A Birthday Night Out

Thursday March 26, 2026.

Sunny intervals with light winds, 10°C to 11°C (50-52°F), with a night-time low of 5°C (41°F).

It was a typical start to a birthday that falls on a weekday. Up and dressed for work, ensuring the girls were awake and getting ready for school. I then headed off on the 12-minute walk to work.

The morning was much like any other day, with my work being completed in my usual efficient manner. My manager, Ann, seeing that I had finished everything that was expected of me, allowed me to leave slightly early, which meant that I wouldn't need to rush to get myself ready for that evening's adventure.

I arrived home in time to see Emma and Keilyn, before they headed off to do a food shop. Keilyn's school had closed for the Easter holidays just after lunch, so she was eager to join mum on her shopping trip.

Emma had bought me two tickets to the Science Museum, where a new Star Trek Warp Trail was being opened to mark the 60th anniversary of Star Trek. My uncle Martin would be joining me for the evening.

Once they had left I set about getting myself ready, showering and picking out my clothes for the evening. I was debating on whether I should wear one of my Star Trek uniforms. I have a Next Generation maroon uniform and a Captain's dress uniform, from Star Trek First Contact. It was this latter uniform that  I wore at my wedding. However, the maroon top was a little too small, by now, and the trousers for the dress uniform were very tight. In the end I decided on black trousers, a black shirt and jacket, with gold Star Trek socks and my Starfleet class ring.

Martin came through the door just after Erin had arrived home from school. So, we sat and had a drink while we waited for Emma and Keilyn to return. When the shopping was packed away, Martin and I headed off, with him driving us to Croxley station from where we would catch our train.

23-24 Leinster Gardens (False Houses)

A real house (left) and a fake house (right).

Leinster Gardens, Bayswater, is a wonderful place to find mid-Victorian terraced houses, lining the majority of one side of the road. Some of these buildings are listed as Grade II or Grade II*, including the 'Leinster Arms' public house.

However, midway along the western side there are some false houses, which are barely distinguishable from the other homes along the street. It is not until you get up close to them that these false facades are more noticeable.

Unlike the homes either side of numbers 23-24, these buildings have fake doors with no letter boxes and the windows are painted a grey colour. 

The facades match perfectly with the rest of the terrace, including balustraded balconies, above columned porches, that are shared with their neighbours.