And I thought London was only about pubs and pubfood after
work… Cozy crowded pubs with mirrors and 60’s and 70’s commercials on the wall,
carpet on the floor, and plenty of draft beers to choose from on demand. So
when Gabriel suggested meeting at a pub he knew after I asked him to have a
beer or two after work I expected the ‘usual’ insofar I am already allowed to
say that. The usual, which is awesome, but still the usual.
And it was not! London keeps on surprising me. If it wasn’t
for the cold I would have imagined myself in the mediterranean, as the bar
served wine, port, champagne and what not (no beer) and tapas cheese and bread
for nibblings. Or well, nibblings… after three chunks of bread, four large
pieces of cheese, and a plate full of side salad Gabriel and I were more than
well fed and my stomach is still about to pop now more than an hour later. Indoors
all tables are in use from four pm on, as the barmaid said, and outdoors the
large number of plastic tables and chairs cosily put underneath cloth covers
were all occupied. Luckily I found two chairs all in the back of the lane and
after wiping them dry we found ourselves a splendid spot, in the middle of
towering old buildings, lit-up trees, in an oasis of chatter and cosiness
amidst one of London’s most thriving and busiest places. French white wine,
goat cheese, followed by blue cheese and hard yellow cheese, with memories of
our summer university adventures and Icelandic travels shared, this all made for
another lovely evening.
A swift cycle ride home, a phone call to Holland, some
scribbling on the blog, and off to bed, with another day of bliss awaiting
tomorrow. And it’s still not raining!
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