Pepparkakshus mission

Today I had an unexpected walk across Trafalgar Square. The 139 bus I was on announced it was no longer going all the way to Waterloo. I don’t know why. While the bus was happy enough to tell us it had changed its destination, it was unwilling (or unable) to say why. And so, a whole bunch of disgruntled passengers left the bus at the stop just before Trafalgar Square.

I could have waited 15 minutes for the next 139 but, given how beautiful the day was, I decided to walk to the Strand and the next bus stop. Where I caught the next 139 15 minutes later.

I was travelling on the 139, returning from the Scandi Kitchen. Following my unsuccessful attempt to buy a self build, pre fab gingerbread house last time, my fingers were crossed for today as it’s probably my last opportunity to go.

I caught the same train but, rather than pop into some, small, obscure museum, I headed straight for the shop. Again, they didn’t have any cardamom buns but, rather than having sold out, they had made saffron buns for Christmas. I bought one. I may also have bought a cinnamon bun as a chaser.

Speaking of chaser, on the way, crawling along The Strand, I spotted a lunchtime queue at the Coal Hole. I know it’s very popular but who knew there would already be a queue forming at 11:45?

There was also a queue at the Scandi Kitchen. I reckon that’s a permanent feature. I stood and waited and eventually, I was served. I then headed downstairs to the shop.

I carefully grabbed one of the flat packed gingerbread houses, a few other essential things and headed for the checkout. The guy on the cash register checked that the gingerbread house pieces were intact. They were. All was good. I just had to get it home, unscathed.

And I was very successful. It arrived home in the various pieces it was supposed to, rather than shattered crumbs. That’s why I had to go and buy it. They don’t like sending them out by courier because, more often than not, they arrive in pieces. But not ours! Nope. Gaz was super careful.

Now it’s up to everyone else to build it on Christmas Eve.

But that wasn’t it for my day. Nicktor was rather keen to go and watch Fleet play Knaphill tonight and, knowing how much I like going to watch lower league football, asked if I’d like to accompany him. Apparently, an ex-Aldershot player is now their player/manager.

And what an excellent night it was.

We met Heather, who now lives in Fleet, at a café for dinner then headed for the ground.

I made them sit down in the stand, behind a group of other Shots fans, and we all had a very funny time. Even Ian, the linesman. Once Heather found out his name, she couldn’t stop yelling at him about how great he was. At full time, as we clapped the Fleet team off the ground, Heather made sure to tell Ian how much she loved him.

While we had a jolly, fun night, the same can’t be said for Fleet Town Football Club. They lost 0-3 in a performance that didn’t really fill anyone with much confidence.

Still, we all had fun.