The rain continued through to the early hours but the light leaking through the bottom of the front blinds suggested the sun had made an appearance. I checked the forecast again and we were all set for a sunny and relatively warm day. I already had a rough idea of what I wanted to do so, after briefly emerging from my pit to make a large mug of tea, settled back in my pit, perusing the TFL app and Google Maps to see what routes I needed to take. I may have grabbed some extra Z's too before eventually deciding to get moving.
First item on the agenda once I’d finally surfaced was prepping the evening meal, once again utilising the little slow pot, this time for ‘beef n beer’. My kitchen at home is hardly big, but with less work space in Patsy being organised was key – not one of my strongest points. However in a short time the slow pot was filled and switched on and I set about getting ready to hit the road. The washing up could keep.
I would be heading down the hill once again on the bus, changing near the Elephant & Castle and getting off near the Monument just after crossing London Bridge.
I remember visiting this – and walking to the top – as a kid but it had barely registered on my radar since. Remembering how narrow the stairs were there I didn’t fancy attempting it in Winklepickers, my entirely unsuitable footwear for the day.
A short walk vaguely north-west brought me to St Mary Le Bow Church on Cheapside. Standing amongst the modern developments it is still fairly unassuming and as churches go, not that grand, however it is said that if you were born within the sound of it’s bells, you were a true Cockney. I guess it depends on the prevailing winds, but my paternal Gran was apparently – evacuated during the war to Cambridgeshire and never went back.
It had been a long while since my early morning caffeine fix and it was time to refuel. The Café Below, set in the atmospheric crypt was perfect, supplying a weapons grade black coffee that set me up for the next few hours.
On my list originally was the Sky Garden in Fenchurch St, offering panoramic views of the city. (Free) tickets were released weekly and I’d made a mental note to book once I knew what the weather was doing. I left it too late of course and there were no tickets left for the week.
An alternative though was the Garden at 120 – a bit further a long Fenchurch St and not quite as high but again, free and no tickets were required. The atrium looked like any other modern office block, but the entire ceiling was a screen depicting scenes from nature, it was very impressive.
After passing through the airport style scanner it was a swift ride up the lift to the 15th floor and the garden itself. It was a lovely calming space, high glass sides keeping any wind at bay but giving fabulous views across the city.
Having committed several views to digital memory I decided to take a pew and partake of lunch, namely a sausage baguette and banana. London, like many cities is expensive but I find the minor inconvenience of prepping some lunch prior a good money saver – and it leaves more of the readies for er, ‘research’ too. There is an eatery one floor below as well though I’m guessing you’d need to book to be on the safe side.
Next up was Leadenhall Market, a short walk away. The display of Pride flags was impressive, covering many genres, sub genres, fetishes and kinks though the Gay Goth one – there is such a thing – appeared to be absent. I don’t align myself with such, but it would have been good to see it there.
Talking of ‘research’ I had with me my Liquid London guide to the capitals’ best pubs. There were lots in the area but partaking in them all in one day would be too costly on both wallet and liver.
Not too far away though was the Jamaica Wine House. Down an alleyway it was an oasis of tranquillity away from the noise of the main roads. Several city types were partaking of a pint outside in the sun – and often a fag too. There was northing new to try but the Shepherd Neame Late Red went down very well indeed.
I headed west, passing the Old Bailey, picturing Rumpole in full flow, before joining the A40 and crossing the Holborn Viaduct which brought me to the junction with Hatton Garden. Just off Hatton Garden is a little alleyway, down which was one of my favourite boozers, Ye Olde Mitre. It seemed rude not to.
In the time since my last visited London I’ve watched two dramatisations of the events of 2014 when during the Easter weekend a bunch of old codgers – all veteran crims - had it away with a massive haul, much of which has still not been recovered. Weird to think it all happened right here.
I decided it was time to start heading back and a quick perusal on the phone revealed that Blackfriars station was not too far away and I could get a train there to Herne Hill and the good old No. 3 bus back to the site. However nearby was the Blackfriar pub, an interesting wedge shaped building that also featured in my Liquid London guide. Again, nothing new to try but a lovely building and beer garden where I could watch the world go by and breathe in some diesel fumes.
Back at the site I ‘dis-robed’ into joggers and t-shirt and partook of a nap – no doubt aided by the days’ ‘research’, before serving up dinner. There was enough for three portions of the beef n beer stew and two portions were set aside in plastic tubs to cool before freezing.
A quiet evening in followed but I was pleased with the days’ outing. It’s a part of London I’ve not really visited for many years – some since childhood – and it was great to be exploring again.
Public Transport: Bus 363 to Elephant & Castle, bus 21 to Monument, Thameslink train from Blackfriars to Herne Hill, bus 3 to Crystal Palace. Total cost £6.10.