The Black Friar Public House

This pub is absolutely fantastic!

Its non descript on the outside and situated in a busy junction not far from Blackfriars Station. However, once you walk in the door you are greeted by a dimly lit bar. It’s so dim you actually think its candlelight.

Once your eyes have adjusted you begin to discern that this is a tiny (I mean tiny) place. There is a maximum of 12 tables with barely enough room for 3 seats.
The actual bar takes up most of the space and segregates the seating area into three cosy alcoves. The bar itself is a combination of wood and brass. Above it is a beautiful depiction of friars working .

On one wall nestled in an arch is a scene of friars singing.

Whilst the roof is arched and inlaid with patterned tiles. At the junction between the roof and walls are sayings i.e. Wisdom is Rare, etc The lights are held by imps with prayer times (evening, midday, etc) engraved under them.

To add to the darkness the only window light is muted as it is painted so that it illuminates the a friar outside in the sun.

All in all it’s one of those places you’d take people just for the decoration. As an added bonus the food is lovely; especially the pies.

http://www.pubs.com/pub_details.cfm?ID=154

Retro Girl

Recently I and a few others decided to celebrate the 80's in true retro style.

Party goers were looking like rejects from TV Shows (Miami Vice), music videos (Madonna/Cindy Lauper/Tina Turner/George Michael) and popular sit coms of the genre.

We thought we were original but it appears that retro 80's is fashionable. Several party goers managed to get items for their costumes from a leading high street stores rather than trawling through op shops. Whilst others still had items in their closests which they wore regularly.

Another fact which reinforces this theory is the fact that we walked towards the party along a major road, past quite a few pedestrians. No one blinked an eye nor did we receive any jibes.

Since going to the 80's retro party I've noticed quite a few people who wear retro clothes for various eras (50's, 70's, 80's, etc). These people aren't going to a party but are clearly living in the era they've decided to dress for. Not once have I seen heckling (or any other victimisation ) of these retro dressers. Nor have I seen them be anything other than confident.

Common Adventures
For giggles we decided to explore Wimbledon Common; one of our local parks. Its quite a big space and you can easily get lost. Though that's not hard for me!

I didn't think that there were windmills outside Holland however I was wrong as this common has a windmill (http://www.wpcc.org.uk/windmill.html).

It has quite dense wooded areas with tracks through as well as lightly populated forest areas.

Even in open areas it was thick enough to give you the impression that you are completely and utterly alone.

Just a few metres in the background are people walking along the tracks yet you can't see them and only bearly hear them.

It was wonderfully tranquil and energy enfusing stepping out of the dark streets and urban landscape for a few hours.

There is also a pond which we sat around for a while just to enjoy the calming effect.

H O B B I T S

I've been told that Hobbits originated in New Zealand or at least the famous ones. I would like to dispute this as I believe I've found a lone London hobbit.

He/She lives under Wandsworth Town overground station and has cunningly disguised their distinctive circular entrance with broken signs for Homebase.

Seeing the sites of Greenwich

We've had many visitors over the years and have seen most of the sights (some several times) of ol' London Town but when the sun is shining its best to just go to a park and take in the view. With that in mind we decided to take our guest for a trip to Greenwich.

I highly recommend one of the Thames River tours as you can get some brilliant commentary - from the operators and those around you. Not to mention just people spotting!

Its also a pleasant way to get around when your a bit tired. ;-)

As you can see we took the standard pics from the top of Greenwich (near the observatory) with the view of the old naval college preceding the London landmarks. Its always crowded so it's hard to get it free of 'tourists'.

Most people don't realise that in the Naval College (which was once a palace) there is a church as well as a formal function room. They are opposite each other in a beautifully symmetrical way just like the rest of the college.

The church is sparsely but tastefully decorated with emphasis on the organ (gold plated pipes).

The function room on the other hand has barely a surface unadorned. It reminded me of the Sistine Chapel with its imagery and style of painting.

As you can see they'd set it up for a banquet as there was a wedding that night.

RENOVATIONS

Not content with doing up place we own we have now begun helping our mates out at weekends.

Phase 1 of the plan was to tidy up the garden by removing some dead trees. Then we’d shift a few plants and put nice wooden edging for a boarder.

Before Shots of Garden

After Shots of Garden

Phase 2 entailed the kitchen being emptied of its contents before being repainted.

Before Shots of Kitchen

Hard at Work

After Shots of Kitchen