If you get a chance, shoot down into the East End and treat yourself to (i) the Jack the Ripper tour of Whitechapel (where I was born – no realtion though) and (ii) a bowl of Jellied Eels from the Tubby Isaac stalls in Aldgate – it’s what puts the cock in Cockney!

Also try a pint of real ale (suggest a pint of Sam Smiths in Dr Johnson’s old pub Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese off of Fleet Street) and maybe you will understand why so many of the English posts on this site are so addled!

Well, I’m a non-drinker and a vegan, so thanks for the suggestions, but I’ll pass on two of the three. I’m going to definitely try to make it to Whitechapel, the Hell Fire (1666) monument, and the obelisk, thanks to a personal tour from my friend, Bob Rickard, founder/editor of Fortean Times. The rain on Sunday may call for a skipping of the London Zoo on this trip, according to the locals.

I’m out of here and off to London. Cheers…

As you say, Paul O’Grady is not known outside the UK really, so for our non-British friends, here goes.

Paul hit the big time as a drag artiste. He played a very tarty, Scouse, mutton-dressed-as-lamb, peroxide blonde ’slapper’ called Lily Savage. (listen to the Beatles’ song ‘Polythere Pam’ to get the idea – I believe Paul is a Scouser as well). It was very near the mark, very rude, very English and very, VERY funny.

He has since started making his name as a radio and TV presenter and is actually quite good, with an eclectic mix of guests and interests.

If you get a chance, shoot down into the East End and treat yourself to (i) the Jack the Ripper tour of Whitechapel (where I was born – no realtion though) and (ii) a bowl of Jellied Eels from the Tubby Isaac stalls in Aldgate – it’s what puts the cock in Cockney!

Also try a pint of real ale ( suggest a pint of Sam Smiths in Dr Johnson’s old pub Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese off of Fleet Street) and maybe you will understand why so many of the English posts on this site are so addled!

Enjoy your stay , Loren, nice to have you on our shores.