Back To Our Roots

My Dad has had some time off over Christmas and decided he wanted us all to take a trip to East London to revisit his birthplace.

I remember trips there as a young girl and have driven through over the years but have not had a proper visit for a very long time.

We started at Spitalfields Market where my Dad had worked as a young boy.  It was nothing as he remembered; in place of all the fruit and veg stalls and wholesalers there are now trendy shops and restaurants in their place.

My husband was the king of bartering and managed to get a bargain on a beautiful fur coat and some ornaments for my Mum whist we were there so they were welcome changes for me!

My Dad lived and spent a lot of his time on Brick Lane which is now a hive of hip and trendy shops, cafes and restaurants again a far cry from the years my Dad had spent there as a youth.  The roads are full of fabulous street art that is now one of its iconic features.

We went to stop at Pellici cafe where my Uncle had worked on a market stall right outside of and my Mum and Dad had many trips to when they were courting.  It was also a regular haunt for the infamous Kray twins.  Unfortunately it was shut for Christmas so we made our way down to have pie and mash.  

I love pie and mash washed down with a strong cup of tea but the kids were far less impressed with this traditional East End meal!

When I was a child we always passed the Museum Of Childhood and never visited no matter how much I begged.  As an adult I know had the upper hand and went to have a look with my own little ones.

   
    
 
 They got to look at lots of toys from over the years and got to get hands on with the activities set up around the museum.  

My Dad had mixed feelings about making a return as things had changed so much over the years but it was lovely to show the children where my Dad had lived, gone to school and spent many a happy year growing up.