A Trip Through Memory Lane

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On our last day in London, and in fact our whole trip, I thought I'd show Paige where I used to live in London back at the start of the decade (has it really been that long).

We jumped on the tube to Shepard's Bush/Goldhawk Road. It was amazing to see the old stomping ground, it hadn't changed that much in 7 years. I showed her 'The Walkabout' pub, the biggest meat market in London. I didn't go there that much but when I did it was always a fun night. I then showed her my old digs which was a real spin-out. We then walked down to Hammersmith and then around to Brook Green, the site of the epic tennis matches played every Saturday morning for about three months in 2001/2002. The teams were myself and Greg 'Muzza' Mallory versus Dave Harman and Ben Hayes. Trash talk was compulsory as Muzza and I gave the boys a tennis lesson they'll never forget. I remember playing in sleet one weekend we were that fanatical. After the game we'd head across the road to the Queens Head for some lunch and a few pints of larger. At this point we'd crack out the cards for a few rounds of 500 where Muzza and I would give the boys their second lesson of the day.

So of course after showing Paige the tennis courts we decided to have a great lunch at the Queens Head.

Next we jumped on a bus and headed into Oxford Circus. Buses are a great way to get around London, a lot better than being stuck under ground on a tube. Paige purchased some shoes that she'd seen on Sunday. She loves them more than me at the moment but hopefully the novelty will fade .

We then jumped on another bus to the Camden Town and the famous Camden Markets. A very 'alternative' part of London so you're always assured of some weird and wonderful sights. Paige loved the markets and asked why we hadn't gone there earlier, I assured her it was not intentional that we went there last, merely coincidence.... We bought Conrad a jumper to say thanks for letting us stay and to hopefully remind him of our time there, especially his time at Tiger Tiger. I won't say any more than that, you'll just have to ask him if you want to know more......

After prying Paige away from the markets we jumped on another bus to Liverpool Street as the plan was to meet Conrad at 'The Ten Bells' pub for a drink before grabbing a curry at the famous Brick Lane. The Ten Bells is a small little pub with a big history. Jack the Ripper supposedly met one of his victims there. After a few pints we grabbed a great curry just off Brick Lane, a street comprised almost entirely of curry houses and every one with a guy out the front beckoning you into his establishment.

A great meal to finish off a great trip.

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