London calling

So, my trip to London…

I had an early start, getting a train at 7:30 straight through to London.  Got in about 10:30 and I couldn’t check in to the hotel until three.  Their website said I could leave my bag there until check in, so I found it and dropped off my big bag.

I was booked for a tattoo at 3 in Camden.  I decided to walk there, which took about an hour or so.  I did get a bit lost, but that was a blessing in disguise as it also meant I found some amazing street art:

I love Camden.  It’s an amazing place and if I thought I could afford it, I would happily live there.  I stopped off for a pint, then headed to Camden market, which is just insane.  It’s very easy to get lost in there.

I then headed off to get my tattoo:

It wasn’t an official show 3,000 pop up tattoo event, like happens at Lost Evenings, but Frank Turner knew about it and, in fact, drew the tattoo I got.  I then headed back to the market to the Camden Brewery pub for a pint of their lager, just because I could.

I walked back to the hotel and checked in.  It wasn’t the biggest of rooms, but for £90 for two nights a stones throw from Kings Cross station, I can’t moan.

I went for a long walk that night, found a Scottish themed pub, had a couple of drinks, back to the hotel and to bed.

On Saturday, I decided I wanted to go to Paddington station to see the Paddington Bear statue there:

I then decided to walk back to Candem, where I was going to a meet up of Frank Turner fans in The Worlds End pub.  I had some time before going there, so back into the market I went.  Then to the pub, where I had a couple of drinks and mety with someone who takes part in the postcard exchange I run.  I decided to get the Underground to the Ally Pally, but I didn’t want to use Camden Town station as there was a huge queue to get in all day.  I walked to Mornington Crescent, only to find I had to change at…

Camden Town.

Thankfully, here I bumped into someone I know from FB who i knew was going to the gig and he wass with folk who knew where we were going and I tagged along with them.  Finally got to the Ally Pally, had to pay £10 to use the bag drop and got in.  I was going to get merch, but they only had one merch stand and the queue was horrendous.  I got a drink and headed inside.

Now, I’m familiarish with Ally Pally from watching the darts when I’m home for Christmas, but I still wasn’t quite prepared for how big it was.  I missed the opening act, biut got there just in time for The Lottery Winners, who were brilliant as ever.  It was supposed to be their album launch weeked, so they played some of their new stuff along with old favourites:

Then after a short break, it was time for Frank:

(The background in the last pic is the gorgeous stained glass window at the other side of the venue.)

Frank and the Souls were in fine form as ever.  I will admit, I did burst into tears during Long Live the Queen, which I wasn’t expecting to happen.

I picked up my bag and followed the herd to the train station.  Only to find there were no overground trains running due to an incident earlier on in the day.  So, to the nearest underground station, back to Kings Cross, get food, back to the hotel.

Sunday was another early start as my train was at 9.  The train was packed, I’m glad I booked a seat. Change at York then back home.

I had an absolute blast, saw some amazing stuff and it was capped off with a brilliant gig.  I’m really thinking about heading back down to London at some point (I want to go and see ABBA Voyage).

Next up is Beans on Toast on Saturday and the following weekend is my favourite weekend of the year.

Will