This is Liberty & Co., the consummate English store. I am an old sewer, working with my grandmother's scissors and a real thimble. I savor fabric and construction. I am an old costumer. To walk to the upper floors of Liberty's is, for me, a walk into time past and future. It's Tudor, inside and out. And filled with all things wonderful from the British Empire. I have a stack of Liberty silk scarves, collected over years of visits. This time I replaced the shopping bag I bought in 1975, on my first visit here. It didn't need to be replaced. I stiched the handles back on in about 1987. Still. I wanted a new one.

This time I bought fabric. With no idea what I'll create. Just knowing it will always whisper "Liberty's" when I see it...

Lunch here, too, in the tea room (salmon cakes w rocket).

Then trekked to Harrod's, which is not for the faint of heart. I thought I needed some cheering up after that ordeal, so entertained myself with a trip to Diagon Alley.

Leadenhall Market is an easy walk from the "Monument" tube stop. It's hidden in the financial district. But it's lively (I picked up a sandwich and treats at a French bake shop) with restaurants, flower shops, clothing shops--though no Olivander's or Flourish & Blots.

Even in London, we can't have everything.