December 2023 Stratford. Stratford E15, that is; no-one would look to convince you of the charms of that Warwickshire version. Most visitors to the transport interchange turn one way to the Olympic site and West Ham or another to the shops and the Westfield Tap. Before that tick at the Black Bull I think my… Continue reading A tribute TO Stratford
Tag: London
CHRISTMAS DRINKERS IN HACKNEY
December 2023. Hackney. I’m in danger of catching up on the blog, so let’s put an end to that with a Big(ish) Night Out in London ahead of the annual End of the Road Christmas Show.. I caught the train from Waterbeach and slept in the campervan to save the price of a “cheap” Premier… Continue reading CHRISTMAS DRINKERS IN HACKNEY
A PINT UNDER A FIVER IN THE EUSTON TAP
November 2023. Euston. Walking fast in London is an art form. Somehow I’d knocked that 42 minutes to reach the station down to 26 by the time the Euston Tap hove into view, and while other options ARE available, this seemed a good time to make my triennial visit to the old classic. Particularly as… Continue reading A PINT UNDER A FIVER IN THE EUSTON TAP
BLIMEY, AIN’T LONDON GORGEOUS ?
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 ?
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