Blog ≫ 2026 ≫ A full day of fun and steps
I may not have done a London parkrun, but still did Folkestone parkrun. And I walked to it. Nice out, much warmer out there than expected, so a bit hot running in my waterproof top. Also it wasn't raining.
Still, done it, and then walked to Folkestone Central in time for train to London. There was a power cut there, so slight panic, but it only affected the station and not the train. Managed to spread myself out over a table in our normal carriage so seats were saved for wife and boys when they got on at Folkestone West. Slightly cheeky and I would be annoyed if someone else did this I think. But the seats weren't bagsed for long. And luckily they had brought my bag (it's an every day carry sling, it's not a handbag) and a change of clothes for me. So I didn't have to walk round London in my running shorts.
Quick Greggs at St Pancras and then tube to Battersea Power Station. Successful shopping there eventually. The mall in the old power station has some good shops, some high end brands, but we did find the store guide confusing. Wife got her new leather jacket, and T1 got a new shirt. Could not talk T2 into anything new, and I didn't see anything I desperately needed for myself. It was hot inside the mall but a bit breezy outside, glad I had that running top then to blog the wind as I didn't have another coat.
Went to the Duchess Belle after, a nearby pub we had previously been to with Mum and Dad. Busy while football was on but we found a table upstairs. One OK beer, a London Pride, and some good idea food for the boys. They wanted a snack so shared some katsu curry loaded fries. Not seen this before, I like the idea. Like nachos, but chips, and the topping were the grilled chicken, curry sauce, and pickles that you get in a Wagamama katsu curry. They had been asking to go to Wagamama for tea, would this fulfil that and satisfy their demands? I did not want to go to Wagamama, I am over it, but we'll see.
Next a walk from there across Chelsea bridge to The Kings Road. Nice to walk around a different part of London, but not really that interesting a walk. Past the royal hospital and the demolished barracks, and on to John Lewis. I wanted to try on the Barbour jackets there, and this was sort of a success. They didn't have many in, I didn't see the one I thought I would buy, nor the one I have bought second hand and am waiting for. Did try on one that I like, but found that the large size is too small, I needed extra large, and yet I have gambled on a large online... so the one I bought might be going back on Vinted again. If it arrives (see later).
We're slightly shopped out by now but walked down the Kings Road. Don't think we went in any others here, but we did head to another pub, The Builders Arms. Was a fancy pub, it did have one cask ale, and it had a roaring fire. It should have been good, but the beer was so so, and it was too hot to sit near the fire, not hot enough to sit outside, and slightly awkward in the goldilocks zone inbetween. We did find a better table after a bit. It's a good pub and I would recommend, but it didn't quite fit our needs this day.
Ah we did go in another shop, the expensive Whole Foods Market. We bought some goodies for later.
I had been absolutely outvoted, and so it was Wagamama for dinner. We walked to Victoria, and that was too busy so we had to sit outside under a heater. This did not make me enjoy the place I didn't want to go to any more, but everyone else did.
From here back to St Pancras, at first thinking we'd have to leg it to avoid an hour's wait, but it all worked out fine. So home quite early really. A card waiting for us at home, they had tried to deliver a parcel, but took it away again. Guess that is my not-new non-fitting jacket then.
Watched a good The Cure At The Beeb, and then more Top Of The Pops, and then bed.
Best step count for about two years. So many steps it has thrown Mario off the top of the graph. Rare that I do this many in one day so probably not worth rejigging the graph. Though it's always going to be a Saturday when I do this, so maybe. Can I change the Mario figure to one looking up at the higher pipe in front of him? Not without using AI I supspect which I do not want to do.
Today having a big roast dinner. No bin food run, so I suppose I could have made the pub...
Sunny intervals and a fresh breeze, 3 - 12℃.
⬅️ Artists of the week, commencing Sunday 5th April :: Parkrun 221 ➡️