The calm before...

the riot. We stayed in London the week leading up to the riots, only about a mile from Tottenham where the riots began. We stayed in a small hotel opposite Finsbury Park, which has been renovated in recent years. It is now a pleasant few acres with boating lake, play park, imaginative play space including rocks to climb and an ampitheatre, running track, tennis courts, open space etc.

The area is very multicultural, with a large range of local shops selling food from different nationalities including a bagel shop, bbq chickens, asian supermarkets. We chose an Italian restaurant, had a superb meal and by the time we left almost felt like members of the family.

It was sad to hear that the riots began just down the road....