The Outdoors Show – Excel, London & other activities - 12th – 15th January 2012

Friday 13th January 2012 saw me at the Outdoors Show once again. As well as the Outdoors Show you also gain entry into the Bike Show, the Boat Show and the Active Travel Show. I went round all shows and very much enjoyed my seven or so hours there. This year I did resist the temptation of buying a new bike!

Saturday 14th was a visit to Borough Market, look round the very busy Market (I think the biggest in Europe) and I had a pint in The Rake. It was then a walk by the Thames to the Tate Gallery and a walk across the Millennium Bridge to St Paul’s where I looked at the now established “camp site” and listened to some of the speakers on the Cathedral’s steps.

Staying in Islington (a great part of the City) I was able to try out some of the many bars and restaurants. A new experience was trying out the Kurdish Restaurant - Gem - at 265 Upper Street. I found it excellent value with good food, wine and service. Quatme (bread) with various fillings (e.g. onion, herbs and parsley) was a starter and Incik (lamb shank with vegetables) being the main course. I also tried a portion of Bulgur Pilva (cracked wheat) and enjoyed it. A complimentary sweet of ice cream and sweet cake followed.

I discovered a good bottled Ale (brewed in Chicago, USA) – Goose Island Honker’s Ale. At £4.60 for a standard bottle you must not drink the contents too fast!!

Sunday morning saw four of us bound for the Chiltern Hills, an hour’s ride on a train out of London. We were starting our walk from the village of Great Missenden with a walk of some 14.25kms through the chalk downs back to Amersham. It was a lovely sunny day all day, although cold with a white frost underfoot. We passed through the ancient village of Little Missenden and stopped at the Squirrel Pub for lunch in the village of Penn Street. I enjoyed a couple of pints of Young’s Winter Warmer – sheer nectar. At times we were on the South Bucks Way and the Chiltern Trail. What beautiful countryside. We had walked for five hours. We caught the Metropolitan Line back to Kings Cross. My very first walk in The Chilterns and I hope I will be back.