This is East London's famous Sunday morning market that has been
trading for more than two centuries. In Elizabethan times, the market
was called Hog Lane, because this is where pigs were sold. The Sunday
market grew out of observance of the Jewish Sabbath on Saturday. Amongst
the bargains hanging up on the rails were second hand goods, hence the
expression 'hand me downs'.
The name of todays’ market is derived from the petticoats that
French immigrants used to sell in the area, but in 1846, the horrified
Victorian authorities renamed the street Middlesex Street as it was deemed
improper to have a street named after ladies underwear. However, it was
too late and the original name stuck.
Prices are rarely shown, so you should bargain with the trader for the
best price, particularly if you're paying with cash. There is said
to be over a thousand stalls spread over Middlesex Street, Wentworth Street
and surrounding roads. The market is known for its cut-price fashion clothes,
fabrics, jewellery, china, toys, textiles, household gadgets and electrical
items. At the Aldgate East end of the market, there is a large area devoted
to leather jackets. Frying Pan Alley', is at the opposite end of 'The
Lane' close to Liverpool Street. It got its name from the ironmongers
who used frying pans to identify their premises.
The founder of the AMSTRAD Computer business and Chairman of the Tottenham
Hotspur Football Club, Sir Alan Sugar began his career as a Petticoat
Lane Trader. His earnings in 1999 totalled some £9.45 million.
Middlesex St, E1. Open Sunday 9am to 2pm Wentworth Street also open Monday
to Friday 10am 2.30pm Nearest Underground Stations – Liverpool Street
& Aldgate East.
Next month: Portobello Rd
Greetings from Guatemala! Yes, the South Amercing Circuit is finished
and our overland is finished. Hopefully everyone who left Caracas over
the past few days got home to their various destinations and I just wanted
to let you know that I got to mine. The last two weeks of the trip were
very relaxed, except for the aquaplaning outside Maturin and the theft
of my lovely hammock from a beach camp. We (passengers, drivers and truck)
suffered minimal damage from the first event and the second was sheer
stupidity on my part as I had been warned. Apart from these excitements
the last days were spent on beaches, packing (and re-packing) my bags,
getting a little sunburnt and wondering where the time had flown to. It
seems no time since I was excitedly joining the truck in Quito, and 31,203kms
and many tears and laughs later, I was in Caracas and waving the truck
goodbye.
Moping, however, is not allowed so…yesterday I flew off to Guatemala,
via Panama, and got here in one piece, tired, hungry and really excited
to be on my own again. (that doesn't mean I don't miss you all!)
Found a nice hotel and am spending a couple of days getting my bearings
before I start some more Spanish lessons. I am hoping to go out to Lake
Atitlán to do these and will let you know what I decide. Antigua
is gorgeous and a real gem, if a lot touristy. As I will be here a number
of times over the next couple of months I am trying not to go shopping
and be sensible with the spending. Difficult for me!
So, that's the state of things. All is well and I am just enjoying
being here. Get back to me if you get the chance – email is cheap and
easy here.
Thanks Jacqui and keep us posted! If anyone would like to contact Jacqui,
her e-mail is: jacquitrotter@yahoo.com
What have you seen on your travels? Drop a line to the Beetle!
Many travellers have their own tale to tell about Aeroflot. The Beetle
has a vivid and scary memory flying from Dublin to Havana via Gander in
Canada. It was December, and so cold and wintry in Gander. On final approach
to Gander to refuel, the pilot decided to go around twice, which was worrying,
then he decided to give landing a go, and the plane somehow missed landing
on the runway and instead landed on some uncleared snow and drove the
left wing through two huge snow piles. The entire Irish contingent of
passengers were making signs of the cross and praying loudly.
Even Fidel Castro is said to have jokingly responded to a question asking
about the most dangerous moment of his life, that it might have been one
of the many CIA attempts on his life, but then again, it might have been
flying Aeroflot!
According to a recent PR release, Aeroflot has hired a UK brand consultancy
to give its image a lift. The consultancy are said to have remarked: the
problem is one of perception….people think of Aeroflot as dangerous
and unreliable, but it has one of the best safety records in the world
and is value for money”
Let’s forget about the time when a pilot handed the controls to
his 13 year old son, or the incident when the pilots put the plane on
automatic pilot, went for a walk then realised they had accidentally locked
themselves out and had to force their way back in with an axe, or the
times when stewardesses served vodka actually on take off, or when a passenger
cooked up a meal on his own portable gas camping stove at the back of
the plane…………………
Good luck to them!