“The smell of coffee is a feeling of home.”

In January 2021 England was experiencing its third lockdown. However, that didn’t prevent Emma (my partner) and myself from getting out and having some fun in the snow at our local London park one Sunday. When we returned we put the kettle on and as we warmed up in the kitchen I set up my recording device. And this was my first Side Trips’ episode, and the precursor to my lockdown interviews with London’s local traders and artists. In this pilot (bonus) episode I attempted to share Emma’s various stories - as this wayward girl has already lived a variety of lives! She’s been a secretary; a building surveyor specialising in cultural heritage in London; post-conflict conservationist in the Balkans; and bookstore and cafe proprietor. Now she’s an author and podcaster. We also talked about her ten weeks of driving around the Balkan backroads in a communist era Zastava 750. Put the kettle on and be prepared to be taken from Edinburgh, London to the Balkans, and back to London again. With most nations learning to live with the virus and travel restrictions easing I’m looking forward to the new year being a year of travel and sharing the stories of the wonderful characters I meet along the way. So watch this space as I’ll be back on the road later in 2022… LEARN MORE ABOUT EMMA CARMICHAEL

Website: travellingthrough.co.uk Podcast: https://www.travellingthrough.co.uk/podcast-1 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travelling_through Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thetravellingthroughpodcast Book: Driving Tito - Through the Balkan Backroads with a Celebrity

ABOUT MARRIOTT'S SIDE TRIPS An overview and further information on Stephen Marriott can be found at the show's website: https://www.marriottssidetrips.com A quick way to find the latest episodes: https://www.marriottssidetrips.com/podcast Marriott shares images and videos from his travels, but rarely sunset shots, at Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephenrmarriott Sign-up for the newsletter and grab a Free checklist, Essential Checklist for the Modern Day Traveller here: http://eepurl.com/hxsQf1 If you have any questions or comments, Marriott always loves to hear from his listeners. You can reach him at: stephen@stephenrmarriott.com

Listen & Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | Google Podcasts Recorded in our kitchen on 23/01/21.

“If you put a little effort into something the difference is tremendous.”

With the travel restrictions, I’ve been grounded in London and getting to know those local traders and artists keeping the city ticking over. In the last episode of the series, I caught up with friend and musician Stephanie Mair, aka Fifi La Mer. Her repertoire includes Parisian folk music to selected modern tunes, performing solo or in her band Oh La La!

I tracked down Fifi in her north London home and we discuss the neighbourhood of Bounds Green; Parisian music influences; the “surreal experience” of performing as a duet outside Zédel’s restaurant in the empty streets of West End London; what resilience feels like for Fifi; learning the accordion; and touring again.

Pour yourself a glass of wine and prepare to be taken to London, Paris and back…

PEOPLE AND PLACES MENTIONED

More about Fifi and Oh La La!, including CD purchases: https://www.ohlalamusic.co.uk/index.php National Rural Touring and Fifi’s journey into French music: https://www.ruraltouring.org/facebook-event/oh-la-la-fifi-la-mer-4 Live And Local: Living Room Project: http://www.liveandlocal.org.uk/livingroom.htm Bounds Green: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bounds_Green Kenwood Ladies’ Pond, Hampstead Heath: https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/things-to-do/green-spaces/hampstead-heath/where-to-go-at-hampstead-heath/kenwood-ladies-pond Brasserie Zédel: https://www.brasseriezedel.com What is Pétanque?: https://thisispetanque.com/what-is-petanque.html

ABOUT MARRIOTT'S SIDE TRIPS An overview and further information on Stephen Marriott can be found at the show's website: https://www.marriottssidetrips.com Marriott shares images and videos from his travels, but rarely sunset shots, at Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephenrmarriott Author’s Website and Free book: https://stephenrmarriott.com If you have any questions or comments, Marriott always loves to hear from his listeners. You can reach him at: stephen@stephenrmarriott.com Listen & Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | Google Podcasts

Music: Fifi La Mer, performing La Complainte de la Butte by Jean Renoir. The show’s theme music is by Hanna and Julius, thank you.

Thank you to Fifi for hosting the episode on 28/05/2021.

“And it’s been noted how many people are very lonely and how many people are missing people, and this is what we do on a daily basis, we introduce people together.”

Andrew Ford is the landlord of my local pub, the Hand in Hand, on Wimbledon Common, South West London. It’s my sanctuary when London becomes too much for me, as stepping through its doors you enter a cosy country-style pub dating back to 1835. But more importantly, you’re greeted with a smile and a decent pint of beer.

On one level I have mixed feelings broadcasting about the pub, as I feel it’s one of London’s best-kept secrets – after all, there aren’t too many “village” pubs in London! However, the Hand in Hand and Andrew are full of stories; and stories should be shared.

So last month, I caught up with Andrew for a pint of ale, and we had a fine chat and a laugh. Our topics of conversation ranged from the history of the pub, which started life as a bakery; the pub as a community; the mental health effects of the lockdown on the staff as well as the regulars; the pub’s customers including Oliver Reed’s drinking shenanigans; serving a decent pint of ale; to working as a husband and wife team – Andrew’s wife Elzbieta runs the kitchen.

The Hand in Hand is the perfect example of why pubs are the heart and soul of a community. Pour yourself a drink and enjoy…

PEOPLE AND PLACES MENTIONED

The Hand in Hand: https://www.thehandinhandwimbledon.co.uk

Instagram: handinhandwimbledon

Wimbledon Common: https://www.wpcc.org.uk

Wimbledon Village: https://www.wimbledon-village.com

CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale): https://camra.org.uk

A history of Young’s & Co Brewery: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Young%27s

Oliver Reed’s Wimbledon 8-pub crawl: https://www.mylondon.news/whats-on/food-drink-news/wimbledon-8-pub-crawl-legendary-20491430

ABOUT MARRIOTT'S SIDE TRIPS

An overview and further information on Stephen Marriott can be found at the show's website: https://www.marriottssidetrips.com

A quick way to find the latest episodes: https://www.marriottssidetrips.com/podcast

Marriott shares images and videos from his travels, but rarely sunset shots, at Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephenrmarriott

Author’s Website and Free book: https://stephenrmarriott.com

If you have any questions or comments, Marriott always loves to hear from his listeners. You can reach him at: stephen@stephenrmarriott.com

Listen & Subscribe

Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | Google Podcasts

The show’s theme music is by Hanna and Julius, thank you.

Thank you to Andrew and the Hand in Hand for hosting the episode on 22/06/2021.

“Cooking takes a long time, especially if you want to cook it with love – love takes time.”

Angel Moran is one half of the brother and sister team of the Peruvian street food stall, The Hungry Llama, at Lower Marsh Market in Waterloo, London. Originally from Peru, they learned to cook from their mother, whose first food venture was selling cooked fish in the streets of Lima. And lucky for Londoner’s, their Mum knew a variety of Peruvian foods and flavours from the Andes, to the jungle to coastal dishes.

I met up with Angel on his day off from the stall in a local park in Waterloo and we chatted about adapting their Peruvian dishes to a European pallet; working through the pandemic; cooking with love; and Angel’s future culinary dreams, amongst other things.

Angel and his sister, Lesley, are great examples of how maintaining your passion and joy can get you through tough times. So if you’re ever in the Waterloo area, pass by The Hungry Llama as they’re guaranteed to put a smile on your face, not to mention feed you well. You may even get to dance salsa too!

PEOPLE AND PLACES MENTIONED

The Hungry Llama: https://www.facebook.com/TheHungryLLamaUK

Instagram: the_hungryllama

Lower Marsh Market: https://www.lowermarshmarket.com

Archbishop’s Park: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archbishop%27s_Park

Gastón Acurio: https://www.starchefs.com/cook/chefs/bio/gaston-acurio

ABOUT MARRIOTT'S SIDE TRIPS

An overview and further information on Stephen Marriott can be found at the show's website: https://www.marriottssidetrips.com

A quick way to find the latest episodes: https://www.marriottssidetrips.com/podcast

Marriott shares images and videos from his travels, but rarely sunset shots, at Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephenrmarriott

Author’s Website and Free book: https://stephenrmarriott.com

Sign-up for the newsletter and grab a Free checklist, Essential Checklist for the Modern Day Traveller here: http://eepurl.com/hxsQf1

If you have any questions or comments, Marriott always loves to hear from his listeners. You can reach him at: stephen@stephenrmarriott.com

Listen & Subscribe

Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | Google Podcasts

The show’s theme music is by Hanna and Julius, thank you.

This episode was recorded on 08/03/2021 in Archbishop’s Park.

“This challenge taught me to start and finish a drawing without any plan every day.”

I had the pleasure of first meeting Esra last summer when she was part of a collaborative exhibition in London, and she enthusiastically talked me through one of her striking pictures on display, which was inspired by the energy of cities, migration and movement. Esra talked passionately about her art, and it felt natural to invite her to be a guest on the show; especially as she’d already embarked on her epic 365-days drawing challenge. So on a rainy spring day, I headed over to her studio in Waterloo (London SE1).

Esra is originally from Istanbul, where she had worked as a graphic designer and artist. She’s also a mother, and five years ago she decided to relocate with her kids to London and start a new life. She’s a courageous woman; so it’s no surprise our conversation diverged into other subjects, beyond her 365-days lockdown challenge. We chatted gaining confidence in expressing daily feelings and spiritualism in Esra’s drawings; finding your way in London; acknowledging your purpose; and accepting the here and now.

Esra’s art has evolved as she has. This is her lockdown story.

PEOPLE AND PLACES MENTIONED

Esra’s website: https://www.esrakizirgokcen.com

Instagram: ekg_art_studio & ekg_365drawings

Make Space Studios: http://www.makespacestudios.com

The artists’ pool: https://www.theartistspool.co.uk

54 the gallery: https://54thegallery.co.uk/category/exhibitions

Renee Rilexie: http://www.rilexie.com

The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron

The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle

ABOUT MARRIOTT'S SIDE TRIPS

An overview and further information on Stephen Marriott can be found at the show's website: https://www.marriottssidetrips.com

A quick way to find the latest episodes: https://www.marriottssidetrips.com/podcast

Marriott shares images and videos from his travels, but rarely sunset shots, at Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephenrmarriott

Sign-up for the newsletter and grab a Free checklist, Essential Checklist for the Modern Day Traveller here: http://eepurl.com/hxsQf1

If you have any questions or comments, Marriott always loves to hear from his listeners. You can reach him at: stephen@stephenrmarriott.com

Listen & Subscribe

Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | Google Podcasts

The show’s theme music is by Hanna and Julius, thank you.

Thanks to Esra and Make Space Studios for hosting the podcast on 20/05/2021.

“This whole lockdown period has definitely given a lot of people the ability to get out there and try it and get comfortable with it [cycling].” To see the centre of London almost car free was surreal during the peak of the lockdowns. But for me, like many other cyclists, this was an opportunity to reclaim London’s previously vehicle choked streets. So last May, I got myself a foldable bicycle, a Tern (I can recommend it) and discovered East Central Cycles, an independent bicycle shop in Exmouth Market, Clerkenwell, which had one in stock. Visiting the shop, it soon became clear that the lockdown had completely changed the operation of the business. I caught up with Charlie, one of the four founders of the store, when I returned to get my bike serviced, and we grabbed a park bench for a chat. We chatted setting up the shop with four friends; competing against the big chains; hipsters and the custom bike trend; meeting the challenges of lockdown and the resurgence of cycling in London; and Charlie’s favourite areas of London including exploring its backstreets. If there was ever an episode to inspire you to get out and about on two-wheels this is it. Meet Charlie and East Central Cycles…

PLACES MENTIONED

East Central Cycles website: http://www.eastcentralcycles.co.uk Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eastcentralcycles

Exmouth Market: https://exmouth.london

Smithfield Market: http://www.smithfieldmarket.com

ABOUT MARRIOTT'S SIDE TRIPS

Website: https://www.marriottssidetrips.com

A quick way to find the latest episodes: https://www.marriottssidetrips.com/podcast

Instagram (my travel life, but rarely sunset shots): https://www.instagram.com/stephenrmarriott

Sign-up for the newsletter and grab a FREE Travel Checklist: http://eepurl.com/hxsQf1

If you have any questions, or comments please let us know what you think. Marriott always loves to hear from his listeners. You can reach him directly at: stephen@stephenrmarriott.com Listen & Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | Google Podcasts The show’s theme music is by Hanna and Julius, thank you. Thanks to Charlie and Spa Fields Park for hosting the podcast on 26/03/2021.

“I believe whatever’s written in your destiny, that will happen… you can’t do anything about it. You just have to keep going. Never give up.” My latest guest, Toofan Baz, was a chance encounter; I met him at his phone repair shop, in Putney West London when I popped by to get a new phone cover. We hit it off as soon as we began chatting, realising we are both Manchester United football fans. And talking further, I soon learned Toofan is not your average young man. He is one of the few, possibly only, Afghanistan to have signed an apprentice with English Premier League football (soccer) club - West Bromwich Albion, in Birmingham. More remarkable though, he was a refugee who undertook a perilous two year journey with his father to reach England’s shores. However, close to turning pro, Toofan experienced a life-threatening head injury, which cut his career short. After several unsuccessful attempts to return to the game and trying to work for others, he decided to set up his own business - his phone repair shop, Elite Phone Store. We met at the shop on a Saturday afternoon in late March and Toofan shared with me his extraordinary story of survival and self-determination. In particular, I discovered a nine-year-olds two-year migrant story of refugee smuggling across Europe; arriving in England and moving to Birmingham, then signing for West Bromwich Albion FC; fighting to come back after a devastating injury; utilising YouTube to learn how to repair phones and starting a retail business during lockdown; living and working in Hammersmith and Putney; and Toofan’s future football and business dreams. “Your life is in danger from…80% in danger and 20% chance of surviving.” “I was in the jungle for one year.” “I bought a red shirt, which was a Manchester United shirt, with Ronaldo on the back.” “All I can be is grateful.” PEOPLE AND PLACES MENTIONED Elite Phone Shop:

116 Putney High Street, Putney, London SW15 1RG

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Elitephonestore116 West Bromwich Albion FC: https://www.wba.co.uk/ Putney: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Putney Hammersmith: https://www.stuckinlondon.com/londonareaguide/hammersmith.php The Channel Tunnel: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Channel_Tunnel Yan Dhanda: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yan_Dhanda Tyler Roberts: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tyler_Roberts ABOUT MARRIOTT'S SIDE TRIPS An overview and further information on Stephen Marriott can be found at the show's website: https://www.marriottssidetrips.com/ A quick way to find the latest episodes: https://www.marriottssidetrips.com/podcast Marriott shares images and videos from his travels, but rarely sunset shots, at Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephenrmarriott/ Sign-up for the newsletter and grab a Free checklist, Essential Checklist for the Modern Day Traveller here: http://eepurl.com/hxsQf1 If you have any questions or comments, Marriott always loves to hear from his listeners. You can reach him at: stephen@stephenrmarriott.com Listen & Subscribe

Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | Google Podcasts The show’s theme music is by Hanna and Julius, thank you. Thanks to Toofan and Elite Phone Store for hosting the podcast on 27/03/2021.