Gay Camberwell

By Layla


You may have noticed my bad behaviour in delegating blog writing to Roz of late. It has taken procrastination over a rather dull essay entitled 'User Charges in Healthcare' to drag me to the computer at last, but never mind the reason; here I am. 

I have been enjoying the snow. Perhaps not the slippery progress I've been making across Camberwell Green every day (though a man with a wheelbarrow full of grit managed to throw some in my face last night, so presumably they've finally realised people like to use it as a thoroughfare without skating to their death on icy paths, and thought they'd sprinkle their last bit of grit in SE5 once they'd ensured the more important parts of Southwark were rendered safe)... no, what I've been enjoying are:

1. African adults who seem to never have seen snow before, cavorting, giggling, spinning, sticking out their tongues to catch flakes, and making their first snowman attempts on Camberwell Green.

2. Smugly living AND working in Camberwell, and thus managing the 5 minute walk to and from work without the angst that befalls all my colleagues who claim three hour journeys of hell twice a day (though I cannot justify leaving mid-afternoon as they do, which is less good).

3. Hearing about the delights of the Camberwell Church Street Hotel (apparently it's wonderful) from a colleague who's been unable to get home for days (or that's his excuse). Apparently the homemade bread, eggs, and danish pastries get dull after a week, but frankly I'm unsympathetic. 


4. Socialising exclusively in Camberwell, in order to avoid cold and slippery trips home in the dark. Angels and Gypsies was completely full last night with people waiting for seats. Quality and service brilliant - best tapas restaurant in London. Caravaggio's was quieter when I was there on Wednesday, but the food and service was also great. Camberwell Church Street is turning into a gastronomic mecca.


5. Sniggering at Londoners' response to a sprinkling of snow and making smug comments about Scotland's hardier character in the face of winter. 


6. Purchasing Roz's mother's birthday presents in the pound shops of Denmark Hill.


7. Desperately planning a holiday in the sun.