I'm glad to meet Don again. Over a couple of pre-dinner drinks he relates the entire history of London. Beginning from Roman times, through Saxon conquests and the Great Fire, London's rich tapestry is spread before me in digestible bites. I'm also intriguied to learn the Gatehouse Pub sits exactly the same height above sea level as does the top of St Paul's Cathedral. The pub, which supposedly has a seven hundred year history, has been used as a courtroom, tollhouse and theatre among other things.
Don and I retire to the bistro and the food is delicious. I order haddock fishcakes - the best fishcakes I've ever and probably ever will taste.
Conversation ranges from history, sport (what Australia's good at) and of course literature (what England's good at), although we only get to the end of the 19th century before it's almost past Don's bedtime - he has a longer trip home than me. Being mildly claustrophobic he prefers to take the bus (which takes a good deal longer than the Underground), so we flag a double decker that is disembarking just as we arrive at the stop. Don promises to get in touch when he visits Melbourne later this year.
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