London Day Three – Still Hetchless 9/2/2018

September 2, 2018 

Sunday

Decided to try another breakfast place so we went to Blixen. It was fine, but didn’t match Ottolenghi (so I guess we’ll do a last return visit to Ottolenghi tomorrow on our last day).

From there, Mike headed to look at some new housing near the Tate Modern and I headed to the hotel to get a few ours of work in. It was a totally gorgeous day, so I cut the work short and decided to walk to the Tate Modern (about 1.5 miles) and met up with Mike. 

As we started to walk, we passed two guys set up at old manual Olivetti typewriters who will write poems on any topic and you pay wat you think it is worth. I decided to go for it, so asked for a poem about the “current political situation” — Here’s his take:

“East meets west in a wig…dictation rides bareback into the sunset of outer space….twittering tabloids take turns to rock lobsters, rig elections……clown vs clown in city skies…left is right is obsolete…..all as it ever was, perverse prayer begs alas to oblivion….elephants watch donkeys…daggers drawn”

We then walked to Borough Market but forgot it is closed on Sundays. So we had some wonderful gelato and then took the tube to an area known as Little Venice – not too far from Regents Park. It’s where three canals converge. It’s quite picturesque with houseboats and some cafes. We strolled along the canal and then in the nearby neighborhood which had some beautiful houses and flats – built at a time when the development of neighborhoods were intended to build community and gel with the environs.

We then walked to the Underground to catch a train to the hotel – and as we got down the stairs we were met by an attendant explaining the train service on that line had been “suspended” and they didn’t know when it would resume. By now I had put in well over my 6-mile walking goal and decided a taxi was in order.  But finding one was another story. We eventually found a small hotel — The Colonnade – and they called for a taxi. 

By that time it was close to eating time (again)… We decided to try Dishoon in Shoreditch. Walked (adding to those miles!)  Although we had to wait about an hour (no reservations), it was worth it – wonderful and interesting Indian street food in what they describe as an Irani café-style interior. We started with some drinks – Mike had the Chandra Bose Sour and I had the Monsoon Martini. 

For nibblers we had lamb samosas and “bheja” – little pieces of lamb brains coated with some kind of cornmeal (I think) and fried like popcorn, with a tamarind style dipping sauce. Then we had murgh malai – dark meat chicken that was marinated in garlic, ginger, coriander, and more… ; wonderful spicy lamb chops; raita; garlic naan; black daal… and wine. Naturally we needed a dessert before we could walk the distance back to the hotel – so we ordered the chocolate pudding, which was melted in the middle and accompanied by a scoop of chili ice cream. We were well fortified for the walk to the hotel. One more day tomorrow and then we are back.

Happy Labor Day.. 

Fern