Cyclists During the Olympics

Walk or cycle, don't take public transport during the Olympics, is what Transport for London (TFL) officials are urging us, as part of the plans to ease congestion during the Olympics.

New Olympic lanes are now in use and hundreds of traffic light phase changes have created even more congestion in the remaining lanes. In central London 30 miles of road have been reserved for athletes, families and sponsors. Cyclists are banned from using these lanes and will incur a £130 fine if caught using them.
In London nine cyclists have lost their lives this year. Injuries have increased by 13%. Cyclists are understandably upset at both being encouraged to cycle more and yet put themselves in more danger.
TFL how about more dedicated cycle lanes with fines for vehicles for using them.

Cool Cocktail

Oh the things I do for you dear readers, sampling the latest cocktails at trendy bars. It's a tough job but someone has to do it.

Those folks from down under (New Zealand) have created another fabulous cocktail with their pure vodka that they call 42 Below. So called because of the latitude where is was created, and of course coming from New Zealand it's made of good pure unpolluted ingredients. If you are London based you may have noticed the Antipodean coffee bar invasion and in particular "flat whites" on the menu. This is another import from the same latitude.

Now 42 Below have combined the two into a fabulous cocktail. They are currently promoting it at Callooh Callay bar in Shoreditch. A cool bar with a Narnia type wardrobe connecting the reservations only back bar to the front bar.

But for those of you that can't get there I managed to get you the recipe. Oh the things I do for you.

Our cocktail is a new twist on the classic and sadly often overlooked Espresso Martini…….. Ours is called the Flat White.

Ingredients

1 oz cold New Zealand Espresso

1 1/2 oz 42Below Vodka

1 1/2 Kahlua

1 oz white crème de Cacao

Instructions

Pour ingredients into shaker filled with ice, shake vigorously, and strain into a takeout coffee cup.... and enjoy.

George the Dog

Put money in my hat. If you try and take it out I'll probably get rather cross.

The Foundry

For many years the Foundry has been a venue for alternative arts and music. Pete Doherty, Banksy, Gavin Turk, have all left their mark here. Recently closed with plans for a luxury hotel to be built on the site.

In the past few days it has been taken over by squatters who are protesting about the proposed demolition.