Day Out
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.As my weekdays are divided between rehearsing and being clamped to a word processor, the weekends are sacred times. We live in the East End of London, so our first port of call is usually Eagle Pond, a picturesque stretch of water attached to Snaresbrook Court. No eagles but plenty of geese, swans and ducks. Then a walk round any of the markets: Walthamstow Market, huge, rambling and chock full of bargains, Hackney Car Boot Fair, Waterden Rd E15 every Sunday, or even a trip to Islington Antiques Market, Camden Passage N2 (071-359 9969). We ramble and like to imagine we'll discover something we can take to the Antiques Roadshow, find out it's worth half a million and declare that we'd never sell it because it's an heirloom.
Lunch is on the run, unless we've fitted in a shopping trip to Green Street in Forest Gate E7. Every Asian shop you could possibly want is here, plus a vibrant, organised chaos we think of as home. We'll walk along eating a hot and spicy take-away from Mobeen's (081-470 2419) and always bump into someone we know.
If the weather's been awful, we'll take our daughter swimming to Cathall Leisure Centre, where she can splash off some energy, or maybe even Captain Al's Adventure Playground at Fairlop Waters. A tea time walk is usually around Hollow Ponds - boating lakes and more ducks. If we've booked a babysitter, evenings are always spent at the cinema or theatre. Theatre Royal Stratford East (081-534 0310) is around the corner and has the best atmosphere of any theatre in London. Otherwise it's an evening round at friends with other small kids. We watch our offspring tumble around and contemplate Saturday nights as fully-fledged parents.
Meera Syal wrote 'Bhaji on the Beach' and will be appearing in 'Absolutely Fabulous' and 'The Real McCoy' later this year
(Photograph omitted)
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments