Brick Lane London E1 'An Olympic Feast'

A microcosm of London's shifting ethnic patterns, the area around Brick Lane in East London was once associated with poverty, slums, crime and the notorious Jack the Ripper. Whilst the notorious pub Ten Bells still stands, the area itself is now extremely popular with London's edgy and artistic crowd, stacked full of galleries, restaurants, markets and festivals throughout the year.


The best day to visit Brick Lane market is on Sundays, though the shops and restaurants are open every day.

The Market

On Sundays the streets are lined with people hawking their second-hand wares, with some good bargains to be had if you look hard enough.

              A wide array of footwear to cater for every taste !

Or if it's a bicycle you're after - to buy or just to borrow

Brick Lane market is a chaotic, bustling, artistic hub, which attracts a lot of young Londoners in search of second hand furniture, unusual clothes and bric a brac.

Some Army and Navy surplus clothes 

Or a kilt or a Guard's Jacket

Or a crazy pair of sunglasses

Before looking at the colourful clothes

 
  If it's a Russian gas mask you are after,  I know just the man!

 Maybe sit down and play a game of chess

                                                 Whilst you listen to the vibe on the street.

Not really sure what he's smoking,

but it's keeping him pretty chilled!!






Brick Lane is world famous for it's graffiti, which features artists such as Banksy, D*Face and Ben Eine.

Then having looked, haggled and bartered, young Londoners will finish up with an inexpensive Sunday lunch in one of the many ethnic restaurants and cafes, lining the street.

                                                     There is something for everyone!

If any of you know a Buddist monk looking for somewhere to eat, well, there is a stall with his name on it!

I must admit, I did give out quite a few business cards as it was quite clear that English was not the first language of the majority of traders.

A short walk from Brick Lane is Columbia road flower market. If you havent been tempted by the colours and aromas of the food being cooked in front of you, there is always a great lunch to be had at Brawn

So, when planning your London trip, spend a Sunday away from the expensive tourist traps and enjoy a day wandering around Brick Lane and get the feel of being a real Londoner !!

Sunday Lunch at The Sheppey Inn

The Sheppey Inn is a thriving and bustling pub in the small village of Lower Godney (God's Isle).

Set amongst the willows, waterways and wildlife of the Somerset Levels,  Godney stands along the banks of the River Sheppey - a few miles to the north the Mendip Hills and Cheddar Gorge, to the west the ridge of the Polden Hills running towards Bridgwater Bay.

Despite being early January, it was a clear, crisp morning, so the four of us decided to cycle there to enjoy a spot of Sunday lunch at the Sheppey Inn. 

The level terrain and stunning landscape made this a most enjoyable experience, however, the real reward was the excellent food, drink and hospitality we knew awaited us at our destination.

There is ample seating space for all the walkers, cyclists and locals from Glastonbury, Street and Wells, to dine Alfresco in the summer.

Admiring the  veiw across the River Sheppy towards Meare

For starters we all ordered The Sheppey's Spicy Fish Stew - Salmon, Cod, Haddock, Mussles and Tiger Prawns in a rich Lobster Bisque, with Parmesan Cheese and thickly cut bread.  £6.75

Followed by a traditional British Sunday lunch of Roast Beef

Topside of Somerset Beef, Roast Potatoes, homemade Yorkshire Pudding and a selection of vegetables. £10.50

 
This delicious lunch was just what we'd cycled over the levels for.









Washed down with a great bottle of red.

 Followed by one Lime and Chilli Possett, finished with Raspberries and crushed Pistachios and four spoons. £5.50

A plastic Spanish doll in a Flamenco dress, a satue of Our Lady
and half a junk shop on a dusty cupboard in the Ladies Loo

The Sheppey Inn is an eccentrically decorated, quirky place, stuffed full of old relics from the past. Click on the link to discover more.

The chef and I felt quite at home there!

Oh well, don't get too comfortable, time for the cycle home.

Is that snow outside??

Happy eating!!

Looking back - looking forward - a year in pictures

Happy New Year to all my students.

2012 was an amazing year for Study English One to One in England.

Looking back through the guest book, in 2012, eight private students stayed with me to receive English lessons and a taste of British culture and tradition, as well as four other students referred through agencies. 

Although twelve students seems a small number, when two stay for eight weeks each and three stay for a month each and all the others stay for two weeks or more, we were pretty busy !!

When people ask me, 'what is your typical student like?' I tell them there is no such thing as a 'typical' student. They are male or female, young or not so young, from beginner level to proficient and from any country, but mainly Europe. They all have different backgrounds and careers, from university students to doctors to bank managers to English teachers to retired Anglophiles.

Some students choose General English, some Business English, some English for Exams and some like to have a mix of English cultural activities and lessons.

They all do have certain things in common, they want to improve their English quickly and see results and they all work hard. Certainly all of them have 'arrived as a guest and left as a friend'.

Each student's course is individually tailored to take into account their hobbies and interests.



Chantal was interested in exploring Southern England, so we invited her to stay for the weekend in our holiday cottage in Padstow.

And of course, no trip to Padstow should go without dinner at Rick Stein's Sea Food restaurant.

Many students want to visit London. Ornella and I spent a weekend there.

Here is Ornella, can you believe she ate 2 Big Macs, 20 Chicken Nuggets, and 2 portions of chips before going on the London Eye?!!!

Here's the proof !!

Ornella wanted to go on the London Eye, visit Tower Bridge and the British Museum to see the Rosetta Stone and the Ancient Egyptian Exhibition.

Ornella also visited Padsow for a weekend and went to Bath for the day.

Here is Ornella outside the Royal Crescent in Bath.

David also wanted to visit London. He wanted to visit Buckingham Palace and the Tower of London.

We went for a beautiful walk through St James's Park.

Can you see Buckingham Palace in the background?

David outside the Tower of London.

Some students enjoy all that the local area has to offer.

Julia joining in the celebrations of the opening of

 The Bishop's Palace,Wells

And enjoying the beautiful Somerset countryside.












Piera enjoyed the street art of Bristol

Of course don't forget the lessons !!

And what is so wonderful is becoming firm friends by the end of the intensive English homestay and being invited to visit family and friends.

  Having an enjoyable meal with Piera's family in Milan.

2013

I am looking forward to welcoming back the returning friends who have already booked their course 

with 

Study English One to One in England

and 

welcoming the opportunity to meet and teach new guests.