Across Europe by train

North Acton explored

I am still beaming with joy after yesterday's Exploring North Acton tour. Despite pouring rain, lots of lovely people came along an we all had a great time together, Dear Reader. I'd love to tell you more, but I am very busy so you need to take my word for that. Besides, for quite a while I've been having difficulties adding pictures here, hence so few visuals, which is a real shame.

Exploring North Acton on 9 August 2017!

Are you joining the Exploring North Acton tour next Wednesday?

If so, you can sign up via Meetup, Facebook or Eventbrite! :-)

On hearing about this tour, many people were asking me: Why North Acton? What's the point? Who'd like to go there? Well, indeed, it's not a first, second or even third rank attraction, especially in a place like London, but that's the whole point. Everywhere is somewhere to see, to visit, to learn, to find out about, to meet people and to simply be together in real time and space. These tours are not just about the usual sightseeing, they are about togetherness, adventure and openness to the unexpected.

I'm finding out more and more about the North Acton area and it's fascinating to share this knowledge with others and to learn from them. The tour can prompt us to discuss other topics, to learn about one another, what we do and if we can cooperate in this way or the other if we choose to. Anyway, I can't wait to meet you on the day. Mind you, we won't go everywhere on our walk. This is simply impossible to do in a couple of hours, but it's great to share some interesting bits as we come across them.

Want to read on?

You know, there is a grave at North Acton Cemetery I am going to find one day and say a prayer/ pay respect to this eminent lawyer from Sierra Leone whose parents were rescued from slavery! His is one of the four famous people's graves recommended on the information boards by the entrances. Together with Anthony we've been trying to locate the graves and this is the last one on our list. Surely, every life deserves recognition, so many go through this world unnoticed, doing quietly what they need, have to and sometimes are privileged or bold enough to chose to do. RIP to everyone gone so far!

Big thanks to Mr #JeffreyGreen for his excellent source of information. A comment under his post led me to Sir Samuel Lewis descendants, I've just reached out to them and waiting for response!

After arranging the tour date with Alex of the Cowork Hub, where we are meeting at 2 pm next Wednesday for the tour, I went around the area to find out who would like to see us. I saw and learnt so much, but that's not all! I bought some freshly baked party snacks at a well established Lebanese bakery and ate them on the spot while chatting to the friendly bakers and watching them work and serve customers. Then I was amazed at the selection of sweets and cakes of all sorts: French and Middle Eastern at Mr M. Fakhouri's Patisserie who didn't let me leave until I agreed to accept a box of his lovely rich cakes. We later shared them with our neighbours in the garden.

I need to finish now, Dear Reader, but please go to the Meetup link to find out more about this tour and... see you Wednesday? :-)

Go to North Acton to try Middle Eastern food

There are many Middle Eastern grocery shops, restaurants and bakeries in North Acton. Al Jabal Bakery owned by Mr Abu Tarek for over two decades is the one I've bought food from. Their savoury party snacks and different kinds of Lebanese flat bread can be purchased almost straight from the oven at his shop in Acton Business Centre. The first time I stopped there, I met a baker who was just about to close the shop It was on a Saturday afternoon. All the food had been sold, but the man was very kind and friendly, we had a chat, he gave me the owner's contact and I returned another day to discuss our North Acton tour visit.