London - The duChat has Landed

The thing about London is that there seem to no surprises, nothing that someone before you hasn’t done, and therefore plenty of advice as to what Not to do. But I say rubbish to their advice, so in the true Elderstatesmen way I’ll make them all again…some even twice.

First weekend as per is always a blur, but was actaully able to see some of Londons sights, this being my 4th visit here having not seen any bridge, palace or abbey yet! My Friend Jackie was over for a few days, so took the opportunity to see some of famous places. Kind of beats the Postcards.....

I had booked a lovely room in Hotel Ward, complete with Street side views and TV at the end of the sofa. Amanda and Joe welcomed me into there home like they child the never had, and frankly didn’t want! Bless them. My first real taste of the Backpacker lifestyle…Dosing! The first week was a nice relaxed beginning to my time here, but this was soon shattered with the arrival of Marty “String ‘em up” Veal fresh from the Orient and looking for a sparing partner in any bar around London. So being jobless i slipped into the role fast, who was I to turn down midday drinking while watching cricket!

I’d love mention the Vodka incident the following Saturday night at the Halloween Party, but to be completely honest I have no clue as to what transpired after that bottle was finished. But I’d sincerely like to apologise to the chap dressed in the Kiss outfit for breaking his Axe….and to Marty , the bouncers and most of all the coat check girl for spending at least 20min searching for my ‘Lost’ leather jacket…which I’m happy to report was found about 2hrs later sitting on the couch at home, having never left the house. Top work on my behalf! Well move on shall we!

A few weeks later Harbott and a few lads were over for the AB’s V England match at Twickers, which was a beauty. The Previous night we all met up in down town London. With Ward, Veale and myself holding fort waiting for the rather tardy Harbott (on 6 hour journey from Dublin, bi-plane i think), Sandy and Emma turned up. Then Leper, fresh from Canada! After what turned out to be an all day session on the Ciders we all decided to push on and find another bar in the Convent Garden area. The smell of fresh hot dogs and fried onions got the better of us, so we loaded up. You see in London there must be a dodgy hot dog stand every 20m, armed with this info we decided to tuck into our 2^nd course at the next sand. This is where it gets a little strange. As we waited for ‘Hasim’ to prepare the dogs, a Van full of under cover cops pulls up and 6 lads jump out and being to arrest ‘Hasim’ for illegal hot dogging! With out a word of a lie, they shut off the gas, and cuffed the poor bastard. Not letting an opportunity pass, I decided to dig into the ‘Evidence’ and we all got away with free dogs! Once word spread to the other Doggers, panic was rife…..hot dogs were going for basement prices! Tragic really…we were all full as fuck!

The game was a cracker, and there is nothing like smashing the poms on there sacred home turf! Girls Aloud at full time was special, thought they played better than the pommie back line.