are like me - tickets bought but not all other details finalised.
Today I went back to the shrining bench – because I have a few RAPS on my list that I need to get moving on. The lengthiest part of the RAPS creation process is always choosing images for printing. Today was no exception. I always, *always* fall into the rabbit hole of admiring pictures. And even when I know *exactly* which image I need, I can sometimes get sidetracked. Today, for instance, I…
A very wet day here in Ireland. I’ve just come back from travelling, but I feel like going far away, escaping the dark, gloomy autumn days that are ahead of us now. So a little badge update comes at the right time. Nordlicht has been travelling and she sent me a picture of the badge in Iceland!!! What an interesting destination. It’s been on my bucket list for a long time, too, but I have never…
Cramerry has only just left – is probably sitting in the airport right now – and I am passing the time with a quick post.
The lateness of the round-up this week was only marginally caused by the fact that I was travelling in the remote South of the island. To tell you the honest truth, I was close to binning this and all future tumblr round-ups. I am quite miffed about someone on tumblr basically…
However, the best tip when it comes to London public transport, I received from local Hariclea: Bus fares are much cheaper than the tube. A single journey will set you back only £1.50. The daily cap for Oyster Card here is £4.50. So if you can, take the bus. Or walk, that is *my* personal tip. For a long time on my travels to London, I did everything by tube, thinking that London was a huge city and everything was very far apart. It took me 3 years to realise that Piccadilly Circus was only 250 meters away from Leicester Square! Doh. So make use of Google Maps and walk. You will be rewarded with a fantastic view of the city, too, because London treats you to a journey through all architectural ages in almost every street.
