Cafe chairs, Hackney

Out with the Financial Times old lags again, walking about nine miles from Highgate to Hackney Wick on London's Capital Ring Walk. The sun never appeared on a dismal day enlightened by some good conversation and excellent pub food. At least this cafe added a little colour on the way.

I had time to visit the barber near Waterloo Station that has been cutting my hair for more than twenty years. Like all the best employers I'm sure it operates an equal opportunities policy: if you can cut hair well, you're male, speak fluent Turkish and come from Northern Cyprus you stand every chance of getting a job there the next time they have an opening.