by Tom Bastek
Last updated: 7:00 PM ET, Wed November 19, 2014
Illustration courtesy of Thinkstock
Over the next couple of weeks we are going to explore exactly where you need to go to obtain or achieve everything from the song, "The Twelve Days of Christmas." So far we've tackled Three French Hens, Two Turtle Doves and a Partridge in a Pear Tree.
Four Calling Birds
There seems to be a great deal of discussion as to where the name "Calling Birds" came from. Many believe that the original version contained the word "colly," a regional English expression for "black." The "Eurasian Blackbird" or simply "Common Blackbird" is not technically a blackbird at all. It is actually is in the Thrush family and related to the American Robin more so than to the Blackbird.
So where do we find such winged varmints? Typically they are found in Europe, Asia, and North Africa and they've even been introduced to Australia where believe it or not, they are considered pests. One of the most common places to find these birds would be in the heart of London. There are normally a good share of them hanging around in places like Warwick Square Gardens. But if we've come all the way to England, we're just getting started…
The Blackbird
The Blackbird was originally an old bank branch and has since been turned into a full pub and restaurant. Traditional fare such as bangers and mash and fish and chips are found here, with some more universal dishes such as a chicken breast platters or burger available as well.
They also have a breakfast menu, pie menu (the savory kind), and puddings menu (the sweet kind) as well as a good ale list to go with it. This should be your first stop no matter what time you get in as with the exception of an hour between breakfast and lunch, they are open seven days a week from 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Blackbird Bakery
If we are doing all things blackbird, then we have to talk about the Blackbird Bakery. With four locations, you are never far from a shop. They have all the traditional bakery items like cakes and tarts, but what is really exciting is the list of savories. Scotch eggs, quiches, sausages, and on the weekends spinach cream cheese rolls are all made fresh daily. You can eat in or take out, and they are open 12 hours a day during the week and eight hours a day on the weekends.
The White Album
Well if you are in England, you might as well visit Abby Road Studios where the Beatles' historic White Album was recorded; "Blackbird" would be a hit from that album. The coolest part is that out front at the street crossing (the one from the cover of the Abbey Road album) they have a webcam so you can go online, scroll back to find you crossing the street doing your best album cover impression and share it socially. Cool!
Alright so we are off to England for day four, with a ton of cool stuff to do to keep us busy. Now keep yourself busy, watching today's video:
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