Mushrooms at Borough Market

It was my first week living in London as opposed to holidaying. A mental week at that.

Here’s the redux.

Twenty-seven flat and houses viewed. 27! And now pending reference clearance I’ll be a North Londoner. There’s a real estate company here called Foxtons. Don’t waste your time dealing with them. Especially if you’re prone to getting your arm twisted. They’ve got a great skill in showing you a handful of properties. One will be 20% under your budget, and it will be the worst they have to show. The next will be 15% over, and they’ll tell you they can get it down to your price, even though it should be 10% under your asking price. Then they’ll show you a property that’s 40% above your budget. Seriously, do you think I’m going to spend 40% over my rental budget? Admittedly, I was warned but I didn’t think they would be that bad.

Now that I’m just about to move – I wonder if I now have to become an Arsenal supporter since the stadium is just up the road. I’ve never had a team, and I do have a few mad footballer friends. We’ll see. Aussie Rules will remain my favourite football code.

Public transport is fantastic. I don’t care what the locals say. When you’ve lived in Sydney, you’ll understand why it’s so good. Except the fact that I’m a 21 minute ride train ride from Victoria at the moment – which is OK, but trains only run every half hour, and that can be painful. However, with that public transport, I’ve been everywhere man. Well not quite, but across a lot of places in central London already. Brixton Markets and Borough Markets – there couldn’t be a greater contrast, but wonderfully lively. I don’t know what the corn bread pocket full of pork goodness with a habanero chilli, spring onion and coriander sauce liberally added to the top. My lips were smarting for the next 20 minutes. I love the fact that so many areas are new areas for me to explore. Friday night dinner at Village East in Bermondsey was excellent – my hankering for offal was well sorted with a calf’s liver and pancetta dish. Cool neighbourhood at first view as well. Leather Lane Market was a surprise, I stumbled across it on Friday as I was making my way to Farringdon, and it just reinforced the fact that you’ll never see everything in this city as there is so much on offer. I also just love the fact that I can buy a punnet of raspberries for £1.

Where else? A good pint and a salt beef sandwich at The Old White Lion in Finchely was pleasant. The open fire more than welcoming, but a thirty minute wait for a sandwich when there was only three other people awaiting food? I think that’s a slight problem.

The Rake tells it like it is

As this city makes a fine drop, I’ve had a couple since I’ve been here. And I’m an Aussie whom has no issue in drinking warm beer. Bring it on I say. I returned to The Rake – and I need to find some more pubs around that have the ‘no crap on tap’ attitude. Any suggestions? A brilliant selection here with a rotating supply on tap, the Cantillon Lambic being one of the most unusual and amazing beers I’ve ever had. Lastly (for now) on beer, £1.50 for Chimay Red? Unbelievable. And that’s from Tescos.

South Molton Street Arches

With Christmas just around the corner, Oxford Street is chock full of people. With the sun setting just before 4pm, all the Christmas lights come out to play in the night sky. Not that this is the only reason, but I can see why this time of year is enjoyed by so many here. I’ll have to take my camera out and capture some of this. Upper Street in Islington also has a bit of treatment as well. (edit: See photo above)

With that, I had my Christmas party on Wednesday night. Sure – it was before I started, but a great way to meet the team. Unfortunately, I had to cut it short otherwise there was no way to make it home easily, and I had more apartments to view the next day, and a heavy head would not have helped the process.

It’s cold, but not as cold as it gets. And let’s just say that my wardrobe is ill-prepared for the weather. Gloves were a quick and essential purchase. No snow yet, and that’s unlikely for some time. It’s not that cold just yet.

There’s a glut of activity here, so much on my head just spins. I visited the Ed Ruscha – Fifty Years of Painting exhibition at the Hayward Gallery yesterday. A must for fans of all things ‘type’.

And lastly, I don’t understand this whole orange make up thing. I’m sure you’ll know where I’m going here, but all I can think of is Gene Wilder and little folk with green hair.

The new job starts tomorrow, and I’m going to be just a little busy. It’s nil all in the Spurs v Everton game and the grandparents are coming around for tea. Time to open a Grimberger Dubbel… yes, I know that should be an ale or a bitter.