It usually starts as a challenge- can I get from point A to point B without looking at the map? What will I remember, what will I recognize, and how well tuned is my inner compass? Being in Central London there are lots of clues to work from, plus, I have a pretty good visual map in my head. However, anyone who has been here knows this is no NewYork or Chicago. There is no grid imposed on this city. Its organic, chaotic and exciting. You can't always guess what is around the next corner, and most of the time you are pleasantly surprised by what you find. Of course its always disappointing when you can never find it again!
Today was an off day for classes. I had some business to to take care of at school and in town, but afterwards I was free to get lost.
Challenge
Point A: Bedford Square
Point B: Get to the Thames, cross a bridge to the south bank and catch a bus home to South Lambeth.
I know generally major landmarks and streets to look for between A and B, so I added that I was not allowed to walk any street that was familiar once I left Bedford Square. This would keep me mostly to side streets, closes, and a few alleys, turning and diverting, making it all the more interesting and confusing. The real challenge came at crossing the Thames: I have walked across pretty much every bridge from Tower to Westminster!
Somewhere between Endell Street and Drury Lane I found a fantastic vintage clothing store. I wandered in and spent more than a few minutes picking though the basement and the wonderful winter tweeds.
With the sense I was heading too far east I cut back and there I was, in Covent Garden Market. Wandering the market a bit and dodging the tourists I passed through a covered walkway and found the broadside bearing the "Covent Garden Market Rules. Orders & Bye-Laws" (circa 1830). Posted after the rebuilding of the market by the sixth Duke of Bedford by way of an Act of Parliament to deal with over-cowding and bad dealings in and around the market. (click on my photo to enlarge and read Rules XVI, XVII, XVIII)
The Act also contained provisions for the dayto-day management of the market. The Duke was empowered to make bye-laws, and (with certain minor exceptions) nothing was to be sold in the market but fruit, vegetables and flowers. Waggons were only to be placed on the standings provided for them, and obstructions placed in the gangways of the market or in the surrounding carriageways could be seized. (ref. and more on the market here)
Leaving the market I made my way crossing The Strand and down hill via Villiers Street. This street was teeming with people rushing to and from trains at Charring Cross station. Reaching the Victoria Embankment I had essentially reached the Thames, but I had walked the Embankment earlier in the week to reach Westminster Pier. I needed an alternative route. Passing under the train overpass I emerged at the base of the stair to the Golden Jubilee Pedestrian Bridges which flank the Hungerford Bridge.
Challenge met! I had never crossed these bridges before. I can't wait to get lost again!
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