The Last Tuesday Society / Viktor Wynd's Museum of Curiosities

If like us you're always searching for out of the ordinary experiences, and relish the opportunity to indulge in the down right bizarre, then this is definitely the place for you! 

On Mare Street in Hackney, right next to the Regent's Canal you'll find The Last Tuesday Society / Viktor Wynd's Museum of Curiosities, a gothic/steampunk-style coffee shop and bar with a lot of weird stuff in the cellar! For £4 (£5 with the guide book) you can take the wrought iron spiral staircase down into the chamber of horrors, with a complimentary tea or coffee thrown in (but no biscuit - no matter what the website says!). 

In the basement you'll discover the personal collection of artist Viktor Wynd, and what a collection it is! Creepy dolls, unusual taxidermy and all manner of odd sexual literature and artifacts take centre stage, alongside the gold-plated skull of one of Pablo Escobar's pet hippos, skeletons of all description (including that of a dodo) and celebrity "waste" in jars! This is quite clearly not one for the kids, or the weakhearted for that matter, and nor does it claim to be...

What is great about this collection is the complete disregard for general law and order, everything is so thrown together that some truly bizarre compositions of objects arise out of the chaos. This also means that some stuff is half hidden and easy to miss. On returning home and leafing through the guide book we felt that we had barely seen half of the artifacts on show - repeat visits are a must, and I'm sure new discovers would be made each and every time! 

The idea of this museum is to present "an incoherent vision of the world displayed through wonder enclosed within a tiny space", no attempt made at classification and comprehensiveness..." and a rejection of "attempts to educate and explain, to put the world into neat little labeled drawers..." This is certainly refreshing, however with such an interestingly eclectic collection I couldn't help feeling that the little information that was provided for certain objects did a lot to enhance the overall experience and I would have loved much more backstory and greater context for this visual feast!

Upstairs in the coffee shop you'll find a back room full of artwork and plenty more curiosities all around, some of which are for sale including two headed teddy bears and crocodile skulls. You can even share a candlelit beverage with half a lion (see below) and as weird as it sounds the atmosphere is strangely calming.

This fascinating venue also plays host to a number of querky events throughout the year including taxidermy classes, a petting zoo in the basement (offering the chance to get up close and personal with lizards, snakes, scorpions and the like), and London's longest running literary salon. 

No matter how much you've planned to pack in during your trip to London if you're an oddity hunter, or simply a fan of the macabre, this is definitely one you can't afford to miss! 

All opinions are my own.

Spitalfields City Farm

I absolutely love this place! Since moving to East London in summer 2015 we have probably spent a disproportionate number of afternoons at this little oasis of tranquility! 

Spitalfields City Farm boasts an array of barnyard animals, our personal favourites being Watson and Holmes a pair of kunekunes ( a type of pig from New Zealand - the kind that can be glimpsed at Laketown in the Hobbit movies!). 

You would never imagine to find such a beautiful little farm, complete with farm shop selling fresh produce, just striding distance from Brick Lane! There's something deeply satisfying and truly bizarre about seeing wooly, bleating critters nonchalantly doing their thing to the backdrop of the city's iconic highrise towers! See below.

Other animals to observe and fuss over include sheep, cows, rabbits, guinea pigs and apparently ferrets although we've never sighted the snoozey little fellas! 

The staff are friendly, the atmosphere super relaxed and they offer great food as well! I'd recommend their hearty tomato, ginger and coconut soup served with bread and butter. The coffees not too shabby either.

The peace and quiet are periodically shattered to make way for all sorts of fun-day events happening throughout the year, such as the hugely popular Goat Race which is held to coincide with the Oxford - Cambridge boat race! Check out their events page for details!

The Spitalfields City Farm has so much going for it, if you have a spare afternoon east of the city be sure to drop in - it's free to visit and open everyday apart from Monday when the animals have a day off!

All opinions are my own.

Day Trip from London: #2 Rye

Continuing our quest to find the best day trips from London, for when the noise and drama of the capital all becomes a little too much, we decided to check out Rye! This sleepy town was a favourite of my mum and dad, and so it holds a certain nostalgic value for me but first time visitors will also love exploring this little untapped gem of English life down on the Sussex coast.

Introducing: Rye - the world's cutest smuggling town!

 

Where is it? 

 

On the East Sussex coast, right on the border with Kent; just over an hour from St Pancras with a change at Ashford International.

Why visit? 

 

If you are looking to explore a quaint English village with heaps of history and a provincial feel without having to travel for hours out into the back of beyond then this is the place for you! Here you'll seem a million miles from the bright lights of London whilst you explore the twisting cobbled lanes, browse charming olde worlde junkshops, and relax with an exquiste cream tea!

The oldtown of Rye is set into a low hilltop overlooking a marshy expanse where several tributaries join to meet with the sea. The history of this area is entwined with the legends of smugglers and pirates, and a walk out into the lonely countryside beyond the town will transport you back to by-gone days! You'll also find Camber Castle nestled out in the marshes; a relic from the era of King Henry VIII. 

With plenty of historic buildings, pretty little cafes and spectacular nature watching Rye is a winning Saturday afternoon excursion!

Highlights

 

The Village Itself

 

Mermaid Street

Tudor houses

The Mermaid Inn

And a Walk Out into the Marshes...

 

Many, many sheep! Expect to see a great deal of lambs in the Spring!

to Camber Castle!

 

 

Fortress of Henry VIII

And a Relaxing Cream Tea at The Cobbles Tea Room

 

 

Cream tea at The Cobbles: Traditional scone with jam and cream, and a cup of tea!

 

 

Goat Race - Spitalfields City Farm, Easter 2016

So the goat race happened at the Spitalfields City Farm and it was all that we could have hoped for! 

2 goats, 1200 hipsters, a whole lot of fun!

Here's what we found out...

1) Cockerels can be incredibly photogenic

 

2) Someone is championing equal rights among goats (phew!)

 

3) Goat snacks are remarkably aesthetic

4) Cows will eat palm trees if allowed

5) If the job of goat-themed fun day commentator didn't exist we have no idea what this man would be doing for a living!

And now for the Shoat (young pig) Race - we were treated to the pre-goat appetiser of male pigs in drag racing one another, every bit as phenomenal as it sounds! Here's the evidence...

And finally, the day's main event; a goat representing Oxford and one representing Cambridge went head to head for the title of greatest goat - every bit as tense as the boat race which was taking place across town! It was a very close race indeed!

No animals were harmed or mistreated in any way, we were reassured that this was actually something that the goats did every day of the year regardless of whether they had spectators or not. All money raised went into the farm's fund to feed the animals.

A great afternoon of nonsense! We hope to see you there next year!

All opinions are my own

Day Trip from London: #1 St Albans

I love London, obviously, but at times it can all get a bit too much! It's busy, noisy and polluted, plus for international visitors all of its pros can also be cons - as a vast, cosmopolitan sprawl it's actually not very respresentative of most of the country, and for those wanting to immerse themselves in an authentic and quintessentially English experience this is not really the place to achieve it! However, it's no problem as the capital can be effectively used as a launching pad to reach a wealth of stunning destinations easily explorable on a daytrip or weekend away!

Introducing: St Albans - the best historic town you've never heard of! 

 

  

 

Where is it? 

 About 30 mins train ride north of central London in the county of Hertfordshire.

Why visit? 

St Albans is an absolute gem! History buffs are treated to both Roman and Tudor ruins as well as the impressive central cathedral - one of the largest in Europe. There's also culture aplenty with many theatres around town holding regular concerts and productions. 

St Albans presents us with a happy blend of both typical rural and townie English life. It boasts a bustling town centre full of traditional English pubs alongside more modern, international eateries, and a lively market which has been around since the 9th century! And all of this is just a short stroll from rolling fields full of delightfully, inquisitive sheep and the joyful trickle of the River Ver, a prime spot for catching a glimpse of the illusive kingfisher!

 

Highlights

 

St Albans Cathedral

Built on the grave of Alban, the first British martyr of christianity, the cathedral has been a place of pilgrimage for over 1700 years! The building itself is a must see if you visit the town - extremely impressive, and bears evidence of Saxon, Norman, Medieval, Victorian and modern architectural additions and modifications. You will also witness paintings of oustanding national importance, which were painted in the 13th century and only rediscovered in 1862. Tip: definitely take a free guided tour to give yourself some historical context for this amazing building.

 

 

Sopwell Nunnery 

 

 

If you want a leisurely stroll around some absolutely stunning Tudor ruins away from the gawking crowds then I can't recommend Sopwell Nunnery enough! The shell that is seen today isn't actually that of the Benedictine Abbey from which it take its name at all - it's actually the ruins of Lee Hall, named after Sir Richard Lee - a commander of Henry VIII, who tore down the original building during the dissolution of the monastries. 

I couldn't believe that not only was such an incredible piece of history so easily accessible, it's just there, plonked between some allotments and a housing estate, but we had full run of the place to ourselves - save for the odd, token dog-walker! Incredible! 

Nature bonus: we managed to spot a kingfisher at the River Ver Trail a few yards from this site! 

 

 Roman Theatre & Walls

 

  

The city of Verulamium was established at the site of modern day St Albans, and was the second largest town of Roman Britain. Traces of this period are still visible today;  the ruined walls and theatre are definitely worth a look! You'll need to pay to explore the theatre, but a discount is possible if you combine your ticket with a visit to the Verulamium museum - another must see! 

The walls are found within the beautifully maintained Verulamium Park just west of the town centre.

 

Verulamium Museum

 

The place in St Albans to learn about the town's Roman history - you'll discover a wealth of artifacts displayed alongside easily digestible information and leave feeling enriched by all that Romany cultural goodness! Plus the chance to create your own mosaic!

 Tea at Abigail's

 

Don't let all of that dashing about between historic sites prevent you from enjoying a mid morning or late afternoon repose at Abigail's Tea Room. This cosy little traditional cafe is situated at the chic Victorian arcade just of the High Street, and has friendly staff, and a snuggly atmoshpere.

A great little historic town with much to offer - easily explorable within a day and just a stones throw away from central London! 

All opinions are my own.

Matt Leblanc Skuds Around Town for Top Gear Shoot & Causes Outrage!

Pic: Londinium Now

Former Friends star Matt Leblanc, and stunt driver Ken Block, tore it up around Westminster yesterday for a Top Gear shoot featuring Block's Hoonicorn car, a "batsh*t retro-modern all-wheel drive Gymkhana seven ford mustang", leading to a public outcry! Some claim it was disrespectful to WWI and II dead that the new host should be seen to performing wheel spins next to The Cenotaph!

 

What is the Cenotaph?

 

The Cenotaph was originally erected as a temporary structure for a peace parade following WWI but eventually became the UK's primary national war memorial. It is situtated on Whitehall in London and is the site of the annual Remembrance Sunday service, held on the closest Sunday to 11 November each year, a ceremony which commemorates the contribution of British and Commwealth service people made during the two world wars.

 Pic: Wikipedia

 

What now?

 

After viewing images of the day's events in the national papers today fellow Top Gear Host Chris Evans has "unreservedly" apologised on BBC Radio 2 for what the images "seem to portray" which he has described as "entirely disrespectful". 

Leblanc is yet to comment.

5 Things We Learnt At The Horniman Museum & Gardens

 

1) The kookaburra isn't so highly respected in all circles!

 

 

2) Regardless of species, disembodied heads always make for a creepy display

 

 

3) Lions should be treated softly

 

 

4) Forest Hill offers one of the best views of the city

 

 

5) A stuffed Walrus will always make a striking focal point! 

 

Definitely go and check out the Horniman (no sniggering!) Museum and Gardens in Forest Hill if you have a spare Saturday. The permanent collection is free and offers a wealth of interesting artifacts and curiosities from around the globe!

All opinions are my own.

Goat Race at Spitalfields City Farm!

Pic: Spitalfields City Farm

Goat Race! Enough said! 

Be there on Sunday 27th March 2016, 1-6pm for the 8th annual event in which goats representing Oxford and Cambridge go head to head (race starts some time between 2-5pm); book tickets well in advance as places sell out quickly!

There'll also be booze, bands and betting! Stampeding farm animals couldn't keep us away!

Woman in Black: Then & Now!

 Pic: thewomaninblack.com 

An elderly lawyer is obsessed with the notion of a family curse, which he believes was cast over him decades earlier by a malevolent apparition. After years of torment he enlists the help of a sceptical young actor to help him finally exorcise his soul!

The Woman in Black is a long running play, adapted by Stephen Mallatratt from the book of the same name by Susan Hill, and has been hosted by The Fortune Theatre in London's West End since 2005.

I saw The Woman in Black for the first time when I was about fourteen years old on a class trip, it left a lasting impression and I've wanted to see it again ever since! Back then I didn't know that I would live almost the same amount of life again before finally getting around to it! 

In light of this I thought that it would make an interesting experiment to compare the two experiences, and let you know whether or not, in my own opinion, it has truly stood the test of time. Would it shock me, and the rest of the audience, now as it had then. On that first occassion everyone had been screaming; I hadn't realised that a play could be that scary! I had gone in brave and bold to come out pale and shaken.

This time around it was like I was seeing it again as a fourteen year old boy; the intensity of the performance and the genuine fear that I had felt had been locked up inside some deep, dark part of my brain for all this time. Occasionally these vivid memories have broken free and I've relived this incredible play in both fondness and fear; I remembered it as being completely terrifying. It had kept me awake at night for days afterwards... partly due to the fact that I genuinely believed in ghosts back then! So, was I now simply scared by the memory of being scared and how it had effected me as a youngster, or was the play itself really all I remember it as being cracked up to be? This was the big question!

I was full of nervous excitement and apprehension whilst waiting for it to begin. In many ways, like our protagonist, I had some spirits to exorcise... it was time for me to finally face up to The Woman in Black!

In many ways I think it was almost inevitable that it would fall a little short; I'm a much different person now than I was then- obviously! It was scary, but it wasn't fourteen year old pulling his hood up to protect him from the ghosties scary - of course! Let's delve a little deeper...

The performances cannot be faulted, the actors really do a spectacular job with minimal props and fairly limited space - I remember thinking it then, and I thought it this time too. The performers have changed between time, of course, but the quality of the performance hasn't! They do everything within their power to bring you into the scene through the sheer richness of dialogue and delivery; it's a very minimalist production with lots of simmering monologues. Through their words you can almost begin to see the misty marshes of the story come to life before you, and coupled with some great sound design everything becomes very real, very fast! There is a tireless, brooding intensity to this show; a slow creeping fear begins to boil in your gut as our characters transport us through mere language and gesture to the spooky, provincial backwater of Crythin Gifford (such a slipperily brilliant and evil sounding name!), a fictional market town on the east coast.

I did feel however that some of the jumps missed their mark in comparison to back then...but why? I wondered whether it was an issue with the audience rather than the play. Have we changed that much during the last decade or so? I think the answer must be a yes, but how so? I have of course - I've grown up, but that's not what I mean; there were teens in the audience as well, and they weren't jumping as I had expected them to. Do classic scare tactics no longer work on us as well?

Some think that we've collectively become something of a bunch of dismissive, desensitised, indifferent millennial douchebags who simply tut and shrug our way through life, and have become more used to using emojis than emotions. Could this really be the case? It's certainly a different world now to then... A member of staff told a group of schoolkids that there was to be no photography throughout the performance and it dawned on me that I didn't even have a cameraphone at fourteen! Have 21st century folk become immune to theatre-style shocks? I'm not sure, but I couldn't quite put my finger on it - the teens behind us certainly didn't seem as consistantly and vocally frightened as we had been! Maybe they were a little older, or a little braver, or maybe teens these days are just a little different, full stop.

That said; believe me when I say that there was still plenty of screaming! And a lot of the jumps were still right on the money! I kept looking at my girlfriend to see where she was on the scare-o-meter; often quite high!

I think that my position in the theatre last time compared to this time however played a huge part in my overall engagement and surely that of those around me too. I thought I'd go for the dress circle this time around for a greater overview of the whole stage - which we definitely got! Whereas, the teenage me had been sat at stage level, fully emersed in the action. Without giving too much away, a ground level seat gives a much more interactive experience in hindsight.

The dress circle position was not ideal for a few reasons; firstly I found my legs very squashed in the front row (maybe further back would have been better), and I was conscious of this throughout... Secondly, I just found it far too bright in the upper level; there were distracting exit lights on either side which prevented the scene from ever going completely black which meant that movement could be seen on stage at times when it should not have been visible. This meant that some of the magic of the scene changes were spoilt for me, which was a shame. Finally, I think going for the overview in the dress cricle itself was actually not the best idea; being right down amongst the action for the first viewing had meant that sudden ghostly appearances were that more instant, and had a greater impact.

So, what's the verdict?

Well, I would still definitely, and wholeheartedly, recommend this show to anyone and everyone, and especially as your introduction to the West End experience! My top tip however would be to get yourself a seat right down on the ground level in the middle of the action to experience the frights at their best. The performances are incredible, the story compelling and the use of props a joy to behold! It didn't quite live up to the hype I had built up for it over all these years but maybe that should have been obvious. Its not pre-internet era, ghost-believing teen scary but its pretty damn close! 

An incredibly well acted, chilling experience with one or two big jumps!

Pic: Londinium Now - shouldn't really have taken this, whoops!

Have you been to see The Woman In Black recently or back in the day? What are your memories of seeing it as a youngster? I'd love to hear what you have to say!

All opinions are my own.

A lawyer obsessed with a curse that he believes has been cast over him and his family by the spectre of a Woman in Black, engages a sceptical young actor to help him tell his terrifying story and exorcise the fear that grips his soul. - See more at: http://thewomaninblack.com/the-show#sthash.UQq6dVki.dpuf

A lawyer obsessed with a curse that he believes has been cast over him and his family by the spectre of a Woman in Black, engages a sceptical young actor to help him tell his terrifying story and exorcise the fear that grips his soul. - See more at: http://thewomaninblack.com/the-show#sthash.UQq6dVki.dpuf

The Sky Garden at 20 Fenchurch Street

Forget the Shard, as far as I'm concerned 20 Fenchurch Street aka "the Walkie Talkie" is the London skyscraper of the moment; controversial, garish, and hyper-postmodern. The building seems to have attracted more negative attention than positive since its completion, something which I really don't understand, but personally think adds to its mystique rather than detracts. I quite like how opinionated everyone is about it! Of course, we can't easily dismiss legitimate complaints which have already tarnished the building's reputation somewhat. For example, the solar glare issue which arose during its construction; during a two hour period per day direct sunlight bouncing off of the Walkie Talkie's highly reflective surface was concentrated into a kind of death ray with tempratures in the streets to its south reaching 117 °C! This meant that within this two hour timeframe the building was basically transformed into a colossal magnifying glass, frying passersby like ants and earning it the nickname the "Walkie Scorchie!" The building's architect Rafael Viñoly blamed the phenomenon on global warming and the glass has since been covered with a non-reflective film. 

Many have also complained that the Walkie Talkie has created a wind tunnel effect at street level with the City of London Corporation receiving an increased number of complaints about draughts after the building's completion.

It was also awarded the Carbuncle Cup in 2015 for the "ugliest building in Britain completed within the last twelve months" but honestly I just don't see it! I think its an incredibly aesthetic building... 

It stands a little way apart from its bros, buildings like 122 Leadenhall Street "The Cheesegrater" and 30 St Mary Axe "The Gherkin", and is one of the latest highrise constructions in London's skyscraper boom, which is currently reinventing the city's skyline. Although the Walkie Talkie is not the tallest tower in London it somehow manages, for the moment at least, to completely dominate the everchanging cityscape through sheer weirdness; its like some kind of giant chunky wombat leaning over you. It was originally planned to be a lot taller, 40m taller in fact, however heritage groups expressed concerns, stating that its visual impact would compromise nearby St Paul's and the Tower of London and so it now stands at a respectable 160m - which is certainly tall enough to make an impression!

Personally I adore the way in which London is developing visually. I find it all very exciting, and love to see the old and new complementing, as well as contrasting and even clashing with one another; ideas bouncing back and forth, constantly inventing and reinventing the surroundings. This is exactly what the Victorians did when they decided to build Tower Bridge slap-bang next to the Tower of London; I'm sure it was meant to both complement and compete with the older structure. Both of these buildings were architectural statements of their day; the Normans were saying one thing, Queen Victoria another, both wanted to create a lasting impact on our city; shaping its present and its future. I'm not mad at the latest developments like some people are, I can appreciate the old and the new, and I think 20 Fenchurch Street is absolutely stunning; the curvature of the glasswork, the sheer scale of its flanks... What's more its open to the public, free of charge; all that's needed is a little foresight in selecting a date and time, and a small amount of queuing, although apparently walk-in tickets are available too, and you're free to explore the phenomenal Sky Garden. 

I've heard complaints about the "garden" element of the Sky Garden being little more than a glorified rockery with little to write home about, and although this may be true to a certain extent I really enjoyed my recent visit and let's be honest the view of London is its main draw. When the lift opens up, you round a corner and are greeted by an incredible sight; the city in all its glory! London is certainly a weird looking place, not really beautiful but somehow impressive, enduring and well put together; the Shard stands proud like a towering, immovable sentinel, the Tower of London sits squat like some bold, regal mushroom and a far off glint reveals itself to be the clock face of the Elizabeth Tower. From up here the city is laid bare before you and it's possible to actually appreciate how it really looks like never before, without distraction; something along the lines of Game of Thrones meets Bladerunner, old and new, modern and postmodern, layers upon layers of history and ideas - a sight to behold! Its an incredible sensation to walk level with the tops of skyscapers, and to look down onto the millions of oblivious metropolitanites swarming like insects in the streets below. This experience comes for free courtesy of 20 Fenchurch Street, "the Walkie Talkie". Regardless of your opinion on the structure itself, make sure that you don't miss out on the opportunity to soak in that incredible view from its Sky Garden during your time in London! Plan ahead and book it in - it'll be worth it. 

Tip - plan to go half an hour before sunset to witness the city in both daylight and darkness; seeing all of those millions of lights begining to turn on at dusk is something quite magical.

Lady Dinah's Cat Emporium

Revamped with a bright mural in Summer 2015 after some knucklehead sprayed Free the Cats, Free the $ across its shutters, whatever that was supposed to mean... Lady Dinah's Cat Emporium is a hugely popular independent café and something of an East London institution.

Located on Bethnal Green Road right on the edge of Shoreditch, the Emporium was able to open in 2014 thanks to a massive crowdfunding response from local residents and offers a truly unique dining experience.

Booking ahead is advisable as it is incredibly popular, although apparently there is a walk-in service available as well. 

I booked for my girlfriend's birthday treat and would definitely recommend this quirky little café to any lovers of animals and/or quaint English tearooms; for us it ticked both boxes! 

The decor is very cute, and the ambiance is warm and restful; every inch is covered in cat paraphernalia and the walls are covered with cat pictures and knick-knacks. For me it was like being at my Nan's house, albeit a more tasteful and less cluttered version! The cats pottered about indifferently or simply snoozed away on specially made fuzzy sleeping shelves, doing what cats do best. One decided to run like a maniac for a time on a large custom-made hamster wheel (cat wheel) which was certainly different! The atmosphere was so calm and relaxing that time seemed to slip past at a different pace to usual; an hour flew by without us even noticing. 

The food was really good too. I was delighted to see that bagels were on the menu; harking back to the area's Jewish roots. We both demolished sloppy, relish smothered cheese and meatball bagels, which were served with a sprig of salad and a side of crisps, and followed by a traditional cream tea, properly served with loose leaves in the pot. They also sorted my girlfriend out with a birthday pack, available from the website, containing a tote bag, card signed by the cats and a sugary little cupcake with a candle. 

The staff were friendly and well trained; one girl tried hard to energise the cats with treats and toys. Do bear in mind that cats will be cats... in other words don't expect them to put on a show for you, they aren't natural entertainers! Don't let this put you off however, they were certainly adorable and were clearly well loved and looked after by everyone involved with their wellfare. I really can't recommend this original little café enough; get yourselves along and soak up the satisfaction of some serious feline down-time! Cats, bagels and scones; what's not to love!

 

Purrfect!

Chinese New Year 2016 - Year of the Fire Monkey, Chinatown, London

Be sure to check out Chinese New Year in London's Chinatown next year if you get the chance; a brilliant, if crowded, day of colour, music, and street food!

 Floats on Shaftsbury Avenue

 Dragon float

Heart of Chinatown, Gerrard Street

Soho Fire Station was open to the public

Anyone know the name of this artist? I see his/her work all over town... Inside the fire station

Parade regalia out the back of the fire station

Fireman Sam with hipster moustache?

Dragon dance in Newport Place, Chinatown

Shaolin Fists 

Leicester Square, seeming spookily empty after the crush of Gerrard Street