Our last few days’ shopping efforts were just a foretaste of today’s shopping trip to Oxford Street and Regent Street. We park next to Selfridges and start there. First with a perfume that Gabi is looking for, but which is apparently sold out everywhere. And also otherwise we don’t buy a lot. There are many nice and fun things on offer, but we don’t need a handbag with cutlery handle or alarm clock shape, a Scalextric track or a poser car for kids. What we do need, on the other hand, is a cute plush plant from Jellycat’s wide range for Gabi’s office desk, and a good look in the Christmas department.

The Disney Store has a really nice selection of Halloween and Christmas items. Disney is embracingg classics like Nightmare before Christmas or the Disneyland attraction Phantom Manor. The Christmas tree ball with Daisy is a tribute to her very first appearance in a short film with Donald, but of course only connoisseurs will know that. 😉 The first floor is now dedicated to Star Wars and Marvel, which makes for a nicer separation.

We then re-park and head to Carnaby Street. After a late lunch at Leon’s, we continue around this area with its cute little shops before heading down Regent Street. The now vegan meatballs and chicken satay offer new energy we badly need!

It’s already starting to get dark as we stroll past Piccadilly Circus to the venerable Fortnum & Mason department stores. Here we look for a certain tea and a new supply of the mint chocolates which Gabi likes so much. With that and a few souvenirs, we make our way back and up Regent Street on the other side of the street.

But what we like most, as always, is a visit to Liberty, the other one of the long-established department stores. They simply have the best items! We love looking around at the fabrics, carpets, lamps, vases, crockery, stools, and of course the Christmas department.

I just read on Facebook that Steven’s time machine is on display in front of the Science Museum, whose science fiction exhibition we visited yesterday. So we decide to drive by there on the way back to the hotel. And indeed, we can park right next to the time machine. The quick stop takes a little longer than planned. I chat with Steven and the museum staff, who apologise for not having any exhibits from Back to the Future in the exhibition. It was just too difficult to get everything on their wish list. But yes, they more than made up for it with the time machine.

Luckily, Motherclucker is still open when we go looking for dinner at ten o’clock in the evening. Gabi already knows exactly what she wants in her favourite chicken restaurant. And I also choose something nice to take away. It’s not far to the hotel.