{"id":67,"date":"2010-02-28T23:51:02","date_gmt":"2010-03-01T05:51:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wp.wend.ca\/?p=67"},"modified":"2015-10-12T09:31:52","modified_gmt":"2015-10-12T15:31:52","slug":"portobello-road","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wend.ca\/?p=67","title":{"rendered":"Portobello Road"},"content":{"rendered":"

Socks… socks… socks.<\/p>\n

Socks were my second motivating reason for travelling into London this weekend. I have a slight obsession with socks and way back in 2003 I picked up the best pair of socks I\u2019ve ever owned in York; ever since I\u2019ve searched high and low for an equivalent without much luck. For years I regretted not filling my suitcase with socks from the eclectic UK street merchants.<\/p>\n

The sock problem is now a thing of the past. If anything I now have a luggage problem.<\/p>\n

Portobello Road was my first motivational reason for travelling into London (which relates to socks). Ever since seeing Bedknobs & Broomsticks as a child I\u2019ve wanted to walk the markets of Portobello. I can still hear the music every time I think of the market: \u201cPortobello Road, Portobello Road. Street where the riches of ages are stowed.”<\/em><\/p>\n

Getting there was a long and interesting journey; all tube lines but Piccadilly were down somewhere for maintenance. I managed to figure out an \u201cavoid the tourist packed\u201d route that took me fairly close to Notting Hill.<\/p>\n

It was well worth the journey and like a kid in a candy store I meandered all day amongst the street merchants, fob watches, old compasses, photographs, furniture, antiques, food, vintage clothing, and socks. Scarves are another of my obsessions and there were plenty of those much to my glee.<\/p>\n

The street is laid out into different sections. High up on Notting Hill you find the larger antiquities shops and more authentic antiques. As you work your way down the hill you move into the food vendors and eventually crafts and trinket\u2019s.<\/p>\n