Banana frappes, backed-up toilets and Paris in Pinner

The sun has come out. The sky, while mottled with white clouds, is blue. London: days like this, I love you.

One giant-sized breakfast later, I farewell he-who-wears-porkchop-sideburns-extremely-well and jump aboard the tube with he-who-prefers-not-to-take-off-his-shirt-in-unsexy-clubs, bound for the Spitalfield Markets and Brick Lane. After parting with the Glamour Boys, I console myself with banana frappes and some serious retail therapy. The crowds are out in full force in the markets, and I catch myself imagining myself living in this city and discovering the quirks of a new place – and not for the first time. Ever the eternal traveler.

Caroline and I rendezvous to grab some food and drinks at Pillars of Hercules (a ‘typical English pub’ that comes highly recommended by Martin as one of the oldest in London). The men’s toilet has backed up downstairs and the acrid smell of day-old urine floods the basement and wafts up the stairs. It does not take us long to shift from the back of the pub to the front. And in this pub, they have veggie burgers. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

We end up going for a wander around Soho where, once again, I feel like a midget elephant in the city: out of place (and loving it).

To exercise our flabby and bloated selves, we walk to Kings Cross. En route, we pass a bridal decorations shop appropriately called Weddings. The window display is a table setting with a purple motif. On one of the name cards is ‘Christina’. Is that a sign, or a coincidence? You decide.

Kings Cross: We find Platform 9¾. You know, as in Platform 9¾ from Harry Potter? Oh you don’t know? Well, then you should read more. Here’s the picture. Now go get yourself a copy of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. And if you can’t be bothered reading, go rent the movie.

To cap off the day, Caroline and I decide to do coffee and cakes at Café Rouge on High Street in Pinner. Because we haven’t eaten enough junk already today. It’s a piece of Paris in outer London. Crème brulee, of course my dear. Sweet tooth is satiated by a sweet day.