London 2011

MIND THE GAP PLEASE LONDON 4th November 2011
TRAVEL ITINERY 11.12 Train from Stoke to Euston (arriving at 12.42) 12.45 Tube - Euston to London Bridge and short walk to Market Porter 14.15 Tube from London Bridge to Westminster and walk up Whitehall to the Harp (past Nelsons Column) 15.30 Walk to Waxy O’connors 16.30 Walk to Ye Grapes 17.30 Tube – Green Park to South Kensington and walk to Reza’s 'Star of India' 20.00 Walk back to South Kensington and Tube – South Kensington to Green Park (or Victoria) 20.30 Tube to Euston 21.40 Train returns to Stoke at 21.40 (arriving at 23.06)
Up for the smog were: Yupmeister, Mid Week Tone, Richee-Lionel, Granpop Bill, JayCee, Stevey 60/40 Phone a friend - Sid, DCeen, Bolt from the blue (Downsize Dave?), Ali Gee, Jacko, Tim Mothy, Corky - Graham Cork, Sean of the County Wounties, Zolette, Stig - Stevey Bee, Stand back Dave and Dasher. Stig's son Andrew let us down, but lads are lads and he can't take his drink !!
It wasn't raining at least as we met at Stoke station and a good day was forecast. The tickets were handed out and Bill was given the unenviable task of holding the Stoke flag high in the air and leading us around London. After the first hour on the train Bolt volunteered to fetch some coffees, which tasted even better if you were lucky enough to have one of Jaycee's discount vouchers. Shame he only had 4. 'Where were the muffins and sugar??'
As usual we started at the Market Porter at Borough Market. Nuff said really. Always a cracking place to start the day off. Stig and Stand Back arrived to join us, having set off later from Kidderminster, so we forced ourselves to 'have another'. Snacks were obtained from the market stalls as we supped up.


With time quickly passing we headed back to the London Bridge tube station. The impressive Shard had grown from the previous year's trip and would probably be complete by next year's visit. When completed (anticipated in May 2012), it will be the tallest building in the European Union and the 45th-tallest building in the world, standing 310 m (1,017 ft) tall.

	We caught a tube to Westminster. Granpop Bill, with his arms aching, tucked the flag into his trousers, but still ensured no-one had got left behind. Sid also provided a valuable service throughout the day by warning all passengers to 'watch the gap' as they dismounted. 'It's like Uttoxeter down here', he remarked, 'but with more people !' Taking a quick sneak at Big Ben, we walked down Whitehall, past Downing Street and Nelson's column to the Harp.

The Harp, tucked away in a side street in Covent Garden, had a fair choice of real ales, and had been voted the CAMRA National Pub of the Year for 2010/2011. http://www.harpcoventgarden.com/ Their regular beers include Harvey's Sussex Best and Sambrook's Wandle, and they usually have at least one beer from the Dark Star brewery. Previous ales were advertised with a million table mats plastered above the bar. Jaycee managed to finish his dark ale, looking proud as Stig failed to finish his ginger tasting ale. Luckily, Stand back was on hand to help him out.

It was a short walk to Waxy O'Connors, an Irish bar in Piccadilly. This was a complete change to the normal establishments we visit, but this was more for the interest rather than the ale. http://www.waxyoconnors.co.uk/index.php/welcome-to-waxys-london
	Corky wasn't impressed and headed back outside in search of a nearby ale outlet, dragging Sean of the County Wounty's along. Sean later returned to the pulpit in search of the bar.
Corky's expression clearly showed his impression of Waxy's as we left the China quarter behind.
Sadly we didn't get to the alternative – The Argyll Arms in Argyll Street, which can be found on www.nicholsonspubs.co.uk. Near the Palladium Theatre, its Victorian 'snug' areas are well worth a visit, and the ale is generally on top form. Another time perhaps.

	Another short walk and we arrived at Ye Grapes, tucked away in a corner of Mayfair's Shepherd Market, notorious for prostitution in the late 1800's. We, of course, were there for the ale. The atmosphere was relaxed although it was pretty busy. There's also a good Thai restaurant upstairs evidently, which was worth making a note of.

It was a return to the tube as we set off for Reza's infamous Indian restaurant, 'The Star of India'. 'Mind the gap please'. We were shown upstairs, out of the way....... Sadly the warmth felt in the rooms on my previous visit had gone. The walls appeared plain with no drapes or pictures and the whole place seemed to lack atmosphere. At least the ceilings were artistically finished. We were early and were the only customers present so that didn't help. However, the food and the service was very good, so I'll have to change my previous review from several years ago when the waiters appeared miserable.		THE AGREED SET MENU AT £25.50: MURG TIL TIKKA Morsels of chicken marinated with garlic, green chilly, sesame seeds and a hint of nutmeg, chargrilled in the tandoor. SUNEHRI KHASTE Vermicelli rolled coriander pancakes stuffed with cumin tempered batons of paneer, red onion and green chilly. Served with a spicy tomato and chive chutney. - x - ACHARI HANDI Morsels of lamb gently simmered with a home made blend of Indian five spice, mustard oil, roasted garlic and button onions. MILAGU KOZHI CHETTINAD A recipe from a region in south of India, famous for producing green and black pepper. Chicken morsels pan fried with onions, fennel seeds, crushed black pepper and tomatoes. DUM ALOO KASHMIRI New potatoes seasoned, fried and gently simmered in a velvety sauce of fried onion, yoghurt, tomato and cashews flavoured with cardamom and saffron. ARHAR DAL KAIRI KI Yellow lentils cooked with chopped green mangoes tempered with ginger, tomato and chilli oil. KESAR PULAO Rice Pilaf with saffron and cardamoms. NAAN Leavened refined flour bread cooked in the tandoor.

Cobras and a few bottles of wine were also ordered of course, bringing the final bill up to around £35 if my memory serves me correctly. Ali G attempted to take some artistic photos from the table. What do you think?? Specsavers comes to mind ??






Having paid the bill we stepped out and off to the tube station with Granpop Bill waving the flag. As we descended to the platform Bill admitted he'd lost the flag in some overhead scaffolding !! A chorus of 'We'll end up where we want. We’ll end up where we want. We're Stoke City, we'll end up where we want' could be heard throughout the underground.

	'Two people asked if they could join us' said Sid, 'I told them if they didn't mind the 4 mile walk in between pubs it was no problem !'.



	OOPS Who did that? That wasn't on the itinery. Make a note Sid. Oh sorry, you're asleep.

	The Bree Louise in Coburg Street near Euston was open for last orders, and CAMRA cards were used. The beers however, were extremely poor this time. We weren't impressed, in particular Corky who hadn't been too impressed with any of the pubs or beer throughout the day !!. Typical Mancurian. John called into Sainsburys for some chocolate for the return journey. Probably got some more vouchers.

Almost everyone fell asleep on the train which is always a sign of a good day. Sid woke to suggest a European tour with Stoke and that Tone should take it on board when he woke.


We never heard a peep out of Richee all day. Very strange indeed. He struggled all day with a croakee throat. Oh youth. Well, we'd followed the itinerary to the minute and no-one or nothing had been left behind, other than a Stoke flag which is probably still flying from the top of the Shard. Another great day out in London. Next year the 'Best Of' and a return to Brick Lane. Cheers Yuppers (Mind yer gap)