Cheddar Cheese Ice Cream

What would England be without Cheddar Cheese? What would a holiday be without ice cream? How would I to know that I would find them on my plate in London as a dessert? I had the pleasure of having a long lunch with friends at the Gilbert Scott Restaurant in London. The restaurant is in the newly refurbished and recently re-opened St. Pancras Hotel. It is very old world in service and décor. In scanning the list of deserts I found one item of particular interest: Cheddar Cheese Ice Cream. This was most unusual to me and it had to be very good or very bad. Using the food that I just finished as a guide I knew it had to be good. It was interesting.

In a multi-star restaurant presentation is everything. The desert came on a brilliant white plate with no fancy chocolate swirls or garden plants. It was plain and simple. The ice cream sat upon what looked like a crab cake. Or, should I say crab-shell cake, as it was rather hard. After chipping into the central core of this moon rock I found a delightful raspberry filling. The ice cream was next. It was soft, as in slightly melted, and vanilla-cream in color. I found the initial taste to me mild and the mouth-feel to be pleasant. It was ice cream so it was refreshing. Then, as it warmed in my mouth if changed in taste. At least to me it did. The cheddar flavor started to come out and gave me a dry-bitterness in my mouth. I was interested in trying it and glad that I did. Would I recommend it to you? Yes. It was something new away from home. OK kids, you can try this at home. Take a small bite of cheddar cheese and a spoon of your favorite ice cream and see what happens. Have the video set to record. Dairy Queen would be amused.

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/lonpr-st-pancras-renaissance-london-hotel/

http://www.thegilbertscott.co.uk/

Citical London Bike Ride

I was sitting in my room at the Imperial Hotel off Russell Square and thought I heard an unusual noise coming from the street. As I peered out the window I saw bikers coming north on Southampton Row. This was not unusual as there are many people biking in central London, even during rush hour. What was unusual about this was that there were bikers by the hundreds. They took the both northbound lanes and eventually swept over and shut the southbound lanes. They turned to go around Russell Square and ride further into Camden, At the turn some bikers stopped all traffic going south. Needless to say the drivers were not happy especially with high petrol prices and a fuel shortage due to a tanker driver strike looming.

Petrol prices in March were one-pound forty per liter and in US dollars that come to $8.50 a gallon. Some petrol stations were closed and they had no gas to offer and the government was activating the British Army to deliver petrol to England’s filling stations. Needless to say tensions are high in Britain right now.

The ride, which also included many skateboarders started under Waterloo Bridge. The event is world-wide in nature and put together by Critical Mass. It was not exactly a legal parade so to speak and no police were present to provide safe passage for the riders. Part of the ride was to focus on people who were killed by hit and run drivers and also to focus on sharing the road. This point may have been lost on the group as they consumed the road and caused gridlock for the gas guzzlers. I think the many drivers watching their fuel gage plummet to the E as they sat on the road thought these people were akin to terrorists. Most London bikers obey the law and ride “with” traffic and not “against” the law. I am just glad that I was five floors up.

Time to get to London

I have made reservations to visit London this March. I had just visited this past December and one can not visit London too often I say. In looking over my flight times and layovers in Charlotte I was a bit stunned when the numbers added up for me. The overseas legs are typically 8 to 9 hours so seeing 17 flight hours was not a surprise. The jaunt from Pittsburgh to Charlotte is about 1.5 hours making a total of 3. I have the pleasure of laying over in Charlotte for about six hours. I love being in Charlotte but for about 3 hours each does not allow for any sight-seeing other than what is in Terminal B.

But when I totaled all the flight and layover times I was shaken by the 26 hours I will be in transit. My holiday is for 9 days and I will be using one day and two hours of the time NOT being in London. Still, I cannot wait t be in the air eastbound.

Off To London

As many of my friends know, I have been going to London on an annual basis for many years. I came close to missing a trip this year but I recently found a deal. It also confused me, and my friends can tell you that is so easy to do. US Airways put out an e-saver list on Wednesday morning. They offer flights to selected cities at a discount. They recently had flights to London that were good (about $550RT, less taxes and fees) if you wanted to go within the short time period permitted. I chose not to take the saver and did what I always do. I waited them out. If you are flexible (I am 58 so not so much anymore) you can catch a real deal. As my work schedule is not very restrictive I can leave any time I desire. I plan months ahead and try not to get desperate. They placed some really low fares on their schedule but for a limited and select period of days. I am landing at Gatwick on 1 December for five days. My ticket is $448 and with taxes and fees it comes to $630. I paid $610 for my March 2010 trip.

Sorry to say that I was not able to go at the beginning of October or I would have been able to drink some of Matt Cole’s beer that he brewed at the Shepherd Neame Brewery in Faversham, Kent. He is head brewer at the Fat Heads Brewery in Cleveland and a Pittsburgher. He also studied brewing in England some years ago. It would have been a blast to drink his beer that he made in England, in England.

It looks like I will miss out on drinking a Pittsburgh beer(s) in London during my trip. In a pleasant surprise I found out that East End Brewery (Scott Smith) sent Black Strap Stout and Big Hop IPA. Shelton Brothers recently sent a limited quantity over but looks as though it will be gone by the time I walk into the Cask Pub and Kitchen in Pimlico. Scott got positive feedback from London via Twitter so this may give him and the brothers reason to send more over. But lads, please check with my schedule first!

So yes, these are exciting days. Unexpected cheap flight to London with a chance to drink some local brews there. Ok, so the local beer will not happen. But who knows what I will find when I land? I will be blogging from my IPAD whenever I find a free wifi spot. So after December 1^st keep checking my blog every minute of every day for updates.

http://www.shepherdneame.co.uk/

http://fatheadscleveland.com/

http://eastendbrewing.com/

http://www.caskpubandkitchen.com/

http://www.sheltonbrothers.com/

http://www.Good-London-Guide.com (my site)

Wenlock Arms Pub

Steve Barnes and Will Williams bought the pub in 1994 after securing a loan from A Brewing. They made money and repaid the loan to make the Wenlock Arms a free house. That enabled the to buy the beers they wanted and did a wonderful job of building a strong and loyal customer base. I would like to think that I was one of them. My annual London holiday would not be complete without a visit to one of London’s earliest real ale havens. I saw many pubs in London offering two or three real ales at best but the WA had a nice array early on. I was able to try exciting beers from across England and until recent years this was very rare for London.

Planning approval for five flats with commercial space one the ground floor. Times change and nothing lasts forever it seems. There is a movement on to save the pub but can this happen? Just have somebody buy it and run it for 17 years like Steve and Will have done. It’s that easy. Well, maybe not. Maybe that’s why it is for sale? And who should blame Steve and Will for wanting to retire with something to show for all that they have done for almost two decades of their lives? All the chatter on the web is about saving the Wenlock Arms. Ha sit occurred to anyone to give thanks?

I felt a loss when I first found out the Arms was closing but I took the time to reflect the good times I had there and the great beers available to me. It became one of my destination pubs and one that I told others to seek out. I may never see Will or Steve when I get back over but should I have the opportunity I would like to say two words to them: Thank You. Thank you for giving me years of memories and the chance to meet some interesting people. A pub with dogs aloud and Eddy the Fat Controller. Yes, I am happy that I was able to be a part of all that for all these years. Thank you Steve. Thank you Will.

http://www.wenlock-arms.co.uk/pub.html

St. Pancras Hotel London

St. Pancras is set to reopen next month and BBC has presented this slide show that illustrates the beautiful restoration of the building. When thinking about how life was like in the old days it can be eye opening to read how things were done differently then. The lady's smoking room at St. Pancras is one such example. The fact that people were able to smoke in doors as a right is so foreign these days. Actually it was probably deem a privilege granted by men that women were able to smoke at all. See the show on the BBC site.

London Parking Fines

The BBC reports that overseas driver are not paying parking fees and when given a fine they simply ignore the fine and drive home. Westminster City Council reports that between July 2007 and October 2010, 45,437 tickets issued to foreign-registered vehicles had been written off because the driver could not be traced - with £3.2m still owed. That is £70.42 per ticket. Let me add my 2p.

This was reported after 20 UK councils and police forces responded to a Freedom of Information request. The BBC did not state clearly who requested the report, either the BBC or the Campaign group the Sparks Network. May I ask why this took a freedom of information request? Why is this a state secrete? Are councils afraid the public is going to think they are awash in cash and may demand lower taxes?

And may I ask the councils; what’s the bitch? Had those 45 thousand people just paid the meter what would have been the take? Subtract this from the outstanding fines and that is what councils really think they lost. The only money they lost was the fee, which is applied to control parking and giving shoppers a chance to park. This in itself generates taxes paid by merchants. Yes, the councils are entitled to the fines but only government sees not receiving money not directly due them as a loss. If everyone paid the parking fee and never got a fine, how much money is “lost”?

Apparently the UK cannot locate foreign owners under current EU regulations. As the European Union is attempting to behave like a United States of Europe it should be easy to locate registered cars. Here, when a car is stopped, the police know within minutes the owner name ad address along with outstanding warrants or suspensions. When I get a parking ticket the make and model of my car is printed on the ticket along with my license. The government keeps track of that and when you reach five outstanding tickets you car is located and booted. You are unable to dive it until the fines are paid. It is too bad that Brussels has so much control over London life but that is what happens when you sign your rights away. Still, I think innovative ways can be found to collect fines on foreign cars. It could be a money maker.

London Snow Disrupting Lives

I see that the snow is causing a lot of problems for people trying to get from one place to another. They are focused on this and having no way of getting on they are greatly troubled and many are getting beyond the good manners they would normally have. May I say: get a grip.

With the snow disrupting everyone's lives and making travel next to impossible, has anyone asked how the elderly and disabled are doing? Are they able to get food and medicine? Can care givers get to them? Yes, at this time of the year it would be nice if we could all get out and exchange presents. Burt many cannot get out, even on a sunny day. Can we give them some thought. Isn't this the spirit of Christmas?

I am not trying to make light on people trying to travel to see family, but there are so many trying to stay warm, fed and use the toilet on a daily basis. Let us all see if we can give them a merry christmas too.

Merry Christmas to everyone.

Airport Security

I went on my annual London holiday this past March, and always I had a wonderful trip. I got to see my old friends and made some new ones along the way. I think making new friends and meeting people is most important. Not everyone is friendly, I must say. Many people have resorted to being bad and that has led to more and more security measures in airports. During my recent holiday I ventured to Dusseldorf as well as London. Travelling from Pittsburgh to Charlotte and back I went thru security a total of seven times. Before I left I read in the news how things were being tightened up and people were going thru more rigorous scrutiny. From what I read I was expecting a strip search, cavity search, pat downs in areas that have never before been patted down, etc. What are my thoughts on this now that I am back? None of this was a big deal. I have an artificial leg so I am used to the metal detector going off. But I never had issues with the security people. They always acted professionally and I was never delayed for more than several minutes. Once I got to the lounge I still had to wait for my flight so the look-see they did on me was not a time delay. I once had my leg x-rayed. That was nice and I saved my medical co-pay too. At worst I was asked to have a private pat-down in London on my way to Germany. They took me to a private room where two men had their way with me. I would tell you about it but what happens in security stays in security. To anyone apprehensive about going thru security checks I say, allow for time, chill out and don’t worry.

New US Embassy in London

The US Embassy in London is moving to a new location. If on schedule the embassy in Mayfair will relocate to Battersea in 2016. If will have a positive affect in many ways. The current location has just about become a fortress since the September 11 attacks in America in 2001. Streets have been closed and or relocated. Security is heightened and the natives are irritated to no end. They have been battling to have their area go back to normal. The London congestion charge also added to the headaches for the embassy. The staff, who work in the embassy must pay a fee to enter central London if they drive from outside the zone. The US has not paid that fee as it views it as a tax and embassies do not pay taxes. So the new HQ will be south of the Thames in a congestion free zone. This story continues in the Times.

Not trying to bring politics to my site I have to chastise the Drudge Report for their miss-leading and provocative headline: Obama plans $1 Billion Brit Embassy. Yes, the estimate for the new embassy is expected to be 1 billion. But the US sold the old building for the same amount so it’s not like my beer tax is going to go up over this. And, I don’t think Mr. Obama even cares about this. The planning for the new building was in the making long before he moved into the White House. I am sure that he is being briefed and has comments but a lot of this is out of his hands. It’s not like he or the wife get to pick out color chips and carpeting. Congress allocates the funds so ask them about all of this. Mr. Drudge’s headline implies that the cost and new building is Mr. Obama’s doing and that is miss-leading. The headline should have simply announced that the new design was selected and leave the true details within the story.

The new building will generate electric power and have a moat for security. A moat around a building in London. Where have I seen this before? No word yet what the drawbridge will look like. I can just see the US Marines standing watch with long bows. Oh well, the beer is kicking in so I should end this now. Looking forward to seeing you all there in 2016 for the pig roast and jousting competition

Try New Things

The Times of London reported that the proliferation of English bars and eateries in Spanish coastal resorts is causing the British to stay away. Well, duh! Why would anyone spend good money to travel to some other country only to eat in the same type of pub that is walking distance from home? Well, me for one. But I had good reason. I popped into the Whole Foods in Kensington once. I did it to find it so I could tell others and they were serving Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. I had a pint because I had to. But that doesn’t mean you must do the same. The joy of travel is to see and do things you can’t do at home. I love talking to the people I meet as they are as curious about America as I am of England. But I do see why the Brits are staying away. Years ago I noticed that the souvenirs I was looking at were the same Chinese crap that I saw in New York, albeit another name painted on. You should have seen the shock on my face when I first found out that London Fog was made in Baltimore. When I come to England (and Scotland, Wales and Ireland) I want goods made in that country buy the people in that country.

Readers of the Times story reminded other to travel further inland to enjoy the real essence of the country. One can stay in London and all you need to do is get out and explore the nooks and crannies of the city to find interesting places to eat. I always stay in Bloomsbury near Russell Square and it is a world apart from Oxford Street, which is not very far away. Walking up and off of Marchmont Street brings a nice selection of restaurants and pubs. China House is one of my favorite places. Ok, so it’s not English. The North Sea Restaurant may be what you desire as well as the Norfolk Arms or the Lamb sorry, you will have to Google this one). Prices tend to get a little less the further you move away the tourist centers. Use your travel card and head out to the outer zones for more treats, You can make excursions away from central London into day trips and find places like the Spaniards Inn. All for the cost of a bus ride.

Spaniards Inn Hampstead

I am off to London this March (7 thru 22) and I have many plans. I have been to London many times in the past but each trip brings new excitement. I was unable to visit in 2009 and my last trip was in April of 2008. At time I first visited the Spaniard’s Inn in Hampstead. Located on Spaniards Road where Hampstead Lane meets at the tollgate, the road narrows to form a venture tube. Most interesting to watch the cars come to a near halt to get thru.

The first thing I noticed upon entering where the many people enjoying the cool but sunny Saturday afternoon. The Inn is surrounded on all sides by Hampstead Heath, which has miles of walking tails. Tow other items you will quickly see are walking boots and dogs. That Saturday I counted at least four. Dogs, that is. There were more boots than what is in Harrods. Dogs are so well behaved in pubs and they give the place a home good feel. There should be a law mandating all pubs have a dog or even a cat. The Spaniards knows how to take care of the dogs. Outside they can get their paws washed at a wash station and inside they can eat a meal of organic dog food. The owners just have to be nice people.

Turning my attention to more important matters I turned my head to scan the beers on display and found another first for me; Worthington White Shield. Having missed my bus stop I had to hoof it up Spaniards Road and was quite parched. This is such a lovely ale and very refreshing. This would make for an excellent nightcap at home before bed for you younger people. Some of us have late night issues requiring early sessions. But that’s another story. White Shield is a classic bottle-conditioned India Pale Ale that really brings tears to my eyes. For one, at some point I am going t have to leave the pub. And I can’t get it in the states.

See this Wikipedia article on the Inn.

Borough Market, London

Sad to say that London could be moving in the wrong direction. National Rail is to perform engineering work on the viaduct that passes above Borough Market SE1. That is good news for travelers getting into London. This may be bad news for those living in Southwark and visitors like me. Borough Market is under threat with the planned works. Parts of it and some of the merchants may be forced to move and speculation has it that it may be worst. The Wheatsheaf pub was to remain but it is being demolished to make way for the work. The Market Porter pub has been saved for now but who knows what will happen. I can understand the viaduct work but now Thameslink wants to build a terminal on Borough High Street. As always this may not be good for those who live and work here. The Market is a gem of a tourist site and provides quality food for people living in London. If the market is demolished another London landmark will be lost forever. Yes, these thing happen but how sad that what makes London what is is has to go in this way.

Piggy Back

Ok, I have no shame. I attached myself to Stonch's blog to get myself out in the public eye. I have been reading Mr. Bell's blog for a long time and I enjoy it. Well, yes and no. I can't wait to come back to London and his blog makes me "homesick". I also want to visit his pub. I may not make it over in 2009 but 2010 should see an increase in London beer sales once I arrive.

My London Blog

Ok, this is my first time writing a blog. I have no idea what I want to say right now but when I return from my drinking session I should have a lot to write. My main interest is in everything London. Well, so are women, drinking and more drinking, but writing about London should be safe. Cheers, for now.