A day at the markets

Sunday 11th September
Today we set off for Liverpool Street station to meet Shaun off the train from Norwich. As we were over on the east side of London we decided to see the sights. First stop – the famous Petticoat Lane. The products for sale were pretty much similar to markets in Australia, but the Market was situated in a number of streets and very crowded. Jill did end up buying a cardigan there! While wandering around the area, Shaun pointed out the historical significance of where the bodies of murdered prostitutes were found during the days of Jack Ripper. We then continued on and saw the Ten Bells Pub, where the prostitutes met and drank in those days. It is a different place today.

Walking further we came across St Leonard’s Church which was where the nursery rhyme Oranges and Lemons, the Bells of St Clements originated. Our older readers can finish off the nursery rhyme and explain the significance of it.

Next stop was the well known Spittlefields Market which is a very old Market, but has now been modernised and is in the area where Shaun lived in the early days of his stay in London. After visiting Spittlefields Market we wandered down to the Columbia Flower Market and here we found a very colourful display of cut flowers and plants for sale. Once again this was set up in a street and very crowded. It was interesting to see that most of the flowers on show are also available in Australia, but it was still very colourful and well worth seeing.

The last Market we visited was Brick lane, another street Market. It was here that we were introduced to the Brick Lane bakery, a London institution open 24 hours a day selling mainly bagels. You had to queue to get served it was so popular and we had their famous salt beef bagel (corn beef) which was quite yummy. They must sell thousands of them every day.

As we were getting walked out, we decided to head back and on the way passed the unit where Shaun lived for a while with Ed and his girlfriend when he had the chickenpox – it was depressing! Best we did not know this previously!

Time was running out as Shaun had to return to Chiswick and pack up and store the remainder of his belongings today, as he has given up that flat now. It seemed pointless to him to have to pay rent when he is travelling around and so he will find somewhere when his tour is over at the end of November. We had a cuppa at Spittlefields Market, then caught the tube together, saying our goodbyes at Earls Court and Shaun continued on to Chiswick. He is heading off to Nottingham tonight where the show will be for the next week. We are hoping this will not be the last time we will be able to catch up with him. We thoroughly enjoyed our day with him today.