Buzzed: Lambeth sets out plans for redevelopment at four major sites in Brixton
“These include Tesco along Acre Lane, Effra Road retail park, the petrol station at 330- 336 Brixton Road and land at the corner of Coldharbour Lane and Herne Hill Road”
The Estuary Wilds lanes still resemble a lake. This rules out any bicycle ride to start the weekend. But there was blue sky above.
Which can only mean one thing:
To the seaside!
We caught the early train over to Walton-on-the-Naze. The Seaside Express passed through flooded fields. It looked a little apocalyptic- which is not something that you expect in North East Essex.
Walton-on-the-Naze was empty at 10am. There was a lone dog walker making the most of the low tide and gorgeous golden sand. Bonzo was having the TIME OF HIS LIFE running up and down.
Our route took us towards the Naze Tower. Ice Cream Central was closed. Bummer.
In the AirPods was Robert Elms on BBC London. He played End of a Century. It may not have been Tracy Jacks catching the first train to Walton, but it suited the surroundings.
Soon the beach turned to marsh. We followed the path past the Naze Tower and towards the Walton Channel.
This was a well trodden route. It looked like it had seen plenty of Christmas and NY action. But not today. We had the freedom of Walton. This led to a belting out of Wham’s I’m Your Man, via Bob Elms.
The circuit was almost complete. We moved from marsh and back on to the road toward Walton. This reminded me of spending five days in the Glastonbury shit back in the early 90’s, and then landing back in Brixton.
The sun was close to its midday peak. We had energy left in our legs, and mince pies in the lunch box.
To Frinton on Sea!
The beach huts that connect the two towns had a few optimistic sun worshippers appearing from within. The smell of bacon down at the beach front was quite delightful.
Destination Frinton was reached. I bought a fishtail parka - as you do, at the seaside.
But OF COURSE my fave second hand CD shop was on the radar. It was a brief crate digging session with the train waiting for us up the road.
I restrained myself, walking out with Heaven 17’s Luxury Gap, and New Order’s Republic. Yours for £4 all in, Sir.
We caught the train back to base. The Postman had Delivered: a St Pauli black parka. Two parkas in one day is just greedy, Jase. It’s a BEAUT though.
To the Table of Dreams!
This was a weird one. We knocked up, and managed one game. I forget who won.
And then two young kids appeared, clutching table tennis bats. They stood about a metre away.
I was about to do the decent thing and make way. I believe the children are our future, etc.
And then one of them asked extremely politely:
“Can we play you at doubles?”
I suggested a mix up of age. YOOF were having none of it. They wanted the Kids Vs the Wrinklies.
We still spanked them, natch. But good effort, kids.
There was just enough light left in the evening for an anarchic gardening session. I had the 5Live FA Cup football in the AirPods. It’s the BEST football weekend of the year.
Some ebay action followed early evening. I put in a VERY cheeky £30 offer for ten Fall CD’s. The new Dexy’s album appeared at a ridiculously cheap 99p starting price. I resisted the urge to buy Weller’s Jawbone soundtrack for £8.
More FA Cup action on the telly, then some film watching. We’re bingeing the Christopher Guest films right now - Mascots, For Your Consideration, Waiting for Guffman, Best in Show, and of course TAP.
Today was the turn of Best in Show.
Brilliant.
28k steps for today. Happy with that.