I'm going to London in December

In December I'll be heading over to the UK to see family, but while I'm there I'm also going to take a few days in London, no trip back to the UK is ever complete without visiting my favourite haunts for a pint or a great curry dish, something I can't seem to get here in Spain. And let's not forget fish and chips in the East End.

London to me has always been a special city, I remember living close to the city a few years ago and being able to get an express train to Victoria station, then either walk or catch the tube to practically anywhere, often stopping for lunch in one of London's restaurants.

Back in those days I'd take my camera with me and just wander the streets looking for something interesting to photograph, which isn't hard to do in London. A particular favourite of mine was turning down what looked like a small side street only to discover a private garden there for the residents of the street around it. That was always a good way to get photos of little old ladies sitting on a park bench feeding pigeons, or weird angle shots of rooftops that you can't always see from street level.

Finding a pub in London isn't hard, they're practically on every street corner and halfway down the street as well. The trick is to find a good pub, one where the atmosphere suits your mood, for me that is a harder task. London pubs come in all shapes and sizes, tiny living room sized pubs with just enough standing room for half a dozen customers, to some of the biggest pubs in the world able to cater for hundreds of people.

I guess wherever you have people you're going to find somewhere to eat or drink, but I like quiet pubs London, not filled with smoke, and where I can enjoy my pint without having a TV on in the background. I like to have a chat with whoever is there, and get to meet new people.

Same thing with eating, any restaurants London I frequent need to be clean, and have good reviews. Tastes differ, and not all restaurants are created equal, and when I'm traveling I will always try to pick somewhere that is going to give me a new dining experience.