Tuesday 15 February 2011

Five Ways (1): A fish called Paddo


He slouched on the pine'n'chrome bench, threw the scalding coffee down his throat, and watched the latte-set scurry by. He'd go into the pub by-and-by, as soon as the buzzing in his head eased. He only went in there, you realise, for the nutritional value of the counter-lunch.


In his squalid forty years on this planet he had seen mighty changes come over this mangled intersection, where the 389 bus had not a chance in hell of manoeuvring the round-a-bout and just ploughed over the top regardless. As a kid he'd lived in a run-down terrace up off Olive Lane. That was before all the arty types invaded the neighbourhood and make it sought-after. This was the time when Five Ways consisted of a pub (The Royal), a church (St George's), a chemist, a milk bar, and even an old cinema which has given way to a fruit & veg market.

He had to go. The smell of the fresh baked sour-dough and the sizzling white-bait was doing his head in.

11 comments:

brattcat said...

sigh.

Kay L. Davies said...

Well, Julie, you lost me at "white-bait" - not something to which the Canadian palate is attuned. Fresh-baked sourdough bread on the other hand, yum.

Still, this post makes me feel some sadness and a whole lot of gratitude along the lines of "there, but for the grace of God, go I."

-- K

Dianne said...

You got it right Julie - I think the smell of the sour-dough and sizzling white-bait might do my head in. Great post!
"Adelaide and Beyond"

Jim said...

Sonoma has really taken off as a brand. I've seen their breads sold in delis and grocers in many other parts of the city.

Bob Crowe said...

Quite the urban story, and well-illustrated. Did you talk to him or is this conjecture?

Peter said...

Nice bread but a bit pricey, I like bakers delight.

Davine said...

OK now I feel like fish n chips for dinner instead of my spagetti and meatballs.

Julie said...

Totally conjecture, Bob.

diane b said...

Now I know what Sanoma sells. Never heard of it up here. Not jet setty enough up here I guess. Nice conjecture smacks of Riff.

Joe said...

Nice Post Julie. Great photographs and fantastic narrative. The words made me feel I was there.

Joan Elizabeth said...

I great way to describe the differences across time.