The Flora, North Kensington, W10

There's no real ale, nor any sign of food or menus on Wednesday lunchtime - except for the private buffet for a wake occupying one end of the pub. This is still an Irish pub. The ceilings, and the walls up to the dado level are all painted green, and there's loads of Irish style decor such as celtic crosses, Irish sporting stuff, and Jameson and Shamrock distillery mirrors on the walls. The bar gantry is decorated with all manner of bric-a-brac such as plates, copper jugs, ceramic barrels, and even a model of a tinker's caravan. They were playing a Kinks track when I went in, but this soon gave way to some raucus Irish music. The scene was completed by the TV showing the racing. Furnishings are well used banquettes, cheap and ordinary looking wooden tables, plus some small round stools and normal chairs. The floorboards still retain some remnants of the black lino that would once have covered the floor. As well as the wake participants there was a decent crowd in. This is a characterfull locals' pub. Shame there's no real ale.