It's always a great
feeling waking up and knowing that you don't have to be at work or
have any kind of agenda for the day. This was the second of my two
days off and I had nothing to do.
I'd slept on the floor
hoping it would help straighten out my back but it didn't. It still
ached. I must book myself an appointment to see a chiropractor or
something.
I took it easy,
listening to a bit of music and waiting for my uncle to finish work
or be able to go out for lunch.
We ate a pizza each a
cute little Italian restaurant in Holborn, London. For some bizarre
reason it had been decorated in such a way that nothing about it made
any sense. There was a porch facing inwards complete with a tiled
roof. There were some not particularly tasteful paintings of nude
women on the walls. The remaining walls were covered in a mish mash
of psychedelic geometric patterns. The actual wallpaper was a bit
funky, black and white lines in an almost illusionary shape. The
pizza was highly commendable though.
By the time we'd eaten,
it was already late afternoon encroaching on early evening.
As we were only around
the corner we decided to go to browse the new Ming exhibition at the
British Museum. I think a conversation about it had come up in
passing the night before. With Frank being a member we both got in
for free without the need to queue. It was one of the best
exhibitions I've seen in recent times with some beautiful scenic
paintings on silks and lovely ceramics. One of the best pieces is a
completely embroidered silk depicting some images of religious
figures. If you're a member the you must go, if not then I'd
seriously consider it.
We'd had our cultural
experience for the day, it was time for something quintessentially
British. By that I mean going for a beer of course. Something a
little bit different this time. Noticing that the Craft Beer Co had
other pubs around London with one in Clerkenwell, we decided to check
that out. It roughly equidistant from Frank's flat as we had to go
back there because he'd forgotten all his smoking related bits and
fancied a cigarette. I'd have been happy to sit by the disused fire
place and try my best to block out the cheese smell but thought a
change and new experience would be good.
It was dark, a couple
of hours into rush hour so I thought that the pubs shouldn't be too
busy as most people would probably be on their way home. Or at least
I thought a majority of the 'after work' drinkers would be finishing
up.
I was wrong, it was
packed to the walls and with a very different crowd to the pub in
Islington. This place was full of suits I'd imagined due to its
closer proximity to the city. It was okay though, as we walked
through the door, a path appeared to open up for us clearing a way
right to the bar. Everyone was cheery and polite and there was an
overall happy aura in the air. I bought myself another pint of Chiron
and Frank went for an Export Porter even thought the barman said he
was pouring a Smoked Porter, both very tasty drops.
Frank went out for a
cigarette and I eyed up a table. I stood by it then ended up sitting
down as nobody claimed it.
It was a far more
traditional looking pub than the one in Islington. It has a big main
room with high tables and stools around the edges. A bar about ¾ the
length of the back wall with almost every inch taken up by beer taps
and pumps. My favourite feature was the ceiling. It has the old
fashioned frame pattern but instead of just being painted all the
in-between bits were mirrored so it turned the whole thing into a
kind of giant mirror. There was the perfect balance between
traditional London boozer and the more modern and trendy wine bar
styles.
I'm finding it hard,
actually nearly impossible find fault in the Craft Beer Co pubs. Even
though I've only been to 2... so far.
Well done chaps!
If you are interested in checking out the Ming exhibit at the British Museum this might help;
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