Woking

My cousin lives here and I’m staying with him. It’s pretty convenient for getting in from heathrow and not too far into London either. Today I walked along a pretty canal, where I saw the world’s largest slug (or the largest I’ve seen), then saw England’s oldest Mosque, then ate at a mafia owned restaurant (or so I’m told). This is also famous for H.G. Wells of War of the Worlds fame.

I worked in Woking for about a week. It wasn’t bad, but I probably would have never paid much attention to it otherwise. Surrey is an interesting place, and if you are into old buildings, there are some great places just outside of town. The names slip my mind.

There are some pretty good places to eat and explore.

Nothing is happening on Woking.

I guess you’ve got everything you need in town but the shops are dull, theres loads of chavs and it’s a very ugly town. Nothing really for young people to do and it gets rough around the pubs in the evening. If you’re in the area you’re better off going to Guildford or even hopping on the train to London (1/2 hour).

Its a nice place – though now its been invaded by commuters i want to go somewhere else.

Most people pass through Woking on the train from London to Portsmouth. I wouldn’t recommend you stop, as Woking is dull, dull, dull.

Fans of the Jam will know that the band are from Woking. Lead singer and song writer, Paul Weller, named his solo album, Stanley Road, after the street in Woking where he used to live. His song That’s Entertainment is most probably about growing up in Woking and even if it isn’t, the lyrics certainly reflect my experience of living there for my formative years:

A police car and a screaming siren
A pneumatic drill and ripped up concrete
A baby wailing and stray dog howling
The screech of brakes and lamp light blinking
That’s Entertainment.

A smash of glass and a rumble of boots
An electric train and a ripped up ‘phone booth
Paint splattered walls and the cry of a tomcat
Lights going out and a kick in the balls
That’s Entertainment.

Days of speed and slow time Mondays
Pissing down with rain on a boring Wednesday
Watching the news and not eating your tea
A freezing cold flat and damp on the walls
That’s Entertainment.

Waking up at 6 a.m. on a cool warm morning
Opening the windows and breathing in petrol
An amateur band rehearsing in a nearby yard
Watching the telly and thinking about your holidays
That’s Entertainment.

Waking up from bad dreams and smoking cigarettes
Cuddling a warm girl and smelling stale perfume
A hot summer’s day and sticky black tarmac
Fedding ducks in the park and wishing you were far away
That’s Entertainment.

Two lovers kissing amongst the scream of midnight
Two lovers missing the tranquility of solitude
Getting a cab and travelling on buses
Reading the graffiti about slashed seat affairs
That’s Entertainment.