The trip to London

[Derek]

Just some lines to let you know how the London trip went. Well for starters my kilt and British Rail got on fine. The only bit of trouble we had on the train was with the little milk cartons for our teas. Couldn't rip the tops off them whatsoever .. Since my wife had gone and got them in the first place she made me strut my kilt three carriages away to get more. We met Ham at the Natural History Museum and spent about an hour and a half there. We both took pictures and a few of mine (unfortunately bad quality) are in my gallery. No doubt Ham will soon send me copies of his good quality ones and I’ll post ‘em up. We couldn't spend longer in the museum as we both had other places that we wanted to visit. From there we went to a little pub that Ham had spotted down the road from the museum when he first arrived. It was really good … a fab selection of real ales and good grub .. and surprisingly not that full. As soon as we walked in I was approached by a guy, guess in his late 50’s who enquired about my welsh cilt. At first I wondered how he knew it was a welsh one .. apart from spotting the small embroidered red dragon on the apron and/or cilt pin. He said he knew a little about the welsh cilts and tartans and then he started speaking fluent welsh to me and eventually told me that he works a lot for BBC Radio Wales. He then said he would like to buy a fellow Welshman a pint .. I kindly refused as my wife was already calling in the beers. Its a small world! From the pub we went to a perfumery shop called Floris, where Ham had worked for 37 years. That was very interesting and Ham explained some very interesting facts about the company, the building etc. Then we walked on to Piccadilly Circus and took a few more pictures. Finally we headed up Shaftsbury Ave and Charing Cross Road so I could have a look in some of the music and recording studio shops .. Didn't buy anything .. but drooled over several pieces of great recording studio rack gear… for those on the board that know what I mean .. there was a really up to date 2 rack high, dual compresser/limiter with d-esser which really looked the business for £250. We then cut through Soho and found another little pub with real ale and had another beer together. When we left there we all walked to Oxford Circus where we parted company to head for our individual train stations. It was yet another really fabulous day out with Ham. I must say that we spend more time laughing and joking about things than talking and the day just disappears far to quickly. We are already planning our next get together for early next year. Personally both Elaine and myself can’t wait! He’s one great guy. Derek

[Derek]

Just some lines to let you know how the London trip went. Well for starters my kilt and British Rail got on fine. The only bit of trouble we had on the train was with the little milk cartons for our teas. Couldn't rip the tops off them whatsoever .. Since my wife had gone and got them in the first place she made me strut my kilt three carriages away to get more. We met Ham at the Natural History Museum and spent about an hour and a half there. We both took pictures and a few of mine (unfortunately bad quality) are in my gallery. No doubt Ham will soon send me copies of his good quality ones and I’ll post ‘em up. We couldn't spend longer in the museum as we both had other places that we wanted to visit. From there we went to a little pub that Ham had spotted down the road from the museum when he first arrived. It was really good … a fab selection of real ales and good grub .. and surprisingly not that full. As soon as we walked in I was approached by a guy, guess in his late 50’s who enquired about my welsh cilt. At first I wondered how he knew it was a welsh one .. apart from spotting the small embroidered red dragon on the apron and/or cilt pin. He said he knew a little about the welsh cilts and tartans and then he started speaking fluent welsh to me and eventually told me that he works a lot for BBC Radio Wales. He then said he would like to buy a fellow Welshman a pint .. I kindly refused as my wife was already calling in the beers. Its a small world! From the pub we went to a perfumery shop called Floris, where Ham had worked for 37 years. That was very interesting and Ham explained some very interesting facts about the company, the building etc. Then we walked on to Piccadilly Circus and took a few more pictures. Finally we headed up Shaftsbury Ave and Charing Cross Road so I could have a look in some of the music and recording studio shops .. Didn't buy anything .. but drooled over several pieces of great recording studio rack gear… for those on the board that know what I mean .. there was a really up to date 2 rack high, dual compresser/limiter with d-esser which really looked the business for £250. We then cut through Soho and found another little pub with real ale and had another beer together. When we left there we all walked to Oxford Circus where we parted company to head for our individual train stations. It was yet another really fabulous day out with Ham. I must say that we spend more time laughing and joking about things than talking and the day just disappears far to quickly. We are already planning our next get together for early next year. Personally both Elaine and myself can’t wait! He’s one great guy. Derek

[Derek]

Just some lines to let you know how the London trip went. Well for starters my kilt and British Rail got on fine. The only bit of trouble we had on the train was with the little milk cartons for our teas. Couldn't rip the tops off them whatsoever .. Since my wife had gone and got them in the first place she made me strut my kilt three carriages away to get more. We met Ham at the Natural History Museum and spent about an hour and a half there. We both took pictures and a few of mine (unfortunately bad quality) are in my gallery. No doubt Ham will soon send me copies of his good quality ones and I’ll post ‘em up. We couldn't spend longer in the museum as we both had other places that we wanted to visit. From there we went to a little pub that Ham had spotted down the road from the museum when he first arrived. It was really good … a fab selection of real ales and good grub .. and surprisingly not that full. As soon as we walked in I was approached by a guy, guess in his late 50’s who enquired about my welsh cilt. At first I wondered how he knew it was a welsh one .. apart from spotting the small embroidered red dragon on the apron and/or cilt pin. He said he knew a little about the welsh cilts and tartans and then he started speaking fluent welsh to me and eventually told me that he works a lot for BBC Radio Wales. He then said he would like to buy a fellow Welshman a pint .. I kindly refused as my wife was already calling in the beers. Its a small world! From the pub we went to a perfumery shop called Floris, where Ham had worked for 37 years. That was very interesting and Ham explained some very interesting facts about the company, the building etc. Then we walked on to Piccadilly Circus and took a few more pictures. Finally we headed up Shaftsbury Ave and Charing Cross Road so I could have a look in some of the music and recording studio shops .. Didn't buy anything .. but drooled over several pieces of great recording studio rack gear… for those on the board that know what I mean .. there was a really up to date 2 rack high, dual compresser/limiter with d-esser which really looked the business for £250. We then cut through Soho and found another little pub with real ale and had another beer together. When we left there we all walked to Oxford Circus where we parted company to head for our individual train stations. It was yet another really fabulous day out with Ham. I must say that we spend more time laughing and joking about things than talking and the day just disappears far to quickly. We are already planning our next get together for early next year. Personally both Elaine and myself can’t wait! He’s one great guy. Derek

[Freelander Sporrano]

Looks like you all had a great time together. The pictures aren't bad at all Derek.

Funny you should meet a welsh speaking gent in the pub.. Just goes to show the world is getting smaller.

[Freelander Sporrano]

Looks like you all had a great time together. The pictures aren't bad at all Derek.

Funny you should meet a welsh speaking gent in the pub.. Just goes to show the world is getting smaller.

[Freelander Sporrano]

Looks like you all had a great time together. The pictures aren't bad at all Derek.

Funny you should meet a welsh speaking gent in the pub.. Just goes to show the world is getting smaller.

[Graham]

Thanks for sharing that Derek, sounds like a great time and a lot of walking kilted around London!

I remember walking miles up Charing Cross Road because my son wanted a T shirt from some sound shop there.

Great piccies too!

[Graham]

Thanks for sharing that Derek, sounds like a great time and a lot of walking kilted around London!

I remember walking miles up Charing Cross Road because my son wanted a T shirt from some sound shop there.

Great piccies too!

[Graham]

Thanks for sharing that Derek, sounds like a great time and a lot of walking kilted around London!

I remember walking miles up Charing Cross Road because my son wanted a T shirt from some sound shop there.

Great piccies too!

[Aaron]

Great pics and story Derek. London with Hamish sounds like a blast.