Grimsdyke Hotel, Home of Comic Opera, Comedy & Tragedy

Grimsdyke Hotel, Best Western. Harrow Weald. NW London. UK Photo by Angela Lansbury. Copyright. 

 Grimsdyke Hotel is a dramatic and elegant country house in huge grounds. Beyond the lwan are the trees which are not only natural looking but a home to wildife. The grounds and gardens provide food for the restaurant, herbs and honey. History is all around, with Grimsdkey, the dyke or ditch built to wards off the Romans extending away to Hatch End across the link road to the motorway..

The plaque on the outisde wall give you some of the history. The reception desk has more.

In the house is a portrait of Gilbert, who wrote the words for the Gilbert & Sullivan comic operas.  He was hugely successful. The hotel still puts on performances regularly. 

My favourite quotations from the operas.

'When everybody's somebody, then nobody's anybody.'

'A policeman's lot is not a happy one.'

In for a penny, in for a pound

It's love that makes the world go round.

It isn't so much what's on the table that counts, as what's on the chairs.

Although Gilbert held important civic offices, he was able to make fun of everybody.

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Visit Cedar Park, given to Harrow by Mr Blackwell of Crosse and Blackwell Pickles

I had often driven past the grand gateway and magnificent cedar trees on the Uxbridge Road opposite the Bannister Sports Ground named after Roger Bannister who ran the four minute mile. I had not realised that the cedar park is so pleasant nor that it has such an interesting history.

I like to take a walk every day for health reasons and one day decided I should take a daily walk in a local park of place of interest. The map of north west London's Harrow region offers many walks. You can walk the loop from Hatch End railway station, as far as Grimsdyke House hotel, which was once the home of Gilbert of Gilbert and Sullivan fame.

But I didn't want to walk for half a day. And I had got tired of walking around shopping centres. So I decided to explore some of the parks and earn their history.

The Cedars

The grand gates set between elaborate pillars and curved railings either side are now closed. But you have a choice of entry points, such as the one in a side road offering free parking next to the youth centre.

Near the entrances are panels telling you the history of the park. It was once the home of Mr Blackwell who founded the Crosse and Blackwell pickle company. Mr Blackwell's neighbour was another world famous man, Gilbert, the local magistrate, better known as the writer of the words for Gilbert and Sullivan operas.

both Crosse and Blackwell have fine Mausoleums further along the Uxbridge Road near the entrance to All Saints Church. Inside the church is a bust to Gilbert. Gilbert is not buried there. His wife was cross with him because he died after saving their a young girl, their protege, a young singer and her friend, who had been swimming in the nude in the mansion's garden lake and got into difficulties. The exertion and excitement gave Gilbert a heart attack it would seem.

Gilbert and his wife were buried alongside each with a fine gravestone recalling them and the singer who inherited from them, who is also buried there.

Apparently Gilbert and Blackwell exchanged words when Blackwell's dog ran into Gilbert's land. You can read all about these families on the Harrow Council website and in Wikipedia.

I walked all around the park with my tree guide trying to identify the trees. Of course I could recognise an oak. But what kinds of fir was the fine tall tree with the cones. Silly me, or course it must be the tree which gives its name to the park a cedar.

I must admit that I could hear noise from the nearby Uxbridge Road. But nonetheless it was a very refreshing and peaceful walk.

In addition to giving this land to Harrow for the use of the public, and being buried in the churchyard of the church next to the former Leefe Robinson pub, Blackwell gave the area the land for St Anselm's church in Hatch End, another fine old building surrounded by grand trees.

I was looking for a picture of Blackwell's house. What a pity it is not still standing.

The gates along suggest it must have been a wonderful building.

Photos by Angela Lansbury.

Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker.

Gilbert's Restaurant, Grimsdyke Hotel - Full Marks

Grimsdyke hotel always impresses with its drive through the trees to the grand house. Inside, Gilbert's restaurant seems to have a freshly painted arch over the fireplace and spotlights, brightening up the old place, and modern chairs. We sat debating how much one should change Victorian decor, especially in a historic house once owned by local hero Gilbert of Gilbert and Sullivan team who wrote comic operas. ('I've got a little list', of his operas.)
   The recent reviews on TripAdvisor were encouraging and our experience confirmed what I had read.
   The set meal started with a wider choice than on the website and not the extra charge I had feared, the only extra being £2 for a starter.
   We asked for a jug of water and ordered a glass of Prosecco, at £6 slightly dearer than the glass of pink wine. The bread was a choice of sultana bread or white with onion, with warm melting butter. Not brilliant but good enough. However, as soon as we started on the proper meal, the tastes and visuals took off.
  The liver parfait, a chicken liver smooth paste.

Chicken liver parfait starter.

Duck with potato.

Steak and large chips.

Summer pudding with fresh berries inside and a fresh strawberry as decoration.

Fresh decor, a mixture of Victorian from Gilbert's day and modern.

Photos by Angela Lansbury. copyright Angela Lansbury. (More pictures available.)

Angela Lansbury B A Hons, travel writer and photographer, author, speaker.

Souvenir Songs on Cities: London, New York, USA, Europe, S America

Here is an update in my ongoing project on Happy travelling and Happy Souvenirs

I looked up souvenir songs to see if I can find something happy. Souvenirs to Souvenirs sung by Demis Roussos is a miserable song about seeing reminders of a lost love. Is it any coincidence that his surname ends SOS! That was how I remembered the spelling of his name. I'll look for some happier songs - to cheer me and you.

I went back to update my earlier post. Re-writing history. You can't do that so easily in Facebook. You can edit and comment. It is much easier to correct errors in a blog post.

However, I'll create a new post on songs, updating through today. You could print this off and add your own as you think of them. (If you work in music or PR and want to mention a song, please email or comment the title, or a youtube clip or even send me a copy).

SONGS ON SOUVENIRS

Years ago, we had holiday films without sound - which was so expensive that the public did not have it. So when showing a slide show or silent movie of holidays we would play a piece of music as accompaniment, turning down the sound for commentary.

These are the songs or snatches of songs which immediately spring to my mind

SONGS ON LONDON, UK, IRELAND, SCOTLAND
LONDON
Maybe it's because I'm a Londoner
Gilbert and Sullivan: A policeman's lot is not a happy one
DOVER
Blue skies over the white cliffs of Dover (Vera Lynn)

SCOTLAND
The Campbells are coming, hurrah, hurrah
I'll take the high road - I'll be in Scotland before ye
Auld Lang Syne
Over the sea to Skye

IRELAND
In Dublin's fair city, where the girls are so pretty ... Molly Malone
When Irish eyes are smiling

USA
New York, New York ....
If you're going to San Francisco - be sure to wear some flowers in your hair ...- (I was there in the Sixties)
All my exes live in Texas - that's why I hang my hat in Tennessee ...
Galveston Oh Galveston
Disneyland / Disney World- I thought I saw a puddy cat
Take me back to the Black Hills, the Black hills of Dakota ?

Historical Event songs
All the civil war songs:
Steven/Stephen Forster/Al Jolson songs:
Dixie
Mammy

FRANCE
Disney (near Paris) - see USA
The Marseillaise (national anthem)

GERMANY
Deutchland ... über alles

SPAIN
Que Viva Espana

ITALY
All over Italy
Operas:

MEXICO (Must be dozens)

SOUTH AMERICA
Don't cry for me Argentina

NATIVE AMERICAN
Must be several from old films

The Traveller's Song
by Angela Lansbury
copyright 2014

I'm a citizen of the world
FIown blue skies and cruised far and wide
I've souvenirs to excite friends -
Fear not, there's nothing I should hide!
I'm a citizen of he world, the world, the world, the world!

I rode round London on the train
Drove down to the port of Dover
Jet to Asia, safe home again
Marked the map over and over

I caught a ferry to Ostend
Bought chocolates, wine and pretty lace
Spent air miles and cash with old friends
Snapped fashions and smiles every place

Stared up the skyscrapers of New York
Drove peaceful Blue Ridge mountains south
I learned drawl y'all Southerners talk
Showing white teeth in my wide mouth

I flew down to Australia
Saw a crocodile's big teeth smile
Like dark Everglades, Florida -
Once - I didn't stay a long while!

In New Zealand we went skiing
l loved fresh air Lake Tahoe, too
We wear ski hats in London's Spring
We're the warmly-dressed, happy few

I made a 'bunch' of friends world wide
Good friends whose faces I can't forget
'cos every hour they wave to me
Aged photos on the internet!

Now life's jigsaw mystery cities
Tripadvisor soon unravels
We've been there, seen, clicked, ticked them all
The last piece is armchair travels.


Update

Books by Angela Lansbury
How to be the best man. (Ward Lock / Cassell.)
Wedding Speeches and Toasts.(Ward Lock / Cassell.)
Unforgettable British Weekends.
Poetry Workshop Workbook.
The Tailor and the Spy. (Lulu.)
Larry The Talking Labrador. (Lulu.)
Writing Poetry for fun.

Quick Quotations

Who Said What When

Gilbert's at Grimsdyke Hotel

The public car park overlooking a vista of London is opposite the grand entrance to Grimsdyke hotel, one of my favourite restaurants in the area and the one with the best historic associations. The former home of Gilbert of Gilbert and Sullivan fame offers lunches at a modest price. Unfortunately they seem to have discontinued the loyalty card scheme before I had reached enough stamps on my cards to earn a free meal. Never mind. It's still great value, under £50 for two for lunch in a grand building. I chose to sit by the grand fireplace adorned with funny figures of impish monkeys - maybe. I did not look too closely. For some reason, like a homing pigeon, I veered towards a particular table, probably because that's where I sat last time, tucked in a cosy corner, allowing my companion to sit in the room with a wider view out through the windows to the trees beyond.

My companion was driving and frugally declined drinking alcohol throughout January, recovering from Xmas excess on the five days eating what you like, two days dieting regime. Men have 600 calories on the diet days, women 500, he told me. But he postponed his food diet. 

I indulged in a glass of prosecco at about £6 for 125 ml, quite enough, rather than a larger glass of Champagne or Pino Grigio or rosada. The wine waiter asked if we wanted a bottle of wine. My host declined. The wine waiter whisked away our glasses,  but our waiter kindly said, 'to stop you being bothered later by anybody asking if you want wine'. How tactful, making it sound as he was doing us a favour. 

White rolls and brown arrived in a basket. I chose the brown roll with walnuts and raisins. The rolls were hot, and the butter was salty and tasty.

A jug of water was brought without us needed to ask.

As a starter we both chose the chicken and lentils. Elegantly presented on an oblong plate. The lentils were lightly spiced, very flavourful.

The main course could have been chicken but we'd just had chicken so I opted for duck. It was prettily fanned on the plate. The potato daughinoise was a block like a small brick. Spinach, dark green, and carrots a colourful orange were a pleasing contrast.

My companion's 'sustainable fish' was sea bream. We amused ourselves joking about how long the fish was sustained before reaching our plate. His potatoes were new, which sounded healthy, but turned out to be less healthy looking but more attractive with a sauté or grilled outside.

I especially liked the look of my companion's vegetables,  green beans threaded through a hole in what could have been a short tube of  cucumber or aubergine. I could copy that idea at home for a special occasion, and it would remind me of lunching at Gilbert's restaurant.

I had my leftovers from the main course wrapped up to take away, as we say in England. (If Americans are reading this, you would say wrapped up to go.) My leftovers came back wrapped in tin foil.  I was saving room for dessert.

Desserts were not quite as pretty at the previous courses. An unremarkable rice pudding, and a pleasant creamy lemon syllabub. They could have been improved by a contrasting garnish.

The only improvement I would like to see is the appearance of the staff areas behind the doors off the dining room. Peeling paint on a wall near a staircase alongside the cashier's area by the restaurant's main door did not impress. They must have staff who could fix that at minimal cost.

However, as Shakespeare said, all's well that ends well. My double espresso coffee came in Steelite crockery with a jug of milk and the brown sugar was cubed - so smart. Best of all a good truffle encased in dark chocolate.