London

Posted on 2006/04/02 24:29:33 (April 2006).

[Friday 31st March]
As I would need to be in the airport Saturday morning, I had to travel down towards London from North Wales the day before my flight back to Japan. So it seemed only proper to make the most of a night in London, see some old friends, and visit some of my favourite haunts.

I arrived in London around 1:30, and a short while later met up with David, for a couple of kick off drinks and a spot of lunch at the whisky society. From there we then headed down to Waterloo to meet up with Duncan, and after a quick pint in the ever characterless All Bar One, we checked in my bags at the hotel, such that the proceedings could then begin in earnest.

We took a stroll along the Thames from Waterloo, and then headed over Blackfriars bridge, naturally then stopping off the other side at the excellent Black Friar. From there we headed north, and popped in for a quick drink at The Viaduct Tavern. After that we were just a short walk from the whisky society, and so couldn't resist another visit to there. Duncan seemed to like it a lot, but I couldn't quite persuade him to become a member.

The second (or was it third?) phase of the evening began at The Cittie of Yorke, where I was still as awe struck as ever with that wonderful high vaulted ceiling and the giant sherry butts in the back bar. We met up with the rest of the evening's participants in there - Stuart, James and Simon. After a couple of drinks there, we determined we ought to get something to eat, and popped round the corner for a fairly middle-of-the-road curry. Still, that duty out of the way, we were then free to continue on to the last pub of the evening - Ye Olde Mitre - a great note to finish on. I'm not sure that my drinking companions for the evening had quite the same sense of wonder I do at this magical place, but still, if nothing else it was at least a bit out of the ordinary. We stood outside in the alley, oblivious to the less-than-friendly weather, soaking up the atmosphere of that little outpost of Cambridgeshire.

It seems the change in licensing laws has not yet had much of an impact on pubs in London - at least in the area I like, and at 11 o' clock everywhere seemed to be shutting up shop as usual. Maybe that's for the best, I don't know. Anyway, after closing time Duncan and I then headed back down to Waterloo, where it transpired our hotel bar was still open. Well, you know - it would have been rude not to.

As usual - excellent, John!

On the back of all this I've sold my big, clunky, whizzy, protrudy-lensy camera and bought a small, compact, diddy camera I can more easily take around with me!!! :)

Posted by Nigel at 2006/04/02 14:07:34.

Nigel - that sounds like a good choice regarding the camera. It's all very well having a fancy pants camera, but if you never use it because it is too precious (or too big/heavy) then what is the point? I always go by the principle (principal?) that if I take hundreds of pictures, almost by accident I'll get a decent one now and again, and in between I get a digital record of what I'm up to.

Having said all of that, my camera is starting to feel really old now - I've had it almost four years, which in digital camera terms is quite outstanding. Amazingly it shows no real signs of breaking - I'd always previously worked by the rule that I continue to use each camera until it literally can't take pictures any more.

Posted by John at 2006/04/02 14:36:31.

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