#Tavistock Hotel

[warmglowofsurvival]

[littlequeenies]

February 13, 2009 - Jay Mehler of Kasabian with Mercedes Grower and Lee Starkey attend the 'Heartbreak - An Alternative Valentine'- Rosie and the Gold Bugs at the Bloomsbury Bowling Lanes at the Tavistock Hotel, London, Britain.

[ktkellart]

Good Omens London Trip 🐍💞🪽

It's my Birthday today and I treated myself to a trip to London last weekend to see my favourite actor Michael Sheen in Nye at the National Theatre. I made the most of my weekend by combining it with a Good Omens filming location self-tour and I'd love to share it with you all. So, are you ready for the tour?

Here we go!

Starting off with Soho, and the inspiration for Whickber Street, where Aziraphale's bookshop, Give Me Coffee or Give Me Death, The Small Back Room, and the Dirty Donkey are located.

It’s Berwick Street and a record shop that is very similar in shape to A.Z Fell & Co. Bonus points for spotting Duck Lane!

Next is Berkeley Square, a short walk from Soho. The first two photos are of the real Berkeley Square gardens in Mayfair, and the last two photos were taken in the filming location of Tavistock Square across the other side of central London near Kings Cross. I’m sitting on their ‘body swap’ bench in the last photo!

As you can see, the benches are turned around facing inwards now but are the other way, facing outwards in Good Omens.

Oh, and I can confirm that there were no nightingales singing in either location 😭

Heading up the road a few minutes from Tavistock Square to The Enterprise pub where I met a fellow fan who kindly took photos of me posing (I bet the staff thought we were off our rockers!). This is where Crowley drowns his sorrows in Talisker Whisky whilst waiting for the world to end after thinking he'd lost Aziraphale. Omg that poor poor demon, he was really just gonna die along with the world.

Also, one of my favourite moments of season 1 is Crolwey's line: "I heard that. It was the wiggle-on..." then shrugs. 😆 So many emotions in such short a time.

Onto the Ritz. The first two photos are of the real Ritz (a stone's throw from Berkeley Square) and the last one is inside Masala Zone in Piccadilly Circus where the ‘Quite extraordinary amounts of alcohol’ and ‘To the World’ scenes were filmed.

I ate in here alone to get the photo and was so lucky with the table I was given! Perfect discreet snap whilst eating my curry! Haha!

Next up is Battersea Park and the Bandstand. It was a bit of a faff to get there, it's an 8-minute walk from the Battersea Power Station underground and we walked the full length of the park to find the Bandstand, but it was so worth it.

Also filmed here was Gabriel and Aziraphale’s run/jog. Poor Angel is soft scene.

The trees were a little leafier with it being mid-May and the park was very busy because the weather was glorious. They also have a beautiful lake here with herons!

The Heaven & Hell staircase escalators are right over the east side of London in Broadgate Tower, Bishopsgate. I got the overground to Liverpool Street station to get there. It is in a private business building so I politely/awkwardly asked the receptionist if I could take a photo and had to explain about the scene from Good Omens… eek! But he kindly let me snap a photo anyway! (Phew)

The Windmill Theatre was three minutes away from my hotel in Piccadilly Circus, so I wandered up the road to take a photo of where Aziraphale ‘performed on the West End stage’ as Fell the Marvelous. And wasn’t he just?

The scenes weren't filmed here but it was fun to find it anyway.

St James’s Park is up next! I sat on their bench and got my friend to take photos of me posing and had fun editing the first photo. Haha! We enjoyed walking through the park, watching the ducks on the lake and had a nosey at Buckingham Palace while we were there.

The Duke of York Statue steps are at the other end of St James's Park and were fun to walk up. I smiled to myself as I thought of the scene where Crowley says ‘Well let's have lunch? Hmm,’ and Aziraphale turns around, as it was the first time I realised that these two were more than just friends.

Heaven’s top floor, the Sky Garden in Fenchurch Street near Monument is a very tall building with a botanical garden on the top floor. You can visit the sky garden for free, but you do need to book in advance so it’s best to plan ahead for this one. The views of London are breathtaking from the 35th floor and the tropical plants are fun.

My last stop for this visit was Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. I booked a tour on the morning I was due to go home. The first tour is 10 am and lasts an hour, so I dashed off as soon as the tour guide was uttering his last words about the gift shop, across London back to Kings Cross to pick up my suitcase from luggage storage and get the 11:48 am train home!

One I missed and could have easily gone to is St Margaret Street where Newton and Shadwell meet, and Shadwell fleeces Newton for a cup of tea with nine sugars and pockets the change. A bit gutted I missed it to be honest – I love Jack Whitehall (I’m back in London with the family in June so I’ll swing by and update then!)

There are also some other locations a little further afield that I might try to visit on a later date, such as Shadwell's and Madam Tracy's flat down Hornsey Road in Islington, Crowley's Flat exterior in Eastfields Avenue, Best Cafe on Garratt Lane where Crowley meets Shadwell, Crystal Palace Dinosaur Park where the ineffable husbands watch Warlock defacing a dinosaur sign and Antonella's Cafe and Bistro where Crowley and Aziraphale are thinking of ideas to track down the antichrist whist Aziraphale eats cake.

Okay, I’m gonna finish up with the man himself. The very kind, very charming, and VERY patient Michael Sheen The reason for my London visit in the first place. Nye was spectacular OBviOUsLy, but he was super generous with his time at stage door for us all. I got a hug and asked him to pass it on to Aziraphale (that angel really needs a hug) and it made him laugh, which made my night!

Check out my reblog for extra locations when I visited London again a month later, and for a hilarious bonus photo of.... Gabriel??!

Here’s the wonderful map I used -

from this website:

[mxjackparker]

With all the propaganda and rhetoric against top surgery that "Gender Criticals" and general transphobes are spreading, here's some info on what top surgery was actually like for me, from surgery all through the healing process! (This post will include some images of drains and a little blood!)

I was diagnosed with gender dysphoria (which is necessary in the UK for surgery) around May 2020 and started testosterone February 2021, all through GenderCare. I got a letter from the gender therapist and a surgery referral from GenderGP and consulted with my surgeon then booked surgery for 14th Feb 2022.

I had to travel all the way to Manchester, on a coach that took many hours, and book a hotel. I raised surgery money via GoFundMe because despite being referred to (now closing) Tavistock GIC in early 2020, my appointment to even be assessed wouldn't have been for over 5 years.

I had a double incision top surgery (double mastectomy) on February 14th 2022 as scheduled! I woke up in a fairly minor amount of pain, still on painkillers from the surgery, with drains. As you can see, I was also so happy that probably made it hurt less!

My top surgery took a few hours. Pre-surgery, my chest size was a 32 H. That's a lot of tissue to be removing, and so I did end up with drains for the first 48 hours after surgery, though drains aren't used as broadly in the UK anymore and not by default.

I was discharged from the hospital the morning after my surgery (some people go home the day of, but I pre-arranged to stay overnight). I took no painkillers after surgery at any point during healing. I was up and walking around from the moment I left!

If you take painkillers, that may make you more fatigued and/or constipated, so those things are totally normal. If you need painkillers, you should absolutely take them - it's not a point of pride to suffer more than you need to. I didn't take any painkillers because I have a history of addiction to them. However, I found the pain entirely tolerable even despite the lack of medication.

The evening after I was released from the hospital, I was pacing my hotel room carrying my drains! Moving promotes healing and prevents blood clots. I was very hunched!

Directly after surgery I got to briefly see my chest, but not for long given that I needed to have the compression vest on! I didn't have too much swelling, so I could see what my chest actually looked like and was so excited. Once I got my drains out, I got to see it for longer!

The pain post-surgery was manageable. I had to bend forwards a little when walking so as not to pull on my stitches and make it hurt more, but I never took any painkillers and the pain was never intense enough to make me feel compelled to. I kept wearing my compression vest!

The drains were honestly the most painful part of the experience for me, and once they were out the most pain I felt was from my back from walking hunched forward. I wore the compression vest on and off for 2 weeks then abandoned it completely, because I had such little swelling.

3 weeks after surgery, I got my dressings off (except nipples). I could see the full scar. I told my surgeon I wanted scars that were mostly straight, and that combined with the size of my chest meant the scars needed to meet in the middle in a little triangle.

Everyone's scar shape is different, and you should talk to your surgeon about what you want. I didn't want semi-circle shape scars, because I wanted the scar to follow my pectorals so I'd have the option in the long-term of fading/medical tattooing and mostly hiding the scar.

3 weeks after top surgery, I was well-healed enough that I went into London for the Sex Work Strike and did a speech there! I was well-recovered by this point, though still fatigued. (A link to my speech if you're interested.)

Around a month, I took off the nipple dressing as instructed by my post-op nurse, and one was healed enough for no dressing but the other took about another week to be as healed. Healing isn't perfectly symmetrical.

Once all of my dressings were off and I was able to probably clean my nipples and scars, I got to see the full result of my chest. This is the thinnest my scars ever were, because they hadn't developed as scars yet - they were healed shut but weren't done scarring.

Once I was past a month of healing, all of the physical effects of top surgery had dissipated. I was no longer fatigued, my scars didn't hurt (though they did itch!), and I was in the secondary healing phase. My chest below the top of the nipple had minimal sensation.

I got phantom sensations, like water being poured over my chest, as the nerves reconnected. It wasn't painful, but it was weird! By month 2, I regained full sensation in most of my chest, with very little sensation on the scar and the skin directly between it and my nipples.

I have pretty much full sensation (including erotic sensation) in my nipples now. It's important to note: double incision almost always results in some loss of sensation, especially in the nipples. I'd have been fine with that, and this was an extra bonus for me!

This is my chest and scars 8 months after surgery.

And this is my chest now, just over 2 years after top surgery:

I'm very happy with how it looks, with how it feels, and I have zero regrets!

[leoreadss]

London Memories - A three days story

As my moots and my friends know, I've been in a bad place lately, mentally and physically, and last Friday, I exploded.

Now, after many many hours of conversation and a therapy session, I have experienced what they call a 'depression meltdown'. I'm not going to share the details mostly because I did not recall living through the events of that Friday. Everything went black and when I woke up the next day I found out I had planned, I mean flights, hotel, bus transfer from and to the airport and a theatre ticket, to London.

As my friends know, London is my HEIMAT. I've been there three times this year and yet the last fourth one was not actually planned as I imagined. I have to say tho that I did a great job in organising the three days and the events and everything. Also, it was not the perfect time for a trip but the 'damage' was already done so I decided to, I'd like to say 'embrace the moment and be happy' but, I cried till the day of the departure and when landed in London something happened.

My brain went quiet. I was starting to feel present again, like in the moment. I even put some music on. I hadn't been able to listen to music for at least a week or two before the meltdown. Not even to cope with external sensory issues.

I started to feel like me again. I could finally see myself, in the mirror, with my own eyes, through my crowded thoughts.

I was able to write! I began a story that I'd to see as a picture book.

In the hotel room, I actually find my space, mental and physical, to be me. I was able to take care of some other aspects of my life that I'm finding quite challenging in this period of time.

I took so many walks. The cold air was refreshing and 'cooled' down my brain. I definitively function much better there, that's a fact.

vaya chapa jaja I don't know how to translate that lol

I'd like to share here some happy moments cause WTF I actually saw David Tennant!

First of all the weather! I love gloomy days but this, this was a surprise! A pleasant welcome

The walks. My feet still hurt but I'm so happy!

I don't know if you ever visited this street but knowing that was an inspiration to Wickber Street in the series I understand why the Aziraphale chose this location for its bookshop. It's crowded with all sorts of people from all over the world. You can, and that's what I like to do, sit in a coffee shop and just observe them. Observe life passing by.

This was in Tavistock Square, IYKYK. Here I had a strange encounter with a squirrel. I was taking this picture when turning around I saw a little creature in front of me. We looked into each other eyes and the (silent) conversation was something down the line:

Human (aka me): oh shit! Sorry. Hi little you.

Little creature (aka the squirrel): Uh they so me. Ehm. Act normal.

Human (aka me): *moving to the left*

Little creature (aka the squirrel): *does the same*

Human (aka me): Oh sorry. *is this the most English thing I've ever experienced* *moving to the right*

Little creature (aka the squirrel): Oh shit. Act normal. Maybe I should stop staring at them. *moving to the right*

Human (aka me): Please, after you. *stop moving and gesturing with the hand to let the creature pass by*

Little creature (aka the squirrel): *keeps staring staringly* Ok this was strange. Bye human. *runs*

Human (aka me): That was odd! *walks away but then turns around*

Little creature (aka the squirrel): *does the same*

FIN

and they live happily ever after, I guess lol

This is Hyde Park. Walk kicking the leaves was a child's dream! I felt like a 5 yo. I had a second encounter with a squirrel that thought I had food in my hand but I just wanted to say hi, so they sniffed it and hopped away with their fluffy tail.

I love buses! They're the perfect decompression place for me and an optimal observation deck from which to admire the city. I spot this one outside the Peacock Theatre. I don't know what was it for but the words 'To Our World' came to my mind immediately.

The British Library. This is the place where I can write. This is the place for my stories to come alive, for my pen to dance on the pace, for my thoughts to be free to walk before my eyes and tell me what they want to experience. This is the place in which my brain goes quiet. Entering this place it's like having a wee free man in my head that finally decides that it's time to tidy up the room, organize their books, iron their kilt, rearrange the furniture for better comfort, light the fireplace, make some hot tea, bake some lemon biscuits and singing out of tone Scottish songs. That's how my brain felt there.

If you are wondering, my wee free man's hair is red as hell and up in a messy bun.

THE NIGHT aka Macbeth!

I still can't believe I saw David Tennant!

The play was amazing, from the cast to the minimalist stage, the music, the light. Everything was perfect!

I had the chance to just ramble and say thanks for the autograph!

A little video of the moment he signed my copy and me being absolutely out of my body.

The Harold Pinter Theatre was a special place!

and that's the end. The last pic. A magical place in which, every time, I make a promise to myself, to be present, to hold on to that dream, to be strong and to forgive myself when I'm not, to keep writing, to keep seeking help, to rest when possible and to take good care of the body I'm in.

Till the next adventure!

Bonus content, I guess.

I took this photo and is it me or this hand is the Duke of hell's hand? Hands lovers do with it what you like.

[travelling-my-little-pony]

October is a month when Blossomforth goes to look at ghost signs!

Ghost signs (or ghost adverts) are old signs, often hand painted, on buildings. The products they are advertising often don’t exist any more.

This former hotel advert is in Tavistock, in Devon, England. I found this old photo of how it looked around 100 years ago by chance.

[greeneyed-thestral]

I'M BACK FROM LONDON!

Hello everyone! So here's what I managed to see/do in these few days: DAY 1 Westminster Bridge Big Ben Palace of Westminster Westminster Abbey Victoria Tower Gardens St. James's Park Buckingham Palace Victoria Memorial The Mall 🍜 spicy noodles and skewers in Spitalfields Market (lunch) 🐟🍟🍺 fish&chips and beer in a traditional pub (dinner) ✔️ took a picture with a red telephone box 💳 bought my oyster card for 7£; to go around for 3-4 days you need to top-up around 15£-20£ 💡tip! download the Tfl Go app, it will help you figure out which line to take if at first you don't understand the map (just consult it before you enter the underground, 'cause there's no signal down there) DAY 2 London Eye Southbank Skate Space BFI Southbank Royal National Theatre Tate Modern Garden Shakespeare's Globe William Shakespeare Mural (❤️) Winchester Palace Golden Hinde Southwark Cathedral London Bridge Monument to the Great Fire of London Tower of London Traitor's Gate Tower Bridge More London Blackfriars Bridge St. Paul's Cathedral Waterloo Bridge West End 🍔🍟cheese burger and chips in Borough Market (lunch) 🍗🍟chicken kyiv and chips in a traditional pub in Covent Garden (dinner) 💡tip! Sainsbury's Local is a chain of convenience store you can find all around the city, so if you forgot to bring something in your suitcase or just need to buy bottled water, you can go there DAY 3 Golden Jubilee Bridges Trafalgar Square Savini | Criterion Heddon St (Ziggy Stardust Plaque) Baker Street (221B) Sherlock Holmes Museum King's Cross The Harry Potter Shop at Platform 9 ¾ British Museum (went inside) Russell Square Tavistock Square Gardens 🥓english breakfast in our hotel 🍜 roast duck noodle soup and spring rolls in Chinatown (lunch) 🫖 afternoon tea at the Morton Hotel

💡tip! an afternoon tea can be a good alternative to dinner if you have to be somewhere early in the evening (many theatre shows start at 19); mine had a pot of tea, different sandwiches, scones, grapes, macarons, chocolates and a mousse, we were really full after it! 🎭🎫 saw Pygmalion at The Old Vic (loved it, ☆☆☆☆☆) DAY 4 National Gallery (went inside) National Portrait Gallery (went inside) 🥓english breakfast in our hotel 🍕the best pizza ever at a pizzeria near Trafalgar Square 🌡️I was so lucky, it basically never rained the entire time I was there. It was really cold tho (3° at one point!) so if you go mid-october, be sure to pack at least one scarf and a warm coat. I want to thank once again everyone who helped me plan my trip. ^-^ Now I hope this list can help others, feel free to message me anytime you want!

[darthbreezy]

My little trip is becoming more and more Good Omens Centric...

I swear, I think I'm going to call it my Ineffable Holiday. Firstly, of course, I've planned it around seeing David in MacBeth. Trying to break out of my 'Paddington rut', (and through the magic of British Airways and their payment plan holiday packages!) I have a hotel in Bloomsbury. 5 minutes from Tavistock 'Body Swap' Square, a hop to Soho, a skip to St James, and perhaps a jump (or two) to The Ritz.

OK, fine...

Next, I'm thinking at least one day trip outside of London. Someplace new, yet easy to to in a day, and not a lot of walking... OOh! I haven't been to Brighton since I was little - we're talking spade and pail and all the Grands are alive and well little. There's a 7 Sisters mini-van tour! Brilliant! It also explores the South Downs and the Devil's Dyke...

FINE.

I can't say I'm not excited - not by a long shot... but I wonder if I should ask for a small Tally's in the pub stop... Just because.

[unabashedengineereagle]

Royal National, Imperial, Tavistock, Bedford, President, Morton and Holiday Inn Hotels Awarding 2023

Our unique and lively hotel located in the heart of Russell Square, near Euston and Kings Cross, at the Royal National we offer a choice of room types to suit all occasions, from leisure breaks to business travel in Bloomsbury, central London. A neighbour to the University of London, we’re proud to be one of the largest hotels in London and we know how to run a smooth operation! With our hospitality expertise, you can feel part of the friendly atmosphere as soon as you step into our bright and spacious lobby.

If travelling on a budget, our standard rooms are extremely good value - providing clean and comfortable accommodation in the heart of London. Our Standard Plus rooms offer a touch more sophistication, with an earthy colour palette and contemporary furnishings.

Fancy a bite to eat? Blooms Café serves up great coffee and delicious stone baked pizzas, whilst our London Pub offers British traditional dishes. Dine alfresco in our cosy courtyard, from a thoughtful menu of pub favourites, alongside local craft beers.

The hip Bloomsbury Bowling Lanes is also just a 2-minute walk from our hotel, with eight vintage style lanes, karaoke booths, retro arcade games and an American diner – it provides the ultimate afternoon of family fun.

[massivecollectorwinner]

Royal National, Imperial, Tavistock, Bedford, President, Morton and Holiday Inn Hotels Awarding 2023

[fadingbasementmagazine]

Royal National, Imperial, Tavistock, Bedford, President, Morton and Holiday Inn Hotels Awarding 2023

ROYAL NATIONAL HOTEL AWARD Our unique and lively hotel located in the heart of Russell Square, near Euston and Kings Cross, at the Royal National we offer a choice of room types to suit all occasions, from leisure breaks to business travel in Bloomsbury, central London. A neighbour to the University of London, we’re proud to be one of the largest hotels in London and we know how to run a smooth operation! With our hospitality expertise, you can feel part of the friendly atmosphere as soon as you step into our bright and spacious lobby.

If travelling on a budget, our standard rooms are extremely good value - providing clean and comfortable accommodation in the heart of London. Our Standard Plus rooms offer a touch more sophistication, with an earthy colour palette and contemporary furnishings.

Fancy a bite to eat? Blooms Café serves up great coffee and delicious stone baked pizzas, whilst our London Pub offers British traditional dishes. Dine alfresco in our cosy courtyard, from a thoughtful menu of pub favourites, alongside local craft beers.

The hip Bloomsbury Bowling Lanes is also just a 2-minute walk from our hotel, with eight vintage style lanes, karaoke booths, retro arcade games and an American diner – it provides the ultimate afternoon of family fun.

[profoundpeanutcloud]

Royal National, Imperial, Tavistock, Bedford, President, Morton and Holiday Inn Hotels Awarding 2023

[stupendoussaladwonderland]

Royal National, Imperial, Tavistock, Bedford, President, Morton and Holiday Inn Hotels Awarding 2023

[secretnutalpaca]

Royal National, Imperial, Tavistock, Bedford, President, Morton and Holiday Inn Hotels Awarding 2023

ROYAL NATIONAL HOTEL AWARD Our unique and lively hotel located in the heart of Russell Square, near Euston and Kings Cross, at the Royal National we offer a choice of room types to suit all occasions, from leisure breaks to business travel in Bloomsbury, central London. A neighbour to the University of London, we’re proud to be one of the largest hotels in London and we know how to run a smooth operation! With our hospitality expertise, you can feel part of the friendly atmosphere as soon as you step into our bright and spacious lobby.

If travelling on a budget, our standard rooms are extremely good value - providing clean and comfortable accommodation in the heart of London. Our Standard Plus rooms offer a touch more sophistication, with an earthy colour palette and contemporary furnishings.

Fancy a bite to eat? Blooms Café serves up great coffee and delicious stone baked pizzas, whilst our London Pub offers British traditional dishes. Dine alfresco in our cosy courtyard, from a thoughtful menu of pub favourites, alongside local craft beers.

The hip Bloomsbury Bowling Lanes is also just a 2-minute walk from our hotel, with eight vintage style lanes, karaoke booths, retro arcade games and an American diner – it provides the ultimate afternoon of family fun.

[automaticfestcupcake]

Royal National, Imperial, Tavistock, Bedford, President, Morton and Holiday Inn Hotels Awarding 2023

ROYAL NATIONAL HOTEL AWARD Our unique and lively hotel located in the heart of Russell Square, near Euston and Kings Cross, at the Royal National we offer a choice of room types to suit all occasions, from leisure breaks to business travel in Bloomsbury, central London. A neighbour to the University of London, we’re proud to be one of the largest hotels in London and we know how to run a smooth operation! With our hospitality expertise, you can feel part of the friendly atmosphere as soon as you step into our bright and spacious lobby.

If travelling on a budget, our standard rooms are extremely good value - providing clean and comfortable accommodation in the heart of London. Our Standard Plus rooms offer a touch more sophistication, with an earthy colour palette and contemporary furnishings.

Fancy a bite to eat? Blooms Café serves up great coffee and delicious stone baked pizzas, whilst our London Pub offers British traditional dishes. Dine alfresco in our cosy courtyard, from a thoughtful menu of pub favourites, alongside local craft beers.

The hip Bloomsbury Bowling Lanes is also just a 2-minute walk from our hotel, with eight vintage style lanes, karaoke booths, retro arcade games and an American diner – it provides the ultimate afternoon of family fun.