Exploring Hackney Central
Many will think that Hackney Central is some run-down area, that was partially destroyed by the riots last August. But look at these pictures.
The church tower wasn’t even all that was left after it was knocked about by the Luftwaffe, but the remains left after an 18th Century moving of the parish church. More details are here on Wikipedia. I do wonder what would happen, if a parish wanted to rebuild their 16th Century church on a different site now!
The reason for the coffee, was that I had a very good one, in the excellent cafe in the Hackney Empire. The lady in the pleasant museum said that the coffee was also good in the cinema on the other side of the road. Note that the cinema is part of the nationwide and independent Picture Houses group.
After my quick visit to Hackney Central, I took the Overground to Stratford, from where I took the Docklands Light Railway to Canary Wharf for lunch. I could have taken one of any number of buses back home, to the City or the West End.
The New Bus for London as a Tourist Bus
I said in my post yesterday, that the new Bus for London makes a superb place from which to explore London as a tourist. So here’s most of the pictures I took from the bus, running on route 38.
The best place to board the bus is either at the Angel in Islington or at Victoria station. But as there is only one in service at the present, you could have a long wait. but there will be eight by the end of May.
i think it is true to say that the standard buses on route 38, aren’t bad for sightseeing. They’re all less than two years old and like the New Bus for London, they’ve been built by Wrightbus in Northern Ireland.
If you want to see a different side of London, go all the way to Hackney, getting off at Central. You can pick up a train from there to the Olympic Park at Stratford or even explore some of the buildings like the Hackney Empire, which is one of the largest theatres in London.
Max Miller
Max Miller, the Cheeky Chappie, has a statue in the Pavilion Gardens.
He really was a comedian with a unique style and if you ever get a chance to listen to one of the recordings made of his act, you should.
Down the Hill to the Royal Pavilion
I walked down the hill from the New England Quarter to the Royal Pavilion, which is not that far from the sea-front.
The Royal Pavilion is really one of the most amazing buildings in the UK, if not Europe. I went in and despite the cold and it being a Monday in March it was surprisingly busy. They do charge, but you do get a free audio guide.
After visiting the Royal Pavilion, I went and had lunch in Carluccio’s, which is just a few metres outside the Pavilion Gardens.
It was then a walk back-up the hill, although I could have got a 7 or 27 bus back to the station.
I Spy A Pillar Box With A Cupboard
I haven’t seen a pillar box like this for some years.
A Pillar Box With A Cupboard
I always remember this from the I-Spy books of my childhood. These were books published by the News Chronicle, where you ticked off things you had seen. This type of pillar box might have been in something like I-Spy on the Street
The cupboard incidentally, is so that postmen can store mail in a safe place, whilst they deliver to other addresses. I doubt it’s used these days.
Is This New Gardens For Dalston?
Between the two Dalston stations is a brownfield site, with just the vent from the rail tunnel underneath.
Between the Two Dalston Stations
The white plastic appears to be protection for trees. But they might not be.
This area could be converted into a lovely walk between the two stations and to the Arcola Theatre
Any ideas.
A Curiosity at Dalston Kingsland Station
I took this picture on the westbound platform at Dalston Kingsland Station.
A Curiosity at Dalston Kingsland Station
I would assume it’s something to do with a church. But what?
Where’s the Gluten-Free Food at Eastfield?
I went to John Lewis today at Eastfield, to see if I could get some blinds. They were very helpful and I now have a good base price.
What I also wanted was a good late lunch to set me up for the weekend.
But could I find any gluten-free food? No! But then I didn’t check out all the restaurants. Surprisingly, I didn’t find a decent Indian restaurant, especially when you consider that a good proportion of the clients are of South Asian descent.
So in the end, I took the DLR to Carluccio’s at Canary Wharf and had an excellent meal there.
A Car Registration of BF.
Parked dubiously and possibly illegally at Upper Street tonight was a rather flash car with the number plate BF followed by a few digits.
To my father, this would have been appropriate as BF were used as a term of abuse by his generation.
A Good Face of London
As I walked out of Dalston Kingsland station today, a young black guy was walking the other way. He pointed at my lower body and my immediate reaction, was that I’d made the usual male forgetfulness. But he was persistent and eventually, I realised one of bootlaces would was undone. So any trip-up was avoided.
I did thank him profusely at the time and he acknowledged it, but I’m thanking him and all the others who’ve done similar deeds today, here again.
The Anonymous Widower 