Gold August
Crepes at Broadway Market
Originally uploaded by Tom Tsushidog 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...