Strikes, Stress and Starbucks
The tube strike has so far not directly affected my travel - today I took a Thames Link from Herne Hill to London Blackfriar’s. Tonight I will take the bus from Fleet Street to Trafalgar Square then run round to White Hall and get the connection to Brixton. It adds a little inconvenience to my normal journey as I had to pay £5 for a taxi from mine to Herne Hill Station and then the buses delay me in getting home but nothing to complain too much about.
However as my department arranges transport for associates and partners within the company this is making my stress levels rise up through the roof and making me need to get up to Camden on Saturday for a very long DE-STRESS massage. It is as though the tube strike has never existed and a car should be able to fly over traffic and arrive within at least….2 SECONDS! My poor staff are being moaned at left right and centre and I am trying to keep everyone chilled. Although having said that I do like it busy and hectic at work cause the times flies and it makes things more interesting.
I went for lunch - I say lunch but because of my odd-bod hours it’s actually at 1900 - with some friends and was surprised how quiet the traffic was in the city. It’s not dead but certainly isn’t as hectic as I thought.
We went to a great pub with an “evil” theme, there are loads of bats and vampires and everything. It’s quite funny, especially when it’s full of men in suits and they are sat at a big Gothic table and drinking from goblets.
The above building is outside by Blackfriars tube and I really like it - it reminds me of a tiny version of the NYC Flat Iron Building. In the summer this whole area is really nice for after work (or in my case mid-work) drinks - everyone sits outside and it’s a very relaxed environment. Also if you need to get back to the office ASAP you can be there in 2 seconds.
Also what I like about the city is the amount of Starbucks everywhere you go. On Fleet Street I believe there to be 3, then there is 1 at the end of Tudor Street and many many more. It makes me laugh that they have taken over the whole area - although I love it because I couldn’t live without Starbucks. They are fantastic!
If anyone had looked online and thought that certain tubes are back on I warn you a lot of it is wrong because we get hourly updates and very little is running. Last I heard was the Victoria line is fully operating… however don’t quote me 
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One of the finest pubs in London, at the right time. I once went to a very fine wedding reception there.
in the toilets they play bizarre scary sound effects when you open the door.