So here we are weekending in London

So here we are weekending in London.
Ahead : a birthday, a lunch and some fun.
We glide in to St Pancras, all bricks, steel and glass
The train is amazing - took two hours and a half!
A bronze John Betjeman greets the Eurostar
A few feet away from a sleek champagne bar

We wander throught estates, quiet and bare,
Through parks and then Camden, down to Russel square.
After the red line we stop for haddock & chips,
While our neighbours gorge on Mediterranean dips.
We go to Fortnum & Mason's department store
And buy lots of tea, and leave quickly before
Stocking up on books (three for two).
We walk and try to take a tube
(Sadly for us the Bakerloo line's screwed).

A walk to Oxford Circus, and not a car in sight.
Xmas music is blaring - they're hanging up the lights :
Coloured glass bubbles are hanging up high
Bright fireworks light up the sky.

A tube ride to Essex, with dozing Saturday workers,
We arrive in Gant's Hill : headscarves and burkas,
Betting and kosher shops, and Indian takeaway,
Welcome to London, Warsaw, Bombay.
Our hotel is on Park Avenue
And has a pub for principal view.
Bare, clean and basic, 45 a night
With breakfast included - for London's that's alright!

Aunt Pat's 70th is in the Guildhall,
Attached to the church of Peter and Paul
With a bar as the Irish Catholics have thirst.
(We wandered into the Indian disco first).
A large hall full of Pat's family and friends,
Long buffet tables with balloons on the ends,
Tables laden with red, rosé and white,
At the back there's a stage, gold curtain and disco lights.

Pat's family is there, then my branch arrives :
We sit at a table and chat about our lives,
Tony, Angela, David, Nick, Chris, Ross and Lou
And me and my mum, and Pat's husband - my uncle Stu.
A lovely evening of wine, songs and chatter
And hefty visits to the food platters.
There's music and dancing and my Uncle Stu
Plays ith his band; we sing happy birthday to you.

We totter off at around half past twelve,
Tony, Angela and Ross kindly drive to the hotel.
In the dark streets around Ilford's High Road,
We see African women walk to and fro,
Superbly silked with turbans, looking very grand
Except for the beer cans they have in each hand.
This morning : A bacon bagel around Stu and Pat's.
There are loads of us there, we have breakfast and chat.

Then we are off to Edgware Road and Imelda
And her niece Saro, they're looking so well !
Watercress soup, chicken and tiramisu,
My darling godmother so nice to see you!
Back at St Pancras : happy and late
A quick glass of Champagne to celebrate
A bloody good weekend -
Thanks mum !