London Travelogue Part 1.

We landed in London around 7:15AM Tuesday morning, and, after assorted immigration activities, figuring out how to get the Tube to our hotel, and other chores like changing some money and getting a SIM card for the phone, we were left with one major goal for the day: stay awake as long as possible so as to reset our circadian rhythms and ward off jet lag. Just to clarify, I am traveling with my husband of 33 years, this trip being a belated (thanks to COVID) 30th anniversary celebration. To my delight, Brian, who agreed to watch the Strike TV series with me, but has never read the books, agreed that the best way to get our bearings around our Seven Dials-area hotel was to explore all the Strike-related sights within walking distance. I don’t know if this was an effort to make sure I had fun the first day or to try to get it out of my system so I’d be up for more traditional touristing going forward, but it was a great day. 

Now, to share the photographic evidence, with sights listed in order by book. 

First, the Eros/Anteros statue in Piccadilly Circus, the site of the Flobberworm’s proposal that launched the series. 

Next, the actual location of the CB Strike Detective Agency, 26 Denmark Street, where Robin finds a much more fulfilling life the next day. 

Third, the pub formerly known as the Tottenham, the place of so many drunken confessions. 

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Wong Kei, where Strike meets Spanner to hand over Lula Landry’s laptop 

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Hamley’s, the “best toy store in the world” where Strike buys Jack’s birthday gift and, later, Christmas presents for all his nephews.

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Cipriani’s, lunch spot of the rich and famous of Cuckoo's Calling. 

The Cambridge, where Robin and Strike celebrated his 36th in The Silkworm.  I think Strike returned once in TIBH.

The lovely Hazlitt Hotel, where Strike takes Robin for safety in COE.  

The Red Lion: Where Robin, in Lethal White, gets soaked in O.J. and, worse, has to talk to Sarah Shadlock.

Franco’s, where Charlotte lures Strike for an unwanted conversation in Lethal White.  Nearby, I spotted a security guard at an unmarked door that I think was the location of Pratt's, but I was too chicken to either take his photo or say, "Hi, George." 

                                           

The Shakespeare’s Head, where Strike meets Shanker in Troubled Blood. 

Fortnum and Mason, where Robin and Strike interview Onaugh Kennedy. 

Liberty’s: site of Strike’s unsuccessful Christmas shopping trip and where he later takes Robin to pick out her own perfume.

The Stafford Hotel, location of the American Bar, where Robin gets two black eyes.

The Bar Italia where Robin and Strike have a breakfast meeting, thankfully without Morris, in TB. 

The Ritz: location of Robin’s 30th and the near-kiss. 

Bob Bob Ricard, where Robin laments her love life and Ilsa announces her pregnancy. 

Gerrard’s Corner, another Chinatown sight and another choice for Singapore noodles, this time in TIBH. 

This lovely bird I photographed in Green Park turned out to be a magpie, so I’ll assume it was the inspiration for a certain cartoon character.

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And finally, Rupert’s Court, the China Town site featured in Rowling's twitter header, we have been told to expect "someone or something" to be found in The Running Grave. 

That was a long day of walking, folks.  I’ll be back later in the week with more.