Trip Three - Bakerloo Line - Everything Looks The Fxcking Same (Harrow & Wealdstone, Kenton, South Kenton, North Wembley, Wembley Central, Stonebridge Park)

So we finally got round to trip three of the Bakerloo line! We decided to get Zones 4 and 5 out of the way, as we knew more than likely we wouldn't really find much! So we started off at the end of the line with Harrow & Wealdstone.

When we first came out of the station, we saw signs for two different court houses which we wasn't sure was very comforting or not. We decided to walk towards Harrow town centre as we were more than likely able to find something there. It was strangely quite quiet for London, which again, we weren't sure if that was comforting or not. We walked across the Civic Centre car park, and we saw a really pretty mosque, which looked very new. It was such a beautiful building and really stood out. We carried on walking past the mosque, and there were a lot of different multi-cultural shops and charity shops. We continued to walk and came across a bollywood cinema, called the Safari cinema, which we thought was pretty cool! We saw a Tesco and thought, this is probably the best we're going to get. We saw there was a Costa inside, so we took this as an opportunity for a coffee and cake break. 

Unfortunately, the croissant wasn't very buttery and the shortbread was a bit dry, but the coffee was okay. We then decided it was probably best to head the next destination, which was Kenton. 

We started to walk and see what we could find and we came across two shisha lounges which looked really pretty. We didn't quite catch the names, but we reckon it'd be a great destination on a nice summer's evening. There was comfortable seating outside with heaters and they also sold Turkish cuisine for you to enjoy whilst having some shisha. We also saw a grocery shop which sold pretty much everything, had a butchers inside, and was roasting chicken's outside the shop. It was quite weird not going to lie. We then carried on walking and again saw multi-cultural shops and charity shops. We saw a pub across the road, called the Beefeater, and decided to go in for a drink. 

It was a really pretty and cosy pub and you felt really relaxed when you were sitting inside. It really didn't feel like you were in the North West of London. We didn't drink as it was a bit too early, so we decided to settle for vanilla milkshakes.

The milkshakes were actually quite nice, very filling though! We then reluctantly headed to our next destination, South Kenton. We were too cosy to want to get up and go! 

South Kenton was a very nice residential area once you were outside of the station. The houses were big, very well kept and clean with newer model cards lining the street. We looked around and there wasn't much choice. There was a park and a pub with a positive message plastered across the back, but that was about it. 

It was a short stop so we moved onto the next station which was North Wembley. 

We walked for a bit and again it was mainly multi-cultural shops, charity shops and another tesco. The tesco was actually the poshest tesco we've seen! 

We also came across a really cool diner/burger bar. We were so disappointed that we weren't hungry as it looked really nice! 

We decided to move onto the next place which was Stonebridge Park. 

Again, this place did not have much to offer apart from multi-cultural shops, off licenses and charity shops. We decided there wasn't much to offer after a short walk, so decided to go to our final stop which was Wembley Central. 

As you can see, Coral was very happy to be here. When we walked outside the station, we saw a line of commercial shops and a small shopping centre. 

We looked round TK Maxx and Primark and Coral bought some shoes. We also looked in a Boots and a Superdrug (which has a 3 store inside which was weird) but apart from that, there wasn't much to offer. There was also a McDonalds and a KFC, one without a bulletproof glass screen this time! We then walked towards Wembley Stadium to go and look around the London Designer Outlet. 

The shopping centre was surprisingly not very busy for a Saturday night! I think it's because there were no shows on at the arena. We looked around a few of the shops, and we both purchased a limited edition Yankee Candle, white chocolate mint. It smelled amazing! For only £5 too, We then decided to go for dinner at Las Iguanas. 

It was surprisingly quiet inside but it was a beautiful decor and really relaxed. The restaurant sells Brazilian cuisine and it was delicious! Unfortunately it was a bit spicy for me, but it was still really nice. After our dinner, we purchased a latte from Cafe Nero and decided it was time to go home! 

Overall, the trip wasn't amazing but it was actually quite good to wander around and see how different the culture is in every different place. It was also really rainy which wasn't great! We drank and ate a lot. And walked a lot! But that was the main summary of our day! 

Trip 2 - Bakerloo Line - I Sense A Starbucks - 21st February 2015 - Maida Vale and Queens Park

Maida Vale

So we embark on our second trip, yes 8 months later (sorry we've been busy lol), Our choice of destination; Maida Vale.
Our research months ago bought us to conclude that it was a shopping destination. There was a few shops when we researched again a few days before we embarked but decided we'll just wonder and see what we can find and walk towards to canal titled Little Venice.
The weather seemed pleasant today, this was good as days previous were very cold, so we picked a good day. Spoiler alert we also missed out on hail in Southend. Although a few stops before Fenchurch Street looked rather dull that worried us. How British I'm talking about the weather!

We were introduced to the brilliance of Oyster cards today. The lovely guy at the desk where we got our underground tickets explained they were easier and cheaper to use, especially since the next few months all the ticket offices will be gone.
How right was he! Were both kind of in love with oyster cards now. So much better than tickets! I feel like I have emerged from my rock and finally seen the light! If nothing else comes from today I feel like I have made an accomplishment. 

So after a while on the Bakerloo Line, spending our time being rather over impressed with the oyster cards and the fact I'm connecting to the wi-fi at every other stop we finally arrive at Maida Vale.

We emerge from the underground onto a street. A long street but a street of mostly houses and flats. There are a few shops of interest. One of which is a antique shop, a antique shop that was closed! Who closes their shop on a Saturday afternoon! Apparently alot of people in Maida Vale we later find out with shops closing their doors for lunch and shutting at 3pm.
We pick a route to go down following the map of google on Ashleigh's phone only to find were walking the wrong way (this often happens to us with google maps). So we turn back on ourselves and continue the other way.
Just as we pass the Maida Vale station we begin to realise we really want that coffee we've been planning all day. Slightly disappointed in the row of shops placed before us I notice some teens with Starbucks cups. I sense a Starbucks I told Ashleigh. Not expecting it to be so close we were pleasantly surprised when it magically appeared around the corner. Disappointed that they are completely out of Christmas special toffee nut latte I go for the caramel latte as does Ashleigh. Coffee selfie as always also taken #Success

With coffee in hand we walk down the road to continue with our travels we pass really big houses and flats.
We eventually get to a small area of shops, mostly bakery's and cafes but we found the dry goods store. It was a cute little store, very quiet but was filled with dry food goods, spices, sugars and fresh croissants.
The shop keeper seemed kind, she was baking a cake in her oven behind the till for the customer sitting at the small corner table. She later explained that she often comes in and gets her to bake a cake.
Coral took a fancy to some fancy bottles of alcohol free cocktails. Being tempted and being rather intrigued she purchased the strawberry daiquiri to see what its all about. 
While purchasing we noticed the croissants sitting at the counter so we got one to share. It was amazing!


There was alot of exploring at Maida Vale, we wondered quite far, we found a few more streets with shops and we even managed to stumble upon a BBC building. We got a few sneaky pics outside but we have no idea what was on the inside.


We carried on following the lanes we went down twisting and turning and we ended up at the canal, was pretty awesome.
If your planning on going for a walk its a pretty decent one. We found a café in a boat called the waterside café, was a little expensive but we sat down for a coke anyway. It was weird swaying whilst drinking and not actually moving but it was nice to sit in there for a bit, it was quite cosy. Did we also mention we think we walked past Russell Howard outside the café? It was very possibly him lol.
We carried on walking down the rest of the canal and hopped on the underground at the other end and made our way to our next destination Queens Park!









Queens Park

Queens Park is actually aright, its a long street of shops, I bought some candles which actually sit in the bottles of the cocktails I bought on a side dresser. We had a little explore until we settled down for dinner.
The choice of venue today was The Alice House. Its a nice little bar/restaurant that screams help I'm hipster it hurts for example why did the tea lights go in super big jars? But it was also very pretty.
It was a little over priced for what it was but the sauces came in cute little jam jars so its not all bad. Its the little things okay!
The food was alright, we had the bog standard burger and chips, god forbid we try anything new. They got my order wrong at first so we got a extra serving of fries which was a nice gesture but thank goodness because we didn't get many with our meal in the first place. The burger was okay but I don't remember finishing it.
The food was served on boards, I don't get why, part of that hipster thing I suppose.
We decided against desert, I cant remember why but probably due to lack of options. It was a nice place to go but we probably wouldn't return as we wasn't overly satisfied. 
So we journeyed home and that was our trip! Only taken nearly a year to write up but were off again tomorrow for another adventure and were really excited!  
 
 

See Ya Soon!    
 

Bakerloo Line: Trip One - World's Smallest Chair (Baker Street, Harlesden, Willesden Junction, Paddington)

15th June 2014

Baker Street
So here we are starting with the Bakerloo line and where better to start than Baker Street. 

First we looked around the shops, which mostly consisted of off licenses, independent shops, tourist shops, coffee shops, restaurants and the odd pharmacy. Further down the street, we find a store dedicated to the Beatles, called "The London Beatles Store" (http://www.beatlesstorelondon.co.uk/), which was pretty much next to the Sherlock Holmes Museum, our choice of destination. 

The queue for the Sherlock Holmes Museum (http://www.sherlock-holmes.co.uk/) was quite long and we waited a good thirty minutes to reach the front. Whilst we waited to get inside, Coral took a look around the Beatles store, got a present for her Beatles loving mother, and continued to queue. 

Halfway through queuing, we realise (as well as our fellow queuers) that we infact have to pay inside the gift shop for tickets for entry. There was no instruction in relation to ticket purchase - we luckily avoided getting to the front and having no tickets and having to re-queue! 

We got to the front (finally) to find that the guy dressed as a policeman taking photos with people at the front had gone to lunch. Come on! We were literally three people away! We were planning our photo opportunity, thinking of the profile picture epicness we would have had, putting on the stereotypical detective hat standing next to the policeman. But no, he went to lunch. Finally getting to the front, we were let inside.

We went straight up the narrow staircase to find a room. This room was what Sherlock Holmes' living room was meant to be. The museum was small with about four floors, with each staircase narrower than the next, and each room getting more strange, filled with creepy wax figures showing villains and good guys. It was an interesting visit. 

We managed to find the world's smallest chair and sign our name in the guestbook. Even though it's rather small, it was a good little visit and worth the photo opportunity if you like that kind of thing. It's a cheaper Madame Tussauds really, haha. 

So as we leave the Museum that follows out through the gift shop, after rummaging through the confectionary and trying on a top hat, we leave to find the policeman is back at the entrance. This is our moment if we push to the front and get the shot. 

Funny thing is, Coral took a better picture inside in a detective top hat which ended up being her epic profile picture but overall, she was pleased with the picture. So that was Baker Street done. It would have been nice to venture a bit more but we're pretty sure we'll be returning. On to the next!

Harlesden

We arrive in Harlesden, probably the least commercial stop we've ever been to. It was weird getting out of the station as there was no hustle and bustle of a big station that we're used to.

From our planning for this trip, we were informed of a shopping centre, but we couldn't find it. Even locals said it was a while away. There was a sign we started to follow but then retreated back to Peter's Fish Bar for some chips. There was a curry advertised on the window which Coral asked for but apparently they had run out, so we decided on a portion of chips each. Very very good chips we must say, and a very reasonable price. With these chips, we embarked on our walk of Harlesden. 

We didn't go too far, long enough to finish our chips, to stumble upon a McVities factory (http://www.mcvities.co.uk/about)! Not that we could go in and get a tour but we saw some lorries and took a selfie with a McVities sign, and with that we felt our mission of Harlesden was complete. We walked back to the station to continue our adventure.

Willesden Junction

Willesden Junction was our next choice of destination. We arrive not entirely enticed with what we had ahead for us, especially with our disappointment of no shopping at Harlesden. 

We always get excited about new shopping locations incase we find unusual shops, as we get bored of the commercial similarities of what mainstream stores offer lately. Anyway, besides the point, when we planned this trip we didn't find much more than a street of shops just down the road from the station. The idea was to go to a cafe along the small street, but the prices were high and the shops didn't feel inviting enough to go inside. So to see if we could find anything, we thought lets repeat our Harlesden steps - lets follow our feet and see what we can find. We walked a while to be fair, passing many shops, practically making a u-turn on ourselves to another street. We found a very long road filled with multiple hair extensions stores, nail bars and chicken shops. We did wonder what kind of area we had stumbled upon when we came across a KFC with glass windows in front of the tills. We did find it rather amusing though. 

The roads continued and wound round themselves and we're pretty sure we ended up in a Willesden Junction / Harlesden limbo. We realised this was probably the shops we were looking for at Harlesden. We found a Peacocks (http://www.peacocks.co.uk) that was probably the most well-known store we found. I'm not too sure how we found it, but in between all of the chicken shops and nail salons, we found a really cute Irish pub, called "The Royal Oak". It really is in the wrong location. It's in the middle of a not so inviting area should we say. When you walk in you no longer feel uneasy, you suddenly feel very comfortable, and that you no longer need to hold onto your bag for dear life. 

We sat down after a long walk and enjoyed a coke. We were able to sit back, relax, and relive the success of the day. We then also had to start thinking of making a move as it was almost dinner time and we needed to find our way back to the train station. We were not letting it get dark here. 

We manage to find our way back easily, not letting the twists and turns of the streets throw us.

Paddington

Dinner time! The original plan was to eat at a little pub called The Sawyers Arms but we were not feeling up to it as it was during the World Cup and there was a match going on. We didn't want to deal with the football fans and the crowded atmosphere. 

We looked around for a bit and found numerous restaurants and pubs. We eventually decided on the more commercial restaurant, Garfunkels (http://www.garfunkels.co.uk/). 

It was a pleasant end to the trip, you couldn't really go wrong! Although, just to go to the toilet was a pain. It was a trek and you had to practically leave the restaurant and go to the hotel next door. 

All in all, our first trip was a success. We didn't really find the most exciting places but we had a good time. We accomplished something and ventured out of our comfort zone. We knew on this trip we wouldn't find the most exciting places but the adventure was enough. Our future trips can only get better!