Tea At The Olympic Park
After visiting Custom House Station, I decided to go for a tea at the ViewTube, by the Olympic Park. I went via Stratford rather than Poplar to Pudding Mill Lane station for the cafe, so that I could pick up a Standard at Stratford station.
The pictures show how the park is changing. The most noticeable change is probably the removal of the extra seats in the Aquatic Centre.
Free Wi-Fi In Marks And Spencer
I had a cup of tea in the new Marks and Spencer in New Change in the City today and they have free wi-fi.
Free Wi-Fi In Marks And Spencer
Although, you do need to sign up to something called The Cloud. I just did on my home machine and it doesn’t seem to onerous.
Grand Cafe Cappuccino
I had lunch here before I caught the bus to the airport.
The last time, I’d been here was with C on that birthday holiday in 2007.
As with the Caballito de Mar, they knew their gluten free.
Did My Protest Work?
It is being reported that Starbucks are now going to pay more Corporation Tax.
Since the storm broke, I’ve not used a large chain of coffee shops, although I have popped into Carluccio’s for the odd cappuccino.
I wonder how many other people have adopted a similar boycott?
It’ll be interesting to see the accounts of the chains as they emerge!
On a related point, I was talking to an American a few days ago, and they didn’t like the way Starbucks behaved on the other side of the pond.
The Greenway Is Open Again
The Greenway is now open again after the Olympics and I walked it from Hackney Wick station to Pudding Mill Lane DLR station, taking these pictures as I walked.
I had a coffee at the ViewTube on the way. It’s changed hands, but it’s still as good as ever.
Girls Will Be Girls
I took this picture of Milo in the cafe working hard.
Girls Will Be Girls
She’s actually stamping Eggs Milk Butter on all the takeaway cups.
A Discount For Doing The Washing Up
As I often do, I popped over to my local cafe t0 get a coffee. As I wanted to drink it at home and I took my own mug, they gave me a discount for doing the washing up.
A Cafe For Legal Henrys
I saw this cafe in Lincoln’s Inn Fields.
A Cafe For Legal Henrys
What is the plural of Henry, by the way?
Paying Small Amounts In Restaurants
Yesterday, I was in Carluccio’s in St. Pancras waiting for my train north, when I realised I was running things a bit close.
I had only had a coffee, so I knew it would only be a couple of quid, but I hadn’t had the bill yet.
I was tempted to leave a tenner, with my business card on top and leave, returning when I got back from the north.
But I didn’t as the bill arrived and I paid it in the normal manner.
In some European countries, the bill is always left, so that if you have to go and are paying cash, you can just leave the money and go.
Certainly in some restaurants and cafes, where people might have to leave quickly, it wouldn’t be a bad idea.
A Real Station With A Real Cafe – On The Overground!
I’d heard that London Overground had done something special at Crystal Palace. So I went and had a look.
It’s not finished yet and it can only get better and better, as lifts and other features are added.
So is it special? I think so, but I’m a grumpy old pensioner, who gets to the station free. The food was good too!
Take the kids and go there and have a walk in one of London’s most unusual parks and then have a snack or more in the Brown and Green Cafe.
They’ve even got a children’s menu without chips!
The one thing I didn’t like was the orange roundel on the station building. Surely, a Grade II Listed building deserves better!
It will also be interesting to see how use of the booking hall develops. It is a display space, that cries out for something better than run of the mill retail. As the current architectural display shows, it could be used for exhibitions.
But of course don’t go to Crystal Palace station, expecting a short walk to Crystal Palace Football Club. For them, you take the train to Norwood Junction station.
Thinking about Crystal Palace station, London Overground has now created its first true destination station. By that, I mean one where you go because of what is in the station itself, to perhaps meet someone for business or pleasure. St. Pancras is perhaps the best example, but others like Waterloo, Liverpool Lime Street, Liverpool Street and perhaps Norwich Thorpe are getting that way.
The Anonymous Widower 