This evening, headed for The Astronomer again for dinner. Google Maps said it was busier than usual, and bookings weren't available, but hey, I was lucky before! Sure enough, what with all the rain today, the courtyard was empty - inside wasn't really crowded, but all the tables were occupied. Except for one ledge, complete with high chair, which I noticed had a table number. Which meant I could order from it! So I sat, and ordered the chicken again, and that delectable New Zealand white. The chicken was good, although perhaps not of the spectacular quality of before - they hadn't really made an effort with the puree, and the chicken itself was a little tough. No, carrots - which tasted honey-roasted - were, would you believe, the highlight of the piece! Checking my blog, I discovered I hadn't been terribly impressed with the ice cream, so I had another glass of wine instead. All delivered with impressive promptness. And meantime, booked my movers for Sunday..
Was back in plenty of time for an online talk by Guided Walking Tours in Brighton and Sussex. They're starting a Short Story Tuesdays series, where the host reads a short story by a selected author (fee £3) - and this week's author is Graham Greene. We weren't sent the link until yesterday evening. Curiously, he greeted each of us as we signed in, but refused to unmute us, so we couldn't respond.. Anyway, most who had booked showed up (at the last minute), and the story turned out to be Across the Bridge. Predictably, a combination of the wine and the narrator's soothing voice served to send me rapidly to sleep.. I was woken by silence, half an hour later, when he ended the session! Ah well, at least it was recorded, so doubtless the link is to be distributed later..
Tomorrow, back with Civilised London for an Italian meal - this is in Terra Rossa, meeting beforehand in The Crown, as usual. Picking up the keys to my new place beforehand. :-) And I can walk from there to the pub!
On Thursday, I finally get my postponed meeting with two of my ex-coworkers (one suddenly can't make it, he's dog-sitting) - and after my glowing reports of Bill's on Clink Street, we're heading there! Optional drinks beforehand, I've suggested The Old Thameside Inn.
On Friday - taking advantage of the bank holiday, I booked something that's been heavily advertised. At £60, it's not cheap, but I really fancied it, so I'm headed to The Gunpowder Plot, an immersive, combined VR and real-life experience at the Tower. You can get a themed lunch with that, but I passed. Earliest date now available is the 8th, at a minimum price of £50 (last few available) - the price increases as you get closer to the date. And ironic how these two events are closer to my old place.. So I'll stay there until after this.
And on Saturday, booked with Walks, Talks and Treasure Hunts again for A Nosey Around Soho. In association with London Guided Walks as usual, a £3 discount for using the code MEETUP3, which at least covers the booking fee. Looks like Hazel herself is running this one - if so, it'll be the first time I'll have seen her in years. Assuming I'm not a couple of minutes late, and miss her. Well, if I do get to go, I hope she doesn't spam me, like she still is after the last one, with constant ads for her podcast and requests for reviews! Of course, if you go on her site, there seems to be no way to leave a review.. AND I see she advertises these on TAC now, with a £3 cash charge on the day to the guide - still, this would be the cheaper option. (and ACLUB also gets you a £3 discount on the full price..)
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