Sunshine arrives in London on the day of the 100th pub sign

Last Wednesday (23 April) was St George's day and the very first day of a decent dose of sun. According to locals there was not much of a summer last year and the joy was palpable. The crowds were out in great force around all the pubs and eating places along the Thames where we went for a drink at the Market Porter with Alan's uncle, his sister and her partner prior to dinner at a restaurant near the Borough Market.

On Saturday (26 April) the sun shone warmly again in London with the temperature reaching the early twenties. We ventured out in short sleeves and no coats but still included the brollies just in case. Claire and Alan were keen to take me to The Farm, a favourite weekend brunch spot in Fulham Broadway. This was a good plan but they had not factored in the at home game for Chelsea and Mancheste United that was also happening. The sea of blue kit gathered intensity as we got closer to our destination and it was clear that most eating places were full to overflowing. However we managed to secure a table at The Farm and discovered that they had a special modified (ie reduced) menu for the occasion. This did not matter as our preferences were there - Eggs Benedict for Claire, Eggs Royal for me and a full cooked breakfast for Alan. It was delicious and the crowd dissolved quickly as the game starting time approached. The police were out in force in the street (manpower, vehicles, dogs, mounted police) and I was astounded as Claire told me the costs involved for a season ticket and the kit which most supporters seemed to have.


Claire and I then left Alan who had other engagements with his mates, and set off on a shopping afternoon in Marylebone High Street - chosen because I found out that there is a Button Shop nearby - The Button Queen. While catching the Tube, a voice called out to Claire and it turned out to be her friend Anna from Primary School who was in London on her honeymoon! How random! They have now caught up on Facebook but catching up turned out not to be feasible as they were off to Paris the next day.

We had a lovely afternoon in and out of gorgeous shops such as The White Company and Ollie and Nic, trying on a few things, buying me some new jeans (much easier with a daughter to assist) and picking up lunch from the Natural Kitchen which we ate in the grounds of St Marylebone market. The Button Shop was shut by the time we found it (Claire was relieved) and as usual we did not get as much done as intended (and not only because of pub signs I hasten to add) - but it mattered not. It seems fitting that the Marylebone Tup in the High Street was my 100th pub sign. I did not realise at the time or we would have had a drink there. Pub signs added since the last update are:

95 Cock and Hen, Fulham Broadway
96 The Prince Albert, Battersea
97 Tattersalls Tavern, Knightsbridge
98 Paxton's Head, Knightsbridge
and from today:
99 The Pontefract Castle, Wigmore St, Marylebone
100 The Marylebone Tup, Marylebone High Street
101 Prince Regent, Marylebone High Street
102 Angel in the Fields, Marylebone High Street
103 The Conduit of Tybourne, Marylebone Lane


Claire's friend Kate joined us at home in the late afternoon - in fact she was sitting near us on our bus and none of us realised until near the end of the journey - and we three went to the movies to see "21" which was fun.


All in all, a very pleasant way to spend a day. A web album of snapshots from the day is also online.