I went for a walk yesterday(Thursday) to check out a few sights. I stopped in at Russell Square Gardens and tried to locate one of the famous Taxi stands known as a Cabmans Shelter. Apparently only 13 still remain and were originally designed as a rest stop for Taxi drivers way back in 1875! Unfortunately I couldn’t find the little green hut so moved on to the next destination, the London Review Bookshop.
Ive been meaning to buy a new book since finishing ‘Dawn of Empire’ but haven’t been able to find one in the book stores Ive been to. I decided I wasn’t leaving without one this time. Im not sure why the London Review is famous and walking inside didn’t reveal any part of the secret either. A typical independent bookstore with an impressive range of volumes on the towering, tightly packed shelves. About 10 minutes into my book browsing I got a call from Matt, he was on his way.
Id planned to meet up with Matt so I could give him a few things to take back to Australia. I had hoped to get his wireless internet dongle too but with four days still remaining of his short visit he is reluctant to give it up. The original plan was for him to meet me here in London so we could check out a few sights together. But being Matthew the plan never goes as umm, planned. So instead I was meeting up with him in Upminster, the furthest tube station to the East of London which made it the most convenient stop on his way to Norwich from Hastings.
Figuring I had about 30mins to get on the next tube I spent another few minutes finding a book, Ecstasy by Irvine Welsh, and then headed out in the rain toward the next destination. The Cartoon Museum. I got there with maybe 10mins to spare. There was a £4 cover so I just browsed the wares and left.
Having perfect timing I got off the train in Upminster and a moment later Matt pulled up in his dodgy little rental. We went for a little drive and finally found a place to park. It was freezing cold and after walking maybe 20 meters we headed back to the car and parked it further up the road so we wouldn’t have to walk so far to get back to it. We had dinner at Yin Court Chinese Restaurant where we ordered Kung Pow Chicken! Spicy tastiness.
It’s been good to catch up with my brother having not seen him for a good 3 months. Surprisingly it hasn’t made me miss home or anything about Perth. I guess I’m still enjoying this life way too much to feel any amount of melancholy from memories of the past to get homesick. The past few months have flown by and it seems like only last week that I left my family. Time goes by way too quickly, if only I could press pause. Anyhow, on to the next adventure, Edinburgh here I come!
