Even better the second time

It's great to be back in London. This year, we're focusing on something akin to a greatest-hits itinerary. For the last few years, we've focused on visiting sights which opened after COVID, or since our return to Australia. For example, we're staying at one of our favourite hotels, the Radisson Blu Mercer Street, opposite Seven Dials.

On Saturday, after flying in from Nuremberg, we went for a wander through Covent Garden and grabbed a beer at Punch & Judy. They've been pouring pints here since 1787. We sat on the outdoor balcony overlooking the market square, reminiscing about our life in London. At AUD30 for two pints, we certainly miss earning British pounds. Dinner was at Gaucho, an Argentine-themed restaurant.

Tonight, we headed out to Stratford to relive the ABBA Voyage experience. We loved it two years ago. I bought us some encore tickets after learning that the complex is scheduled for demolition in June. However, recent news reports suggest that the high-density housing development scheduled to replace it will now be built in stages. If this happens, the arena will remain standing until 2029.  

Tonight's show was just as good, if not better, the second time around. It's still hard to believe it's all virtual reality.  The video rendering is also showing its age. Garry and I agree that some of the AV sequences could do with a little AI retouching. 

Dinner tonight was provided courtesy of Old Crompton Brasserie. We now know that Colchester oysters pair beautifully with a Hibiscus Pisco Sour. Yum!