Early morning wake up to get to meet Anthony and Jill at 9:30 in Oxford Circus.  Ant had arranged a surprise program for Heini, we were going to a guided tour in BBC Broadcasting House.  Lovely to meet Jill also as I've heard (read) so much about her during the past two? years.   We have not met with Ant for 6 or 7 years and it was like no time had past and still it has been such a long time. At BBC we met also Sarah, Jill's son's fiance, who works at BBC.  Amazing really to see live how the weather girl swinging her hands around the white board, smiling to the camera, no cameraman behind it.  And at the same time we saw the broadcast in TV, only a second or two delay between the live weathergirl and TV.  Did you know that broadcasting means spreading the seeds (kylvää in Finnish)?

 

The guides were really fun and gripping.  Jill wondered if they were actors retired or in-between jobs as they were so good.  We got lots of information and behind-the-scenes gags but also interactive bits as Anthony got to be a weatherman.  And a really good one he was!  I think the guide asked if he could come and work for BBC.  I got into a radio play, a horror story where I had a role of Frances.  Five other roles were played by Dutch students and some did the sound effects like foot steps, clock bells, screecks and thumbs.  After the recording we got to hear how it sounds like and it was actually guite good even though we had no time to prepare nor to read the lines in advance.

After the tour we walked some smaller streets, saw some blue signs in houses of some celebrity or historical character (had not noticed any before).  Ended up to have light lunch in Wallace Collection, a place worth a visit!  Very beautiful house or a manor maybe, refurbished beatutifully with a glassroof courtyard and rooms full of art.  What a pleasant place to sit down enjoying a glass of wine. I found one beautiful and simple glassball to put on Xmastree.

More walking in the afternoon, in Oxford Street to Regent Street, popping into some shops and finally to Liberty's for afternoon tea with scones, cream and jam.  I managed to buy something, yarn for crocheting ear things, not rings you know.  Then we found Desigual shop and I bought a T-shirt.  I had Desigual's coat on and it had been already noticed by so many people that we just had to check this shop very thoroghly.  It was time to have the first beer today!  Was it before or after the Fortnum&Mason's?  Not sure but I found there all the presents for Jouni and grandparents to take back from the trip.  There were some Xmas markets already opened and I managed to buy earrings made of palm seeds.  Those got me good idea for Xmas presents, crocheting flowers and adding the ear piece a new way into those.

 

Walking to Piccadilly Circus and admiring all the lights, lovely night really.  We had dinner in a brasseri called Zedel.  There were Art deco wall paintings, murals, made by Jill's friend.  Wonderful place with good food, a wonderful end for a wonderful day!