Sunday East

Long story short, the move to outer London faltered and then died, and from its ashes arose a new scheme involving Sam moving East to my flat and us going on a big blow out holiday to Mexico.  It's not a permanent situation as eventually we will want to move away from the hustle, bustle and smog, but it's convenient for now.

So last weekend was lots of moving on the Saturday, followed by lots of screaming at the Olympic Park/ eating at the world's biggest McDonalds (when in Rome...) on Sunday, so hardly any unpacking got done at all.  We've been slowly getting this rearranged and put away this week but were looking forward to escaping the mess this weekend with a trip to Bristol.  Then disaster struck and we both came down with the lurgie and were forced to spend Saturday in the flat attempting to recuperate.  Pah.

With boxes still piled around our ears and the addition of cabin fever to our colds it was with some relief today that, feeling a bit better, we ventured into the outside world.  A quick wander down Columbia Road flower market, breakfast (me)/ lunch (Sam) at a cafe and still showing no signs of dropping dead, we decided to wander into Haggerston Park fora lie down in the sun.  Only to find that the usually deserted park was swathed in security barriers and men wearing hi-vis jackets.  Plus parking for a couple of hundred bicycles - it is Hackney after all.

I was a bit perturbed but it turned out to be a lovely bit of Olympic randomness, a big screen showing the boxing, lots of people sitting around enjoying the sun and the bar and another chance to experience that group whooping/ clapping when we scored yet another GOLD!  (Special mention goes to the man weaving his way through the crowd with a union flag as a cape.)  All with London landmarks in the background and a man handing out I heart Hackney badges.  Perfecto.

The Gherkin and the Shard behind the boxing and the crowds.

Edible chillies for £1!