After university, I quickly decided not to seek my fortune in London. Not for me, decades of ‘Big Smoke’ commuting before a midlife escape to the Cotswolds. My route from Cambridgeshire’s Fens to Cheltenham was very different; “chacun à son goût”.

Occasionally, however, I love it when London calls. Especially if, as recently, a day in Town involves meeting friends from the other side of the world, a good lunch and the promise of continuing to France the next day.

Lunch and Art Deco

That’s why, on a Monday afternoon just after the Coronation, we and some Aussie friends stood by Eros pondering how to follow lunch at Sherwood Street’s Brasserie Zédel. We’ve enjoyed its traditional French cuisine and gorgeous Art Deco ambience before; it’s a safe, enjoyable lunch bet a few steps from Piccadilly Tube station.

Though the à la carte always tempts, the well-priced Prix Fixe Formule lunches and a nice wine are really all you need. And for some reason, its menu graphics always evoke A.M. Cassandre’s iconic 1920s Nord Express railway posters – a fitting entrée indeed to a few days in Northern France.

Late afternoon’s spring sunshine was low and warm; the West End busy but not overbearing. The pavements, if not gold surfaced, were impressively clean enough for a newly crowned King and Queen to eat their Coronation Quiche off.

Regent Street, bedecked in Union-Jacked finery, made one feel proud to be British. And then, completing the quintessentially London scene, a red double-decker – an Alexander Dennis Enviro400 MMC says a friend in response to Jan’s WhatsApp message – rolled past. Were he still alive, Eric Coates, composer of 1933’s timeless ‘London Suite’ would surely have shared our pride…

Coffee, cakes and Aperol Spritz at Piccadilly’s L’ETO perfectly complemented lunch while we caught up on years of Cheltenham and Melbourne news. Hours later, evening cast its velvety cloak over London and we parted vowing not to leave it so long next time.

A good sleep near Eurostar

While our friends returned to the stylish Royal Thames Yacht Club, we headed for our favourite pre-Eurostar hotel beside St Pancras International. Okay, so Wharfdale Road, N1’s Hub by Premier Inn, can’t quite match the RTYA’s luxury. But it’s a gem just a few minutes’ walk from check-in if you’re catching an early-morning Eurostar.

It’s comfortable, good value and the team are great. What’s more, the tasty all-you-can-eat buffet breakfast – seven quid, in London! – sets you up nicely for Eurostar and the jewel of French Flanders. About which, more soon!