You Ought To Tie Those
Apr 21, 2019 · 5 minute readFor anybody reading who was also at university with me, yes, that really is David Warner signing “So do I” on a Titanic DVD as part of my 40th birthday presents from my sister. Apparently he was quite confused, but appreciated it when explained that it had developed into a university slogan. Ah, memories…
As I write this, it’s 25°C and I’m sitting on a blanket in the middle of Hyde Park as a rather fun weekend draws to a close. Some highlights!
- Tammy being offered a cup of tea, declining, and then being given a cup of tea “just in case you change your mind.”
- The 688 song playlist for the birthday party which sadly did not reach the amazing heights of selecting The Reynolds Girls or Transvision Vamp, but did open with the ever-cheery “I Trawl The Megahertz.”
- My delightfully informative Endeavour-inspired tour of Oxford, with highlights such as “that’s an old building”, “that’s probably a college”, and “oops, this is the wrong way.”
- Whilst delivering a passioned lecture in the shortcomings of the abomination that is the new Westgate Centre in Oxford, I slapped a woman in the face with my gesturing. I’m blaming it on the poor architectural choices.
- Bicester Village seems to be gentrifying on a geometric scale. It was high-end when it opened, but now it seems to be approaching “oligarchs and people who like a big Pret” level of excess.
- On that front, Pret is basically our equivalent of Dunkin’ Donuts in Boston, isn’t it? You can’t go 500m without bumping into one, especially in London. I also spotted the much rarer ‘Veggie Pret’ and ‘Petite Prets’ too!
- The cats essentially moved out for the days we were there and then came back inside just as soon as they were satisfied that I had really left. A little harsh.
- I know they warn you, but the 191 steps notice in Covent Garden doesn’t convey just how knackered you are by the time you reach the top.
- My feeling is that we need to make cannabis legal so we can ban it properly from open area just like smoking. This is in no way coloured by the smells drifting across the Park right now. Although it’s hilarious that the Police have signs up saying “you will be arrested!” and people are literally walking around shirtless using bongs (it turns out that I didn’t realize what day Saturday was, did I?)
- Indiana is quite flat. And so many wind turbines!
- Of course, I went to the South Bank. Of course, I went to the booksellers. Of course, I looked at the Pelican books. I did move it up a notch though, as I made another tourist back off the Pelican I had briefly put back down to answer a text message. AJP TAYLOR IS MINE
- I was in Queen Elizabeth Hall when the Mueller Report dropped.
- We had an amazing 11-course meal in Roganic that was probably better than Alinea or Next (quite cheaper, too!). Only slightly spoiled by an annoying American family next door that managed to demand massive changes to a tasting menu, hassle the staff to speed up service not once or twice but three times, and made comments about Michelle Obama’s arms. Not exactly the best neighbours.
- I wore out the soles in Tammy’s shoes. I think that possibly beats the time when I made Richard walk the entire Las Vegas Strip.
- Honestly, I did not realize before I booked that The Tower Hotel was a brutalist outpost on the Thames. Totally a coincidence, I swear. Would have been nice if the A/C had been working properly, but oh such concrete! Also a place where you can take pictures like this that make you think a Victorian East End child in rags is just out of shot.
- Tattooing may take longer than originally estimated!
- My Mum will never forgive me for willingly going on the picnic in the park.
- Using Apple Pay around London really feels like living in the future. I’ve barely had to get my actual credit card out. That will all change as we head back to the Land of Terrible Banking Choices.
- I introduced Tammy to both Pointless and Meal Deals, so she’s much less of a tourist! Though she did walk on the right in the Tube…
- Cakes & Bubbles was good, but ultimately disappointing, considering what Adria has done elsewhere. I liked the chocolate/yuzu/coconut flower quite a bit, but everything else was a little “…and?”
- The Underground is just so much better than anything DC or NYC has to offer. Even if Tower Hill was shut for the weekend.
- I approve of the increased incidence of the 1970s/80s NASA logo that people have been wearing around the city. Down with the meatball!
- Dishoom’s naan rolls are just as good as we remembered. Once the cookbook makes its way to Cincinnati this autumn, there will be many of them in our future. So so many.
- In contrast to the ruins and the sold-off, it was nice to see some council houses that are still owned by the people. Balfron, on the other hand, is a total disgrace.
All in all, then, a good trip. Feel like I could do with a few more days, but I think also that Tammy would have killed me if I made her walk even further. She only had light bruising on her feet from her boots, honest!
Tomorrow, we get in a plane and the long flight home. Well, to Chicago, as there’s still a four hour car trip back to Ohio after that!
And upon arrival: my goodness, this house is big, isn’t it?