Gold August

[dotinthesky]

Crepes at Broadway Market
Originally uploaded by Tom T

sushidog is a perfect shopping buddy. She was good company last week when I needed to go downtown and buy underwear, and yesterday she offered anecdotes and companionship as we explored the food and second-hand deals of Hackney's markets and shops.

The day couldn't have been more gorgeous; August's first proper summer day. We met up in Victoria Park and meandered up Regent's Canal to Broadway Road Market. After checking out the stands, which sold anything from crockery and vinyl records to crepes and fresh juices, we ordered Samosa Chatts, bought some bottled water and found a patch of soft grass in London Fields to rest, not too far from a One Man Band playing some kind of bicycle drums.

As we ate our lunch and chatted about this'n'that, I saw a beautiful toddler with large blue eyes approach us like the shark in Jaws (hum to yourself the film's theme song). He held Kevin's shoulder and leaned his head against him. I wish my eyes had cameras inside them so I could keep that image forever - the cutest thing I've ever seen. The father whisked the toddler away, apologising, which he needent have done since it was such a lovely and funny thing for the little boy to do. I turned to Kevin afterwards and asked if we could have one of those. There's my tip for what to get me next Christmas.

After lunch, we took a bus to Holloway Road and visited The Fantasy Centre, one of London's best second-hand bookshops that specialises in horror, fantasy and sci-fi. Unusually, there were about ten different Guy N. Smith titles in the horror section. I called naturalbornkaos, Smith's biggest fan, to see if any of the copies were rarities he might want, but his phone was turned off. There's your tip Rattler for where to go shopping next time you are in town! I also spotted a copy of Wurm by Matthew J. Costello, a horror novel that I really enjoyed in high school. At the time, I was trying to convince a dutch friend to read horror, so we agreed that she would read Wurm if I tried out Anne of Green Gables. I loved Anne but was kinda pissed off that my friend wussed out and broke our agreement. I debated yesterday whether I should buy Wurm and re-read it, but then I was reminded of the Neverending Story cautionary tale, which teaches one never to read a book or watch a film you loved as a kid so you won't run the risk of tarninshing your memories.

There's a large vintage store nearby that is good value-for-money (most items range between 5 and 10 quid). Kevin and I found short-sleeved shirts that fit alright, and sushidog nearly took a cocktail dress from the 70s and a pair of purple boots. On the way back to Victoria Park, for some restorating cake and coffee, we found ourselves swamped by football supporters moving up Holloway Road like an invading army. There was ice cream, more sun, coffee, lemon tarts and conversations on crime statistics, creative writing and the X Factor once we reached the cute coffee shop in Victoria Park's village.

sushidog is my neighbour and it only makes sense that we should hang out loads. Now I only wish my other London friends would move nearby...

Comments

[naturalbornkaos.livejournal.com]

I've never heard of Matthew J. Costello but he looks like my kind of thing...

That bookshop is indeed cool. :)

We should totally hang out more. You should move to the countryside. :)

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

We shall be hanging out this Friday with our very special, and very loved, buddy Nick C. :-P

And here are the titles I can remember seeing at the bookshop:


Bats Out of Hell
Wolfcurse
The Undead
Mania ----> :-)
Phobia
The Origin of the Crabs
Crabs on the Rampage

There were others but I can't remember their names.

[naturalbornkaos.livejournal.com]

Aw, these are all good, fun reads. :) You should've at least picked up "Crabs on the Rampage"! :)

I'll drop you a line later in the week - there doesn't seem to be times up for next week's cinema yet (usually they go up around Wednesday) but we're definitely a go for Friday. I'm super looking forward to it! :D :D :D

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

I saw the trailer and it looks like silly fun. Should be a good laugh. :-)

[naturalbornkaos.livejournal.com]

7pm Shaftesbury Avenue?

[naturalbornkaos.livejournal.com]

Uh, Cineworld that is.

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

Gotcha. Can't wait to drool all over Cage and his fancy wig.

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

See you there babycakes.

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

Next time, next time. ;-)

[moral-vacuum.livejournal.com]

Lovely though you are, I'm afraid even you aren't lovely enough to make me move to East London.

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

What's so wrong or bad with the East End? I think you've only been shown the bad bits and don't know there are also awesomeness. I think you should come visit...

[moral-vacuum.livejournal.com]

Visiting's fine - I used to go and see Moz when she lived in Bethnal Green, after all.

It's not that there's anything particularly wrong with East London, but it's not somewhere I feel comfortable as it's not what I'm used to. I don't know it at all, what I've seen drving around it is that it's considerably poorer (and rougher) than where I grew up, very cramped and post-industrial. I'm strictly a suburb dweller, and frankly a bit of a snob! Plus it's north of the river...

I'm sure there are nice bits, as there are all over London, but I just wouldn't be comfortable living there.

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

Fair enough. It's definitely not suburban in its feel; it's for people who like a mish mash of styles - the good and the bad side by side.

[sbeth76.livejournal.com]

At first I thought that the photo caption said, "creeps at broadway market" and I was like, "She doesn't look creepy!"

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

She was pretty popular for a creep.

[sallypointzero.livejournal.com]

I was at Broadway market yesterday! ... bought a button front VILE frock for £5 on sale rail. Its been soaking in bleachy water overnight and now I'm dying it Tulip Red to then shorten into a tunic - customising is FUN : D

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

Aw, it's a shame we missed each other! I'm pretty sure I'd have recognised you if I'd seen you.

[iejw.livejournal.com]

No – I’m the best shopping buddy!

I seriously hope you didn’t buy second hand underwear. It’s something one should never buy – only steal…

Tomorrow’s off I’m afraid. Have to attend a colleague’s birthday dinner and pretend I care (which I actually do, as she’s rather lovely). We’ll go and celebrate the opening of the new branch of Coffee Cake and Kink – wherever it is…

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

I only buy second hand underwear. Especially if it's all frayed and stuff.

And I totally know you are CHICKENING OUT about tomorrow. You are just too scared I'll spank you at the cafe.

[iejw.livejournal.com]

Do you buy it with optional ‘customisation’?

Oooh! Can you do that kind of thing there?! I totally can’t imagine what it’s like…