Photo © Mike Quinn (cc-by-sa/2.0)
Today, I was working with organisations based in Tindlemanor, in Featherstone Street, just opposite the Angel pub, off the City Road. I had two meetings and, unusually, an hour and a half between them.
I asked around for somewhere to eat. I knew already that all the brand names (Pret, EAT and so on) were along the City Road on the way to Old Street station, and there were plenty of interesting eateries (a whole shop specialising in soup) in the station itself, but I fancied exploring a bit.
Source They suggested Whitecross Street Food Market. All I had to do was go out of the building, turn right and keep going and I would find it. Perfect.
It was a short walk, even I managed not to get lost, at least, not on the way there. I wandered past a few of the stalls - lots of delicious goodies, what would I have? Eventually I gave in to a Turkish lunch box: rice, lamb meatballs, salad and toasted halloumi.
Source It was right parky in London today. Everyone was wearing serious winter clothing. I didn't hang around to take photographs, and stole these from the Internet instead.
The afternoon meeting went very well. Members of the Consortium are starting their planning and preparation for the next round of their anchor project: just the odd £12 million in the balance. This was one of the preliminary consultation sessions. Some sensible, realistic proposals were put forward; some nice feedback at the end about it was a good meeting, well-conducted.
Usually, after a stint like today, I would pop into The Angel for a Havana Club rum with a shot of Coke and some lime, or maybe two, if we were on good form and had plenty of time. But today I'd left my drinking partner at lunchtime, so I forlornly battled my way to Old Street and then to St Pancras International for a very nice dinner before catching the train home.
The area is endlessly fascinating. Like many interesting parts of London it mixes old and very new, quite posh with downright seedy. On a warmer day I look forward to exploring.
I know the area to the west and south and down to the river much better. I sometimes meet my mates from FC United of Manchester, ostensibly a supporters branch but really a drinking club, at the Three Kings, "a lively boozer in Clerkenwell". Boozer, that's a London word.
The Southern Reds used to meet at the New Evaristo Club in Greek Street, Fitzrovia, really my kind of dive (I used to dream of owning a club like this). Just a doorway and some stairs down to the basement and a "humble, old-timey jazz club". There was a signing-in book, unused and a bit grubby. My favourite time was about 5.30pm, lots of people would call in for a drink and a chat before moving on for the evening. I understood it became mayhem later in the evening. I could imagine.