Monopoly Pub Crawl

We've had a couple of busy weekends now. To briefly go back to last weekend, it was Nick's parents' 40th wedding anniversary, and they had arranged a celebration lunch for family and a few close friends. A few of us went up the night before and stayed in the hotel where the celebration was held, so there was a nice family dinner the night before too. It was a fantastic weekend. Even though Nick and his three brothers live relatively close to each other, it's rare for them all to get together and with their folks too, so that was quite special. I also met some of Nick's cousins who I had not met before, so it was nice to meet more of the family I am marrying into!

Today is my birthday - I'm 29 now. It's kind of scary how quickly my 20's have gone. Feeling very much like I now need to concentrate on adult things, like developing a career and buying property, even though I would much rather just run away to travel for a few more years. Sucks to grow up, eh?

I decided a couple of months ago that I wanted to do something English for my birthday, and fixed on doing a Monopoly pub crawl... what is more English than Monopoly after all? Half of foreign people's knowledge of the streets of London comes from that game :) In actuality, few English people seem to do the pub crawl, it is mostly the domain of rowdy antipodean tourists... but it is still a great way to discover new parts of London and some good pubs. It's not for the faint-hearted either - there are 26 pubs (if you include the stations) and some of them are a fair distance from anything else, so it is a full 10:30am - 10:30pm day with a lot of walking (I'm feeling a bit crippled today actually and got some blisters on my feet from all the walking!).

The Monopoly pub crawl has become relatively well-known now and there are even web-sites dedicated to it - I found this one particularly useful, and chose to follow the route they used, although we did substitute a couple of different pubs. The original route does not take the pubs in the order of the Monopoly board but one which is more logical and requires less back-tracking - you basically complete a big spiral in to the heart of London, finishing in Oxford Street. The directions and time estimates in particular on this site invaluable. It does take a few liberties though, namely that in some cases the pubs are not on the actual street but one nearby, either because there is no pub on that actual street or it would make the journey considerably longer.

When we arrived at the designated meeting point at 10:30am, there were a couple of other groups there - one who had t-shirts made (someone's 50th birthday pub crawl), one who were wearing union jack or tube map t-shirts and black top-hats (clearly all Australians) and a few other groups... there were at least five groups we counted doing the crawl because we would keep seeing them at the next location. We started with just three people - me, Nick and Pauline - and were joined by others as the day went on, there were 18 of us overall (I think) though no one except Nick and I actually did the entire thing. It does become a bit tricky to meet up with people further down the track as the group is constantly moving and the pubs are not always well-known or easy to find, and as my phone died relatively early in the day (silly me forgot to charge it) Nick was dealing with this mostly and I think it definitely became less stressful for him after Trafalgar Square when we had our full entourage.

The idea is to drink a beer at each pub (half-pints are acceptable), although we ended up behind schedule and decided to make a few of our pubs 'shot pubs' to make up time (or if they were especially crowded and we just didn't want to stay). I have no idea what I drank at each pub - I had started with the idea I would alternate with alcoholic and non-alcoholic to preserve myself, however this didn't last much longer than the first 10 or so pubs I think (I remember the bartender at the Marylebone Station pub giving me such a filthy look for ordering water that I don't think I dared do it again after that). Actually, I was not the drunkest I had ever been, I was still relatively coherent at the end and think I probably could have managed to make them all alcoholic. I drank lots of water along the way though, which probably helped somewhat.

Rather than give a blow-by blow account (which is pretty much the same for each pub - we came, we drank, we moved on), I'm just gonna list the pubs we visited and then let the photos do the talking (I started out taking a picture of each pub out front but forgot about five or six towards the end... oops... I have at least one photo at each pub though).

1. Old Kent Road - The George - actually on Tower Hill Road near Old Kent Road - but this has become the first for most pub crawls as they open at 10:30am on a Saturday specifically to cater to Monopoly pub-crawlers.

2. Fenchurch Street Station - The Fen - here we were joined by Paul, aka Hampton.

3. Whitechapel Road - The Aldgate Exchange.

4. Liverpool Street Station - The Hamilton Hall - definitely a pub I want to return to - it is in an old converted ballroom with these really high, ornate ceilings and was just gorgeous really, even if it is a Wetherspoons.

5. The Angel Islington - The Old Red Lion.

6. Pentonville Road - The Castle - has an excellent roof terrace, also one I'd like to return to.

7. Kings Cross - The Betjeman Arms - first substitution as the one on the list (The Duke of York) is located on platform 8 in Kings Cross, which is currently being refurbished. The Betjeman Arms is actually in the St Pancras bit of the station, it's a bit of a swanky gastro-pub deal.

8. Euston Road - The Rocket - very cool with comfy couches, another I'd like to return to. We were joined here by Lauren, who was made to drink a shot of vodka by Nick for arriving late :)

9. Marylebone Station - The Victoria and Albert - we were joined here by Dom, who downed a pint in about three seconds to meet us outside as we were about to move on.

10. Park Lane - The Rose and Crown - actually on Old Park Lane. Sonia joined us here. I think we made this a shot pub as we were running a bit behind.

11. Mayfair - Ye Grapes - this was really crowded when we got there but seemed like another one I'd want to return to. It's tucked away in an interesting little alleyway. We were joined by Gareth en route to this pub, so now had a group of 8.

12. Piccadilly - The Blue Posts - apparently this is the closest pub to Piccadilly, on the corner of Bennet and Arlington Street.

13. Pall Mall - The Red Lion - in Crown Passage just of Pall Mall, a tiny alley that you probably wouldn't find it unless you knew it was there. Here we were joined by Matt and Heidi.

14. Whitehall - The Lord Moon of the Mall - I think it was on the way here that we had our first 'fatality' - Pauline decided to go home as she had a big day Sunday that she needed to rest up for. Thanks for being there for the first half, Pauline!

15. Northumberland Avenue - The Sherlock Holmes - um, I know we were here, but can't remember much about it, may have been a shot pub. I think it might have been here that Sonia left us to catch up with some other friends who were in London somewhere.

16. Fleet Street - Ye Olde Cock Tavern - this was another substitution. The one the website suggests for Fleet Street is Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese, which we have been to before and is a really awesome pub. However, we were on foot because buses didn't seem to be forthcoming, and didn't want to walk all the way down to the other end of Fleet Street and then back up, so we stopped at the first Fleet Street pub we came across. It did the job. It was here that we were joined by Paul's missus Jen, who as a non-drinker was invaluable in the later stages for helping us with navigation when it was becoming more confusing...

17. The Strand - The Wellington - another shot pub I think, it was really crowded too. We were joined here by Justin, so up to ten people again.

18. Bow Street - The Marquess of Anglesey - this was a shot pub too, I was trying to make it to Trafalgar Square to meet more people.

19. Trafalgar Square - The Chandos - not quite on Trafalgar Square, but near to. Here we were joined by Dave, Sian and Andy (whose birthday it also was :) and also Mami and Yuki, who I ran out to meet in Trafalgar Square. I used to work with Mami in Japan and she has just arrived in London this week! Sonia also joined us here for another drink before retiring. We left here with a group of 15.

20. Leicester Square - Waxy O'Connors - this was another substitution. The one given on the route is 'The Moon Under Water' which is quite cool, but the guys said they knew better places in Leicester Square. Waxy's is AWESOME and I think we were all tempted to stay at this point. Definitely going back there.

21. Coventry Street - The Comedy - I think after here is where Dom left us...? Thanks for coming and for suggesting Waxy's!

22. Regent Street - The Captains Cabin - actually on nearby Norris Street.

23. Vine Street - The Leicester Arms - apparently no bar on Vine Street, so this one is on nearby Glasshouse Street. Can't actually remember anything about it, they're all merging in to one another at this point.

24. Marlborough Street - O'Neills - Here we lost Matt and Heidi, thanks for coming guys!

25. Bond Street - The Duke of York - the one suggested on the website is the Hogshead, but we ended up in the Duke of York somehow, I think we were following another group at this point. It is just off New Bond Street in Dering Street. I think this is where G headed home possibly. Thanks for coming G!

26. Oxford Street - The Woodstock - the one suggested on the website is the Spread Eagle, however we ended up in this one across the road, rumour has it this is the one that asked to be removed from the website due to rowdy end-of-pub-crawl groups. It's just of Oxford Street on Woodstock Street. Spock (aka Mark) joined us here.

That turned out a bit blow-by-blow after all, oops. Anyway, we finished around 11:30 after merriment, speeches and dancing at the last pub, and managed to just catch the last train home. Am surprisingly okay today, and my Monopoly board looks awesome - I got it signed by a bar-tender at each bar, as well as had my fellow bar-crawlers deface the centre. It's a one of a kind now, a wonderful memento from a wonderful birthday.

Photos of pubs and drunk people here.

Canterbury

A couple of weekends ago, Nick and I took a day trip to Canterbury, and we had a wonderful day wandering around the town. I absolutely LOVED Canterbury - it felt like a place I could live. As well as having some well-preserved historical buildings and architecture, which always keeps me interested, it had a couple of large universities which I think contribute to the array of cool little shops and cafes in town. It was big enough to be interesting, but small enough to feel intimate.





When we arrived, one of the first things we came across was the remains of the Norman castle.



It was originally built in the 1080's, and by the 13th century had become a jail. Then at some point in the 1900's the building was gutted and used as a coal refinery or gasworks or something equally mundane. I can't imagine anyone wanting to gut what would have been such a gorgeous historical building, but I guess castles are ten-a-penny in this country... :)

We wandered into town with no particular agenda other than to see the Cathedral, but ended up stumbling upon a hidden treasure. A little way back from the main road we found, on a very small island in the middle of the River Stour, the remains of a Franciscan priory. There used to be other buildings here, but they were all torn down during Henry VIII's time, and the only building that remains is kind of unique because it is built over the river like a bridge.





The area around the priory was beautiful - there is a garden which is open to the public, which many people were taking advantage of and there were lots of families out picnicking in the sun.

From here we wandered down to the high street, which was cool in itself with lots of interesting little shops to explore. Along the high street we found the Eastbridge Hospital, a quirky little building with vaults below and chapels on the floor above.



Despite the name, the hospital has never had a medical purpose - it was explained that when it was established 800 years ago, the word 'hospital' simply meant a place where hospitality was offered. Pilgrims were able to stop here on their way to worship.



Nowadays, it is still a working chapel, and is home to a few individuals who have spent their life serving the church, who live in small apartments within.

At this point we took a break for lunch and gorged ourselves on Indian food, before heading out to the Cathedral.



There are some amazing churches in this country, but the Cathedral in Canterbury would have to be in the top five. For starters, it is awe-inspiring due to its sheer size, but it has also been well-looked after and preserved - parts of the building are nearing 1500 years old.







And of course, many historical events have taken place here, such as the murder of Thomas Becket in 1170 in the transept at the 'suggestion' of King Henry II. Nowadays, Canterbury Cathedral is where the Archbishop of Canterbury is based, who is the head of the Church of England (below the Queen, of course).



While we were there, we were lucky enough to catch some of the choir rehearsal, which sounded amazing.

After the Cathedral, we decided to take a guided tour on the river. We drifted along for 45 mins while the rower/tour guide told us about the sights we were taking in, including a couple of other 10th century buildings and a replica of a dunking chair which would have been used to try witches and humliate adulterers and cheating businessmen. I would highly recommend doing this tour if you are ever in Canterbury.





It was all great. Go to Canterbury. More pictures here.

Chronoptomist

So the other day, Nick found in the Urban Dictionary the perfect word to describe me:

Chronoptimist
A person who always under estimates the time necessary to do something or get somewhere.
e.g. "Hey, Cindy. you know my parents are expecting us in 20 minutes."
"No problem. I just have to wash the dishes, take a shower, do my hair, walk the dog and then I'm all good to go. See you in 15."
"You are such a chronoptimist! I'll see you in 45."

I really do have continual issues with drastically underestimating the amount of time it will take me to do something. Such as when I tell Nick I'll only take another half hour to finish at work and have still not left an hour later... or such as this afternoon, when I told Nick I would be at the train station to get him in 10 minutes, and arrived 30 minutes later... oops.

There really should be a picture of me beside that dictionary definition...

Our fourth anniversary

This time four years ago, Nick and I were in Japan and beginning our relationship by extending pinky fingers towards one another.

Yesterday, we went away for the evening to a hotel which my lovely Nick had booked and arranged. It was called Langshott Manor, and is only about half an hour from where we live but was just gorgeous. It's an old 16th century manor house that has been restored and converted into a hotel. Right up my alley.



We had a wonderful afternoon - Nick had bought a picnic lunch for us both which we enjoyed in the gardens (we had our own private garden to our room) and we later enjoyed wandering around the beautiful grounds.




We also had dinner in the hotel restaurant which was a-mazing. It was an awesome chill-out weekend. I love my Nick.

List #6 - Italian restaurants in Ewell

Ranked in order best-worst (my and Nick's opinion anyway):

1. Il Laghetto - we went tonight for the first time. The food here was delicious and well-priced, the place was packed, and the staff were genuinely friendly and helpful. The scallops I had were lovely although the dish I chose didn't sound particularly traditional - scallops with ginger and lemongrass? That was my choice though. Was great anyhow, also lovely olives on the table, and we loved the creme brulee.

2. Amici - this could potentially be number one actually, but we went after an afternoon at the pub and my memory is a bit foggy. The staff were very friendly, and the restaurant was small and relatively quiet. Nice olives again, and I definitely remember the tiramisu as it ws to die for. Can't remember my main terribly well, but think it was good... I think it was some kind of creamy salmon pasta. We'll have to go back when sober sometime.

3. Aroma - it's been a year since we've been. Can't actually remember now what I had. I remember it being nice and we were well looked after, certainly not a bad experience but likewise not a memorable one. We'll go back though, if for no other reason than we got a voucher for a free bottle of wine that still needs using. Doesn't seem to be open a lot - we've wanted to go on Sunday a couple of times and found it closed (or maybe we got there too early??)

4. Il Capriccio - easily in fourth place, unfortunately. I had fish, which was a bit dry, but the pasta dishes looked okay. Generally though the food seemed mediocre - fairly bland and unimaginative, stuff we probably could have done better ourselves at home. Staff were also not particularly friendly. Couldn't understand why the place was so full really.

There's also a pub which calls itself a gastro-pub with Italian cuisine, we've not bothered to try that yet. It actually kind of astounds me that in such a small village as Ewell, there are four Italian restaurants... five if you count the pub... and then there are countless pizza joints too. It's mad.