I'm reading Old London Bridge at the minute, it is a history of the bridge and its inhabitants over the 900 odd years of its life. It was the longest inhabited bridge in Europe until about 1760, then it was turned into a lump of concrete about 30-40 years ago, to widen it.
It is quite an enjoyable book, but I noticed one quote today which caught my eye "There were only two plagues . . . the immoderate drinking of fools and the fires", William FitzStephen, 1170AD, eight hundred and thirty years ago and only the fires have died down. Twenty four hour licensing will hopefully change the drinking culture in the UK, but I think it will be a slow change, given the history.
London: January 2005 Archives
Having lived in London for now my eighth year, I have been a bit lax at exploring as much of it as I might have. For an example I only ventured into Borough market last year, despite getting the train to London Bridge for the past four years. In the autumn I finally made it to Camden market, I'd always thought of it as a place of junkies and the Gibsonian peoples crusade, but it is an interesting fun place, full of good and not so good clothes shops, food, jewellery, books and music.
I've now worked in four different places in London, five if you include my occasional visits to Broadcasting House. I'm moving back to White City in February, which I'm not looking forward to hugely, W12 does not compare to WC2 by any possible stretch of the imagination. I'll join some old friends though which is good.
Over the past years I have found lots of interesting places to shop, eat and drink in London. I have been planning to write up local restaurants near where I live, or cool shops I found whilst hunting for presents. The posts never quite get written, so a monster post is growing. If I get time I'll finish it over the next few days. hopefully I can share some of the great places Lucy and I have found. London is a dirty, noisy, fun, messy, tiring and expensive place, but at the minute I quite like it. I never expected to live here for as long as I have, but it kind of grows on you, then you fall out with it, then it surprises you again and you make up.
I just wish it had some decent mountains nearby.
