Best random thing was a lovely category. Random can mean anything, after all, from the surreal to the juxtaposed: so it could be a plaque celebrating the life of Boris The Cat (1986-1996) on Angler’s Lane; Alistair Campbell ordering a latte in shorts and flip-flops at Kentish Canteen; or speculation as to how and why Rio’s has survived more recessions than your nan. And these are just our thoughts.
Here are some of yours:
*Now Taste, the smoothie bar next to Bengal lancer (that font, for goodness’ sake!)
*Fat, juicy cod & chips at the Blue Sea on Queen’s Crescent (but ‘ask them to cook a fresh one’, says Russell)
*Jayne’s flower shop (‘it’s easy to take all that colour for granted,’ says Fiona)
*The City Farm (heritage pigs by the railway!)
*The insistence of the fruit-seller on the corner of Islip St on only selling ‘totally fresh fruit’ (Ben)
*The loos in the library – ta for that, Rick.
*The beautifully restored Victorian ceiling of Kentish Town Swimming Baths (lots of you liked this)
*…and The Kentishtowner (awwww thanks everyone, we accept the compliment graciously.)
And our absolute favourites? Why, the man ‘who looks like a wizard as he wanders up and down Kentish Town Road’, and the ‘woman (or ‘suffragette’, as some of you preferred) dressed as an Edwardian lady’. Natch.
An Edwardian Lady
The fruit ‘n’ veg stall on Islip street
Share some more random things you like about Kentish Town, Camden, or the Big Smoke itself… go on.
Tomorrow: Best Daytime Food.
Words & pics: Stephen Emms
Illustration: Russell Loughlan
7 thoughts on “Best Random Thing 2011”
I’m pleased to see a mention of the Edwardian lady! (Though in our household she’s the Victorian lady). Until fairly recently most of my local friends thought she was a figment of my imagination. It always brightens up my day when I spot her in the street – we’re lucky to have such charming eccentricity in our midst.
We agree. Kentish Town seems to embrace all manner of diversity and eccentricity with ease.
Does anyone actually know the real Edwardian/Victorian lady? It would be fascinating to hear her story…
The red and white polka dot dress in Blustons!
Yes, random for sure. Polka-dress admirers will be pleased to hear that it featured in our recent Xmas shopping guide. So will presumably have sold out now. Ahem.
Kentish Town City Farm, what a brilliant place (and surreal to have it on the doorstep). The Edwardian lady..think I must have been here too long as she looks normal to me now but who is the wizardy man?! can someone describe him please? he sounds pretty good.
I would like to belatedly nominate the cacti in the tube station and Bird and Davis, the fantastic art shop.
The hipster (80s rather than Edwardian style) just spotted walking her ferret near the tube station must be due some points in this category, or a prison sentence, for the desperate measures she’s taken to get noticed
“Have you got 20p please?” The Irish beggar – sometimes to be sniffed out in Oxfam books looking for tapes (most random) – he’s always charming and his catchphrase delivery is always exactly the same…