Leaving Alastair's studio kitchen, we head to the historical and characterful part of London known as Shoreditch. It is a mix of smart, trendy shops and scruffiness; a convergence of the rich and poor, historic and new, and modern and old-fashioned. We are told Shoreditch — unlike Kensington, Chelsea and the West End that have fixed identities — continues to be in a state of energetic flux. Sounds rather wonderful, right?
Then on to Spitalfields, a market/trading area since the mid 1600s. A major center for the sale of fresh produce, it fell into decline after the 1820s. In 1920 the City of London acquired control and expanded the market. But, by the late 1990s its popularity outgrew its location. Now the market is an amalgamation of clothing (designer and vintage), homewares, and an odd assortment of junk
Then on to Spitalfields, a market/trading area since the mid 1600s. A major center for the sale of fresh produce, it fell into decline after the 1820s. In 1920 the City of London acquired control and expanded the market. But, by the late 1990s its popularity outgrew its location. Now the market is an amalgamation of clothing (designer and vintage), homewares, and an odd assortment of junk
Afterwards, we head back to Marylebone for dinner at The Volunteer around the corner on Baker Street (just a stone's throw from the Sherlock Holmes museum). The pub is packed with mostly men who have just come from an international cricket match against New Zealand (the latter won tonight's match). Interestingly, people get dressed up for these matches, some wearing suits and ties or shorts jackets and khaki trousers. Since the Park Road house is on the way between the stadium and the pub / Tube station, we have quite a parade of men passing by!
Our night's entertainment was two men, who got decidedly pissed (drunk) after the cricket match loss. The younger kept passing out while the older one practiced what I dubbed the "choke and stroke." Eventually, the older man was escorted out of the bar where he proceeded to fall to the sidewalk and help was called in for his companion. Hopefully, they both made it home safely and awoke the next morning with no recollection of the evening activities!
Our night's entertainment was two men, who got decidedly pissed (drunk) after the cricket match loss. The younger kept passing out while the older one practiced what I dubbed the "choke and stroke." Eventually, the older man was escorted out of the bar where he proceeded to fall to the sidewalk and help was called in for his companion. Hopefully, they both made it home safely and awoke the next morning with no recollection of the evening activities!