London

Posted in London on Sunday 18th July 2004 at 8:18pm


The last day of my trip. Always sorry to leave and this time perhaps moreso, but after checking out of the hotel and performing my morning coffee ritual, I had several hours to play with. Had a vague plan held over from Thursday to get out to Spitalfields, and now the opportunity to play 'tour guide' too. Decided to head North to Kings Cross in the hope of dropping off luggage and making a quick hop East to Liverpool Street by train. Scuppered by engineering works meaning trains were missing the stop at Kings Cross St. Pancras. Hot, sweaty and still carrying luggage, turned South again and found solace in more coffee on Exmouth Market.

Soon off again, to Farringdon and then on to Liverpool Street. Had decided having read 'Rodinsky's Room' by Iain Sinclair and Rachel Lichtenstein, that a visit to the Princelet Street Synagogue would be interesting if only to add to the atmosphere of the book. Along Fournier Street beside the always impressive mass of Christ Church, and into 'Bangla Town' and Brick Lane. The markets meant a mass of people, moving slowly. Struggled around the corner into the surprisingly quiet and rather serene Princelet Street. Soon found No. 19 and took a picture for posterity, much to the amusement of some young locals nearby.

19 Princelet Street
19 Princelet Street

Back into Brick Lane and to Shoreditch station. Since this station is open only at peak hours and for the Sunday markets, I'd never used it. So, caught a train and decided to stay on under Brunel's original Thames Tunnel to Rotherhithe. Wandered about a little, finding my way to the river and enjoying views across to Wapping in the sunshine. Explored a bit more, and found the other end of the Rotherhithe Tunnel (having almost wandered into the northern portal in Limehouse some time back). Rotherhithe seems to be trapped between tunnels.

Back on the train to Whitechapel. Surfaced briefly for refreshments, then on to Monument. Finally got some reasonably good pictures of St. Mary Woolnoth for a future gallery here, then went on a long circuit of the City, south to the River, along Queen Victoria Street and finally for a well earned pint on Fleet Street, the end of my stint as an unofficial guide, and reluctant goodbyes. Still hadn't deposited my luggage anywhere! Decided to press on along Strand to Somerset House, completing a circuit of sorts from where I began last night.

Pretty exhausted, so headed back to Paddington for food and a break before my train home. Considering it was a mainly unplanned day, had a very pleasant and productive walk - getting to places which I'd meant to visit for a while, and having the time to linger in spots which I'd discovered by accidents.

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Lost::MikeGTN

I've had a home on the web for more years than I care to remember, and a few kind souls persuade me it's worth persisting with keeping it updated. This current incarnation of the site is centred around the blog posts which began back in 1999 as 'the daylog' and continued through my travels and tribulations during the following years.

I don't get out and about nearly as much these days, but I do try to record significant events and trips for posterity. You may also have arrived here by following the trail to my former music blog Songs Heard On Fast Trains. That content is preserved here too.

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