Things to do...

[SOCCERROO FOX]

To quote Partridge:

"Go to London. I guarantee you'll either be mugged or not appreciated. Catch the train to London, stopping at Rejection, Disappointment, Backstabbing Central and Shattered Dreams Parkway."

Why do you have to be so negative MTWG

[Thracian]

Why do you have to be so negative MTWG

Not my experience at all. There are places to avoid when the sun sets but generally its a vibrant place with lots of character and endless things to do. I've stood all the major markets thee, Bermondsey, Portobello, Camden Passage and Kempton Park too and they were Happy Days, no question. Very competitive but the atmosphere and bustle is something else. Altogether I love the place.

[Thracian]

I'm glad some has started this thread, I'm taking the family for a weekend in London soon.

I'm planning to go on THIS hop on hop off bus tour as it's got a river cruise thrown in.

Is it right that the congestion charge doesn't apply on the weekend?The train price is just ridiculous.

It might be worth catching the train from Nuneaton. They do a special price for London.

[Guest]

I love just wandering around London, the interesting bit is in a pretty compact area, and it doesn't take too long to see all the main touristy bits.

I fancy a day out round London again; I hope that the Inn can organise something over the summer to give me an excuse!!

[James.]

I'm heading for the Taste of London Restaurant Festival (June 18-21) courtesy of a present from my lads.

http://www.tastefestivals.com/london/

I got this for my birthday from my girlfriend. Am there on Saturday from 5:30-9:30.

I know what you look like Thracian. But you don't know me. Mwoohahaha.

[Ric Flair]

I'm moving to London on the 3rd July. Can't fookin wait.

Primrose Hill at night is an absolute must, especially in the summer when the weather is nice. The views across London with a few bottles of wine and an absolute fitty is priceless.

Regarding train prices, Nuneaton to Euston is loads cheaper than Leicester to St Pancras, but I suppose it all depends on where you live and whether you can be arsed to go to Nuneaton first.

[Katy]

It cost me £14.85 to get there with a railcard on Tuesday, had a brilliant day. The London eye looks terrifying though.

[Daggers]

I'm moving to London on the 3rd July. Can't fookin wait.

Did you manage to sell your flat?

[Ric Flair]

Did you manage to sell your flat?

Rented it out to some Estonians, so i'm fairly safe for at least 6 months.

[The Blur]

Ripley's Believe it or Not! Museum is full of amazing facts and exbihtions, I was constantly gasping and laughing in astoinment during my time there

Well worth the price and its in Piccadily Circus

[Finnegan]

Not my experience at all. There are places to avoid when the sun sets but generally its a vibrant place with lots of character and endless things to do. I've stood all the major markets thee, Bermondsey, Portobello, Camden Passage and Kempton Park too and they were Happy Days, no question. Very competitive but the atmosphere and bustle is something else. Altogether I love the place.

lol Have you ever actually LIVED in London? Like, any time in the last fifteen years?

[James.]

Whereabouts are you going to end up moving to Flair?

[Ric Flair]

Whereabouts are you going to end up moving to Flair?

Kentish Town, I reckon.

Found a house share with our own fairly large bathroom. Bedroom is really big and the kitchen is massive and shouldn't be a problem to share with a few others. £650 a month all bills included (for both of us). 5 min walk from the tube and buses all over the ochie.

Went and got leathered round there last night, not a bad area really and Camden is only ten mins away, which has it's obvious benefits.

Just need to sort some definitive work now. Got a few things in the pipeline.

[DANGEROUS TIGER]

Try a scruffy old pub in the East End, and get a real look at at what a real Cockney is like. I have met some real characters in my time.

[Thracian]

Try a scruffy old pub in the East End, and get a real look at at what a real Cockney is like. I have met some real characters in my time.

The Blind Beggar in Bethnal Green might be appropriate.

[Thracian]

lol Have you ever actually LIVED in London? Like, any time in the last fifteen years?

You are right it has changed - and dramatically as far as the workforces are concerned - because, in certain fields like hotels, railways and security there is hardly a white bloke to be seen.

But while, yes, radical Islamist anjem Choudary was getting a page lead in the Evening Standard for his latest efforts to spread peace and goodwill to all men (!) at The Conway Hall, Central London, my personal experiences were almost all positive.

The Food Festival "a Taste of London" in Regents Park was an experience not to be missed - some 40 restaurants each putting on a three course taster menu backed by avenues of suppliers from the food and drinks industry all trying to persuade the jossle of visitors that their particular tipple was the one to choose.

Being blessed with a wonderous setting on a balmy evening helped as also did the variety of on-going entertainment which so complimented the atmosphere and the fact that half of London's most fashionable and prettiest girls all seemed to have landed a a ticket which only added to the spectacle.

Two hours in Tate Modern was all I could take in for a first go and in some ways it felt like an awakening. Unusually, we soon got tired of the rather ponderous and distinctly uncharismatic guide so we tried to put our own interpretation on some of the exhibits and found the exercise fascinating. On reflection it would have been worth the trip just for those two hours and we'll be back for more at the first opportunity.

Then it was showtime - a friend knew where we could could get last minute tickets for half-price - and the consensus choice was Hair Spray which seemed to have excellent reviews and certainly carried the fun factor for a near full house that seemed mostly made up of surprisingly enthusiastic and vociferously appreciative teenagers.

It wouldn't have been my choice - for me neither the singing nor the music was a patch on, say, Phantom or Lion King - but the evidence was there that the vast majority of the audience would have disagreed and seemed to love the show.

More me were two visits to the Borough Market with its ever compelling aroma of specialist and distinctive foods from all over the British Isles and Europe. Even mid-morning I enjoyed the best red-wine fruit punch I've ever tasted but there were many other magic moments to savour too and all in such a timeless setting.

Finally there were a couple of restaurants to recommend if you're ever there. Neither were especially expensive, particularly by London standards, but both offered their own relaxed yet exhilerating culinary experience.

First Henry's Cafe Bar presented the enduring flavours on its traditional Greek menu but what really made the visit was their selection of cocktails which all seemed unique to themselves, and equally generous both in flavour and volume.

http://www.viewlondon.co.uk/restaurants/co...london-143.html

Then there was the Cafe Rouge. The aroma enticed straight away as it wafted into the street. Its being almost full even at 4pm was a recommendation and by the time we finished around 6-30 the queue of waiting hopefuls was snaking down towards the distant theatres.

There was nothing fast about the place but the flavours, when the food came, made the taste buds dance. I chose simply, basically prawns followed by an Entrecote steak but the mysteries of their deliverance made me want to linger the whole evening and explore still more.

http://www.viewlondon.co.uk/pubsandbars/ca...review-885.html

[Hullfox]

lol Have you ever actually LIVED in London? Like, any time in the last fifteen years?

Another long answer with the usual reference to race and colour

I think thats a no Finners

[Lillehamring]

The Blind Beggar in Bethnal Green might be appropriate.

i used to live opposite this pub, and it is anything but a dusty old victorian boozer now - must have had a refit in the 80s or something

[Thracian]

I think thats a no Finners

"Another long answer with the usual reference to race and colour".

===

Just simple observations in response to a point and ones it is impossible for anyone not to notice in London, assuming they are prepared to accept the evidence of their eyes.

Regarding Choudary it is hard not to read a story which focused on women being offered only segregated seating at a public debate. Were such a thing ever proposed for City matches there would be public outcry. Or at least public outcry from the greater part of our society.

The meeting was cancelled in protest but Choudary still attacked British society as "corrupt" and "morally bankrupt" and told his followers the UK would be turned into a Shari'ah state.

He said: "The country is rife with social and economic problems and only Islam is the answer. Muslims are multiplying at a rate eight times faster than the kaffir (non-believers)," he said. "In a couple of generations this will be a Muslim country, inshalah (God willing). We will dominate his country my brothers."

You see or ignore what you like Hully but don't expect me to.

Choudary was enjoying the right to speak freely in the capital city of this good land. I just wonder how such a speech criticising Islam would have been received in a Muslim land. Quite apart from it being an example of rank bad manners.

[Hullfox]

"Another long answer with the usual reference to race and colour".

===

Just simple observations in response to a point and ones it is impossible for anyone not to notice in London, assuming they are prepared to accept the evidence of their eyes.

Regarding Choudary it is hard not to read a story which focused on women being offered only segregated seating at a public debate. Were such a thing ever proposed for City matches there would be public outcry. Or at least public outcry from the greater part of our society.

The meeting was cancelled in protest but Choudary still attacked British society as "corrupt" and "morally bankrupt" and told his followers the UK would be turned into a Shari'ah state.

He said: "The country is rife with social and economic problems and only Islam is the answer. Muslims are multiplying at a rate eight times faster than the kaffir (non-believers)," he said. "In a couple of generations this will be a Muslim country, inshalah (God willing). We will dominate his country my brothers."

You see or ignore what you like Hully but don't expect me to.

Choudary was enjoying the right to speak freely in the capital city of this good land. I just wonder how such a speech criticising Islam would have been received in a Muslim land. Quite apart from it being an example of rank bad manners.

Like I was saying to Finners, I think it's a no.

[Ric Flair]

I move this friday, come get some.

[Webbo]

Premier Inn are doing a special offer at their Boreham Wood/Elstree hotel and I'm thinking of going at the end of August.

Question; How far is Elstree from London? And how much would a weekend pass on the train be to get into London itself?

[Ultra]

1) About 10 miles.

2) A 1-day travelcard costs £14.80 (Elstree/Borehamwood is in travelcard Zone 6.) A 3-day travelcard is £42.40 (there is no 2-day travelcard).

[MC Prussian]

I'm probably looking at staying in London (or on the periphery) for the night after the Watford game, since I'm planning on flying back home from either Luton or Stanstead.

Anyone got a good (and preferrably non-expensive) hotel/hostel recommendation?