Right, time to get my Sunday notes down before I forget them and before they seem completely out of place amongst my other wheezings and ramblings.
Let’s start out by stating that Sunday was an absolutely fantastic day (you know, in the parlance of these English times).
Sure it was gray, but it was long, which is hard to find in a city where everything seems to take a few extra minutes and the sun sets at 4pm.
I started out with a run around Highbury Fields that I am now having trouble recollecting but I know it must have been trying because of how sore I felt later. My hearty trek justified a giant feast of a breakfast: eggs with grilled tomato and mushrooms and two whole pieces of toast. Delish!
After breakfast I booked it out to Hyde Park with my rollerblades. The Sunday prior had me pumped and I needed to skate again.
So there I was on the tube, me, my iPod and my Big Giant Dork Bag. I got off at Green Park and took in the scene. Orange leaves everywhere! First thing that came to mind: I wish I had a book to read and a whole afternoon to spare.
(Which reminds me - I must get a designated park blanket!)
I strapped on (heh) my skates, took off through Green Park, and DAMN my legs were tired. But I had to move quickly because as soon as I started, I saw the “No Skating” sign and had to quickly find my way to Hyde Park, were inline skater can roam free.
Hyde Park wasn’t quite as scenic as Green Park. Fewer trees gave way to grayer skies. And there were god people about creating crowds and getting in my way. I found the stretch along the Serpentine where the other skaters seemed to do their thing. It was a nice stretch, smooth and flat, and I spent the rest of my time skating down the waterside until I had to bust a move back home for lunch with Tim.
The bottom line on the skate: the commute from Hackney to Hyde Park was a bit long for this short-lived skate, but over-all it was pleasant; would be more enjoyable with sunny skies, some company, followed by some downtime in Green Park under a blanket with a book and a bottle of wine.
Home for a delicious lunch: sea bass again with a bit of pasta. Splendid, but we had to save room for Diwali, the festival of lights, where we anticipated a plethora of delicious Indian fair.
So Tim, Rory, and I headed off to Trafalgar Square (with a brief stop-off for a Swift Pint). The festival was insanely crowded, but not much seemed to be happening. There was a stage. Some people said some stuff I couldn’t understand. Some balloons were released. The food lines were insane. Where was all the light we were supposed to be celebrating?
So much for Diwali. We left for Soho and found an insanely cool bar called The French House. It was wall-to-wall crowded, but in a good way, ’cause no one seemed to mind having to squeeze through the crowd or stand at the bar. It made it all the more cozy. There were pictures all over the walls, some with autographs, some apparently quite old. The place definitely had an old feel to it, and even the portly red-lipsticked bartender seemed to be straight out of an old french film. We only stuck around for a glass of wine, but I definitely plan to plan a return for a longer stay.
Our tummies were feeling rather betrayed by the absence of curry, so Rory introduced Tim and I to Busaba Eathai, a very cool Thai restaurant in Soho. All I can say is that the food was delicious, but the chilled red wine wasn’t as fun as I had hoped.
For a nightcap, we thought we’d try the Compton Arms in Islington, once in the Top 50 Pubs list on beerintheevening.com. It is no longer on the list thanks to Rory, who gave it a 3/10 after our visit. The pub was excessively smokey, and they were out of most of their draft beers. No Lagers?!!?! What is THAT all about!?
While we were out we spotted a huuuuge American monster truck! Upon closer inspection, we spied its original plates: Wyoming! Someone actually had their truck moved to England and converted from WYOMING!! I’m amazing they found space to park it!!
We also saw parts of a fox fight - frisky creatures they are!
Another weekend come and gone, with no call for the straight eye for the queer-looking guy. Success!
Related posts:
0 Responses to “Sunday Skate and Diwali”