London Walks: The City

As I exit Cable Street and start walking along the Highway, I decide it’s time to grab a quick bite to eat and some hayfever tablets – my nose has been running viciously in the 23 degree sun since I stepped out of my front door two hours ago and I need something to stop it. The first person I approach is a well-suited office worker stood smoking outside one of the City’s square buildings along East Smithfield who informs me there is a Tesco round the corner and at that I thank him, replace my headphones and set on my way. 

Walking slowly through the Minories and into Fenchurch Street I find myself surrounded by a flood of suits; pinstripes, silk ties and leather shoes make me feel like the odd one out wearing a black Satyricon t-shirt, cargo shorts and plimsolls with my hair tied back into a ponytail halfway down my back. That isn’t to say I’m complaining. I like being the odd one out and here was the perfect place for someone like me to be such a person. The amount of middleclass-ness, however, is still somewhat overwhelming. 

I finally come across a small Sainsbury’s and grab a Mars bar (not the best of food, but it has sugar) and a box of antihistamines to sort out my hayfever. Around me I can see a small amount of yet more office workers looking to buy a quick after work snack before beginning their commutes on the stuffy underground.

Continuing through Fenchurch Street the pub fronts are filled with office workers holding an after-work pint and cigarette or cigar whilst many an expensive shop is pulling in similarly dressed customers looking to buy three silk ties for £20 or a light pink shirt for £35. Though I’m not too interested in such pricey clothing there’s something interesting about seeing a large sheet of grey and black crossing the road each time it becomes clear or the man turns green. 

It may be a hot day, but being surrounded by London’s skyscrapers only helps due to the cooling shade they provide as opposed to the lack of found in the parks and riverside walks. As much as I like a slow walk beside the river, the sun right now is just too warm for it to be enjoyable and “chilled” (please excuse the bad pun) so I feel thankful for the first time that these huge John Lewis, Next and M&S buildings exist.

Fleet Street and Strand provide me with yet more expensive shops and hotels and I suddenly begin to notice how many people are riding through London on bikes; some wearing face masks and helmets as protection against CO2 emissions and accidents, others not. I begin to feel a slight hint of jealousy as they still own a bike whereas mine was stolen a year ago. It soon blows over, though, and I then notice how the tourists have now replaced office workers. People with maps, guide books and cameras flood Strand and the surrounding streets like ducks around stale bread. Some look confused or lost, others are smiling and talking amongst themselves and yet more are relaxing in the sun's rays on the patches of grass which have now turned a bright shade of green with the recent holiday weather we've been having. 

After a quick break to blow my nose and take some observation notes I'm back on my feet and walking towards Covent Garden's Maiden Lane in order to meet some friends in the recently-opened Porterhouse pub.