Day 8 - Return to London Part 1

Okay, I'm really sorry if I leave things out, or don't write in as much detail as I should, but I've been very stressed with the moving, and my memory is getting a little fuzzy.


Day 8 - London

Part 1 - Holland and Holland



Matthew and I returned to London, from Windsor, where we were happy to encounter the familiar transit.  Tired from our excursions, we were pleased to return to the B&B in Barnes, which had almost become a form of home base for us.  We were equally happy to discover that our rooms had been upgraded, given that we were the only clientele Stella received for the evening.

Matthew spend the day in, sorting out his personal travel planning, while I decided to dress up and hit the town.

I had two goals in mind for the day, Holland and Holland, an upper class store highly recommended for me to visit by Donald, and the Camden Market, a crowded collection of booths on the opposite, fringe end of the spectrum, recommended by my cousin Austin. 

I took the train in to Waterloo, then transferred to the underground, which took me within a few blocks of Holland and Holland.  I was pleased with myself, being able to easily navigate London transportation.

Upon leaving the station, I walk pass the Ritz Hotel, and make my way up the streets for a couple blocks.  I admire the class and dignity associated with these boutiques and stores, very high end indeed!  I think to myself, "Wow, I must be in the Ritzy part of town! ... Oh, right,". 

As I get close to Holland and Holland, I start to get very nervous.  I check to make sure all my clothing is sitting right, and that I look decent.  I begin to realize that I probably look very out of place, but I hadn't come this far to back out now.

I enter the store.  Well, that is an understatement, because a gentleman in a suit opened the glass door for me, and I'm promptly greeted by four other men in suits. 

"Can I help you?"  asks one.
"May I admire your wares?" I inquire with less confidence than I ought to have.
"Certainly," he responds with a smile.

Then they promptly ignore me.

Okay.  So I'm out of place, but they are tolerating my presence, maybe?

I don't know.  I don't know how these things work, but it certainly reminds me of when Auntie Marlene changed her shoes before entering a Parisian Gucci(?) establishment, so they would take her seriously.  I now understand why.

The place is outstanding.  Absolutely wonderful.  Everything is very neatly placed, there are stuffed pheasants perched on shelves, a table made in a ring of deer antlers. 

I'm not even really sure how to describe the place.  I sneaked a couple of photos off of my camera, but they really don't do the place justice.

So, if you're curious, watch the video from their website instead.

http://www.hollandandholland.com/

This video definitely catches the feel of the place.  All the scenes that took place inside the store (mostly at the beginning) are things that I saw.  I was there.  Wow.  I want more money.

So, I took a few walks around the clothing areas, before starting to look at the guns.  The craftmanship on them is incredible.  I was disappointed to see that there were only hinge-action shotguns and bolt action rifles.  Silly English gun laws

Here's the price tag on the most expensive I found

Here are some of the incredible hing-action shot guns

Now, after viewing that price tag, keep in mind that this is in Pounds, so multiply by 1.6 to get the price in CAD.  Now, multiply by 1.2, because the tag does not include the 20% VAT (service tax).

So, now imagine my surprise, when a young man my age, 20 years old, just waltzes in and buys a nice gun.

I checked his coat, and at least felt better because he had elbow patches, like the tweed jacket I was wearing.  Maybe I do blend in somwhat.

After he left, the staff talked about how he's, "such a nice boy," and how he's from Italy, and is just spending some time in London, shopping, meeting girls, buying toys, and when he needs more money he just calls his parents and they send him more.

I...  You always hear of this, but, I didn't realize that it actually happens until I saw it.  He's my age, and just bought a gun that was probably, (given the average price there, not the most expensive) about $100 000 CAD.  Just like that.  Sure, he tried it out and stuff, and had probably been trying it out for a couple visits before the final purchase, but, wow.  Just like that. 

I asked one of the men in suits about the metallurgy of the some of the shot guns.  I thought the assorted colours were from a patina, but it is apparently part of the hardening process of the steel.  I then asked if there were any semi-automatic rifles, and was promptly disappointed.  This engaged a short conversation about Canadian vs. English gun laws.  

After thanking him, I browsed more, and found this vest I really liked:

 

Pretty...

Squee!

But, here's the price tag

So, of COURSE I had to try it on!

Yeah, that was easily the most audacious thing I've done all trip.  I tried on the $2000 vest, absolutely terrified of damaging it the entire time.  But, my, it really looked good.

I thanked the gentlemen helping me, and said, "I'll have to think about it, maybe next time,".

That was fun.

They barely even looked at me when I left.