Tuesday May 1st

I am so far behind on blog entries!  Writing this the following Monday, May 7th.  I guess it's a good comment on how busy we've found ourselves.

Anyway, about today (Tuesday the 1st)...  We made an expedition to another shopping market area, Camden Markets.  It's made up of perhaps a half dozen specific market areas, all very close to each other.  When we'd gone to Brewdog just after arriving, the people at the next table over were from the area.  (The ones Maxine helped out with when they had the movie question).  The girl had told us that the best market area was the one "just beyond the bridge", which is Camden Lock.  And she was right.  It was a maze of small shops including some with interesting and unique things to look at (didn't buy anything).  But, before we got there, we looked through most of the other market areas.  And over the bridge and along the canal/past the lock -- the pictures show it.  It was very picturesque in a London, been there a long time, way.  Some of the shops were very interesting, again see the picture, with objects like shoes protruding from the side of their store front.  A lot of miscellaneous souvenirs like sepia photos, T shirts and all of that (what I wonder is how do they all stay in business selling the same stuff???)

The Camden Lock market was worth visiting.  Honestly a lot of the shopping areas in London have seemed to under deliver, but this one was worth the trip.  Tons to look at.  Some interesting food stands (mostly take away).  One even had a row of dismantled motorcycle seats in a row, facing the water, for customers to sit on while they ate.  Did see another Spitalfields Hospital store (this was our third).  Initially I was interested since the clothing seemed to be somewhere between edgy street clothing and polished up for regular consumers.  Reminded me of Gibson's book Zero History, where one of the characters chased down clothing trends -- this place seemed like one of those where it was making the transition.  Also Gibson related, we passed the Holiday Inn Camden Lock, which was mentioned in the book!  So, since he's the only author I've ever been a fanboy about, that added to the experience...

Decided to have a pub lunch in the area before heading for home.  Went to a place called the Lock Tavern and, along with lunch, we shared a 1/2 pint of strawberry beer from a brewery called Fruli.  It was surprisingly good.  Most fruit beers are too astringent and don't carry the fruit flavor well enough.  Or they just hint at the fruit.  This one though, a wheat ale, was like a strawberry soda.  Not something to drink often or a lot of, but good for a summer day.

Walking home from the Lock Tavern Maxine made the point that the tube stop was quite near to Brewdog.  Got me interested!  She was able to find it without consulting a map (unnerves me when we're travelling because usually that's the only time where my sense of direction is usually better).  Went inside.  The bartender remembered us when we reminded him.  Recall that last time we were able to taste Tactical Nuclear Penguin, but that Sink the Bismark was unavailable.  This time it was!  So, we split a shot of it.  It's an 82 proof beer.  A quadruple IPA.  I thought it was great.  Also had a Tokyo which is a 36.4 proof beer.  Also great beer.  An Imperial Stout.

Went home and took a nap before heading out to a wine tasting for the evening.  This one is worth it's own blog entry...