London Still Rocks!

Currently   back in Ireland for the weekend, because it's been too long. Took yesterday off work (naturally), and with nothing else to do but get ready, of course I was rushing! Did make it, mind - the bus was roughly on time, and after initial slow traffic, absolutely flew, and I made the train I wanted to the airport . I see they have automatic ticket barriers for the lifts now - much more efficient. Queued for security, then spent 25 minutes waiting for them to check my bags.. seemed like more than half the bags were being checked. Thank goodness I was on time.. W. H. Smith in Liverpool Street doesn't seem to do sandwiches any more! I was hungry, so checked the one in the airport - but they no longer do the lovely chicken sandwiches they used to, so I got a smoked salmon one from Pret instead. By that stage, my gate had been announced, and was listed as "boarding".. I panted my way up there, and of course discovered they weren't actually boarding at all. In...

Yesterday - the Christmas social with Ivan, James, and Martin, who couldn't make it on the 30th! Unfortunately,  The Approach Tavern , which has become our regular in the area , couldn't accommodate us indoors in the evening, so I booked  The Bethnal Green Tavern .. I got an email confirming our table until 8pm. Ivan stepped up and booked   The Florist Arms , nearby, for later.. You know, it's only half an hour by bus from me. Except for delays, of course - and so it was that I was a bit late. Happily, the ever-reliable James made it dead on time, to secure the booking. As I walked the last bit, I was a bit confused - I couldn't see a sign for it anywhere! Turned out they're currently lacking a sign - thank goodness for Google Maps , which indicated exactly where it was. Anyway, James sent a photo of where he was sitting - which was just as well, as he has a new hat, and was sitting with his back to me, and I really wasn't sure it was him..! It's a simple i...