Uxbridge

A wonderful day visiting family in Uxbridge, with a relaxing sumptuous lunch and walk along the canal, during which we spied a vessel named 'Titanic II'. I wonder does Clive Palmer know about this one? Mrs Reid now wants a greyhound having experienced the beautiful Queenie.

Camden Town

After a quick trip to Portobello Road to buy a early map I'd seen last week (I missed it to another buyer by 10 minutes) I headed off to Camden Town and the brilliant Camden Stables markets and Camden Lock markets. Food and goods from seemingly every corner of the globe. It was a great atmosphere and so big the crowd wasn't overwhelming. Scored a great, large print of Connery as Bond from Goldfinger taken in the Alps to replace a damaged one at home. Finished the day with trip to the local cinema with Mrs Reid to see Ironman 3.

Chelsea militaria

After nearly a week of beautiful weather, woke to rain and a cold turn which was unfortunate as today I was up at 5.30am to get an early start at Bermondsey Antique market across the river. A lot of good stuff but nothing for me so home by 8.15. The weather was a bit better by lunchtime so we headed off to the Army museum in Chelsea (the larger Imperial War Museum unfortunately being closed for renovations). Master Reid was in his element and this apparently topped his list for the trip so far.

Brighton Rock

A day trip down to Brighton with Uncle Barry, Master Reid and his grandmother. Glorious weather made for a very pleasant day wandering the myriad shops in the lanes and eating some great pub grub. Strange to think 180 years ago my family owned a bank, the brewery and many pubs in the town and included the first MP for the area, an empire which ended in bankruptcy in the 1840s, alas.

South London

Had a trip to the Tate Modern today, having postponed an outing to Greenwich until next week. Splendid art and views of the City across the river, followed by a wander around south London and eventually a stroll across Tower Bridge, a quick return to Spitalfields to survey the markets again and home for a long bath. Luxury.

The British Museum

Another day, another museum. Master Reid and I hit the BM while Mrs Reid and her mother hit the shops. Inspired by his perusal of antiquities he persuaded me to purchase a Roman coin from AD 353 at a nearby dealer for him (I parted with the princely sum of two pounds for this). In honour of JMW Turner's birthday I picked up a nice little Turner print from the museum shop. Meanwhile Mrs Reid's shopping exhibition was punctuated with a conversation with Top Gear's James May, one of Master Reid's heroes. Although he was sans pen and thus unable to supply an autograph, he did inform Mrs Reid I was a top chap when advised by her that I had purchased several shirts of the style favoured by him. We of course were very jealous of her exchange with him. Spent the afternoon having a pleasant stroll between Kensington and Notting Hill picking up a nice cream linen suit at a second hand shop on the way.

Wandering around Covent Garden

Accompanied Master Reid and his mother for a shopping expedition to the lanes around Covent Garden. The antique stalls were out today so the boy and I amused ourselves among the trinkets. Further afield saw a magnificent signed limited edition photo of Charlie Watts circa 1991. If only I had 8000 pounds to spare I would have snapped it up. Mrs Reid bought dresses instead, while the boy read patiently (see photo below). Visited the wonderful Tintin shop where Master Reid added to his collection. I could have spent a fortune on some of the models.

Portobello again, theatre, the V&A and Fortnums

A busy couple of days. Perfect spring weather, sunny, crisp and clear, saw Portobello Rd swell on Saturday to an even greater extent than last week. The flowers on the trees lining the street began to emerge. Picked up some second hand Bonds and a mid 19th century French anatomical print. After a quick trip to Geo. Trumper's for a few requisites, home for a rest. Saturday night and Mrs Reid and I hit the West End for a bit of theatre: the 39 Steps which was performed to great comic effect with only four players. Sunday, the Queen's real birthday delivered a 21 gun salute in Hyde Park and saw the London Marathon run (pardon the pun). We avoided both to go to the V&A museum followed by an afternoon strolling down the arcades and a stop at Fortnum & Mason's for some gift shopping and afternoon tea. I bought myself a tin of Queen's Jubilee commemorative biscuits, principally because the tin in which they came played Land of Hope and Glory. Can't get much British than that!