London-toys, books and shopping

The penultimate (?) installment of the London trip I took with kvogel

Since both of us had been to London before (abeit decades in one case), we felt no urge to see the usual tourista (the Tower, Harrod's, etc.) but we did have the book-and-toy bug! I even managed to track down the last and only used science fiction bookstore in London!



We quested for the British Harry Potter audio books (friends of Steve wanted the readings by Stephen Fry), books for Roz and myself, interesting toys and dvds. Happily, one of the main used book districts (I love that about certain nations: specific districts for certain goods-- books, clothing, etc.) was in the middle of the West End-- right near the theaters we were seeing shows at.

Steve found Motor Books Naval, Military and Aviation bookshop! This is an incredible resource for hard-to-find war and war-machine books. We originally came across this by chance late one night and Steve was *very* excited-- we went there the next day. Small, densely packed store with treasures galore-- the epidome of what every book lover hopes to fine: a nook store filled with stuff they never knew about! Steve said that Scott would plotz if he saw what this store had. Steve's find was a highly detailed account (all pictures) of a Polish (I think) group completely rebuilding a WWII Germain tank, including re-milling many of the parts.

I enjoyed seeing all the British versions of familiar children's books. Some art was better, some less so, but all neat to see.

One night while Steve was looking for a snap-cap, the London tourist office suggested looking in the
Piccadilly Flea Market. This is a neat little flea market in the courtyard of a church just off Piccadilly. Apparently they have different themed days (crafts, clothing, etc.): today was crafts and junk. Wonderful stall selling brass printing stamps.

A huge highlight of our shopping spree was Hamley's Toy Store. We're talking seven floors of toy, craft and gadget goodness. I had to double-check to make sure I wasn't buying toys from the US (some of the Folkmanis stuffies fooled me). This store reminded me of the FAO Schwartz stores in its heyday (now they're kind of shabby).

Here's something everyone needs: a Playmobil Nativity set.

Had to use Iron Will to resist buying a Steiff Border Collie. With the terrible exchange rate, they're no bargain here (though the selection at this store was amazing!

They had a large collection of metal soldiers-- here's one for Scott: a prisoner/nazi set.

I'd buy this! Unfortunately, only the doll was for sale. I have -no- idea why she was wearing the werewolf mask, but they sure had my peculiar demographic with this one!

While wandering, Steve noticed a silver shop that had sterling silver corn. Why in the world one would -want- sterling silver corn I have no idea. Must be a British thing.

I liked the picture on the can : it was a good likeness of Rondo. Mmmmmm...chunks...jelly...

Here's the full Flickr set

London-toys, books and shopping

The penultimate (?) installment of the London trip I took with kvogel

Since both of us had been to London before (abeit decades in one case), we felt no urge to see the usual tourista (the Tower, Harrod's, etc.) but we did have the book-and-toy bug! I even managed to track down the last and only used science fiction bookstore in London!



We quested for the British Harry Potter audio books (friends of Steve wanted the readings by Stephen Fry), books for Roz and myself, interesting toys and dvds. Happily, one of the main used book districts (I love that about certain nations: specific districts for certain goods-- books, clothing, etc.) was in the middle of the West End-- right near the theaters we were seeing shows at.

Steve found Motor Books Naval, Military and Aviation bookshop! This is an incredible resource for hard-to-find war and war-machine books. We originally came across this by chance late one night and Steve was *very* excited-- we went there the next day. Small, densely packed store with treasures galore-- the epidome of what every book lover hopes to fine: a nook store filled with stuff they never knew about! Steve said that Scott would plotz if he saw what this store had. Steve's find was a highly detailed account (all pictures) of a Polish (I think) group completely rebuilding a WWII Germain tank, including re-milling many of the parts.

I enjoyed seeing all the British versions of familiar children's books. Some art was better, some less so, but all neat to see.

One night while Steve was looking for a snap-cap, the London tourist office suggested looking in the
Piccadilly Flea Market. This is a neat little flea market in the courtyard of a church just off Piccadilly. Apparently they have different themed days (crafts, clothing, etc.): today was crafts and junk. Wonderful stall selling brass printing stamps.

A huge highlight of our shopping spree was Hamley's Toy Store. We're talking seven floors of toy, craft and gadget goodness. I had to double-check to make sure I wasn't buying toys from the US (some of the Folkmanis stuffies fooled me). This store reminded me of the FAO Schwartz stores in its heyday (now they're kind of shabby).

Here's something everyone needs: a Playmobil Nativity set.

Had to use Iron Will to resist buying a Steiff Border Collie. With the terrible exchange rate, they're no bargain here (though the selection at this store was amazing!

They had a large collection of metal soldiers-- here's one for Scott: a prisoner/nazi set.

I'd buy this! Unfortunately, only the doll was for sale. I have -no- idea why she was wearing the werewolf mask, but they sure had my peculiar demographic with this one!

While wandering, Steve noticed a silver shop that had sterling silver corn. Why in the world one would -want- sterling silver corn I have no idea. Must be a British thing.

I liked the picture on the can : it was a good likeness of Rondo. Mmmmmm...chunks...jelly...

Here's the full Flickr set

London-toys, books and shopping

The penultimate (?) installment of the London trip I took with kvogel

Since both of us had been to London before (abeit decades in one case), we felt no urge to see the usual tourista (the Tower, Harrod's, etc.) but we did have the book-and-toy bug! I even managed to track down the last and only used science fiction bookstore in London!



We quested for the British Harry Potter audio books (friends of Steve wanted the readings by Stephen Fry), books for Roz and myself, interesting toys and dvds. Happily, one of the main used book districts (I love that about certain nations: specific districts for certain goods-- books, clothing, etc.) was in the middle of the West End-- right near the theaters we were seeing shows at.

Steve found Motor Books Naval, Military and Aviation bookshop! This is an incredible resource for hard-to-find war and war-machine books. We originally came across this by chance late one night and Steve was *very* excited-- we went there the next day. Small, densely packed store with treasures galore-- the epidome of what every book lover hopes to fine: a nook store filled with stuff they never knew about! Steve said that Scott would plotz if he saw what this store had. Steve's find was a highly detailed account (all pictures) of a Polish (I think) group completely rebuilding a WWII Germain tank, including re-milling many of the parts.

I enjoyed seeing all the British versions of familiar children's books. Some art was better, some less so, but all neat to see.

One night while Steve was looking for a snap-cap, the London tourist office suggested looking in the
Piccadilly Flea Market. This is a neat little flea market in the courtyard of a church just off Piccadilly. Apparently they have different themed days (crafts, clothing, etc.): today was crafts and junk. Wonderful stall selling brass printing stamps.

A huge highlight of our shopping spree was Hamley's Toy Store. We're talking seven floors of toy, craft and gadget goodness. I had to double-check to make sure I wasn't buying toys from the US (some of the Folkmanis stuffies fooled me). This store reminded me of the FAO Schwartz stores in its heyday (now they're kind of shabby).

Here's something everyone needs: a Playmobil Nativity set.

Had to use Iron Will to resist buying a Steiff Border Collie. With the terrible exchange rate, they're no bargain here (though the selection at this store was amazing!

They had a large collection of metal soldiers-- here's one for Scott: a prisoner/nazi set.

I'd buy this! Unfortunately, only the doll was for sale. I have -no- idea why she was wearing the werewolf mask, but they sure had my peculiar demographic with this one!

While wandering, Steve noticed a silver shop that had sterling silver corn. Why in the world one would -want- sterling silver corn I have no idea. Must be a British thing.

I liked the picture on the can : it was a good likeness of Rondo. Mmmmmm...chunks...jelly...

Here's the full Flickr set

Wrapping up London: chewable toothbrushes, videos and wack-santas

The trip to the Heathrow was efficiently managed via the express train from Paddington Station: 15 minutes and you're at the airport! It was there that I came across chewable toothbrushes. Haven't tried them yet-- my stomach gets upset just thinking about them. One the flight back, we actually saw ice floes. Highly recommend using United or Northwest out of Los Angeles to any foreigh destination: they have their own customs/immigration areas and you avoid the mess at Bradley Intl.

Finally, here are some videos I took:

Animated wooden toys! Saw them at Hamley's!

Unique version of 12 Days of Christmas by a group of wack-santas and reindeer. Not sure if this is some tradition or not, but this horde of santas, reindeer and other merrymakers was wandering around the West End singing bawdy versions of familiar holiday songs. I don't usually approve of drunken behavior but this group was A. friendly, B. funny and C. not driving, so I approve.

Here is a brief video shot on the RBW Thames River cruise. Even the crew joined in! Dancing and singing to Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody

And finally, these toys were at Hamley's: I think their purpose is to hypnotize infants. They certainly had Steve and I spaced out over them.

Watch on YouTube

Wrapping up London: chewable toothbrushes, videos and wack-santas

The trip to the Heathrow was efficiently managed via the express train from Paddington Station: 15 minutes and you're at the airport! It was there that I came across chewable toothbrushes. Haven't tried them yet-- my stomach gets upset just thinking about them. One the flight back, we actually saw ice floes. Highly recommend using United or Northwest out of Los Angeles to any foreigh destination: they have their own customs/immigration areas and you avoid the mess at Bradley Intl.

Finally, here are some videos I took:

Animated wooden toys! Saw them at Hamley's!

Unique version of 12 Days of Christmas by a group of wack-santas and reindeer. Not sure if this is some tradition or not, but this horde of santas, reindeer and other merrymakers was wandering around the West End singing bawdy versions of familiar holiday songs. I don't usually approve of drunken behavior but this group was A. friendly, B. funny and C. not driving, so I approve.

Here is a brief video shot on the RBW Thames River cruise. Even the crew joined in! Dancing and singing to Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody

And finally, these toys were at Hamley's: I think their purpose is to hypnotize infants. They certainly had Steve and I spaced out over them.

Watch on YouTube

Wrapping up London: chewable toothbrushes, videos and wack-santas

The trip to the Heathrow was efficiently managed via the express train from Paddington Station: 15 minutes and you're at the airport! It was there that I came across chewable toothbrushes. Haven't tried them yet-- my stomach gets upset just thinking about them. One the flight back, we actually saw ice floes. Highly recommend using United or Northwest out of Los Angeles to any foreigh destination: they have their own customs/immigration areas and you avoid the mess at Bradley Intl.

Finally, here are some videos I took:

Animated wooden toys! Saw them at Hamley's!

Unique version of 12 Days of Christmas by a group of wack-santas and reindeer. Not sure if this is some tradition or not, but this horde of santas, reindeer and other merrymakers was wandering around the West End singing bawdy versions of familiar holiday songs. I don't usually approve of drunken behavior but this group was A. friendly, B. funny and C. not driving, so I approve.

Here is a brief video shot on the RBW Thames River cruise. Even the crew joined in! Dancing and singing to Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody

And finally, these toys were at Hamley's: I think their purpose is to hypnotize infants. They certainly had Steve and I spaced out over them.

Watch on YouTube