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Post by Deleted on Jul 19, 2012 4:22:08 GMT
"a rather thin parsley sauce" *shudders at the thought*
With all of the rain, the Culpeper garden must have gone completely wild this summer -- it was already so lush.
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Post by bjd on Jul 19, 2012 6:53:46 GMT
The server in the pie/mash place doesn't look as though he enjoys much of his food either.
What is that huge purple tree in the Culpepper garden?
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Post by lugg on Jul 19, 2012 7:01:39 GMT
Thanks Patrick - even worse than mint sauce then.
bjd - I think it is a ceanothus
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Post by tod2 on Jul 19, 2012 7:19:56 GMT
I have always wanted to sample 'liquor' as I knew it was a parsley sauce (and use parsley in just about everything I cook), but the sauce you see poured over the pies was nothing but a watery solution thickened with maybe a bit of flour, and the chopped parsley. I was so disgusted at the whole eating experience we didn't hang about to ask questions. Not only were the pies exactly as Patrick discribed but the young 'lady' behind the counter wore an off shoulder blouse which exposed her one armpit. Before she grabbed two plates and went to get the pies, she was having a good 'ol scratch under her arm (remembering it is a devil of a hot day). I actually ate on the side she hadn't touched ..... During the meal the other young 'lady' in the photo with the skinny chef (and a filthy apron) started shouting on top of her voice - at the same time making lurid suggestion to the other chef(owner?) inside the doorway you see in the photo. Believe me it took a lot of willpower not to get up and leave. She would have won and wasn't going to let that happen. As a matter of fact an elderly gent who came in after us was sitting eating and called out to her that he was going to fetch the 'swear box' if she didn't stop. I felt quite sorry for the name F.Cooke & Sons had made famous for nearly a 100 years, even if the pies are shite.
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Post by tod2 on Jul 19, 2012 7:22:20 GMT
bjd - I wish I knew - it was magnificent colour and in full bloom. Maybe Lugg has got the name correct.?
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Post by tod2 on Jul 19, 2012 8:44:53 GMT
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Post by tod2 on Jul 19, 2012 11:59:12 GMT
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Post by tod2 on Jul 20, 2012 12:27:08 GMT
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Post by patricklondon on Jul 20, 2012 13:15:40 GMT
Ah, the Star and Garter home... My Dad finally decided to put in an application to move there sadly too late before he died; if only I'd known more about it earlier, he might have done it earlier and had an easier and more productive final year of life. Couldawouldashoulda.
Coincidentally, I only discovered some years after that and after moving near Mudchute that for a little while he'd been on the anti-aircraft guns that were stationed there in WW2. Looking forward to your account of the farm visit!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 20, 2012 13:23:10 GMT
Tod, I don't know how you managed to cheat and make it sunny in London during your stay! It was the wettest spring in 168 years!
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Post by tod2 on Jul 20, 2012 15:07:58 GMT
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Post by lugg on Jul 21, 2012 4:10:34 GMT
Thank you Tod - I am really enjoying seeing and reading about so many parts of London that I have never visited ( and some that I have of course).
Mudchute is certainly contains an eclectic mix - gardens, animal and Ack Acks. It seems kind of strange to have a stable yard right next to a cafe .
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Post by tod2 on Jul 21, 2012 10:52:55 GMT
Lugg - so glad you are enjoying this.....I have a bit more adventuring left, but will try and finish up today's report later.
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Post by tod2 on Jul 21, 2012 16:45:39 GMT
DAY 6 Continued... Leaving Mudchute Farm we went in search of a bus stop. My one regret is not having a map of London with me at the time. Now I have the A-Z for next visit! Shortly after this Pub we found the right stop to get a bus to Canary Wharf area. I desperately wanted to be near the Thames at low tide.(hoping to see those Mudmen???) What are these dark blue berries - found in a hedge at bus stop? We hop off the bus at Wapping. Just inside the gate was a touristy attraction advertising medieval banquets - I was allowed a quick photo by the receptionist. Wonder how much these apartments are going for......without the yacht parked below. Its way past lunchtime but we stop for a few snacky eats at this Japanese restaurant. Lots of places are doing a brisk trade. Eventually we come through a passageway which opens out to the area in front of Tower bridge. We are feeling quite tired and spend the next hour just enjoying a bit of people watching. The tube station is Tower Bridge. I am always reminded about the piece of Roman Wall in rue Clovis when I see this very similar hunk of Roman wall near the tube station. The old and the new - Very new! We make our way to Chelsea and buy some baguettes for dinner at a pastry shop. It's a short walk down Glebe Place to the river. Tonight we are hoping to see the Albert Bridge at night. I've seen pictures of it all lit up but want to see the real thing. One slight problem is the wind is turning very chilly and it only gets dark around 9pm. We are a whole hour early. Another of those cabies rest huts. Here she is, The beautiful Albert Bridge basking in the late afternoon/early evening sun. Walking over the bridge we looked down on two old men trying to launch their inflatable dingy sadly without much success.. Something seemed to be wrong with the motor and wouldn't start. Despite their motor problems they still went off into the fast flowing Thames.. Looks like they were turning back. I noticed 'loops' of rope(or are they chains?) hanging on the walls of the river. Is this to tie up with or just a rescue aid? The late sun gave the bridge a soft golden glow.. At exactly 9.30pm the lights on Albert Bridge came on ! As it grew darker they became more apparant but I was frozen to the bone by now. It was very windy and well after 10pm, so we walked to the corner and caught the first bus. One last glimpse from the top deck!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 21, 2012 16:59:18 GMT
These most recent bridge photos as well as the ones considerably farther back in the report really make it clear how much more decoration was added to bridges long ago, since they were clearly advertisements for the industrial design of the country building the bridge.
There are some fine new bridges in various parts of the world now, but they have completely clean lines with not the slightest hint of fantasy.
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Post by bjd on Jul 21, 2012 17:10:50 GMT
Tod, I think those blue berries are on a mahonia bush. They have yellow flowers before they get the berries. And are evergreen.
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Post by fumobici on Jul 21, 2012 19:26:05 GMT
I agree that looks like a Mahonia, although slightly different than our native Mahonia aquifolium which a friend of my father's used to make a surprisingly palatable preserve from the berries of.
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Post by tod2 on Jul 22, 2012 12:45:55 GMT
Thanks bjd & fumobici for the name of the berry bush - they are so vibrantly blue and look tempting enough to try and eat one ....I don't risk poisoning when on holiday
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Post by tod2 on Jul 22, 2012 14:47:54 GMT
Where the heck is the next part of my post??? Kerouac or Bixa, how can it just disappear. Please please don't tell me I have to do it all over again I carried on with the Albert Bridge etc. Oh heck, this is not good..... Note: I have redone the missing part today, so it's all good!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 23, 2012 9:15:53 GMT
Hmmmm... I was hoping that the Albert Bridge would have reappeared by magic overnight. Guess not...
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Post by tod2 on Jul 23, 2012 11:43:55 GMT
I will carry on with my report in the hopes it will be brought back to life by some miracle of technology! If not, I will fill it in later. DAY 7, 26th May. How much hotter can London get?! I'm not complaining, just surprised after the chilly start in Amsterdam & Paris. I get out my list of "Little lesser-known gardens in London" and pick one that will suit our wanderings today. The choice is the Red Cross Garden, Redcross Way, SE1. It's open every day from 9am to dusk (subject to change). Although the surrounding area may not seem very inviting, even locals are enchanted by this hidden gem on their doorstep. The garden was recently restored using the original Victorian designs, and now has an attractive pond with a small fountain and yellow irises, some well laid out paths and pretty herbaceous borders. In April the garden is full of red tulips in honour of the red cross and during an afternoon in May local children dance around a Maypole to celebrate the coming of spring. Well, after chatting to a few of the ladies sitting in the garden we found out the Maypole Dance had just taken place the proceeding week - Aaww! To get to this little garden we took the tube to Borough tube station, turned into Marshalsea road, and left into Redcross Way. This garden was restored by BOST. The garden, originally laid out in 1887 on the site of an old paper factory, was described as an ‘open air sitting room ’ for the people of Southwark. The restoration included the pond with bridge and fountain, new flowerbeds, lawns and benches. The charming cottages on the far side of the garden (1887, Elijah Poole) were built as part of Victorian philanthropist Octavia Hill's pioneering housing for the working classes This is the closest we have been to the Shard. Next to an outdoor table hangs an impressive mosaic of the garden's history made by local school children. After admiring this little gem of a garden, we head down the same road in the direction of Borough Market. Under a few tunnels... The magnificent Shard looming ever nearer.. Soon we were being shoved from pillar to post in the busy Saturday crowd! Leaving the market we pass this famous pub, The Mudlark, where The Mudmen hang out. A little passageway takes us onto a small area where we can look down on the Thames. Retracing our steps we find a lovely pub right next to The Golden Hind. It's right on the water's edge and I can look over at the receding tide. (hoping to spot some ancient relic....)! A ringing of bells can be heard coming up river (or would it be down river?)We had no idea what it was at the time but soon saw it on the Jubilee celebrations. It's nigh on lunch and we've enjoyed a beer on the river but need to get our Manx kippers, butter etc. home. At a dairy stand I bought a block of La Baratte du Cremier - Moulage Traditionel. Demi sel croquant de I'lle de Re`. I can't say it was anything special from other butters, but enjoyed having something different! Fleur de Sel de l'île de Ré, incorporated in this butter, is the highest quality natural sea salt from the Atlantic coast of France. Here's a photo of it: www.realfrance.co.uk/Butter.htmlAfter lunch at the apartment we take a bus ride to Camden Town....and beyond. The new buses have fantastic large windows in front and getting a shot of something isn't too bad! I have forgotten where we ended up - but there was an old fountain there. We took a bus back as well. That was a very enjoyable day mixed with gardens and shopping. Coming up......Next day we have Sunday Roast at an old famous pub, swelter in the hot sun while checking out another garden!
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Post by tod2 on Jul 24, 2012 8:21:23 GMT
DAY 8, 27th May. It's a beautiful sunny Sunday - I was looking forward to taking a train to have lunch at The Pot Kiln , Frilsham, Yattendon, Frilsham, West Berkshire. It's a bit of a fiddle with taxis etc., so decide to go to the pretty famous Spaniards Inn, at Hampstead. This is going to be a nostalgic visit as I was last there on a Sunday in 2000 with my mum. www.thespaniardshampstead.co.ukTo get there, get off at this bus stop - just before the pub. The driver's are very obliging and put you off at the right stop if you ask politely. This part of getting there is a bit dodgy as one tries to get around the corner of the pub without being written-off by a motorist. The little square building is the old Toll House. I go in and secure a nice shady table while husband walks over the road to watch this artist at work. He is happy over the appreciation of his painting. The garden area is set out with little nooks and alcoves. Just the table for us! More later...high drama in the courtyard.
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Post by mossie on Jul 24, 2012 8:44:23 GMT
Tod2 and any other visitors to London. If you want to use the buses ask at information places or tube ticket offices for a London Bus Map. Very useful as it also shows names streets and shows the tube network. It's all you will need for central London.
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Post by tod2 on Jul 24, 2012 12:28:42 GMT
Mossie, I was wondering about something like that. I remarked to my husband that I wish London had the same little booklet that you get in Paris "Le Petit Parisien". It's all one ever needs for travel information. Eventually I bought an A-Z book but it is heavy and cumbersome.
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Post by tod2 on Jul 24, 2012 13:33:12 GMT
DAY 8, Continued.... The menu is extremely attractive and the pub has the format well organised. Everyone has to go to the bar to order their drinks and food, paying for it all right there and then. The dozen or so young ladies and men were only there to carry the food to your table. The roast beef was our choice and came with a Yorkshire pud - Of course! While I stood at the bar I could see into the kitchen and the large dishes piled high with Yorky puds. A Rumble On The Heath! Lunch was enjoyable until blood curdling screams and desperate shouting broke the ambience of the garden. People jumped out of their chairs and rushed over to a table in the corner. As we had finished eating my husband also joined the throng. Everyone was shouting instructions at someone on the floor. A man was gripping a dog by the throat and shouting "NO! Sandy! Let go! Let go! Sandy NO! In the clenched jaws was a cat hanging limply with its eyes rolled back and tongue hanging out No amount of smacking or demanding would entice the dog to let go of his prize! My husband picked up a dogs water bowl and threw it over the dogs head. This only resulted in the cat looking decidedly more bedraggled and dead than ever. "Hurt the dog'! someone screamed. "I AM hurting him but he wont' let go"! came back the answer. The minutes ticked by as more desperate wacking of the dogs backside took place. After what seemed an age someone prized the dog's mouth open with a spoon or some implement. As they got the jaws apart the cat streaked away not looking at all dead! A lot of people stood shaking their heads in disbelief! ;D We were ready to head on to our next port o' call and passed a man in the carpark marching a sandy colour dog to his car....... We were surprised by the number of people that had dogs with them. I suppose it was the good weather - or should I say scorching sun! To get to THE HILL, North End Way, a good plan is to hop back on a bus going back down Spaniards Road and ask the driver to put you off at the nearest stop. We are going to take a stroll around the garden created by the Edwardian soap manufacturer and patron of the arts, Lord Leverhulme. (I also visited here with my mum after we had had our Sunday lunch.) Our bus stop was shaded by leafy trees. The gardens are especially known for the 'Pergola Walk' in May when the wysteria is in full bloom. This garden was originally the grounds to his house (now a hospital), and is now part of Hampstead Heath. Here is the formal pond. This is a superb garden to visit and I was so glad I came a second time and relived the time I walked around with my mum. Next...we follow pathways and find our way onto to the Heath.
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Post by tod2 on Jul 25, 2012 12:09:19 GMT
DAY 8 Continued... Several pathways through forest-like bush branch off in different directions from The Hill garden. It's all a bit confusing but some kind locals showed us the correct path to West Heath. I'm not sure whether we actually wound up in Golders Hill Park as well?? All I know is that it's a great expanse of lawn and trees. In one part is a cafe`. This is where we found a little shade and sat licking an ice cream until we had cooled down sufficiently to move on. Arriving back at Russell Square we spent more time in the Square across from the famous Russell Hotel. It was a wonderful day to be outdoors and for this lucky bride the weather was perfect. The happy couple take a walk around the garden after tying the knot - The portly gent walking ahead is the photographer.. We need to do some laundry so it's back to the apartment. Tomorrow we plan to visit a very large garden - actually more than a garden.....
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Post by tod2 on Jul 26, 2012 8:16:50 GMT
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Post by fumobici on Jul 26, 2012 14:17:19 GMT
This is becoming a magnum opus! So much charm- and in London.
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Post by bixaorellana on Jul 26, 2012 14:47:02 GMT
Ay, Tod ~~ kicking myself for not starting to respond sooner to this wonderful & beautifully complete thread. So much to take in, but such a pleasure to follow your lively narrative & super pictures. I hadn't realized they would be selling anything, like those giant metal animals that I can't really imagine in anybody's garden. Had to laugh when I read this, as I was lusting after the dragon. I know I could fit it into a garden scheme! Yes, it is swamped with people but somehow you never get to the stage where you are looking over other shoulders to view the beautiful exhibits. Thanks for answering this question. I was wondering if the huge number of people lessened your enjoyment of the displays. Amazing to see the variety & imagination used. I love that everything is included. The stained glass vegetable windows were brilliant, and nicely followed by an old-fashioned display of harvest abundance. Pie'n'mash tends to be a bit disappointing, if only because the pies aren't that well-filled and the meat's not the best quality. Do people still make this at home? It seems like something that might be good if it were done right. On the road above where we are strolling and admiring the view down to the Thames, What a lovely walk! I couldn't help but think at that particular picture how you found a vista somewhat similar to your home in Pietermaritzburg. And on that note ........ Yes, it almost seems as if I have a secret messaging service to the Rain God Ah yes ~~ ... in some corner of a foreign field, there isf South African weather .... ;D I noticed 'loops' of rope(or are they chains?) hanging on the walls of the river. Is this to tie up with or just a rescue aid? Interesting. Maybe they're meant to break up wakes? So much I'd love to comment on, but we'd be here all day. I do have to mention the Culpepper gardens, though, as a particularly wonderful part of this thread. So lush, and such a cohesive vision among the many gardeners -- what a pleasure to see.
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Post by patricklondon on Jul 26, 2012 16:56:54 GMT
Bixa, I supposed you could of course make pie'n'mash at home, but its "traditional" status really stems from it's being cheap takeaway food from the days when many people only had the most rudimentary cooking facilities at home (like, a whole family living in a single room) and not a lot of time to prepare food either, let alone the skill.
Though even in a better-off home like mine in my childhood, my mother would occasionally send me to a local butcher's for their ready-made pies for a Saturday lunch: that was all before supermarkets and home freezers, of course.
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