Today we are travelling to Central London again. We didn’t have enough time left for Selfridges department store yesterday. We find a great car park right opposite and start at the top… only to be disappointed. The food court with the various freshly cooked food options – Indian, Italian, Japanese, Thai, crèpes – no longer exists. It was replaced by two restaurants. The days when everyone in the group could get something of their choice and eat together are over. What a pity.

We are all the happier in the Jellycat corner. They don’t make the usual cuddly toys, but cuddly food and plants. Fruit, vegetables, croissants, donuts, radishes… everything you can imagine. And now, of course, Christmas trees, gift packs and more.

We also take a long stroll around the Shoe Gallery. We are both looking for new winter boots, but despite the large selection, we don’t really find anything we really like.

At Selfridges, it’s always worth visiting the lower ground floor. If only because of the large Taschen books, of which there are no display copies available anywhere else. A few years ago, I was able to browse through the incredibly expensive Ferrari book here. Currently, “Arnold” is amongst the ones on display. And we are also amazed in the supermarket section. I don’t think we’ve ever seen a snake fruit before.

We skip the rest of Oxford Street: Apart from the Disney Store, it’s no longer worth going here. Only tourists come here nowadays. We have a little LucY lunch (Pret has its Christmas specials on offer again, the Boxing Day toastie is our favourite) and then move the car.

We park near Regent Street, opposite the Royal Academy of Arts. We walk through the covered Burlington Arcade and pass the shop that made all the hats for Indiana Jones. I’d like to have one of those. But at GBP 495 a piece, I don’t buy one.

In a passageway nearby is the very first of the typical London telephone booths, namely the wooden K2 prototype from 1920, which won the competition for the most beautiful “telephone kiosk” at the time.

We work our way up Regent Street and end up at Liberty as usual. This department store always has the best Christmas tree baubles – and of course a great range of products that is really worth a visit.

However, we cut it short and make our way back to the hotel, passing Piccadilly Circus. And past a small terraced house that we had already noticed yesterday: it’s already lit up with Christmas lights. They must really want to be the first ones!

In the shopping centre, we grab something for dinner. And we are spoilt for choice. I opt for a small sushi platter and know that I will also get some of Gabi’s Indian butter chicken. Both dishes are delicious. And we brought a little dessert from the city.