retiredmartin

November 2024. Higham Hill. E17.

London buses, eh ?

The little display on Google Maps delights on telling me the W15 from Walthamstow to Highams Hill is running two, three, five, seven minutes late. And then as soon as it starts it stops, dead, for a change of driver mid-journey.

My fault, should have walked; not only £1.80 cheaper but I’d have got to the Tavern on the Hill quicker and got you some exciting pics, except this bit between the central market and the Blackhorse beer run looked rather dull.

Ray of Boak and Bailey fame lived nearby and hadn’t explored Higham Hill before a recent trip, and in fairness the best I can bring you is evidence that,

a) They’re careless with their teds in E17 and b) Charlotte has no imagination in naming her bear.

I’m amazed “Ted” hasn’t been found in the Tavern, the Guide newbie.

It’s the sort of pub you could imagine taking your, or your child’s bear to. Perhaps I’ll do a blog on “Top Teddy Tolerant Taverns“.

In their usual observant style Boak and Bailey wrote “We’d be interested to come back when it is a bit busier; it felt like an inviting community space, only without much evidence of the community“,

which felt spot on. An open space with board games, toys and piano, plenty of room for toddlers on a Sunday when the open kitchen comes into play.

But at a quarter to one on this Sunday it was waiting for that custom, and a lone ELB (again) felt sensible, the Foundation better presented and tasty. A big neon sign advertised Wild Card, but I didn’t see much craft on the bar. Working out what pubs are actually selling gets harder by the year.

A sliver of bench seating (or is it long sofa ?),

in a sea of low stools. It felt a bit spartan, till those local families did start trickling in just before one.

And again, for the record, the young staff were as cheery and welcoming as you could hope for, despite only selling me a half. I hope that trade did turn up.