The London Grill

~ beetleypete

‘The London Grill’ is a regular feature on ‘Cabbieblog’. Contributors have to answer a prepared list of questions about London, and the answers are featured on David’s blog. The questions are always the same, but the answers vary widely, as different people obviously have their own views about that great city.

I am pleased to have been featured on the most recent ‘London Grill’, and grateful to David for the opportunity to choose my own bests and worsts about the capital city of England.

This is the outline, from ‘Cabbieblog’.

“We challenge our contributor to reply to ten devilishly probing questions about their London and we don’t take “Sorry Gov” for an answer. Everyone sitting in the hot seat will face the same questions that range from their favourite way to spend a day out in the capital to their most hated building on London’s skyline to find out just what Londoners really think about their city. The questions might be the same but the answers vary wildly”.

And this is the feature, with the questions, and my answers.

PETE JOHNSON spent 60 years living and working in London, mostly in the Ambulance Service and the Metropolitan Police. In 2012, he retired to Norfolk, where he now writes, blogs, and walks his Shar-Pei dog. For some strange reason, he has never missed London at all, and has no desire to return to the city of his birth. Instead, he enjoys the silence and dark nights of a trouble free life in Beetley village. His blog can be found at beetleypete.wordpress.com

What’s your secret London tip?
Go south of the river to see some real history, away from the usual tourist hot spots

What’s your secret London place?
Highgate Cemetery

What’s your biggest gripe about London?
Litter, and chewing gum on the pavements

What’s your favourite building?
London University, Malet Sreet building. (Art Deco) Or Bibendum.

What’s your most hated building?
Royal College of Physicians, Albany Street, NW1. (Out of context)

What’s the best view in London?
From the middle of Waterloo Bridge, looking east

What’s your personal London landmark?
Tower Bridge (Unique!)

What’s London’s best film, book or documentary?
London. (1994) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0110377/

What’s your favourite bar, pub or restaurant?
The Grenadier, Wilton Row, SW1. (Tucked away)

How would you spend your ideal day off in London?
Go to Greenwich. Visit the park, Observatory, Cutty Sark, and enjoy the views.

That is the whole text, but if you would like to see the original post, and more of that interesting blog, here is the link. http://www.cabbieblog.com/the-london-grill-pete-johnson/

32 thoughts on “The London Grill”

  5. Great post Pete! I’m happy to report that on our only two visits to London we managed to hit quite a few of your recommended places, including places south of the river and a visit to Greenwich! Would love to return to that great city again someday!

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  6. Great post 🙂 Interesting answers to interesting questions. I need to check out that 1994 documentary London now that you mention it. I do hope it is available here in America on DVD since I do not have a multi-region player (though they do sell lots of them here in the U.S.) 🙂 Anyway, keep up the great work as always 🙂

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  11. Ditto to Greenwich. I used to take my kids to Greenwich every year. A family ticket to the Maritime Museum was the best value – two adults and as many kids as you had with you (my four plus hangers-on) for unlimited visits in the year – to the Maritime Museum, Queen’s House, Observatory and Cutty Sark (this was decades ago so may have changed).
    My last six years before retirement were spent working in Greenwich. The daily commute (from the Eastern suburbs) was no fun, but I got to work in the former Dreadnought Seaman’s Hospital among the buildings of the former Royal Naval College.

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  12. That is so cool for you to be featured there 😀 London is certainly one of the cities that I want to visit one day too. I will make it a part of that blogging around the world tour that I one day want to make 😊 Great post, and now I also have some places that I can go to as well thanks to you😊

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  13. This comes like heaven-sent, dear Pete! Fabulous! 🙂 I’m sorting out what to do and not to do in London and I have put down your tips in our “plans for London” travel book. All of it is right down our line, this is really great. 🙂
    I was tempted to book a week at the end of November for Klausbernd’s birthday, but then again I’d also love to spend a day or two in Kew Gardens so we’d probably make a spring tour out of it.
    Now I’ll head over to the Cabbieblog for more tips.
    Wishing you two and Ollie a wonderful weekend,
    Dina & co x

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    1. Thanks, Dina. They were general answers of course, but I would have many more tips for places that offer good photographic opportunities, and some unusual pubs, as well as less touristy-places to visit. Send me an email before you go, and I will happily make some suggestions.
      petejohnson50@yahoo.com
      Love from Beetley, Pete and Ollie. X

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      1. That’s a very kind offer, Pete. I’d absolutely love some photogenic tips, I’ll get back to you. In the meantime I have found London (1994) on youtube and look forward to watching it. Thanks again. 🙂

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