November 2023. Euston. Four hours “respite” from Waterbeach* equates to 150 minutes getting to and from King’s Cross, 20 minutes on a bus along Euston Road, 30 minutes in pubs, 15 minutes “idling” and 42 minutes walking. Oops ! That doesn’t quite work, does it ? Can see Dick doing the Math now. Better get… Continue reading BLIMEY, AIN’T LONDON GORGEOUS ?
Tag: London
THE PADDINGTON BEAR
November 2023. Paddington. 15 minutes in the lovely Monkey Puzzle left 65 minutes to get to the second new Paddington Guide pub and then find an interesting route back to Kings Cross, preferably without spending another penny on transport. 8 minutes takes you through Sussex Gardens and a warren of non-budget hotels. The Mitre will… Continue reading THE PADDINGTON BEAR
THE MONKEY PUZZLE
November 2023. Paddington. London. I’ve spent the last week in Waterbeach seemingly not being much use to my parents, though I did get to explain the plot of “Odette” (1950) to Dad and then buy them fish and chips which is care of a sorts. Opportunities for travel are limited, and Mum seemed as worried… Continue reading THE MONKEY PUZZLE
FRIDAY NIGHT IN THE SCOTTISH STORES
November 2023. King’s Cross. London. A night out in London; a very old rare Friday night, too, as most of my trips to the capital post-Covid have been mid-afternoon, mid-week. No sign of the carnage outside as I returned to St Mathias Church for the last leg of my confessional singer-songwriter night. Mrs RM was… Continue reading FRIDAY NIGHT IN THE SCOTTISH STORES
CHRIS DE BURGH DISSECTED IN THE ARMY AND NAVY
November 2023. Stoke Newington. London. Last Friday was a wonderful night. Three great artists singing about dog deaths and other heartache in a London church, with suitable intervals to nip to the pub between sets. I’d not heard of Leith Ross, but then neither had you 5 seconds ago, which is another example of just… Continue reading CHRIS DE BURGH DISSECTED IN THE ARMY AND NAVY
MAYHEM IN THE LADY MILDMAY
November 2023. Stoke Newington. London. A snatched night out in London in between caring responsibilities. Mum locks the door at 6pm and I have to creep in using the spare key on the way home, all the time knowing she’ll be listening out for me as 11pm ticks past. It’s like being 17 again, except… Continue reading MAYHEM IN THE LADY MILDMAY
ON THE BUSES
November 2023. Stoke Newington. London. With Dad home from Addenbrookes by taxi on the Wednesday night (first time he or I had been in one of those for a while) I decided to stay round my parents for a while to assess ongoing care needs. That’s been very useful, and of course Waterbeach has a… Continue reading ON THE BUSES
“I’m a back door man. The men don’t know, but the little girls understand.” Alix Page in Hoxton.
September 2023. Hoxton. You left me in the queue to see Alix Page at Colours (aka Lux) in Hoxton, ANOTHER new east London gig venue for me. I’d unwisely joined a queue at 7pm, as the ticket (a tenner) said doors at 7, and I wanted to discover the rich joys of the Colours beer… Continue reading “I’m a back door man. The men don’t know, but the little girls understand.” Alix Page in Hoxton.
CALLING BEER TWITTER….
September 2023. Hoxton. A pub and music double in London in the last glimmer of Summer; hard to beat. Just like teenage dreams. In truth, two pints was plenty pre-gig, despite the lure of Hackney, so I just gaped in awe at the glories on the way from Tower Hill to Old Street and hoped… Continue reading CALLING BEER TWITTER….
PRIDE DRINKING WELL IN TOWER HILL’S SHIP
September 2023. Tower Hill, London. A second randomly selected City of London pub before my Hoxton gig, and an annual chance to go “Wow” on the walk from Aldgate north of Tower Hill to the Ship. It’s that clash of modern and medieval that always gets me. Quiet on a September Monday in the City;… Continue reading PRIDE DRINKING WELL IN TOWER HILL’S SHIP
retiredmartin 