	"Save the best 'til last" they say. Well, I'm sorry but not in my book. Yes, amazing, isn't it, probably the most compelling evidence of Ruislip's importance as a Norman stronghold - the remains of the actual moat which surrounded the motte and bailly castle. (NO, idiot, the motte is not the moat, the motte is the mound in the middle) Of course, there have been Normans in Ruislip since Anglo- Saxon times. As the menu in The Swan puts it "The Manor Farm complex, former site of an Anglo-Saxon castle dating back to the Norman Conquest of 1866".
Looking across the duck pond. The big building is 'Harvesters Restaurant'. I've never eaten there, personally, I wonder if anybody would email me a review, or any experiences of the place? I know they don't sell draught beer or cigars. It looks pretty grim inside, I hope there aren't any more like this around. The conservatory and the plastic chairs belong to Blubecker's Restaurant on the other side of the road. There is a plaque erected by the Lions, or someone, telling of their heroic deeds in clearing the pond out some years ago. They also painted the nearby road bridge white. Nobody asked them to. Somebody really ought to tell the Council about these acts of wanton vandalism.
	This is Blubecker's Restaurant. Don't order the large ribs, unless you weigh over 25 stone and havn't eaten for several weeks. Even then, ask for a doggy-bag. This place overlooks the duck pond, and used to be called 'The Duck House Restaurant", specialite de la maison ... you guessed it. Very droll and also fairly tasteless if you happen to be a duck. Considering that St Martins Ward once elected a duck is its borough councillor, especially so. It had to go.
Ah, the Cow Byre. Home to most of the local art groups' exhibitions. The cows love it. The wheely-bin could be part of an exhibition, one is never quite sure. I threw my Magnum wrapper in it, anyway. Ars Gratia Artis I don't think. The tea-room is quite pleasant, although the home-made cakes often lack a certain ... 'je ne sais quois'. Ah, oui, je sais maintenant - assez de beurre et sucre.
	The other end of the High Street completely, this. This is King's Lodge, erstwhile 6-storey 60's office block sensitively converted into a 6-storey apartment block in perfect scale with it's surroundings.
BIKES is great. You can buy bikes with names like 'Predator' (from Taiwan) or 'MudBuster' (from Taiwan) or 'Hammond & Whitley Bicycle Co. Ltd' (from Taiwan).	Grimstead's, as you can see from the reflection, is dead opposite BIKES. Rumoured it will be acquired by a national chain, possibly 'Koffinz' or 'Ashes Direct'
	Me with Nicholas Parsons. Good grief, does he still strike a chord with consumers? Is Sale of the Century still on a satellite channel somewhere? This is Woolies of course! Shame about the fine ceiling detailing obscured by gaudy promotional materials and strip-lighting.
Seeing Double! Double Scoop Cones The possibilities are endless ... hhmmmm, I calculate the possibilities as 31 x 30 / 2 (= 465) , (or 496 assuming you allow a double scoop of the same flavour). Where, oh where are Trading Standards when you want them? To offer 'endless' possibilities of double scoop cones, B-R would need to have an endless number of flavours available, which I can see would cause all sorts of storage and delivery problems. This puts me in mind of the 'Mile High Fudge Sundae' at the St Leonards Hotel, Hants. I assume they serve them outside.
	Does this need any comment from me? Well, maybe.