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Published: March 15th 2017
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The previous day had been about going underground for refreshment. Today, we were aiming higher. 32 floors to be precise. The Northern Line was behaving itself and we alighted at London Bridge early for our “appointment”. The rush hour was in full swing. The army of commuters were speeding towards the office. Latte to go in hand. Sneakers, or trainers in the local dialect, on the feet. As one group headed towards their fat salaries, another group seeking the good life was already up as early. A long line had already formed round the corner on St Thomas Street outside the Immigration Office. A good start in any British culture test - a test we are assured will be our salvation going forward. If you can’t queue, fitting into the British way of life can be difficult and can cause no end of friction.
It was cold and windy, as we wandered round killing time. The tall buildings were channelling the gusts, making the temperature plummet further. There are no taller that The Shard. We had come for breakfast. An extravagance perhaps, but then the normal viewing platform has an entrance fee of circa
£25. I therefore equated the additional sum, which would see us tucking into a full English breakfast, as nominal and a better investment for my stomach than a cheaper greasy spoon and the full admission price above. The restaurants have a separate entry. Doorman and airport style security. The lifts are automatic. "Do not press any buttons". The doors open. The doors close. We ascended in 15 seconds to Floor 32. Welcome to Aquashard. We were shown to our table for 2. Front row. Bonus. The tables for 4 were on the 2nd row. The view would still be good, but I suggest you lose some mates from your party.
I thought you would be able to hear the wind more at the elevated level. The views were impressive. You would expect nothing less. In the world where the youth describe everything as amazing, I would say this is an amazing view. We looked out over a westward panorama towards the London Eye. A seriously high tower block is going up next to Blackfriars Bridge, although it appears to be apartments and not offices. St Paul’s was to our right. The sun broke
through the high clouds occasionally and danced across the rooftops. We played tourist and took some snaps. The full breakfast comprised of coffee, juice, a starter of muffin and pastry and was followed by the full English. The Other Half was convinced it was a tinned tomato and the beans were not to her taste, but other than that it was all good. It was quite relaxed too from a service perspective. There is nothing worse than being intimidated at your own table. The Other Half ventured to the toilets and came back all excited about the loo with a view. The Ladies had nothing on the Gents. If yesterday at The Attendant was strange – drinking coffee in an underground toilet – so is standing at a urinal 32 floors up, gazing out over south London. I couldn’t resist a photo. The bill is a bit of a shock, but as I said why pay just the entrance fee for the view? We were at our table for the best part of 2 hours, drinking in the scenery, before walking to the other side for views over the City and the river heading east. The Thames river traffic was
going about the day. The trains were snaking into London Bridge Station far below, bringing another compliment to fill the offices of central London.
We descended back to street level. The queue was still growing outside the Immigration Office. The general street buzz had quietened. Borough Market across the way was coming to life. A range of stalls mainly selling organic products – cheeses, honey, fruit and London Gin – intermingled with street food in various forms. I had just had my breakfast, but was still tempted by some samples of sausage meat and venison burger. Why not? Growing lad! Huge pans were being fired up with curries and paella. The market had clearly left the original roots and was playing to the more upmarket commuters with cash in their pockets, who no doubt used it as a lunch venue. Southwark Cathedral was adjacent. The gates were firmly locked. The replica of the Golden Hind was up the road by the Thames. Similarly, the small museum associated with it was still not open for business. The streets were a mix of the run down Local Authority flats and warehouse conversions, plus a range
of coffee options. There were some great historic advertising hoardings high up on the brickwork. Flat Iron Square was heavily advertising the Sunday market. It was Thursday. We ended up near Blackfriars Bridge and walked along the river towards the Oxo Building, utilising our free Café Nero card on the way. There was no sign of life at the ITV “This Morning” studios. The National Theatre looked as brutal on the eye as ever.
Theatreland was the next destination. The Other Half had purchased tickets for the Carole King musical, Beautiful. If nothing else, it would give her feet a rest. We stopped for a drink in a pub just near Convent Garden, last visited about 20 years ago. It had received a bit of a makeover, but was otherwise unchanged. I went to see a Burt Bacharach concert a couple of years back, which is a totally unrelated story. However in musical terms, this is a similar journey through the music of Carole King without Carole herself. A journey through the early years as a song writing machine, producing hits for the Drifters and the Shirelles and on to the
Tapestry years. Whatever your thoughts on the music, it was entertaining. The Aldwych Theatre was about 70% full for the Thursday matinee. It finished about 5 pm, which was just handy for meeting up with a friend at 6 pm in our usual cheap central London drinking venue. We walked through Convent Garden on the way. Drinkers were still on the balcony of the Punch & Judy, happy to pay silly prices as I was when I was 22. The Warwick just behind Regent Street was its usual self. The “Happy 3 Hours” continues – 5 to 8 pm each evening. Half price drinks. Alas, Guinness is no longer part of the deal and the wines are now somewhat restricted. I had to settle for Amstel. However in London terms, a round is still a bit of a steal. The popularity was such, that we initially struggled to find a table. The after work punters were taking full advantage of the offer, although the general owner plan is clearly to make you lose sense of time and carry on drinking after the 8 pm deadline, when prices become prohibitive. The music volume seems to steadily rise to make communication that
little more difficult. Time to leave! We are older and wiser, securing our last drinks at a comfortable 7.45 pm and then retreating to our normal Prezzo along the street armed with Tesco Clubcard Boost vouchers. Every little helps!
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Rainyb
Lorraine Brecht
Good idea in b/w ;o)