3 Historic Pubs of London #2 & office drinks

Yesterday, back with Invigorate for a pub crawl! (Oops, I mean a tour of historic pubs..) Now, that was also my birthday! ;-) Glad to be back among people I know.

Handily, these pubs were close enough that I could walk to and from. Ye Olde Mitre, I had been in before - but not for over three years! I entered from the main road - Google Maps was good enough to tell me when I was right on top of it, and looking to the top of the arch that formed the entrance to a narrow laneway, I could see the sign. Just as I was about to head down, however, I was hailed by someone from the group, who astutely pointed me out as a member of the group. So we headed together into the crowded courtyard. Where we picked up another who recognised me - and then yet another.

Well, with no sign of our organiser, I said I'd go and get a drink, which would also allow me to check inside - I couldn't remember whether we were supposed to meet outside or in. And gee, it didn't take me long to spot him, at a long table just inside the door, complete with a sign advertising the group. Well, I went and got the others, and we squished in - and squished in some more when the smaller table, in the corner, was taken by a young couple (who had brought a box of cakes, which we looked at in some interest). They'd reserved it, you see - something our organiser hadn't been allowed to do. Perhaps they didn't want to make a booking for so many people! It is a cosy little pub. The heat from the fire was nice, after the cold outside, and we spent a lovely 40 minutes or so there, before he hurried us on to our next destination.

This was a long walk - we were heading for The Cockpit, which he warned us was even smaller. And so it proved - a former venue for cockfighting, it is overlooked by a gallery - but that's too narrow for people to sit. So what tables there are are on the ground floor - four or so of them. After getting our drinks, we stood for a while - eyeing all the tables. In due course, the occupants of the middle one stood to leave, and we swooped in - I thought one of them was eyeing us most dubiously. Anyway, another convivial chat there - and we picked up someone who'd come straight there; our organiser had suggested that as an option. In this pub, the three of us who were Irish happened to sit together, and I had the most Irish chat I've had in London in years!

They really do hammer home the theme, don't they..?

Not as far at all to the last pub, The Blackfriar, where I'd also been before, but remembered much better than Ye Olde Mitre. Well, but I had gone into this one! Again, we started off standing - but some kindly folks, most of whose party hadn't shown, let us have the end of their table. So we invaded. In the end, however, our organiser secured us tables in the dining area at the back, where I'd never been. And my food order, which I'd originally directed to the table at the other end, where we were sat at first, made its way quite safely there.

The food was most welcome - the breadcrumb coating of the chicken pieces I ordered was a bit burnt, but was salvaged by a lovely dip. And we had a lovely natter - the more so when I was given free rein to waffle about U2.. on and on and on and.. Anyway, I had a fabulous time with what is a great bunch of people! Really couldn't think of a better way to spend my birthday.

I was knackered last night - drank more than twice, yesterday, the total amount I'd drunk on any one day since before lockdown! So I crashed, didn't blog. But I'd quite recovered for office drinks this evening - they are reviving the tradition of games and drinks on a Thursday, it seems. And for the first time, they had wine! So I decided just to hang out with them - didn't actually see much gaming, apart from one game of miniature pool. But I had some good catch-ups with folks. More of the same, please! (now that there's an option that's not beer).

Tomorrow, I'm back to Ireland for the weekend - it's easier to get Friday flights at the moment!

I've gotten into the habit of going to films when I'm in Ireland, so looked for one for Saturday - and if it's Limerick Omniplex, they do like you to book, and they don't have a booking fee. Now, I was thinking of Ghostbusters: Afterlife. But you know something, I was dubious that it just wouldn't live up to the original, which I loved - and having watched a review, I think I'm right. (I recommend starting watching the review at about 54 seconds, to avoid the annoying product ad.) Anyway, the gist of this review is that the director of the new movie is the son of the director of the original, and the new film keeps referencing the old film, rather than standing alone. From my perspective, although it has Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson, and Sigourney Weaver in it from the original, this new film is a coming-of-age, teen adventure, and I'd miss the wisecracks that so defined the original. So I'm skipping it.

Instead - and before it leaves the local cinemas for good - I've booked for The French Dispatch. Also starring Bill Murray, this is an ensemble piece, with Benicio del Toro, Adrien Brody, Tilda Swinton, Léa Seydoux, Frances McDormand, Timothée Chalamet, Owen Wilson, Henry Winkler, Lois Smith, and who knows whom else.. it's set around a newspaper, with Bill Murray as editor, is all I know, and looks fabulous. Written and directed by Wes Anderson, and I'm looking forward to it..

Thames River of Death Ghost Story Tour

Tonight, I was with Spooky London - for yet another ghost tour. This one was the Thames River of Death Ghost Story Tour. It'd be interesting to see what hand this group made of ghost stories - payment on the day, so (unusually) I needed to remember to bring cash. Happily, I did.

Not too much trouble getting out in time - the buses proved problematic, however, with delays meaning it'd be tight - so I ended up taking the Tube. And arriving early. We'd been told to meet at the Boudicca statue - just as well, though, that the guide posted a photo on the page, in which I could see myself in the background! so I could figure out that they were actually around the back of it. What the hey, it's a complicated place to meet people anyway.

More photos here. After a brief delay to see whether anyone else would show, we were off along the river. Certainly, in the early stages, what this reminded me of was last year's sponsored walk, which covered this route - rather more leisurely, today! I'll tell you what else made an immediate impression - the guide is a rather excellent storyteller: and as we know, I'm a sucker for a good story. Bring it on..

This was the first I'd heard of how traumatised people were supposed to have gone underground in the Blitz, and stayed down there, separate from humanity, and apparently stealing the Savoy's linen and such, right up to modern times! And about the ghosts that supposedly haunt the Playhouse. But the first thing that really grabbed me was the story of Cleopatra's Needle, and how the sphinxes on either side are turned "the wrong way". Probably just a mistake.. but you have to love the story of how sphinxes are turned in the direction of the things they are supposed to protect against - so they should have their backs to the needle. Instead, they face it, as though that's what they're in combat against! With stories of Aleister Crowley meddling with the needle, trying to raise unholy things, it's a compelling argument..

Afterwards, to The Blackfriar - and I wasn't the only one who, despite having passed it many times, had never gone in! Gosh, it's marvellous - our knowledgeable guide was able to tell us that it was decorated in the 30s, with the best of everything; it shows! Plenty of references to the old priory:

And there, I must say I had the most enjoyable evening, in the most convivial company, that I've had since the departure of the Man with the Hat! Talk started with ghost stories, naturally enough, but we found a variety of topics to take us to closing. It's only a shame that this was my last free Friday night till November! so if Friday is their preferred night, I'm afraid it'll be a while.

Was close enough to walk back. Tomorrow, Let's Do It! is off to Windsor. However, they're off to a Mexican restaurant as part of the day, and I don't really like Mexican food.. and have seen Windsor town in general anyway. However, I haven't yet been around the castle.. so lo, I've booked myself a ticket for that day, finally. I see it's one of those places I'll have to buy a souvenir guide for - no photography allowed inside. Tip when booking train tickets - use the Trainline website to look, not book! Get the rail company name from them, then book with the company direct. It's cheaper. 

On Sunday.. tan-ta-ra! Speaking of storytelling, the Crick Crack Club is back after the summer! Not that you'd know it from their Meetup group, whose next advertised Meetup is next month! Anyway, on Sunday, Tuup is telling the tale of The King and the Corpse, at the British Museum, accompanied by Sheema Mukherjee.

On Monday, back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) - all the way to the Orange Tree, in Richmond, for Losing Venice.

On Tuesday, my £3.60 club has a ticket for me to hear Professor Rana Mitter speak about China for an hour in the China Exchange.

On Wednesday, well, London Literary Walks is back on - but I'd already booked with UITCS for Natalia Osipova in Sadler's Wells. Then I'm back to Ireland for a long weekend.

On the 17th, Crick Crack is back.. again! Just as well I'm on the main club mailing list. This time, it's Aye, Coyote! in Soho Theatre.

And on the 18th, back with UITCS for Pinter at the Pinter.. Pinter plays at the Pinter Theatre! Our particular combination is One for the Road / New World Order / Ashes to Ashes / Mountain Language. I bought my ticket for this one from another member who couldn't go - Ticketmaster, so hopefully there won't be a problem with me picking up the ticket.