Tuesday 15 November 2011

My penultimate birthday treat

Over the months some of my great blogging buddies including Vivienne have joked how some people manage to stretch out their birthday celebrations for days, or even a week. Indeed for my 50th birthday earlier this year I spent from Friday to Sunday celebrating. I shared those times with you all in my previous posts. Well, I had another treat recently, yes seriously all these months on!  I was given a "Sunday Brunch" voucher by Milly, Tom and Matt to enjoy a treat at the "Altitude 360" venue in central London. This boasts one of the best high rise views of London. I decided to save my treat until the autumn and we finally booked a table a few weeks ago.






It was actually quite an overcast day but the views were still brilliant and we had a table looking out towards Westminster.

















All the windows had painted silhouettes showing all the major sights.





















You can see the River Thames with the "Eye" looming over it on the right.


















Also on the far right where the trees start is St. Thomas' Hospital where I spent my first 2 years as a junior physiotherapist. We always had a pretty good view! We could look straight across the river to the House Of  Parliament.








The food was gorgeous. The brunch started with a glass of champagne and moved onto any combinations of eggs, bacon, veg etc. It was an all you could eat buffet and we then finished off with.....











pancakes. I chose chocolate filling with syrup, fresh soft fruits and a small scoop of clotted cream. It was a great brunch but of course we needed to walk off all those calories so we took a walk around that part of London.













I took my trusty camera so that you could join us! We walked past Big Ben

















 


Past Westminster Abbey..(Remember "The Wedding" ..not  "THE  Wedding" of course, which is next July!!

















We then did a loop along the river to end up at one of my favourite museums, Tate Britain.


If you ever visit London this is really one not to miss. Tate Modern on the South Bank is a really interesting building, but I am not really a great fan of modern art. I love classical art and artists including the Pre Raphaelites. They all have their work on show  in Tate Britain.



Stunning!
There was a special exhibition called "The Romantics" on at the time so we were spoilt with more wonderful art



We really had a most enjoyable day. Believe it or not I STILL have one more present to use. I have a theatre tickets voucher but as they have no use by date I think we will wait until the gloomy days of January or February to see a West End Show. Has anyone any suggestions....?

I hope you all enjoyed visiting London with me and sharing my penultimate birthday treat. Now who says birthdays are over and done with in one day? I wonder if I hold the record for the longest birthday celebrations ....;0) 

Bye for now,

Jane x

14 comments:

  1. Well yes Jane I think you probably do!! :)
    That was a wonderful treat and the view was brilliant. I really could eat that pancake now!
    When we were last in London we visited the Tate Britain as well, I loved it too!
    As for the theatre I would go and see something light and entertaining but then that's me!
    Vivienne x

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  2. Tee hee Vivienne, it's made me feel quite hungry now too.
    I quite fancy seeing Oliver or Les Mis but have never seen anything other than Mary Poppins which was on a few years ago!
    Jane x

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  3. You have had a Birthday celebration to end all!!!! What a lovely day you had, the food looked so delicious and the restaurant was so special.The views were such fun to see, I can only imagine what a sunny day would look like. Can't wait for "The Wedding" next year! (you got me for a second)
    So since there is no end to your birthday, I will be waiting for the next edition. Such fun, thanks!
    xoRobin❤

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  4. Dear Jane.. oh my.. what a lovely day you had! As an artist I particularly loved seeing those paintings. I am so curious about the one with the lady floating in the water.. what is that about and who is the artist?

    We're off to a steak dinner tonight.. you've made me hungry.

    ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  5. You're the champion, Jane, you set the record so high we can just dream of this :) I thought me celebrating my b-days over two weeks was long but... Wonderful pictures, dear, you had a lovely day. How I wish I could visit London one day again!

    Have a wonderful week and happy greetings from almost-wintery Finland!

    Yours,
    Mia

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  6. Dear Jane, thank you for a lovely London trip! I would love to go/come there again and again! Last time I had only one day when passing to south to my sister's wedding! I think you have got the best presents because with them you can celebrate your BD long time!
    xxx Teje

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  7. The views were indeed very special Robin. We are counting down til Milly and Tom's big day next July. I shall keep you posted with my next birthday installment!
    Jane x

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  8. Hi Teresa that wonderful painting is Ophelia by Malaise one of my favourite paintings by the pre Raphaelite brotherhood . He may even have painted it at Red House where I visited earlier this year. Hope your steak was good!
    Jane x

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  9. Hi Mia my fellow champion celebrator - I think I may have made that word up! There is just so much to see in London you must come back one day soon . Get the gloves and boots ready for you snow and keep cosy.
    Jane x

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  10. Hi Teje you need a lot longer than a day but it's wonderful that you had a glimpse of my beloved London. I find something new with every visit even after all these years.
    Jane x

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  11. Oh yummy! I love the art and sights photos too. My computer crash made me get behind on all of your wonderful posts, but it's fun to catch up on them too. It looks like it's going to be a very fun year of wedding planning :)

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  12. Glad to see you are back on line Linda, pesky technology eh! You as an artist would so love Tate Britain. It is stacked full of so much wonderful art.The wedding planning is indeed great fun.
    Jane x

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  13. I'd expect nothing less from you than keeping the celebrations going as long as there are willing participants! What a wonderful day this must have been! So fun! :o)

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  14. No surprises there then Michele ;0) and STILL one more to come. It was such a great day.
    Have a lovely weekend,
    Jane x

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