Second Verse Same as the First

Now that Pedro's costume was sorted out, next up was John.  That was a bit more difficult because of his work commitments - he works long hours!  So, yesterday (Wednesday) morning, we set off at 8 am so we could be at Angels Fancy Dress by 9 am. The Tube is very crowded at that time of the morning but we made it to Tottenham Court Road Station in good time and, from there, it is a short walk to Shaftesbury Avenue.  When we got there the shop was closed and the sign on the door said: Open Mon - Fri 9:30 am to 6 pm.  So, we went next door to a Pret-a-Manger for a coffee to wait until 9:30.  Back there about 9:35, the shop was still closed.  It was then we noticed another line on the sign:  Wednesdays 10:30 am to 7 pm.  There was no way John had time to wait another hour so we went back to Maida Vale frustrated that our mission had been thwarted.  Below is a photo of very unhappy John in front of the shop.  So, tomorrow (Thursday) we will have to come back and hope that everything can get sorted out in one visit.  We leave for Venice on Friday.

I spent some of the afternoon doing some last minute sewing adjustments on my costume - not everything got done but, hey, there is always "domani"!  Then, later in the afternoon, Pedro and I headed back to the shop on the #98 bus to pick up his costume and buy him a wig plus I found a mask I quite liked which I thought would work well with my costume.  Even better, it was actually made in Venice, not China!

Back at the flat after dinner, Paolo (one of the Brazilian houseguests) just had to try on Pedro's costume with my mask.  It was sort of like a session with Mr. Dress-Up but all in Portuguese.  I understood none of the conversation but, by the end of it all, I'd posted his photo on Facebook and had gained two Brazilian FB "friends".  I have to say Paolo did look very dashing in the costume even though the shoes didn't fit!

This (Thursday) morning, John and I headed once again back to Angels,  This is beginning to feel a little like Groundhog day - get on the 98 bus, get off at Tottenham Road, walk the block or two to Shaftesbury Avenue, enter the shop and go up the elevator to the third floor where men's costume rentals are located.  Thankfully, the very helpful staff had John's costume all ready for him to try on.  It looked very good and only needed a button stitched  and a small tear repaired and then we were ready to go. 

Downstairs, John bought a wig and he also spotted some big chunky rings that are going to work with all of our costumes.  So, I think we are ready - except for my jacket sleeve that I to sort out this afternoon.  We need to be at Heathrow just after 6 am tomorrow.  Venice, ready or not, here we come!