I took a hiking backpack today on my weekly shopping trip to Dalston. It seemed like a good idea because I had three bags full of unwanteds to take to the Oxfam store and I wanted to bring a big load of groceries back.
I also took cardboard for recycling. Our building doesn't recycle cardboard or plastic bottles and I usually end up carrying it halfway across London to drop in a bin on the way to work.
After a few false leads I remembered that there was a bin for cardboard on Ridley Road and took it there. As I opened the bin a market stallholder walked past and said 'You won't find anything in there mate. It's just rubbish, only cardboard'.
I hoped he thought I was a freegan scavenging for ideological reasons rather than someone homeless and desparate! That will teach me to go several days without shaving.
After dropping my donation at Oxfam I headed to Sainsbury's. As I went through the door I noticed the security guard perk up and make some hand signals to the staff on the cigarette counter.
In the spice section a few minutes later, I felt that someone was following me. I looked up and a Sainsbury's employee (disguised with a civilian jacket and empty trolley) quickly diverted her gaze towards the tinned tomatoes.
Was it just the backpack or do I look genuinely dodgy? Eitherway, appearing destitute has advantages. After Sainsbury's I went to pick up my bike from the shop where I'd taken it to repair the damage caused by an aborted theft attempt outside the Barbican on Sunday. £3!
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
A weekend in London
The camera has been replaced so here's a record of last weekend:
Saturday evening on the South Bank...
returning via Waterloo Bridge.
Sunday morning strolling down Ridley Road in Dalston.
and Sunday afternoon admiring open gardens in De Beauvoir Town...
before returning home along the canal...
to admire my own garden again.
Saturday evening on the South Bank...
returning via Waterloo Bridge.
Sunday morning strolling down Ridley Road in Dalston.
and Sunday afternoon admiring open gardens in De Beauvoir Town...
before returning home along the canal...
to admire my own garden again.
Monday, May 26, 2008
I make idlis
Cal brought me an idli maker back from India. It's the best thing thing that's come into my life since I splashed out on fancy bike gloves that saved my hands from dropping off.
And here's an idli maker for Pip. The camera broke in Paris on the weekend (more on that later) so here's a very similar looking one from the internet:
And here's an idli maker for Pip. The camera broke in Paris on the weekend (more on that later) so here's a very similar looking one from the internet:
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Second attempt
There's one morning a week where I have to wake up 6:30am for an early class. I'd love to be able to sleep a bit longer on other days but my body likes routine and insists on walking at 6:30am every morning.
That came in handy this morning when I woke up, put on shorts and a t-shirt (it's mid-May but I've cast all my clouts - I'm tough) and headed down to Columbia Road to make up for last week's disappointment.
People are so friendly early in the morning! I chatted to dog walkers and cyclists in the park and when I got to the market it was quiet and stallholders were wandering around catching up with each other.
With most of the stalls open but few shoppers about, I got everything I wanted. I then went for a 2km swim before doing a couple of hours of gardening. Can a Sunday morning get any more satisfying?
That came in handy this morning when I woke up, put on shorts and a t-shirt (it's mid-May but I've cast all my clouts - I'm tough) and headed down to Columbia Road to make up for last week's disappointment.
People are so friendly early in the morning! I chatted to dog walkers and cyclists in the park and when I got to the market it was quiet and stallholders were wandering around catching up with each other.
With most of the stalls open but few shoppers about, I got everything I wanted. I then went for a 2km swim before doing a couple of hours of gardening. Can a Sunday morning get any more satisfying?
Friday, May 16, 2008
Flower fight
My garden is at an ugly transition stage. The last flower (below) died off weeks ago but the leaves are taking way too long to wither away and I don't want to pull the bulbs out until they're ready.
Not that I'd have anything to replace them with anyway. Apart from a few very healthy looking lettuce, my seeds (especially the ones I ordered from overseas!) have not been too successful.
I thought I'd cheat with a trip to Columbia Road. I saw stuff I wanted on the stall where a man sells off one thing at a time to the person he likes the look of most. The crowd of anxious gardeners around the stall were eyeing each other suspiciously.
A man next to me asked a stall assistant if he could buy something on the ground in front of him, only to be told 'You can only buy what the boss has in his hand.'. It was starting to feel like a Seinfeld episode, 'No petunias for you!'.
(same stall but not my photo)
When my plants came up, I know he noticed my waving hand first but I was completely ignored! I'm going back this Sunday at opening time. Failing that, I'll be there the week after with someone who can project a good damsel in distress.
Not that I'd have anything to replace them with anyway. Apart from a few very healthy looking lettuce, my seeds (especially the ones I ordered from overseas!) have not been too successful.
I thought I'd cheat with a trip to Columbia Road. I saw stuff I wanted on the stall where a man sells off one thing at a time to the person he likes the look of most. The crowd of anxious gardeners around the stall were eyeing each other suspiciously.
A man next to me asked a stall assistant if he could buy something on the ground in front of him, only to be told 'You can only buy what the boss has in his hand.'. It was starting to feel like a Seinfeld episode, 'No petunias for you!'.
(same stall but not my photo)
When my plants came up, I know he noticed my waving hand first but I was completely ignored! I'm going back this Sunday at opening time. Failing that, I'll be there the week after with someone who can project a good damsel in distress.
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