The lyrics of Soul II Soul's classic Back to Life (back to reality) have been wandering through my noggin today as I speed up and get work back on track. Oy is all I can say, since I'd rather be sitting in the garden reading than catching up on e-mails...

London's Brick Lane was the other market I was going to tell you about, though its changed an awful lot since I first started going in the '80's. Then it was crazy busy and very junky, now it's crazy busy, less junky and very trendy. Don't get me wrong, there are still people selling random tat on blankets on the pavement, but these days everything feels that bit more genteel. Definitely worth checking out are both the Backyard Market (where we scored a cool limited edition print by a French artist) and the Sunday (Up)Market (where we scored some delish Italian snack action). Plus, don't forget to head down Cheshire Street for Mar Mar Co, Labour and Wait and Shelf, as well as a few other hot spots.

Not too far away from the market madness you'll find the Albion, a lovely Terence Conran owned caff/bakery/food shop located on the corner of very buzzy Redchurch Street and Boundary Street, where you'll also find Shoreditch House a chic private members club, vintage shops and new condo projects. It's definitely worth stopping in at the Albion for a reviving slice of cake and a cuppa, or even a Full English breakfast if you fancy! [Images: Market, Catched22 on Flickr. Albion, Mydeco]