Vallance Road, Tower Hamlets, 2016
Thursday, 31 March 2016
Wednesday, 30 March 2016
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
Wednesday, 23 March 2016
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.
Tuesday, 15 March 2016
Monday, 14 March 2016
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.
Saturday, 12 March 2016
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.
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