The Joy of Essex

Something of an Essexology-fest yesterday. Appeared with fellow West Ham fan Iain Dale on his LBC show at 12.30pm discussing my new book The Joy of Essex, managing to bring in Ken's Cafe, Islanders chip shop in Canvey Island, tea dances in Saffron Walden, Paul Simon writing Homeward Bound about returning to Brentwood, the Basilwood sign on the A127 and the Roman arch in Colchester. Then took a taxi with a cabbie from Hornchurch to sell books at the Newham Bookshop stall at Goldsmith's Row in Hackney, near the Columbia Road flower market. Mentioning "Are you from Essex" or "Do you know anyone from Essex?" brought an interesting response from the flower market crowd. Bemusement from Swedish and Danish tourists, a look of horror from arty types and a clamour to buy the book from a Dr Feelgood fan from Barking and David from Chigwell whose daughter recently spotted Spurs' manager AVB in Sheesh. Should hit the target readership next Saturday, as I'm doing a signing at the brilliant Newham Bookshop in Barking Road from 3.30pm before the West Ham versus Manchester City game.