Quick as in there and back in a day. There was nothing quick about the actual journey in either direction!!
So I went down to help move Firebox out of their office as they are now all working from home, so I was taking a lot of stuff back to Birmingham to store and use in the warehouse.
On the way down I got caught in horrendous traffic on the M40 and was diverted off at Marlow, and then when I finally got into London I took a few ‘alternative directions’ offered by Google maps to avoid the ULEZ (ultra low emissions zone) which Google claims was only 6 minutes slower HOWEVER as soon as I took the route it updated as 30 minutes slower!
I quickly decided just to pay the fee and cut back through the ULEZ which was 30 minutes faster and low and behold, as soon as I diverted it updated to now being the same time!! Frick!!
So after a bit of swearing I calmed down, accepted my fate, and enjoyed the sights that google showed me of easy and south london none of which I had really seen before; Acton, Back streets of Chiswick, parts of Tooting Common and even some parts of Streatham I didn’t recognised.
It also took me past a flat I rented back in 2005 which I had totally forgotten about! Ah, the joys of getting old and senile!
Anyhow, I finally got to Sakai’s and met up with Stef, Gareth, Milly and Al and enjoyed a night of beers, pizza, good chat, laughs, and a couple of games. It was great!
Then this morning we were up and driving into London through rush hour traffic to pack up the office. BALL ACHE. I hate driving in traffic. Bonus though was driving over Tower Bridge: which always makes me smile 🙂
We finally got he office packed up and loaded onto the van (thank goodness for the lift!) and then it was another 3 hours back to Birmingham for me. The rub is the Firebox team then went to Dishoom for lunch!! How rude! I had offered to take them to the one I. Birmingham when they come up to visit but apparently that planted the seed and they decided they couldn’t wait and went there and then WITHOUT ME.
Most upsetting.
Anyhow, I’m now off for a week and we’re going to Ibiza for a 70th birthday party!
PARTY TIME!
steveslaw 