Storytelling: Masters of Hex

Friday was my final trip of the year to the Crick Crack Club - Jan Blake was performing Masters of Hex at the British Library. Along with Ben Haggerty and TUUP. Same friend going with me as did on the 29th, and Helen too - and the same lunatic. Who would probably avoid us, and good enough for her.

Working from home, I could meet Helen whenever suited - so we met on Oxford Street, about 2.5 hours before the show. For once, I got there first! so had time to think about eating. It occurred to me that Nando's would be handy, so I researched where there was one on our route - the Brunswick Centre seemed like a good option, so that's where we headed.

Mind you, when we got there, the first thing we saw was a Carluccio's - so that's where we ended up. After a brief photo stop:

 

Right inside the door, they have a shop, which you can browse as you wait to be seated. Which didn't take long - but never fear, they have a retail list along with the menus, on the tables! Along with the a la carte, we had a "Menu Festivo", which we ended up ordering from, mainly - we had garlic bread as a side, along with starters, mains, desserts. They had a two-course price, a three-course price, and a three-course with prosecco and a cracker price. We decided against the prosecco and cracker option - we were having wine anyway - but a table just down from us went for it. And yes, the cracker is of the festive variety.

The garlic bread, unusually, was cold - but tasty enough. My starter was a chicken broth with ravioli - never heard of it before. I had chicken saltimbocca for my main course.. all fine, but nothing to write home about. Honestly, the wine was quite insipid too. Dessert for me was ice cream, which turned out to be topped with a mountain of cream, rather unnecessarily. But hey, we were both fed - although I wouldn't rate it as the best meal ever. And we did have something of a wait for the bill, our server being busy..

Anyway, we then galloped up the road to the library - I was glad I knew exactly where to go, we were so close to time! Helen had printed out both our tickets - I'd asked her, since my printer was in my old place and my laptop in my new, and although my work laptop was in the old place too, it hadn't been introduced to the printer, and I didn't think the relationship would go well! Annoyingly, we had to produce the printed tickets for access - get with the programme, British Library, most places just let you show them on your phone! The place was quite full when we did get in, but we got seats near my other friend, if not quite beside him.

This time, a library employee mc'ed - this event was part of a larger Harry Potter exhibition they've got going. Ben Haggerty started off proceedings, clad shoulders to toes in black, as usual -  he'd left his hat at home. His story, as theatrically told as ever, was familiar to me - a version of a Baba Yaga tale, and as visceral a tale as any of them. TUUP, following, gave a much more lighthearted rendition of a story about a rich man who was taken down a peg by a magician - his story started with a wee musical interlude on the drum he so often has with him, and was punctuated with frequent humour. Finally, Jan Blake upped the musical quotient, getting us all to sing along in a gospel number - before giving us a poignant tale, set in the dark days of slavery on the plantations.

All in all, a good mix - I'm just sorry I couldn't make the last Crick Crack event of the year, the following Monday (advertised after I'd booked my flights). Anyway, that exhibition runs through February, if you want to check it out. On our way out, the lunatic was spotted on the stairs, but was out long before us, as Helen and I stopped to tell my other friend how the break to Germany had gone (he'd been supposed to go, but hadn't been able to get the time off). We eventually decided to leave, passing the storytellers on the way, who were still hanging around with their families, it looked like. We dawdled some more in the lobby before heading down the stairs to leave - and would you believe it, Crazy Lady was still down there, bending the ear of someone who worked there, it looked like! We slipped out past her without incident.

My other friend headed the other way on the main road - I accompanied Helen as far as the Tube, which she caught to the station. She was going to be a bit late with her train, unfortunately - ah well, you're entitled to stay out late for Christmas! Me, I did some work when I got home, as it was my last day of the year - and had a dramatic time next day, as I flew back to Ireland for Christmas.

Unfortunately, with all I had to pack, I couldn't fit everything into my case, so booked a checked bag and took a rucksack as well (and my handbag). Sadly, the checked bag meant I couldn't check in at the self-service kiosk, and there was a queue at the two desks open. And the usual quota of idiots in front of me, who had to have the entire process explained to them - so the checkin deadline passed while I was in the queue! Then the idiot at the desk reacted with complete astonishment to the news that there'd been a queue there at all, claimed the gate had closed earlier than it had, and sent me over to the ticket desk - where the nice man, with at least two brain cells to rub together, asked whether I was ok to take the case on as hand baggage as well, and pooh-pooed the idea that I might have too many bags. And was I relieved to see that boarding pass appear - especially when he told me there was no evening flight, so that was it for the day..

I was lucky - Easyjet no longer use their discretion at Gatwick, once the gate is closed, it's closed. Here, I was one of the last to board, which is fine - a lovely young flight attendant found somewhere down the back for my bags, and also put up the rest of my things when I realised I was in the bloody exit row. And then the lovely chap, seeing my flusteredness, brought me a water - which I really needed - and a free paper. And suggested that I might go sit near my bags, at the back, later in the flight, rather than have to wait forever to get back to them when we were getting off. Which I did. Now, that's what I call service..

Finally catching up with myself. Must give a shout-out to two very good meals I've had since I came back - the first in the Abbey Tavern, where we ate on Sunday, so they had the Sunday menu on, which included the most succulent chicken and ham I've had. The second was the next day, in Nuala's, where we really don't eat often enough - and we do keep forgetting how good it is! Delicious garlic mushrooms to start, and two kinds of curry - korma, and a chip-shop-type curry, which I adore. (Mind you, I'm not mad about their rice, so had chips instead.) My mother also remarked on her very good salmon. And the chocolate fudge cake I had for dessert.. was pure fudge. Approach with caution! Nice to know we shan't starve - just a pity that neither of these is open on Christmas Day..

Running errands this week. Will be heading back to Bowes Ryan on Saturday, where my birth mother will be buying me lunch.. and seeing a couple of friends next week, once the madness of Christmas is over. Flying back to London on the 2nd of January, and on the 3rd I've booked to see Stewart Lee at Leicester Square Theatre. Determinedly not in the front two rows - not for a comedy show!

On the 4th of January, I'm back with Up in the Cheap Seats (Happy New Year to them!), who are off to see Hanna, at the Arcola.

On the 5th of January, I thought Time Out threw me a curiously interesting event - so I'm going on this Space Descent VR experience, at the Science Museum. I'll have to leave work early for it - there are timed slots, and it consists of wearing goggles, and living the experience of a descent to earth, with the astronaut Tim Peake narrating in your ears.

On the 6th of January, Crick Crack is back! Happy New Year to them too. The story of When Time Began is being told at King's Place. Creation myths. And wouldn't you know it, we're being treated to a host of performers - the husband and wife team, Emily and Nick Hennessy, and co-founder of the club, the amazing Ben Haggerty. Accompaniment provided by the wonderful musician, Sheema Mukherjee.

On the 7th of January, another Happy new Year - this time to Let's Do This (LDT), who are off to an art exhibition. Gilbert & George: the Beard Pictures and their Fuckosophy. Sorry, but that is the title. Showing at the White Cube Gallery. Honestly, but for the group that's hosting, I wouldn't bother..

And finally, more art on the 8th of January, which I'll probably enjoy more. I'm taking the day off to go see Reflections at the National Gallery - an exhibition of Pre-Raphaelites, which, with a free day, I can peruse at my leisure. As inspired by a walk by the excellent London Literary Walks - roll on the summer, and a return of those! Oh, and just lately, LDT advertised another trip to the excellent Vintage Swing Jazz evenings at Wilton's - for the evening of the 8th. And why not, indeed? So I booked that, too..

Nuala's

Well, back in Ireland for the weekend, and my mother had to be taken to Mass this evening. Now, as it happens, with attendances at confession in freefall, the Church has been pragmatic, at this prime sacrament-going time of the year, and Tuamgraney Church had an absolution session at this evening's Mass. (To be fair, that's my reasoning for why they had it.) Basically, during the Mass, three priests positioned themselves at convenient locations in the small church, and people filed up to be forgiven - no actual confession involved, just a willingness to have hands laid on and words of absolution spoken.

Now, my mother reasonably considered this an extremely handy way of getting the thing done for Christmas - so we took ourselves off to Tuamgraney. And so we decided to eat in Nuala's beforehand - nice and early, in case they were busy, as they so often are. They have it very nicely decorated for Christmas, holly around the windows and pretty window decorations:

Well, we got a parking space outside (my car is the scruffy one in the photo - well, it does get left for about two weeks at a time, all year!), and my mother nipped in quickly enough to grab a table in front of a family that was bearing down on the place. We were soon given a menu, and saw that the individual menus now only include starters, lite bites, and kids' options. Aside from that, there's just the specials board, which is fixed to the wall, and smaller replicas of which are available to look at, at the tables.

I got a lovely whiff of curry as I came in, so that was a given, and we know the garlic mushrooms are very good here. Unfortunately, my mother's salmon wasn't available - she had the plaice fillets instead. And we had wine. And it all came pretty quickly - as usual, the mushrooms were great, and the curry delicious - although the chips were nothing special, and I left most (missing those UK pub chips!). My mother didn't comment on the plaice, but ate as much as she could - as she remarked afterwards, she should've asked for a half portion.. three fillets is quite unreasonable for one person, I think! She took the leftovers for the menagerie at home.

I'd asked for another glass of wine as my main course arrived, but it hadn't come by the time I finished it - I had to go to the bar and get it myself. I guess management wasn't around. For dessert, I had a rather lovely chocolate fudge cake - also rather filling - and my mother had a trifle, which she didn't like at all, and didn't finish - I believe it was too chewy. So, overall, another good meal - you just need to be careful what you order. And the fewer things you need the waiters to do, the better..


Back in London on Monday for my last week before Christmas - feels weird, actually, because it already feels like I'm on Christmas holidays! It won't even be a full week.. on Monday, Crick Crack is doing something a bit different. They're at Soho Theatre, with The Remarkable Tale of Robert Desnos. This, apparently, was a surrealist poet incarcerated in Auschwitz - unusual fare for Crick Crack. One of the speakers is Clare Muireann Murphy - my favourite storyteller, and I'll be fascinated to see what she does with it.

On Tuesday, my last event of the year with the Man with the Hat (sniff!.. unless he surprises us) will be on a trip to the West End. He's scored tickets in the front two rows of the stalls for Dead Funny, at the Vaudeville Theatre, for Let's Do London - for less! Ooh now..

And on Wednesday, my very last thing before I fly back to Ireland for Christmas was supposed to be a presentation on data collection apps, courtesy of Org London. Anyway, Helen is coming to town, and when I saw Christmas in Clerkenwell - a Guided Walk for Shelter, with London Social Detours, I ran it by her, and we're going on that instead.. And then I fly back to Ireland on Thursday of next week, for Christmas..

Then things shall get very quiet for Christmas. I fly back to London on Monday 2 January. And that's perfectly ok, because since my last post, I got a job offer. :-) Seriously, it feels as though I've got a reprieve from a death sentence.. I can go on living in London, and that is a hell of a relief, because there's nowhere on earth I'd rather be.

On Tuesday 3rd, I have my trusty placeholder of Free Comedy in Hammersmith - gee, it's been a while now since I actually went to one of those! Anyway, assuming I show up, I'm booked with Free Comedy Nights in Hammersmith Wimbledon and Farringdon, London Art Comedy & Culture Lovers, London Live Comedy, Random London, and London for a Tenner or Less and Funzing UK (both Funzing groups, and both advertising the thing twice). My, that's a lot to cancel, if I do..

On Thursday 4 January, yes, I'm back with the Man with the Hat (no, not Santa Claus) - Let's Do London - for less! is off on their annual festive trip to The Nutcracker (ahh!) at the Opera House. Sold out performance, I see. It'll be great to see the folks again - I'll miss them over Christmas.


And on Friday 5 January, I'm (nominally) back in Hammersmith - this time, only with London Live Comedy, Free Comedy Nights in Hammersmith Wimbledon and Farringdon, Funzing UK. and London for a Tenner or Less. Once only with each!

Ireland: Day 1 (Lough Derg)

Well jeez, didya miss me? Really, in my travels around Ireland, I did not have a chance to do the blog - even had I had a decent internet connection (of which more to follow). So, bear with me - my connection wasn't good enough to upload the photos I have, and I'm waiting for Helen to do something with them when she gets a chance (but you know how that four-letter word called "work" can get in the way). I do have a few - but they're worth waiting for; we got spectacular weather (!) and there are some spectacular photos to match. I'll get them to you when I can. As I'll get the write-ups done when I can.

Well, we flew on the Thursday and Helen had to meet someone in Foynes on the Saturday, which meant we couldn't really get started on the Wild Atlantic Way until Sunday. Friday 3rd, then, was to be spent locally, and I'd planned ahead: the wet weather plan was for Ennis, the dry weather plan was to head for Lough Derg. And wouldn't you know it - after all my dire warnings to Helen about bringing wet weather gear, we spent almost the entire week in glorious sunshine!

Sunset at the airport on landing

Lough Derg it was. Armed with small water bottles and sunshades, we set off - bought peaked caps on the way: in the county colours. I had a vague plan to head for Mountshannon and grab a boat trip to Holy Island, if we could. I'd never been on one of these, but had often seen them advertised, and thought it would be a lovely thing to do on a hot, sunny day.

So, after a stroll at the lakeshore and a few photos, we moseyed on over to the trailer parked by the harbour, which prominently advertised tours on the side. The door was open, displaying rows of guidebooks to the island, stacks of fliers - a girl hovering nearby asked whether we wanted to go on a tour, and when we said we did, she rang the boatman. A local historian, whose book on Holy Island is available for purchase, he also runs boat trips to the island, ferrying people back and forth all day, as required. He was at the island just then, but came right back in - it isn't more than a few minutes' trip - and took us out, for a price of €10 per hour.

Good choice! We were on a small boat, not high above the water, and on a hot, sunny day I don't think there's a better place to be. We had a terrific - if brief - trip out, under a scorching sun, and as he dropped us at the small pier on the island, he said he'd be back in an hour. He's written a guide, which you can take with you, returning it to the trailer afterwards - but he doesn't accompany you around the island. It's a small one, and the guide contains a map, so that's not a problem.

Holy Island is an old monastic settlement, now uninhabited. It was denoted a "Notable Shrine" by the pope in 1608, and the island is still richly populated with ruins of churches, a round tower, and other monuments of note:

When I say uninhabited, I am neglecting to mention some regular residents..

..who were most curious about us. Apart from them, though, we had the place to ourselves - a group had been leaving as we arrived, and a man came on his own as we left (just over an hour later): but other than them, the OPW people cutting the grass, and the guy looking after the cows - just birdsong to keep us company. And really, there is more than enough here to keep you occupied for the hour - we had to pass on some of the further-flung sites. We were taken back on a faster boat, the spray splashing our faces, and when we returned to dry land, we bought a guidebook..

Lunch beckoned, and I suggested Nuala's, a short way down the lake. We sat in the restaurant proper, surrounded by pictures and texts on the theme of Holy Island, and had starters and mains. Which were excellent, as ever - but I'd forgotten to warn Helen about the portion sizes, and the poor lass was stuffed for the rest of the day! We skipped dessert.

On down the Lough Derg drive, and to Killaloe, another fine place on a sunny day. I was lucky to get just about the last parking space by the water (beside a fortune-teller's van) and after a stroll around there, we headed to the ancient cathedral of St. Flannan's:

There's an even more ancient oratory next door, not open to the public:

The cathedral itself is open, but although you can walk around the entire churchyard, there is no direct access from there - you have to enter via the main door:

..and it makes a lovely, cool retreat on a hot day. On to the University of Limerick, with its striking murals in the Foundation Building (sorry, we do have plenty of photos, but currently I don't have access to them!).. and that was it for the day. Exhausted, we got a takeaway from An Teach China (literally, The China House) in Tulla that evening. And collapsed to bed, ready for a trip to Foynes next day..

Restaurant: Nuala's

Flew back to London yesterday - but with their summer schedule having later flights to London, we had time to head out for something to eat, first. Saturday had been in Quin - so, yesterday, we decided on Nuala's. For variety.

The weather was nothing if not varied - brilliant sunshine alternated with torrential showers. Well, that kept it interesting. And we were lucky to get the last parking spot in front of the pub - gee, it's ages since I parallel parked. Sure enough, inside the pub was crammed. We happened to meet the owner at that moment, who suggested we take a table for two in the restaurant - same menu, so we agreed.

The table was at the restaurant door - but not much passing customer traffic bothered us. We were a bit perplexed at the wobbly table, until the owner came and rescued us by just moving it over a bit - must be an issue with the floor, just there! Meanwhile, we admired the stone-effect wall covering - a result of the tv makeover they had, details of which were broadcast earlier in the year. Whether that affected business, I can't say - but it was booming yesterday.

The Sunday lunch menu is concise, and supplemented by a board of specials. Well, their soup is always good, so I had that, and I was delighted to see that the excellent cornflake chicken was also still on the menu. And there was salmon on the specials menu, so my mother was happy. Service was quick and friendly, and as we waited for our food we perused the placemats, posters on the walls, photos.. plenty about the history of the area, and definitely a contender eatery to bring Helen to, when she visits next month.

The soup was delicious - slightly spicy, on this occasion. The mash that accompanied our mains was pleasantly flavoured, and we polished off our meals happily - slightly slower towards the end, as we filled up. It's a very pleasant atmosphere too, and we'd have liked to stay for dessert - but that flight beckoned. Generally, you'd pay at the bar - but she kindly brought the bill to our table so we could avoid the queue. It's a pity we don't get here more often - but great to see they're doing so well!

And so back to London. Should be a nice, easy evening - I don't anticipate being kept late at work, and Sing Street doesn't start until 8:10 - at my local cinema. And it's an easy drive, with free parking after 7. Goodee, I've been longing for an easy event! The film itself is the third in a theme by John Carney - musical underdogs, basically, and with this one, harking back to his big debut, Once, also set in Dublin in the 80s. I see Maria Doyle Kennedy also shows up in this.

For tomorrow, I nabbed a cheap ticket to a piano concert at Wigmore Hall. On Wednesday, I'm back with the Man with the Hat, who's taking London for Less than a Tenner to the (not-so) Top Secret Comedy Club. Now, I've only been there once before, and hated it - but that was just the line-up on the night, and I have higher hopes for this. (Hey, just saw on the website that they have a money-back guarantee - where was that when I went?!)

On Thursday, I'm off to what should be an excellent night with the Crick Crack Club - Trickster, at Rich Mix, stars no fewer than three storytellers, two of whom I know to be excellent: Tuup and Clare Muireann Murphy. And on Friday, I'm (so far, unless I get a better offer) headed back with the CLOGgies, finally, for a Royal Parks & Palaces Evening Walk. I did enjoy that group, the one time I was with them - they just usually clash with other stuff! The bank holiday weekend is, otherwise, so far undetermined..

Pub: Nuala's / Teach uí Bhriain

I'm not sure why, but my mother felt like going to Teach uí Bhriain this evening. Well, fair enough - it did give us a chance to go the Gala store up the road, which is more decent than anywhere in Quin, where we usually go.

We got a parking space just up the road, and a seat in our usual corner. Really admired their Christmas decorations - what with the redecorating, the place is looking excellent! It was a little while before we were brought menus - mind you, as I was leaving, I noticed there was a stack of them just behind me! So I could have sped that bit of the process up slightly - never mind.

They seem to have changed the standard menu somewhat - which is a good thing, it's been pretty unchanged for a while. Interestingly, I noticed a warning on the menu, to "leave enough time for your meal". Uh-oh.. Sure enough, service was at least as slow as usual. It wasn't really that busy - maybe the chef was working slowly. As we waited, a woman was hovering beside the door - turned out she was waiting for a takeaway, and getting ever more anxious. I got the impression she was worried about how she was parked - she finally paid and went to sit in the car; they brought her dinner out to her when it was finally ready.

We waited quite a while for our (shared) starter. When it came, it came with a basket of bread - why that couldn't have been served to us while we were waiting, I don't know. My mother was bothered by a flickering light overhead, but it seemed they couldn't switch it off without turning off the main lights. After we'd finished, we waited another unusually long time for our mains. Now, I do understand about food being cooked from fresh, and indeed the food was excellent - the vegetables deserving of special mention, tasting honey-roasted: but when my mother's dinner arrived, she found it too cold, as if it had been left for some time after cooking. She had to send it back to be heated.

Moral of the story - don't come here if you're in a hurry, they really mean what they say on the menu about leaving time for your meal! We'd have stayed for a dessert - they did sound good - but it took us so long to get our mains, and we were so worried about how much longer it would take to get served anything else, that we had to go without.

Right! Back to London tomorrow, and staying for my last couple of nights in a now very bare flat - with most of my stuff gone to the new place, I'm only staying there for convenience, as I'm headed to the Hammersmith Apollo to see Trevor Noah on Monday. With only standing tickets left officially, I bought my ticket from StubHub. On Tuesday, I'll move to Clapham permanently, and that night I'm off to the nearest cinema - Clapham Picturehouse (sadly not within walking distance, like before - this one, I have get a bus to: but it still works out cheaper!). And we'll see whether the new Star Wars film lives up to the hype! I decided to book - it was nearly sold out, and I'm lucky to be seeing it in 2D - 3D hurts my eyes. That's the only way I could have got a ticket at such short notice, probably.

And on Wednesday, I fly back to Ireland for Christmas..

Restaurant: Nuala's

To Nuala's again today, as has become usual for us, before I fly back to London. Not for much longer though - once Aer Lingus switches to its winter schedule, I won't have time, what with the earlier flights.

This is just a quick note to extol the virtue of a particular dish. I know not to get the pan-fried chicken, which is dry - but they did have a chicken pasta dish, which sounded good. Unfortunately, I mustn't have been the only one to think so, because it was sold out. So I took the plunge, and ordered the "cornflake encrusted" chicken, which came with a choice of pepper sauce or "Café de Paris" butter. Feeling adventurous, I went for the butter.

Well, I have never had such tender chicken there. The "cornflake" crust was softer than many a breadcrumb crust I've had, and the butter had a most curious taste - some blend of spices, but I couldn't determine what. Delish! Quite made up for the chips, which were underwhelming, and which I ate half of, and passed the rest on to the family at the next table, who looked hungry - it was a busy evening at Nuala's, and we'd had to wait some time for our food. But we were warned about that.

Sadly, what with the wait for the main course, we didn't have time for dessert. But we will be back..

Tomorrow, I'm, delighted to be going to The Fate We Bring Ourselves, a retelling of Greek legends, by the Crick Crack Storytelling Club Meetup group, in Soho Theatre. It's ages since I've been with them, and they're always good! And on Tuesday, I'm supposed to be (nominally) with Free London Events and Talks at the Scoop again. This time, it's Still Alice.. but I dunno, the weather forecast doesn't look good. Watch this space.

Restaurant: Nuala's

With my flight not leaving till evening, we had time to eat out, and headed to Teach uí Bhriain, as has become our habit on Sundays. Handily, there was a space in front, where we could park.. and that was when we noticed the name change! It's now Nuala's. And as you enter, a large stone plaque proclaims that it's been revamped, courtesy of Francis Brennan, who officially relaunched it last Monday.

The refurbishment now seems complete. I'd already noted the pale yellow paint, which brightens the interior - the reduction in clutter - the brighter upholstery - the new window frames - the removal of the booths in the restaurant, which opens up more space and makes the place lighter and brighter. To add to this, they have replaced the front door with one that includes a large glass panel - with the logo of Nuala's, which now appears everywhere: on the new window blinds, the menus, the bill heads. Good on them - everyone was remarking on the makeover, and may it do them well.

Today was a raucous one in Nuala's, with the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Final showing on two screens in the bar - Galway ("The Tribesmen") vs Kilkenny ("The Cats"), and everyone there cheering for Galway. Well, it borders Clare, and in Tuamgraney you're not far from Galway. Galway were also the underdogs - Kilkenny always seems to win. I caught a bit of Up For the Match on television last night, and heard many Galway supporters dismissing the idea that it was an honour to be in the final. "No good to be there if not to win," was the general sentiment, and as the match got under way - it started shortly after we arrived - it became evident that the Galway players were giving it their all - it was a very even match.

Now, where I was sat was perfect to watch it, if I just leaned back and twisted to look to the left. So it became quite a distraction, during our late lunch. Well, I did just about manage to eat as well.. I ordered soup, which I've had here before and knew to be excellent, and - avoiding the dry panfried chicken - decided on the stuffed chicken in bacon. And at the last minute, remembered to order chips instead of their tasteless mash. My mother asked for, and got, the salmon, which is on the dinner menu rather than the lunch one, but now poached instead of baked.

The soup and brown bread were excellent. The stuffed chicken was definitely an improvement on the panfried one, although still a bit dry - and while the stuffing was delicious and the sauce very good, the bacon was dry and chewy. What the hey, it was decent, and my mother ate her salmon, despite probably wishing it were baked. Oh, and it seems someone finally remembered to flavour the mash.. Ice cream for dessert, and we were stuffed. Sadly, we had to leave before the end of the match (I later heard that Galway lost their vim in the second half, and the Cats - once again - got the cream).

And so back to London, for one day's work. On Tuesday, I'm off to Amsterdam, where U2 are playing that night and the next. (On Wednesday, news to be announced about gigs in Ireland, late November!) I fly back on Thursday, doubtless wanting nothing more than to sleep. On Friday, I'm off to see Much Ado About Nothing, at the Globe. (Now, that is worth dragging myself along to!) Lucky the proposed Tube strike was cancelled though, or it'd have been impossible. Anyway, I was too late to book with the Let's Do London - for less! Meetup group, who are going the same night: but I've arranged to meet them, to go to the pub after. For the show, I got a ticket in the "Gentlemen's Box"..

..and then the next day, I'm off to Amsterdam again, for two more U2 concerts (Saturday and Sunday). Now, to those who know me, this shouldn't be a surprise. I friggin' love this band, and Amsterdam is a great city to see them in! And yes, I got a good travel deal (Expedia), and you know, I've been to Amsterdam before, to see them, and seen pretty much enough of the place, so didn't want to stay the whole week. I fly back on Monday 14th, my U2-ing done.. for this month. ;-)

On the 15th, 16th, and 17th, I have Meetups.. For Tuesday 15th, I discovered there's a Hammersmith and Fulham Amnesty group, who that night have a talk entitled Undercover - the True Story of Britain's Secret Police. And I'm going. On Wednesday 16th, I'm (nominally) joining the London European Club, who are off to see John Doyle, at the Irish Centre. And on Thursday 17th, I'm (nominally) back with the Free London Events and Talks group, who are off to the Scoop, where they show free films in September. Weather-dependant. That day, it's Selma, which I haven't seen. And then it's back to Ireland yet again - I go every two weeks..