Harry has his first lunch at a Cabman's Shelter - his new faculty room.
While walking around London - you often spy one of these cute little green houses. They look like some sort of guardhouse or restroom. Believe it or not - they are Cabman's Shelters - a little place for cab drivers to relax - have a spot of tea - and gab a bit. They remind me of the faculty room back at Panther Valley Middle School. Conversation was more important than eating.
Walking home from the museum yesterday - Lulu decided we should try one. I was very wary of entering another man's mancave - but when I saw the sign out offering lunch - my mind was put at ease. You can buy food at the window - but the real treat is going inside.
In the early part of the 20th century - a Cabmen's Shelter Trust Fund was set up to build 40 of these cute little restaurants. The rules stated that it could be no longer than a cab - that was when cabs had one horsepower. It is small enough that the cab driver can keep and eye on his cab - because in the old days cabs were stolen when the driver went to lunch. There are about 14 shelters left.
Inside - it reminds me of one of those Arabian tents - you know - they look small on the outside but really big inside. Can you imagine it seating 13 people? It does - you must flap the counter over to get into your seat. Once seated - your nose it about 3 feet from the person in front of you - and if you did not know him before you got in there - you will know him after a lunch. It reminded me of the old Texas Lunch in Tamaqua.
Scott served Lulu a nice ham off the bone sandwich and a spot of tea. Scott guessed her tea as plain - a little milk - Lulu complied. People sit in a U around the one end - the kitchen is a U around the other end.
Lulu started in right away with the other guys. They did not mind one bit a pretty blondie sitting in their lair. The guys were pretty rough on politicians - but Lulu brought up William and Kate and the new Prince George. All of a sudden these rough road warriors turned to putty. They found all sorts of excuses to defend the royal family. They said one time the whole thing was not popular - they considered stopping it. But with all the tourism and media attention - they try to justify the cost. It was fun seeing and hearing them do that.
Scott the manager is in training to be a cabby - which is a very honorable profession here. They must train 4 years before they can take the test. They have to remember the whole city. In the oral test - the tester picks out two places in town - and the cabby must orally give directions without maps or visual aids. They seldom use a GPS - it is an insult on their "knowledge." They also get classes on courtesy and how to handle unruly customers. they speak perfect English.
The kitchen was clean and orderly. The outside counter was on the right.
After Scott sat down beside Lulu - he flipped open a bin under the bench - and started to show her the giant textbooks he must use. Cabby's must also have a motor scooter to use to follow charts throughout the town during training. You often see cabbies in training scootering around with a clipboard on their handlebars. It reminds me of the popular computer game "geocaching" where you use GPS's to find prizes left by other "geo-cachers."
Scott is also a short order cook. He has all sorts of drinks - the main one being tea. He has a grill and makes hot and cold sandwiches. We had "Off the Bone Ham" sandwiches - Lulu had a tea - I had a diet coke. Scott prepares the tea as you request - and offers a glass and ice for my Coke can. All the while other cabbies are coming and going. A guy that was installing carpet in a local basement was there. Many of the cabbies just come to the window for their lunch.
I was amazed that Scott had all the time for us as he was preparing meals - and serving inside and outside customers. He works from like 8 to 3 - all alone. He had a pretty good attitude for 1:30 PM.
Everything was clean - new looking - bright - and inviting if you can imagine a 6 foot by 18 foot shed inviting. since Lulu and I spend a lot of time in motor homes and campers - it was very cool.
After we were done - I laid a 20 pound note on the table - and Scott returned 15 pounds. That was the price of two very nice ham sandwiches and two drinks. 5 pounds or $7.50.
This Cabman's Shelter is about 100 yards north of our bed next to Russell Square. The Beatles did many photo-shoots in Russell Square - I wonderful if they ever ate here.
Scott was showing Lulu some of his "knowledge" that is what they call their books full of maps and cab memory information.
It looks about 6 feet wide. The thing hardly looks big enough to be an outhouse - but it seats 13 and has a full kitchen inside. Restaurants are not required to have toilets over here.
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