Today was a double-bill with Bucket List London, starting with breakfast in Maria's Market Cafe, followed by a trip to Wellington Arch (two separate events). And ooh, this was a tough one to drag myself out for - I was cursing having booked it, as I dragged myself out of bed. Not enough sleep.
I should have been able to walk it - but by the time I left, I was in doubt of getting there in time, so I took one of the mercifully quick and plentiful buses that head there from near my place. And then I had a short walk - and mercifully, Google Maps seems to have fixed itself, and in the maze that is Borough Market, led me straight to the cafe! And just as I realised that I'd found it, I was hailed by the organiser, who was there ahead of me, with a couple of other attendees. And we grabbed tables, and ordered - caveat, I think they only take cash! Amazingly, I even had some - imagine, it's been sat in my wallet for years, waiting for this very moment. Service was quick and friendly - drinks are served straight away, but keeping an eye on when your food comes out is maybe a better option than waiting for them to remember who ordered it..
We were lucky to be able to source two tables, close together apart from a railing that divided us. Some had breakfast baps, which looked substantial - my tummy doesn't generally wake that early though, and I stuck to toast, which was great, because I hadn't had it for years. (I do possess a toaster, but never get bread in, because it always goes off before I can get to it.) And hot chocolate, natch. And the best natter I've had in a while. Which continued as we headed off for doughnuts - not all of us felt like them, and unfortunately our organiser, who'd generously bought one extra, found no takers for it, and ended up babysitting it as we walked on..
The craic was mighty, as you might say - a very friendly bunch had turned out, and it was something of a wrench to leave them. And I sincerely hope to meet them again soon. But we had another Meetup to get to! Now, under different circumstances, I might have thought of a bus to Wellington Arch - but today was the Lord Mayor's Show, and lots of central London was blocked off. So, Tube it was - and to be fair, we arrived just in nice time, and were in situ before anyone else came.
There's a chariot on top - I wasn't organised enough to get a photo, but did learn a new name: "Quadriga". So, this chariot, drawn by four horses, is apparently a quadriga, and was erected in 1911, in memory of Edward VII, who had just died. How did I get this far in life without hearing the name "quadriga"..?
Well, the gift shop here is well worth a look. And mercifully, there's a lift to the third floor - where you can look at some artwork, and take a flight of steps to a level with a heavy door on either side, each of which leads onto a balcony, where you can take in the view.
Now, I have to say, we were not massively enthused by the artworks on display. Actually, I think if we'd looked on the intermediate floors, we'd have found more - but TBH, we weren't that pushed. No, instead, as suggested, we schlepped across the road to Apsley House, the former residence of the Duke of Wellington, which the organiser had been to before and which he said was good.
It's positively criminal that photos aren't allowed - this house is gorgeous! More than all the works on display - and there are lots: artworks, china collections, sword collections - the decor is sumptuous, and not too overbearing. The upstairs rooms have a cosy feel, and the attention to detail is tremendous. One room, modelled on Versailles, has mirrored windows, and we had a demonstration - close the shutters, and there's a panel that slides out of the side of the window, and has a full-length mirror! Apsley House was a terrific Plan B, and kudos to our organiser for retracing his steps for our benefit. Highly recommended.
In due course, he and his companion doughnut took themselves off, and those of us left went in search of edibles. In search of somewhere not a full restaurant, we ended up in Pret a Manger, where we had lunch, and a good long chat. Another very successful day with this group - I don't have anything else booked with them just yet, but will keep an eye out!
The next three days, no socialising for me - I'm with my cheap ticket groups. Tomorrow, I'm at Conway Hall with CT, for a concert by the Coull Quartet.
The following two days are with TAC. On Monday, I'm headed to Whattalife! - part of the Wimbledon Music Festival, which I always end up attending at least once in a year, this is the story of English contralto Kathleen Ferrier. Takes place in St. John's Church, as usual.
On Tuesday, it's comedy - Holier Than Thou is a one-man show about a vicar, playing in the Canal Cafe Theatre.
On Wednesday, back with Invigorate for a pub crawl! (Oops, I mean a tour of historic pubs..) Now, that's also my birthday, so I'm sure I'll get a birthday drink! ;-)
I would have travelled somewhere foreign for my birthday, but well, that's not so much of an option these days. Anyway, I'm taking that day off work - so my boss has suggested birthday drinks for me on Thursday, as we should be back in the office by then. And then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend - it's easier to get Friday flights at the moment!
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