“On the contrary! I had two flagons of claret and a double helpingof curried turtle! I can assure you: it’s no holds barred withus at the annual communion-wine tasting.” So says Lord Melchett in an episode of Blackadder. The claret was obviously readily available, but where would you have gone to purchase the main ingredient… Continue reading Cowabunga dude!
Tag: Food
Dazed and confused
Sometimes London can leave me feeling slightly bemused, it is a city of contradictions, double meanings and inconsistency, but I always think that I’m in a much better position to understand these than those who don’t know the capital just as well. A long time ago I posted a piece called name theory on mispronunciation… Continue reading Dazed and confused
Dustbin Day
While looking at things underground and specially in the last two posts regarding the job known as Toshing, I came across references to several strange occupations. Within the list there was Dustman, which I somewhat disregarded as being a bit banal. However, I found another text that when I read it cast the role in… Continue reading Dustbin Day
What a Shambles
Shambles is a term for an open air slaughterhouse and meat market. Streets of that name were so called from having been the sites on which butchers killed and dressed animals for consumption. As far as I can ascertain there are only about ten streets or areas left in the UK that are known as “The Shambles”. Manchester has one as do Sevenoaks,… Continue reading What a Shambles
See
One Word Sunday
The Philpot Lane Mice
Question: What is the smallest piece of public art within the City of London? To answer that question let me take you back to the 1860s and the redevelopment of Eastcheap, the street that runs east from the Monument towards the Tower of London. The block adjoining Philpot Lane was demolished and the architect Robert Lewis… Continue reading The Philpot Lane Mice
Two favourite things and one I detest.
Channeling the spirit of Maria from the sound of music, I’d like to share a couple of favourites things with you. I’m very partial to the odd oyster, mainly as nature intended, but cooked in their shells with a little Pernod are very nice. Also on a hot summers day I do enjoy a glass… Continue reading Two favourite things and one I detest.
The (Horse) Doctor Will See You Now
Last week saw the nuptials of the two inhabitants of Miscellany Mansions, so we now have a piece of paper to say we’re lifelong partners. We had both decided that the day would be a quiet and low key affair with a small guest list and very little in the way of fuss or worry… Continue reading The (Horse) Doctor Will See You Now
Stumped!
Ok, so not the most inspiring photo, but as they say, “Every picture tells a story”. What you’re looking at here was the proposed site for the London terminus of the Great Central Railway in the 1890s. An enterprising businessman, Frank Crocker somehow got wind of these proposals and realising that the terminus would need… Continue reading Stumped!
St Brides the original Wedding Cake
Six word Saturday It is said that St Brides was the inspiration for the first ever tiered wedding cake. Created by apprentice baker William Rich in the 1700s.
A LONDON MISCELLANY 