….. meeting old friends for the first time!

I am happy to announce that I have finally met a very dear friend, Dakota Blackmountain, who I have known for over a year now.  We decided to meet up last weekend, in Leicester Square just outside the Swiss Centre Clock.  

The Missing Swiss Centre

I chose the land mark from a search on google maps and was looking forward to maybe even having a wander through the Swiss Centre and if the timing was right, hearing the clock in action. (In case you did not know, I am a big fan of clocks)  First fail of the day.. someone removed the Swiss Centre, I mean really!!   An internet search this morning reveals that the Swiss Center was showing it’s age. tsk!

Dakota Blackmountain

The sorry event of the missing clock was overshadowed by the meeting of Dakota!!  After a round of hugs, greetings and a few more hugs for good measure we declared that we were very hungry and the cuisine of choice was to be Chinese.  

A couple of laps of Leicester Square followed, and finally China Town was located.  We had arrived amongst the largest number of Chinese restaurants in one area that I have ever seen.  After some indecision we eventually agreed on a busy looking restaurant.  The idea being, “If it’s busy, the food must be good.”  I liked it mainly due to the lack of hideous orange squids hanging in the window.   Squids belong in the sea, not hanging in a restaurant window.

Loaf looks for China Town

 After the lovely lunch, it was off to explore the rest of London, and mostly it’s shops.  But first stop was a wander around the oddest Irish pub I’ve ever been in called Waxy’s.  From the outside all there was to show was a doorway, but Loaf assured us that there was definately a pub to be found, so with Loaf bravely leading the way, we ventured in, through a maze of stairs, snugs, past a dubious looking tree, up more stairs and finally out the other side back into brilliant sunshine.  Waxy’s is on my list of must see again places, actually I can hardly believe I did not insist on having a pint while were were there!  

Pants shopping

Next stop, the SHOPS!  It wasn’t too long before we were happly browsing through the many and wonderous items to be found.  (Quite a few items were hastly returned to the shelves after a quick look at price tags).

In the Calvin Kelin store there was giggling a plenty as we helped Loaf chose a rather smooth pair of pants, and I’m happy to report that I did not come away empty handed.  

Convent Gardens was my favourite spot.  In the open piazza there we saw jugglers, mime artists, and musicians, there was soo much to take in, it was difficult to know where to look first.

Dakota in Covent Garden

With gifts bought, bank balances battered and feet sore, we headed back to Leicester Square to say our good byes to Dakota with a round of  farewells and hugs followed by more hugs. We left Dakota with hellos and best wishes to pass on to Tenebrous, who I am sure was releaved that Dakota did not return with a load of boots, and it was not for the want to trying!

Loaf and I rounded off our day in London with a visit to the Odeon to see the Watchmen a superhero film based on the 1986 – 1987 comic book series Watchmen by Alan Moore, which I am currently reading, and I recommend both.  

Coming to a Cinema near you!