Sayuri's trip to London - Notting Hill inspired!

Platform  93⁄4 , St. Pancras

When I arrived at St. Pancras station by Eurostar with my husband, it was almost 8pm. We were deadly tired as the Eurostar was delayed and we had to stand in a long queue over 4 hours at Gare du Nord in Paris.

Right next to St. Pancras station there was Kings Cross station where we could see the famous 93⁄4 plat form. We enjoyed watching many people paid and took photos there. We bought some chocolate frogs(didn’t move!) and the Bertie Bott`s Every Flavour Beans. By the time we were quite happy and forgot about our stressful journey from Paris.

We stayed at a nice hotel near Waterloo station and had comfortable 3 nights.

double-decker bus on Westminster Bridge, in front of Big Ben

Their elevators spoke to us"Doors closing" but it sounded like "George Clooney" to my husband. So everytime we were on the elevator, we said "George Clooney" to the closing doors.

Every morning we got up early and had very good almost full English breakfast and started walking along River Thames. There were lots to see. One of the interesting things was the nursery rhyme under the London Bridge. When we walked through under the London Bridge in dark, we heard the famous melody in girl's spooky voice. That made our blood run cold.

We also went to Notting Hill and saw the travel book shop where the film was shot. It was not a book shop anymore and they sold lots of things for tourists like us, though we didn't buy anything there.

Now the art exhibition of the British National Gallery was to have been on in Tokyo but the art museum is closed because of the nasty virus corona. We really hope this world crisis comes to the end somehow and sometime soon. We still looking forward to seeing many fine arts which we enjoyed very much in London. Those will be good reminders of our lovely days in London.

a lion in dawn we started walking that early in the morning

the travel book shop in Notting Hill

Posted for Sayuri

Notting Hill - what are friends for?

Firstly, I think the kindest friend is Max. He organised Honey's birthday party and some dinner
parties for William to introduce him to some ladies, although his cooking was not so good. He also took Bella to the press conference, when she almost gave up joining them.

Secondly, the funniest one is Spike. He has his own style, which is usually quite odd for others; wearing goggles and a scuba diving suit, or T-shirts with silly words on them. He enjoys his life in his own funny way.

Then, I like Honey the best. She is honest and cheerful, and tries to help her brother William. When she saw Anna for the first time, she was very excited, which is quite natural and very understandable. If I saw a famous actress, I would be very excited but I wouldn't act like Honey to show my excitement, so I'd probably just stare at the famous star and be unable to say a word.

Mostly, William's friends are all important to him. They are always there for him, whether he is up or down. They have their own interests and their own lives with their different jobs, but when any of them needs help, they always lend a hand.

Anna would be very happy and comfortable to join them with William, they will come and help her, and she will help them as well. That's what friends are for.

Posted for Sayuri O.

An interview with the lodger - Notting Hill after reading

Question : Hello Spike , you are one of the friends of William, right?

Spike : Yes, I am one of the most important friends of William and Anna.

Question : When did you notice about their love?

Spike: It was at the first sight of Anna, was in William’s house.

Question: What did you think about her at the moment?

Spike: I thought “Wow!!” I met her first in the bathroom. I couldn’t believe the woman was Anna Scott!!

Question: What was your impression of Anna?

Spike: She is nice and friendly then I have thought... and she is kind of candid person. 

Question: What do you think about William?

Spike: He is a sort of sensitive person....stubborn and serious, sometimes nervous but very lovely guy actually. It seemed he had been living in a beautiful and sad dream since he has met Anna. 

Question: Are there anything you want to say?

Spike: Anna and William’s story is a great love story, must be more beautiful than films!! I hope that it becomes a movie and I want to play the role of “Spike”!! And if it possible I would like to be a lodger of their house!!

Interviewer - Teruki M