October 1, 2006

We three Canadians headed out, rode a doubledecker, and found the first Starbucks. Thus begins the 'coffee saga' in the UK. They don't do 'coffee cream' 'half & half' '10% cream', what have you. It's milk or FULL-ON cream. I drank my first coffee with milk - ick.

We walked on Canada Boulevard that is lined with maple trees and around the Docks. Saw the "Hello Sailor" and the "Transatlantic Slave" exhibits. Lunch was at the Tate Café - it was when we still ate lunch - I had the Scottish Salmon Open-face Sandwich. Toured the Tate (Patrick Cadwell) and the Gift Shop. There was a lovely wee girl that bought a purple pencil - she was all dressed in purple, must be her favourite colour. When the salesclerk gave her the bag, the girl clutched it to herself with such joy - it touched me so much...

Next was the Duckmarine City & Dock tour - it was fun. But finally the pubs!! We started at the Pumphouse Inn (John Smith's Extra Smooth Ale) , Doctor Duncan (Dragonheart Ale, FA - Formidable Ale). We three Canadians were pretty 'sheeted'. We walked a bit more and ended up at the Royal Tandoori where we feasted on nan bread, korma veggies, rice, green chicken from Goa, papadoms with a bottle of Chardonnay Sauvignon. The evening finished off with a pint of Strongbow at Penny Lane pub. Pretty good for the first full day!