Thursday 25 September 2008

I sense a macabre theme.


This morning's commute into the office was confounded by...

Another fatality at a rail station on my travelled route.


I'm starting to get a complex.

Wednesday 24 September 2008

Just another daily commute.

I never realized just how much I’ve adapted to not having my own vehicle. Until yesterday.

Not feeling well, I decided to go home early yesterday.

So after the 15 minute walk to the station from our office complex, I hopped on the train towards home. About 2/3 of the way there, the train is held at one of the intermediate stops with the announcement that there was a fatality at a station ahead. Not knowing how long we would be delayed, I followed the throngs of other mid-day travelers to the bus depot outside and jumped on the next bus towards Wimbledon where I could then catch the tube back towards Victoria Station, my original destination.

Without realizing, or for that matter planning it, I seamlessly completed the trifecta of mass public transportation: Train, Bus, Underground.

Who needs a car anyway?

Friday 19 September 2008

Time for a pub update. 200 total just might be within my reach.

153. Buckingham Arms: Lovely frontage from the early 1800’s, but interior has been completely “modernized”. However, sitting in the front bay window does have a nice feel to it. Probably the safest place to have a pint as it is near New Scotland Yard.
154. Swan Tavern: HOW have I missed this one till now. I must have walked past it several times on my walks. Tucked away in an alleyway near Monument tube stop it has the tiniest of bar spaces downstairs with another equally interesting upstairs bar. VERY cool little spot if you’re about during the week.
155. Cock & Woolpack: Best thing about this very sterile pub in the Square Mile was the adventure it took to find it. Not worth the effort re-visiting, despite the name.
156. Hoop & Grapes: The exterior frontage is the highlight here as it has the original timber front that survived the Great Fire of 1666. Grab a pint and sit in front as the interior has been gastro-pubbed.
157. The Ship: Round the corner from Tower Hill. While it is in an interesting enough building, again the rest has been lost as the inside has been completely modernized.
158. The Wykeham Arms: (Winchester) VERY unique former 18th century coach’s in with an odd collection of knick-knacks hanging from the walls. I liked it. Not everyday one can sit in an old school desk complete with inkwell and enjoy a nice pint.
159. The Black Boy: (Winchester) Multi-levels, multi-roomed, creaky floors almost “musty” atmosphere with stacks of books, stuffed animals, movie posters… Yeah. I could drink in this place everyday. Gives “character” a whole new meaning.
160. The Crown & Anchor: (Winchester) On the High Street and nothing special. Very sterile refurbished interior.
161. Hyde Tavern: (Winchester) A very small “local” place in an old building (crooked walls & uneven floors) and a little out of the way, but not bad even considering the modern furnishings that took away a bit of its authenticity.
162. Town of Ramsgate: (Wapping) Small, narrow place dating back to the 17th century. Small terrace in back overlooking the Thames adds a bit to this very authentic pub with a great local feel to it.
163. Captain Kidd: (Wapping) Only about 10 years old, but made to feel older. Timbered ceilings and stone floor aren’t bad on the inside, but has a very expansive outside area w/ views of the Thames. Not bad.
164. Prospect of Whitby: (Wapping) Considered the oldest riverside pub in London. Stone floors and a really cool pewter trimmed bar. Hangman’s noose swings near the riverside balcony as it is located next to Execution Dock. Really liked this place and its small nooks to sit and drink.
165. The Chamberlain Hotel: A Fuller’s remake, but instead of a bank building this is in the hotel lobby. Very nicely done as is most Fuller’s creations. Very clean and decorated like a proper study hall.

Wednesday 17 September 2008

Obviously, this past weekend was spent following the path and aftermath of Hurricane Ike as it ploughed through Texas affecting so many of our friends and family. The BBC and international media really latched onto Galveston official’s plea to the island’s unprotected west side to evacuate or “Face almost certain death”, becoming the event’s buzzwords here. Except they did embellish a bit… twisting the context to include Houston and then all of Texas.

I have a certain disdain towards the over-accentuated headlines that some media establishments will use to grab attention. But that’s another blog entry for another time.
I might even discuss Jim Cantori.

While displaced for a bit, all of our family members made it through the ordeal.

To all our friends and readers, please comment to this post (IF you have power) to let us know you are ok.

On a more upbeat note, we did enjoy a nice evening (in between songs at the piano bar) this past Saturday visiting with my cousin Cindy and her partner Adrian as they were travelling through London on a European adventure of their own. Amy is also practicing her pirouettes in anticipation of spinning on a mountain top somewhere in Austria as in a few short weeks we finally get to take that Sound of Music tour.

Tuesday 9 September 2008

Tuesday Morning Football

So what if it was already in the fourth quarter.

So what if Denver was already ahead 27-0.

So what if the announcers were the 3 Mikes (Greenberg, Golic and Ditka WHAT were they thinking?).

Channel 5 here shows MNF live, and due to this west coast version of it in Week 1 of the NFL season I was able to sit in the comfortable confines of my lounger in my flat and watch LIVE "American" football.

So what if it was 5:30 AM.

Saturday 6 September 2008

Today’s adventure took me down rive a bit to the area of Wapping. Now a rejuvenated area of residential flats, it still holds some of the history of the old warehouses, dockyards and other associated maritime industries. The draw for me (other than the pubs, of course) was the site just below The Old Wapping Steps, Execution Dock.

Here pirates and other water-borne criminals were hung and allowed to be submerged in the rising river tides. The nefarious Captain Kidd was one of those to meet his demise here.

The gibbet has been reconstructed for us tourists, but it doesn’t remove the fact that in this place that actually did occur over the course of 400 years.

Thursday 4 September 2008

Today's Random Thought:

Amy has been in Houston for the last couple weeks.

The Astros become the hottest team in baseball.

Coincidence?

I told you that they were just waiting for me. I'm pretty sure that Lance dedicated that walk off homerun in the 9th inning last Friday night to me :)

Monday 1 September 2008

If one takes enough photographs, occasionally, one or two of them come out worthwhile.

How can you NOT love this view? Just a 20 minute walk down the street... this is one of the things I will miss.

Saturday 30 August 2008

Off to see one of the most heralded buildings in all of the UK, Winchester Cathedral.
Sorry... I just couldn’t tie in the classic #1 song by The New Vaudeville Band.

Back in the 11th century, Winchester was London before London was… well London. William the Conqueror commissioned the construction Winchester Cathedral as its centre point and to this day the 900 year old building boasts the longest naïve in all of Europe.

The Great Screen dates back to the 15th century and not only is the Cathedral the burial site for 12 English kings it is also the final resting place for author Jane Austin.


Located in the town’s Great Hall hangs what is reported to be King Arthur’s Round Table. Honestly… it looks like something that was to be used in a medieval version of Wheel of Fortune.

The town itself is quite quaint with its Tudor styled High Street, city gates from the walled close and bridges over the River Itchen.

Near the city centre stands a statue to King Alfred the Great, who in the 9th century deterred the invasion of Danish Vikings, and as evident by the following sign that resistance to hooligans still stands.

If having a pink wall wasn't nuisance enough.

Thursday 28 August 2008

Today's random thought:

I've had a drink in a pub named The Queen's Head.

I've had a drink in a pub named The Queen's Arms.

Why can't I find a pub named The Queen's Legs?

Maybe some things are better left unknown.

Monday 25 August 2008

"This is the room from which I will direct the war." - Winston Churchill

Today I visited the Cabinet War Rooms, the underground bunker system from which Winston Churchill and his cabinet members ran the logistics of World War II.

Abandoned and sealed soon after the war, the Cabinet meeting room, the map room and several of the offices still maintain their original condition with authentic maps still on the walls and the original phones.

It was really fascinating seeing the conditions that they worked under round the clock for years as London was being bombed by Nazi Germany.

Walking back towards the flat from the War Rooms I heard the Royal Guard Band playing for the Changing of the Guard at the barracks (just prior to leaving towards the Palace). Normally, this wouldn't have been such a big deal except they were playing "I've Got Rhythm" and "Minnie the Moocher". So I traipsed over (as one does) to catch the show. As they began their march towards the Palace they chose to play Elmer Bernstein's march from the movie "Stripes".

I wish I was a loofah.

Friday 22 August 2008

Yes... another pub update.

I don't think I have a problem... Do I?

As usual, the complete list is reached by the link on the right.

135. Warrington Hotel: One of those pubs that is like having a pint in a museum. Magnificent exterior façade with an interior to match. Marble columns, stained glass and ornate moulding. Simply awe-inspiring.
136. The Globe: Large pub on the corner of Marylebone and Baker St. that caters to the tourists. Nothing special.
137. The Prince Regent: Purple walls and somewhat gaudy furnishings for a pub. A “pretty” place. Not a surprise the girls liked it.
138. The King’s Head: I LIKED this place!! A very quiet, quaint pub with strong local feel. Not to mention a cool wrap-a-round bar. If it were closer, I’d visit more often.
139. The Golden Eagle: Cool exterior on this corner pub with a refurbished interior, taking away any traditional feel. Tiny, TINY place. Mind your head when going down the stairs to the Gents toilet.
140. Pontefract Castle: Interesting 3 level pub with a very cool spiral staircase. Main bar is far better than the other levels. Decent enough place.
141. Duke of York: Small corner, Samuel Smith pub with a nice brass trimmed bar and small partitioned booths.
142. Bricklayers Arms: Boothed seating and nothing more that would make this one memorable.
143. Carpenters Arms: Simple corner place with some nice Victorian tiling. Shame the only thing on the telly was Olympic women’s shotput.
144. Windsor Castle: Odd place simply covered in an eclectic mix of celebrity/royal photographs and collections of small bric-a-brac. Quirky enough to lure me back.
145. Wargrave Arms: Newer Young’s pub with a wide open bar area. Nothing really noteworthy.
146. The Dove: Supposedly the smallest bar in all of Britain. Not so sure about that. The original pub area has low beamed ceilings, but the highlight of this 17th century riverside beauty is its great location overlooking the Thames. A classic.
147. The Black Lion: A 200 year old Hammersmith area place that has a great country pub feel to it. Must be the creaky bare floorboards. Garden area has a huge chestnut tree said to be older than the pub itself.
148. The Cross Keys: 19th Century pub that still has the original etched glass near the entry. Has been refurbished and expanded towards the rear for dining.
149. Andover Arms: I absolutely LOVED this place. Hidden back in a residential area, but made all the work finding it worthwhile. Separate entries for the Saloon/Public bar that was also divided by heavy draperies. Another quiet local pub that I could have spent all day in.
150. The Lamb Tavern: Located in Leadenhall Market, I’m not sure which was more impressive. Dated back to the 1760’s with paneling and etched glass, but it was the tiled staircase up to the dining area that was the most impressive.
151. Dirty Dick’s: Interesting place with a rustic cellar feel to it. Stored casks, beamed ceilings with odd nooks and crannies. Cellar bar was not open, which was a shame.
152. The Ten Bells: Living solely on its Jack the Ripper fame, it was a DIS-A-PPOINTMENT. One large gutted room w/ dodgy music almost resembling a punk feel. Shame… as the Victorian tile work on two of the wall still remain.

Wednesday 20 August 2008

OK… I think it’s time for a clarification. I don’t want it to appear that all Todd and Terri did while they were here was drink ale...

There WAS Pimms and the occasional bottle of wine, but they also found time to: Ride the London Eye, tour the British Museum, climb to the top of St. Paul’s, visit King Arthur’s stomping ground, shop at Harrod’s, drink from the Chalice Well, visit Westminster Abbey, take an extended Jack the Ripper tour, snack at the Borough Market, transverse the Tower Bridge, and get to play Royal Guards.

Plus… as a bonus.

We got to find out the REAL reason they got married as evidenced by Terri’s melted glass at the Ice Bar.

All joking aside... it was a blast having all of our visitors these last several weeks.

Really... I mean it.

Monday 19 August 2008

An event that will go down in the annuls of history.
Well… it will be recorded in my Pub List, that’s for sure.


After careful research and some deliberation, as well as, proper auditing for prosperity sake, my 150th pub was visited today. To celebrate that prestigious moment, we journeyed into the City of London and sampled the wares at The Lamb Tavern located in the Leadenhall Market.

It did not disappoint. The Market, a backdrop in one of the Harry Potter movies, deserved a visit in its own right, but it was the etched glass and tiled stairway of the pub that highlighted the culmination of over two years of ~ahem~ work.

The Pub List will be updated after the dust settles a bit.

Todd and Terri ARE seeing parts of London... but we'll cover that in another post.

Sunday 17 August 2008

Seeeee... if you can guess a recurring theme.

After a traditional full English breakfast (Todd only) we ventured upriver to the Hammersmith area to add a few new pubs to my list. This went towards raising the bar for the two day pub record to eighteen pubs, and gets us on the verge of a sesquicentennial total.

We then went to a really cool place for a couple of evening cocktails.

Now...

For a brief Mr. Wizard moment. What happens to a glasses wearing gentleman once he steps out of an ice bar into the surrounding atmosphere?

Amy leaves us tomorrow for a several weeks stay back "home" in Houston. Be sure to give her a ring and take her for a nice Mexican food dinner. She needs it.

Saturday 16 August 2008

Todd and Terri have been seeing bits of the city and countryside over the last couple of days and we’ve introduced them to some of the local culinary highlights in the evenings.

Today… we took them round on a completely different sort of tour.

Bank Jobs and Pubs were the order of the day.

Following the story line of the movie “The Bank Job” we started our pub crawl near the area of Marylebone and Baker Street, the sight of where the Walkie-Talkie gang robbed the Lloyds bank back in the early 1970’s.

THEN… we hit the pubs. As Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps reaches his record, we went after our own World record of sorts. Yes… Twelve pubs in one day!!

Once again… the photos tell the story.

Wednesday 13 August 2008

At first glance this might seem like a small update to my pub list, and you would be correct.

However, as Todd and Terri begin their London visit today it's best to do this now, because... I have a hunch... that certain milestones and perhaps "records" may fall.


In true Olympic fashion, the "Gold" will be to finally reach 150 different pubs visited, and maybe raise the bar on a few records.

Most Pubs in a Day: 10 (during Sheila/Stephen's visit)
Most Pubs in a 2 Day Period: 16 (during Marty's visit)

As always, the comprehensive list can be viewed via the link on the right.

128. The Bear: (Oxshott) Large garden type neighbourhood “bar” that was nice enough, but no where near the traditional pubs that I prefer.
129. New Bowling Green: (Warwick) The original pub was quite cozy and homey with a nice fireplace and window booth. However, the expansion into a dining area gives it a more “gastro” feel. It’s very fitting there are two entrances for the two very different areas.
130. Crown & Castle: (Warwick) A traditional coach’s inn with a refurbished interior. Still maintained some its private booths, and had some nice regional ales. OK… not spectacular.
131. The Mudlark: A Nicholson’s pub in the shadow of Southwark Cathedral. The refit has it losing a lot of its traditional feel, but nice enough place for a pint.
132. Barrowboy and Banker: A Fuller’s Ale & Pie shop that follows their typical pattern. A refurbished bank building that has a very striking interior. Highlight of this one was its curved stairway leading to the balcony dining area.
133. Bag O’ Nails: Comfy little corner pub near the flat that has escaped my visit until now. Smallish bar area with booths and interesting light fixtures. Great name.
134. Ye Olde Rose & Crown: (Greenwich) A happy little place that was OK for a quick pint after finishing the hike up to the Royal Observatory. Something tells me this place is more fun in the evenings.

Tuesday 12 August 2008

P&K wrapped up their visit with some shopping and Harry Potter photo ops before taking a day trip that included stops in the Cotswolds, Bath and Stonehenge. I hope they enjoyed their visit as much as we did hosting them, and that they take home with them a new found respect for public transportation, “urban” living, the pub culture and that the food here really isn’t that bad.

Please take it easy on them if they return home looking to buy a Yorkshire pudding and a few new words added to their vocabulary.

Sunday 10 August 2008

Today we all took a Thames River cruise down to Greenwich, home of the Royal Observatory and Greenwich Mean Time.

It also gave of the opportunity to take that cheesy tourist photograph while standing over the Prime Meridian simultaneously allowing us to be in both the Eastern and Western Hemispheres.

Saturday 9 August 2008

Another rainy day in London… but armed with umbrellas we set off for Covent Garden and a bit of browsing and shopping in the market hall.

Then, a multi-change tube ride for our next destination… Bill W. – this one is for you!