A flying visit

Friday night found me at St Pancras International station, but I wasn't about to board the Eurostar, I was on my way to my friend's house in Catford, South East London. I can now catch a connection at this station. I love this place: it feels really glamorous and exciting. Just the thought that if you stepped aboard the Eurostar, you could be in Paris within a couple of hours. 

I had half an hour spare to soak up the atmosphere: I liked this statue of Sir John Betjeman, outside the entrance to the newly opened St Pancras Grand hotel:

Anyway, never mind Paris, posh hotels and champagne bars, I couldn't wait to get to my destination. I was meeting up with three of my oldest and best friends. We met in our first week at university 30 years ago, and despite miles between us, and sometimes different countries and continents, we've always kept in close touch. 2011 was a challenging year for us all, in different ways. But we had a wonderful evening, eating lovely food and chatting into the small hours, setting the world to rights, with R's four cats keeping us company. 

 This morning we went on a long, blustery walk, through parks and green spaces. Time for coffee, cake, and more chat:

                                                    

Then, off to somewhere I've wanted to visit for ages: Borough Market. 

I enjoyed the sights and smells but I didn't buy much: it was expensive.  I just couldn't resist a big piece of focaccia to bring home to the family. And a little snack for myself, which was toasted raclette cheese on new potatoes, with pickles. I ate it overlooking Southwark Cathedral, and the sun shone.

Hasty farewells, resolutions to do it again soon, and back on the train home.