Just one small pixel that makes London amazing!

T’was the weekend before Christmas. London has a sense of relief in the air as she knows that the Christmas parties are now done, there are only a couple of really busy shopping days left and most people will be facing the mother of all commutes…the trip home for Christmas, leaving her to also have a well earned rest.

I once again find myself rushing around the capital buying last minute gifts, saying my final farewells and wishing people ‘a good one’ whilst lugging my bags around like everybody else who is scrambling across the underground network to make it home. The process is always somewhat stressful but there is always a comforting thought that soon the light at the end of the tunnel will emerge as I set foot through the door of Mum’s house…soon everything will be alright.

I’m not going to bore you with how my journey home went. I just want to share a moment that I had at King’s Cross Tube Station. It will be my lasting impression of London as I leave 2013 behind.

A blind busker was playing the violin. He was playing a really classic song which is so recognizable that everyone knows it but I’m sure like me, very few people knew what it was called. Despite the frantic scuttle everyone in the concourse stopped what they were doing, they forgot for a moment where they were going and just stopped and listened. For the few minutes that the busker played the song he literally had everyone in his awe. Tubes came and passed but people waited for the next train to come along (this never happens in London!) just to hear the musician play out.

By the time he had finished a small crowd had built up, all of whom let out a rapturous applause. Until that moment it made me wonder if the busker even knew that he had captivated such a large audience.

I may see this busker again, I may not. I don’t know his name, he doesn’t know mine but I hope he realizes how many people appreciated his music on that day and that it is moments like this that makes London the amazing place that it is.

PS. When I got on my train, I searched the song and I can tell you it was Spring of the four seasons.

Have a bloody good Christmas!

X 

'Tis the Season for...Bloody Marys!

I was having a well earned beer with one of my colleague, Sam and like most casual beers with our Sam the conversation always get interesting...

On this occasion we found ourselves talking about on of my favourite classic cocktails, the Bloody Mary.

Now I don't want to brag but if there is one thing I can do, it's make a mean Bloody Mary. In fact any time we have a gathering with family and friends I'm always asked to knock up a jug of the good stuff! It has also become a Christmas tradition in my household. I always cook up a Full English Breaky which wouldn't be complete without a 'hair of the dog' in the form of a spicy, vodka infused tomato juice!

Sam seems to think he makes an equally impressive B.M. and we debated the differences in our techniques and tried to justify who was right (obviously I was!).

After agreeing to disagree I was left with a thought...It was clear that both of us were equally passionate about this sensitive subject which we can play on. I imagine the art of making the perfect B.M to be like going to a hairdressers where you have the option to be seen by your preferred person. Why not order your favourite drink from your preferred bar tender, each server coming with their own personalised recipe?

So, I'm happy to share my secret and I hope it sorts out any hangovers that come your way over the festive period

PS. I wont tell you Sam's recipe...1. because it's wrong and 2. because it's his secret to tell.

Alors, Elliot's Bloody Mary...

It's handy to have a cocktail shaker but don't worry if you don't, you can simply stir in a glass.


1. In a Boston glass add a 50ml measure of Absolut Peppar Vodka
2. Throw in 14 good dashes of Worcester Sauce
3 Add 6 dashes of Tobasco Sauce (more if you like it spicier)
4. Pop in half a teaspoon of Horseradish Sauce
5. Squeeze a wedge of lemon into the mixture.
6. Fill the glass with ice.
7. Pour some good quality tomato juice over the mixture and ice until the glass is near full.
8. Using the shaker, roll the mixture so that you don't break the ice. Breaking the ice is bad as it will melt and water down the cocktail. The purpose of rolling the mixture is to chill it down without watering it down.
9. Using a strainer pour the cocktail into your preferred glass.
10. Gently pour a layer of Tio Pepe Fino Sherry over the top of the cocktail.
11. Finally, garnish with a wedge of lemon or a stick of celery

If you want to go 'off piste' you can play around with some of the ingredients.
instead of using Vodka, try using tequila or if the Horseradish sauce puts you off, try crumbling half a beef OXO cube into the mix.

Have a wonderful Christmas! Enjoy! x