Restaurant: Le Sacré Coeur

Tonight, back with Civilised London (CL) - back at Le Sacré Coeur, meeting beforehand at The Crown, as usual. I took the bus - unfortunately, one passed just as I was getting there, and I had to watch a whole stream of buses pass before another came for me! For all the remote working that's happening, that bus sure was packed..

I had a bit of walking to do.. haven't seen this before, but obviously the car parking spaces are moved out a bit to accommodate a cycle lane!

Also some support for the Ukraine, en route..

Just as I got to the pub, I intersected with the organiser - and another of the group, whom I hadn't met before, but who had had the rather good idea to occupy the garden. With the local dogs, one of which was rather barky, and eventually banished to their house across the road. Aww.. Anyway, it was a lovely, mild evening, and so good to be sat outside for a change! And we had a really good chat before it was time to leave. And mein host generously provided drinks!

And so to the restaurant, where we met those who didn't come to the pub..

Not, I think, possible to have a bad meal here. Several of us went for the moreish stuffed mushrooms, there were a couple of calamari starters, one soup. I chose the beef bourgignon for my main - it's been so long. Whatever people had, there were no complaints.. but I think the high point seems to have been the garlic potatoes, which our host had ordered as a side, and ended up seeing distributed among several of us who decided they would go wonderfully with whatever we were having.. Dessert for me was ice cream (three scoops!) - the only note of dissent came from the fellow who ordered crepes with chocolate sauce, which they came swimming in. But you know, another excellent meal here - with excellent company. V glad I came along this evening.

Afterwards, most of us repaired for a nightcap to The York, where more chat was had before the night drew to a close. Looking forward to meeting this group again!

Tomorrow, back with TAC for Avocado Presents - Improv, at Etcetera Theatre. Eh, I think it's a jazz concert? 

Failing any information from my new job, have provisionally booked for Friday - Laurence Summers and the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners are off to see Elegant London!

Anyway, then back to Ireland for the weekend again, and on Saturday, now that the listings are finally up, I've booked to go see The Batman at the Omniplex. It's free to book, and handier when you get there. And gee, I've heard great things about this! A very dark take on the story, it seems - has Andy Serkis as Alfred, and Peter Sarsgaard as the DA.

On Monday, going to see Daddy at the Almeida. Having never seen a bad production here, I have high hopes.

On Tuesday, finally going to see Andrew Lloyd Webber's Cinderella! I hear good things.. it's playing at the Gillian Lynne Theatre, which is new to me - Seatplan was invaluable in choosing the best seating option. What's On Stage provided the cheapest price for that seat, though!

Next Wednesday, back with CL - for a play this time. This is The Fever Syndrome, at Hampstead Theatre.

On the 31st, back with TAC for One Night With Robbie Williams. This is at The Courtyard.

On the 1st, back with the Crick Crack Club (CCC) for - The Grand Annual Lying Contest! at Rich Mix.

On the 2nd, I had booked with Walks, Talks & Treasure Hunts for a Regent's Canal Walk. But yay, Laurence and the 45+s then advertised another walk for that day, which is pretty much guaranteed to be superior. So I've booked it. This is Scandals, Scriptwriters & Sumptuous Architecture - and of course, it being a London weekend, I can go!

That evening, an ex-colleague of mine is having a leaving do - he's emigrating. Happening at The Woodman, in Highgate. I said I'd put in an appearance.

On the 3rd, the CCC again! Emily Hennessey and Sheema Mukherjee are at the British Museum, with Holy Cow! Tales from the River of Life. Unfortunately, the London Landmarks Half Marathon is also that day, so I'll probably be on the Tube, at least getting to the museum. 

On the 4th, I'm back at the Park Theatre for the first time in nearly three years! This is for Clybourne Park, a comedy about a white family moving into a predominantly black neighbourhood.

On the 5th, I'm headed to But I'm a Cheerleader, a musical comedy at the Turbine Theatre.

On the 6th, back with Up in the Cheap Seats at Southwark Playhouse, and another free ticket for me! This time, it's for Anyone Can Whistle, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim.

On the 7th, Tommy Tiernan is playing at the Hammersmith Apollo! Now, I failed to get a ticket for this the first time around. Then it was rescheduled because of Covid.. and I got a ticket for the rescheduled event! Then that was rescheduled.. third time lucky?! Love Tommy Tiernan. The show is called Tomfoolery. And then it's back to Ireland for the weekend again.

On the 11th, I've booked for The 47th, at The Old Vic. Written by Mike Bartlett, this imagines the American presidential elections of 2024. I am really looking forward to this play..

On the 12th, I'm finally going to Six, the Musical! Based around the story of the six wives of Henry VIII (very loosely, I'd say), it's playing at the Vaudeville and I hear good things. Cheapest tickets from Leicester Square Box Office.

On the 13th, back with CL, who are off to the opera at the Southbank Centre. The show in question is The Paradis Files. Next day, I'm back to Ireland for Easter - but left it so late to book, I could only get an afternoon flight, and will have to start my new job (whenever) by asking for that day off work!

Well, my friend got back to me - they're away in the middle of Easter week, back on the 21st, so the most sensible thing to do seemed to be to visit on the 22nd, which I've now arranged with her. Whether I take that week as holiday, or take the laptop there and work from Ireland, remains to be seen. Anyway, I'll fly back to London on the 24th of next month. And on the 25th of next month, I'm off to The Corn is Green, at the National.

Musical: Dear Evan Hansen

Tonight.. I booked for Dear Evan Hansen, at the Noel Coward Theatre! Finally - I'd booked for this before lockdown, and of course it got cancelled. Cheapest tickets from the official site. I needed to eat, and noticing that it's just up the road from a Cote, I decided to eat there. Being a Tuesday, I could get a booking - the earliest was at 6. With the show at 7.30, and so close, I figured that was fine.

The bus was early. Which was just fine, because so was I! And just as well, considering how long we were delayed at roadworks, at the junction of New Change and St. Paul's Churchyard. In fact, I ended up just getting off the bus at almost the time my booking was for. I then had to fight my way through crowds on Strand, and arrived at the restaurant 10 minutes late. No problem, they keep reservations for 15 minutes, and showed me to a table immediately. And it was just as well I booked, because the place was buzzing!

Predictably, things moved a little slowly - but I have to say, the staff did their best. I knew straight away what I wanted, so when she came for my order, I was straight in there with the mushroom soup, the steak frites, the large chardonnay. And to be fair, the delays weren't huge - I've had much worse. Unfortunately, the standard of the food wasn't what I'd expect from a Cote. It wasn't terrible, just.. lacking. The soup, to begin with, wasn't as hot as I'm used to. You couldn't call it lukewarm, but it wasn't really hot - I figured it'd been left waiting somewhere with inadequate heating. And the steak was - chewier than I'm used to. Undercooked. Honestly, each mouthful was a task, and I didn't finish it. There wasn't really time for a dessert. Nope, this experience didn't put me off Cote - just off this one. At least at this time of day, with people crowding in for food before the theatre and the kitchens overrun.

I left rather gratefully, and seeing all the different doors at the theatre, consulted with the guy standing next to me with a mic. He explained that the same queue handled all the doors, and that mine would be the last. There was a cursory bag check, a ticket check at the door, and up we went - all the way up the winding back stairs to the highest levels. I passed the bar en route, but couldn't really be bothered, and just headed straight to my seat, in the front row of the Balcony, the highest level. Damn steep stairs down to that row, but I had a handrail, so was fine. I did wonder what the weird noise was, though.

Now, the problem with this seat isn't the rail - there were plenty of ways I could tilt my head to get a better view: and, to be honest, hardly any seats were occupied to the sides of the Balcony, so there was nobody behind me to object! No, the main problem was that there is no space under the seats. It's a hard block - so you can't swing your legs underneath, which bothered me more than I'd have thought! Legroom isn't a huge issue - that's why I got a seat on the aisle, although I found it handier to sit, like a woman a few seats down, with my feet resting on the ledge in front. At the interval, being on the end of the row meant I had a lot of people wanting to pass - I found it more convenient just to take myself to the unoccupied seat on the other side of the aisle for the interval. And the empty seat beside mine was dead handy to leave my stuff on.

This show, I have to say, is a lot better than it has a right to be (as the saying goes). That weird noise has something to do with social media notifications, because this is a show about a teenage boy - the eponymous Evan Hansen - who is so socially inept that he's in therapy, and who, when a schoolmate kills himself, through a series of strange occurrences, gets involved with the dead boy's family (he always fancied the sister, anyway). They get the idea that he and the dead boy were best friends. He, motivated mainly by his obsession with the sister, persuades his one friend to manufacture a backstory in emails, another person who knew the dead boy sees the opportunity for a social media campaign, and we're off. The story, however, grows legs, and he duly finds himself out of his depth..

It has a lot to say about social media - how stories can be fabricated, how and why they can be spread, the reactions people have to them, and possible consequences. I have to say, it rings very true - and the prevalence of social media is well represented on stage, with constantly scrolling internet feeds covering the floor and backdrops. The songs are really beautiful, deep and well performed. The characters have depth, and the second act in particular hits quite hard. My only quibble with the entire thing was that I couldn't hear all the dialogue - the younger characters, especially, tend to speak very quickly, and frankly sometimes the speech wasn't loud enough. Perhaps because I was so high up. Anyway, currently booking until the 22nd of October - recommended! Go, be pleasantly surprised.

On the way back, I had a choice of three buses, all leaving from the same stop! The same roadworks held us up, but not as much - of course, it's never as bad a delay when you're not in a hurry.

Tomorrow, back with Civilised London (CL) - back at Le Sacré Coeur, meeting beforehand at The Crown, as usual.

On Thursday, back with TAC for Avocado Presents - Improv, at Etcetera Theatre. Eh, I think it's a jazz concert? 

Failing any information from my new job, have provisionally booked for Friday - Laurence Summers and the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners are off to see Elegant London!

Anyway, then back to Ireland for the weekend again, and on Saturday, now that the listings are finally up, I've booked to go see The Batman at the Omniplex. It's free to book, and handier when you get there. And gee, I've heard great things about this! A very dark take on the story, it seems - has Andy Serkis as Alfred, and Peter Sarsgaard as the DA.

On Monday, going to see Daddy at the Almeida. Having never seen a bad production here, I have high hopes.

Next Tuesday, finally going to see Andrew Lloyd Webber's Cinderella! I hear good things.. it's playing at the Gillian Lynne Theatre, which is new to me - Seatplan was invaluable in choosing the best seating option. What's On Stage provided the cheapest price for that seat, though!

On the 30th, back with CL - for a play this time. This is The Fever Syndrome, at Hampstead Theatre.

On the 31st, back with TAC for One Night With Robbie Williams. This is at The Courtyard.

On the 1st, back with the Crick Crack Club (CCC) for - The Grand Annual Lying Contest! at Rich Mix.

On the 2nd, I had booked with WTTH for a Regent's Canal Walk. Different guide. But yay, Laurence and the 45+s then advertised another walk for that day, which is pretty much guaranteed to be superior. So I've booked it. This is Scandals, Scriptwriters & Sumptuous Architecture - and of course, it being a London weekend, I can go!

On the 3rd, the CCC again! Emily Hennessey and Sheema Mukherjee are at the British Museum, with Holy Cow! Tales from the River of Life. Unfortunately, the London Landmarks Half Marathon is also that day, so I'll probably be on the Tube, at least getting to the museum. 

On the 4th, I'm back at the Park Theatre for the first time in nearly three years! This is for Clybourne Park, a comedy about a white family moving into a predominantly black neighbourhood.

On the 5th, I'm headed to But I'm a Cheerleader, a musical comedy at the Turbine Theatre.

On the 6th, back with Up in the Cheap Seats at Southwark Playhouse, and another free ticket for me! This time, it's for Anyone Can Whistle, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim.

On the 7th, Tommy Tiernan is playing at the Hammersmith Apollo! Now, I failed to get a ticket for this the first time around. Then it was rescheduled because of Covid.. and I got a ticket for the rescheduled event! Then that was rescheduled.. third time lucky?! Love Tommy Tiernan. The show is called Tomfoolery. And then it's back to Ireland for the weekend again.

On the 11th, I've booked for The 47th, at The Old Vic. Written by Mike Bartlett, this imagines the American presidential elections of 2024. I am really looking forward to this play..

On the 12th, I'm finally going to Six, the Musical! Based around the story of the six wives of Henry VIII (very loosely, I'd say), it's playing at the Vaudeville and I hear good things. Cheapest tickets from Leicester Square Box Office.

On the 13th, back with CL, who are off to the opera at the Southbank Centre. The show in question is The Paradis Files. Next day, I'm back to Ireland for Easter - but left it so late to book, I could only get an afternoon flight, and will have to start my new job (whenever) by asking for that day off work!

Well, my friend got back to me - they're away in the middle of Easter week, back on the 21st, so the most sensible thing to do seemed to be to visit on the 22nd of next month, which I've now arranged with her. Whether I take that week as holiday, or take the laptop there and work from Ireland, remains to be seen. Anyway, I'll fly back to London on the 24th of next month. And on the 25th of next month, I'm off to The Corn is Green, at the National.

Pub: The Astronomer

Yesterday, I booked another Zoom talk - Quakers at War was the story of the Quakers and their pacifism. Courtesy of Surrey History Meetup. But then, I suddenly heard that Mary - who moved out of London a few years ago - was going to be in town last night, and staying just down the road from me, at The Bull & the Hide, handy for getting a train today from Liverpool Street! Well, no contest.. I could always get a recording of the talk if I wanted.

I needed to eat - so since she'd reminded me of The Astronomer, I suggested we meet there! I remembered the food being good. So I headed there first, and just handily managed to score a central table with room for both of us, and another that said he could make it. She was to remind me later that this was where we sat the first time we were here!

They have the QR code on the tables - so, so handy for when you're alone, and want to hold a table! so you don't have to go to the bar to order. Decent, free WiFi as well - so I ordered a glass of a nice New Zealand sauvignon blanc, and an East London meat pie. The wine came immediately, complete with salt, pepper, and cutlery nicely folded in a napkin. The pie arrived literally five minutes after I got the confirmation email - I timed it. And yes, happy to report that their pies are still excellent - although I wasn't completely gone on the chips. I decided on ice cream for dessert.. they serve by the scoop, but I wanted two scoops. So what happens is, you have to order it twice. And this is what you get:

Yeeah. Anyway, it was delicious. And a while after I'd finished, in walked the third of the group, and decided to order the same pie - and finally, Mary arrived, having checked in first. And wow, was it good to see her again - it's been years! We nattered away the whole evening, and could have done with as much time again. She declared that she must visit London more - I really hope she does. The nostalgia was plentiful.. why, even the ladies' loos hadn't changed:

We stayed till they chucked us out, and I walked her back to where she was staying - I was headed that way anyway. Thanks Mary, that was a great way to start my week! I was too tired to blog though.

Tonight.. I'm booked for Dear Evan Hansen, at the Noel Coward Theatre! Finally - I'd booked for this before lockdown, and of course it got cancelled. Cheapest tickets from the official site.

Tomorrow, back with Civilised London (CL) - back at Le Sacré Coeur, meeting beforehand at The Crown, as usual.

On Thursday, back with TAC for Avocado Presents - Improv, at Etcetera Theatre. Eh, I think it's a jazz concert? 

Failing any information from my new job, have provisionally booked for Friday - Laurence Summers and the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners are off to see Elegant London!

Anyway, then back to Ireland for the weekend again, and on Saturday, now that the listings are finally up, I've booked to go see The Batman at the Omniplex. It's free to book, and handier when you get there. And gee, I've heard great things about this! A very dark take on the story, it seems - has Andy Serkis as Alfred, and Peter Sarsgaard as the DA.

On Monday, going to see Daddy at the Almeida. Having never seen a bad production here, I have high hopes.

Next Tuesday, finally going to see Andrew Lloyd Webber's Cinderella! I hear good things.. it's playing at the Gillian Lynne Theatre, which is new to me - Seatplan was invaluable in choosing the best seating option. What's On Stage provided the cheapest price for that seat, though!

On the 30th, back with CL - for a play this time. This is The Fever Syndrome, at Hampstead Theatre.

On the 31st, back with TAC for One Night With Robbie Williams. This is at The Courtyard.

On the 1st, back with the Crick Crack Club (CCC) for - The Grand Annual Lying Contest! at Rich Mix.

On the 2nd, I had booked with WTTH for a Regent's Canal Walk. Different guide. But yay, Laurence and the 45+s then advertised another walk for that day, which is pretty much guaranteed to be superior. So I've booked it. This is Scandals, Scriptwriters & Sumptuous Architecture - and of course, it being a London weekend, I can go!

On the 3rd, the CCC again! Emily Hennessey and Sheema Mukherjee are at the British Museum, with Holy Cow! Tales from the River of Life. Unfortunately, the London Landmarks Half Marathon is also that day, so I'll probably be on the Tube, at least getting to the museum. 

On the 4th, I'm back at the Park Theatre for the first time in nearly three years! This is for Clybourne Park, a comedy about a white family moving into a predominantly black neighbourhood.

On the 5th, I'm headed to But I'm a Cheerleader, a musical comedy at the Turbine Theatre.

On the 6th, back with Up in the Cheap Seats at Southwark Playhouse, and another free ticket for me! This time, it's for Anyone Can Whistle, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim.

On the 7th, Tommy Tiernan is playing at the Hammersmith Apollo! Now, I failed to get a ticket for this the first time around. Then it was rescheduled because of Covid.. and I got a ticket for the rescheduled event! Then that was rescheduled.. third time lucky?! Love Tommy Tiernan. The show is called Tomfoolery. And then it's back to Ireland for the weekend again.

On the 11th, I've booked for The 47th, at The Old Vic. Written by Mike Bartlett, this imagines the American presidential elections of 2024. I am really looking forward to this play..

On the 12th, I'm finally going to Six, the Musical! Based around the story of the six wives of Henry VIII (very loosely, I'd say), it's playing at the Vaudeville and I hear good things. Cheapest tickets from Leicester Square Box Office.

On the 13th, back with CL, who are off to the opera at the Southbank Centre. The show in question is The Paradis Files. Next day, I'm back to Ireland for Easter - but left it so late to book, I could only get an afternoon flight, and will have to start my new job (whenever) by asking for that day off work!

Well, my friend got back to me - they're away in the middle of Easter week, back on the 21st, so the most sensible thing to do seemed to be to visit on the 22nd of next month, which I've now arranged with her. Whether I take that week as holiday, or take the laptop there and work from Ireland, remains to be seen. Anyway, I'll fly back to London on the 24th of next month. And on the 25th of next month, I'm off to The Corn is Green, at the National.

Film: Boycott

Today.. I booked with someone I swore I'd never do a walk with again. Walks, Talks & Treasure Hunts (WTTH) was off on a walk called Secrets of Belgravia. (Courtesy of her company, London Guided Walks.) The code MEETUP3 gets you a £3 discount on all her walks - which does cover the booking fee of £1, not advertised before you come to the point of purchasing the ticket. Funnily enough, she messaged me the other day - because I signed up on the Meetup group - to remind me to book a ticket through her company. I see she still doesn't cross-reference, since I already did!

I optimistically wore my lighter coat again - dunno about the wisdom of it, considering the wind chill. Anyway, it was another day of travel woes - no, not my fault this time! So. First, Google Maps told me that the buses I could get wouldn't go from my nearest stop - o no, I had to schlep down to Old Broad Street. Hmm. Well, I did - although from where they were coming from, they'd have had to go past the other stop anyway, and I couldn't see a reason for them not to stop there! And in heading to the next, I actually missed a couple I could have taken. But never mind, I was still in time, and I don't think it made a difference.

I duly got to Holborn, and had to schlep over towards the British Museum to catch my next bus. The app said it was due in 5 minutes.. 4.. 3.. 2..1.. DUE. Pause. Said it had just been, and the next was due in 10 minutes. Uh, wha'? After a bit of hopeful dithering to see whether it would magically appear, I gave up - my best chance was now by Tube, which was vexing, considering I'd just come from that direction! So I schlepped back again - and for a moment, thought my luck was in, as there was a train sitting right there. I hopped on board. But of course, there was a reason it was sitting there - there was some sort of "ongoing incident" on the track ahead, and we were being held. We did get moving eventually, but by now I figured I'd be lucky to make it.

I exited at Hyde Park Corner about 8 minutes after start time - immediately saw where we were to meet, and saw there was nobody anywhere about. Figures - her advertised start times are actual start times, and she doesn't give contact details for latecomers. My only hope had been if she'd hung around for a bit, and I could have caught up with her. But no. So I plonked myself at the bus stop where we'd been supposed to meet, and thought about what else to do with my day. Film was the obvious choice - but I hadn't checked the listings in a long time, and by the time I'd come up with something to see today, my hands were like ice!

So, the highest rated available was a documentary called Boycott. Handily enough, it was showing in the Barbican, so close to home! I booked, as it was already mostly sold out - I had a few hours or so before the showing. Perfect. And the sun shone warmly on me as I waited for a bus on the other side of the road! A lovely, scenic, sunny drive back, and when I had to change buses, I wasn't waiting too long. I'd decided I'd eat at Cote - I had time. I couldn't seem to get their booking system to work, so took my chances.

The smiley fellow welcomed me back! No problem at all getting seated, and I took the sofa for a change. Sadly, they didn't have the Prix Fixe menu, with the delicious mushroom soup - so I skipped a starter and just ordered steak frites and wine; the steak came with the most enormous knob of garlic butter! Service was flawless - I wonder whether the sofa is a better place to sit for that? As soon as I'd finished my main, she proffered a dessert menu, and I decided on chocolate ice cream for a change - you can have one scoop, or two. Excellent idea - it's really rich!

When I'd eaten, I still had nearly an hour to go to the film, so headed into the Barbican. Tried the stairs, only to discover that the door to the bottom level requires special access. So, back up again, and I took the lift down. Sadly, the bar wasn't open, so I positioned myself close to the cinema door and played my phone competition. Someone happened by eventually, asked whether I was going to the film, and proffered me a flier - which is how I discovered that this film is part of the Human Rights Watch Film Festival, which runs until Friday! This was their Centrepiece film, and it seems all films are available on this site until the end of the festival. Cheaper too! Now they tell me. But what on earth is all the stuff on the back, about how if you're affected by the issues raised, you should take a break from the film, shift focus, afterwards you can talk to people about it, research the issues.. what, is this directed at schoolkids?!

Went in when it opened, and took my nice, comfy seat. Someone came on to explain to us that there'd be a Q+A after, and we could participate in it by submitting questions online. And so to the film, which concerns itself with recent developments in the United States, where most states passed a law preventing people that receive government funding from boycotting, or calling for a boycott of, the state of Israel (over its treatment of the Palestinians). Three people in particular are featured - an Arizona lawyer fighting the bill as unconstitutional, an Arkansas publisher of a free newspaper that depends on government advertising (so is effectively banned from publishing anything anti-Israel), and a Muslim teacher from Austin who lost her job by campaigning for Palestinians.

Never heard of this bill before, myself. It's interesting to hear the different stories, and of course we all know how powerful the Israeli lobby is in the States. More interesting was the Q+A, with someone from Human Rights Watch, the filmmaker, the producer, and the President of the US/Middle East Project. The latter - an Englishman, who bemoaned the fact that he couldn't join us, as he was just up the road in Islington - was by far the most impassioned, and made for very interesting listening. It was also entertaining to watch the efforts of the captioner - who was, necessarily, working live - to keep up with everyone, and tackle words that weren't easy to decipher, or unfamiliar names! Anyway, the main theme of the Q+A was how similar legislation is being enacted in the UK, except that it is vague enough to ban all sorts of boycotts that the government doesn't approve of. Typical - ask not what your government can do for you, ask what it is doing to you..

Nice to get back to the cinema again. Tomorrow, I'm at another Zoom talk - Quakers at War is the story of the Quakers and their pacifism. Courtesy of Surrey History Meetup.

On Tuesday.. I'm booked for Dear Evan Hansen, at the Noel Coward Theatre! Finally - I'd booked for this before lockdown, and of course it got cancelled. Cheapest tickets from the official site.

On Wednesday, back with Civilised London (CL) - back at Le Sacré Coeur, meeting beforehand at The Crown, as usual.

On Thursday, back with TAC for Avocado Presents - Improv, at Etcetera Theatre. Eh, I think it's a jazz concert? 

Failing any information from my new job, have provisionally booked for Friday - Laurence Summers and the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners are off to see Elegant London! Anyway, then back to Ireland for the weekend again.

On the 28th, going to see Daddy at the Almeida. Having never seen a bad production here, I have high hopes.

On the 29th, finally going to see Andrew Lloyd Webber's Cinderella! I hear good things.. it's playing at the Gillian Lynne Theatre, which is new to me - Seatplan was invaluable in choosing the best seating option. What's On Stage provided the cheapest price for that seat, though!

On the 30th, back with CL - for a play this time. This is The Fever Syndrome, at Hampstead Theatre.

On the 31st, back with TAC for One Night With Robbie Williams. This is at The Courtyard.

On the 1st, back with the Crick Crack Club (CCC) for - The Grand Annual Lying Contest! at Rich Mix.

On the 2nd, I had booked with WTTH for a Regent's Canal Walk. Different guide. But yay, Laurence and the 45+s then advertised another walk for that day, which is pretty much guaranteed to be superior. So I've booked it. This is Scandals, Scriptwriters & Sumptuous Architecture - and of course, it being a London weekend, I can go!

On the 3rd, the CCC again! Emily Hennessey and Sheema Mukherjee are at the British Museum, with Holy Cow! Tales from the River of Life. Unfortunately, the London Landmarks Half Marathon is also that day, so I'll probably be on the Tube, at least getting to the museum. 

On the 4th, I'm back at the Park Theatre for the first time in nearly three years! This is for Clybourne Park, a comedy about a white family moving into a predominantly black neighbourhood.

On the 5th, I'm headed to But I'm a Cheerleader, a musical comedy at the Turbine Theatre.

On the 6th, back with Up in the Cheap Seats at Southwark Playhouse, and another free ticket for me! This time, it's for Anyone Can Whistle, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim.

On the 7th, Tommy Tiernan is playing at the Hammersmith Apollo! Now, I failed to get a ticket for this the first time around. Then it was rescheduled because of Covid.. and I got a ticket for the rescheduled event! Then that was rescheduled.. third time lucky?! Love Tommy Tiernan. The show is called Tomfoolery. And then it's back to Ireland for the weekend again.

On the 11th, I've booked for The 47th, at The Old Vic. Written by Mike Bartlett, this imagines the American presidential elections of 2024. I am really looking forward to this play..

On the 12th, I'm finally going to Six, the Musical! Based around the story of the six wives of Henry VIII (very loosely, I'd say), it's playing at the Vaudeville and I hear good things. Cheapest tickets from Leicester Square Box Office.

On the 13th, back with CL, who are off to the opera at the Southbank Centre. The show in question is The Paradis Files. Next day, I'm back to Ireland for Easter - but left it so late to book, I could only get an afternoon flight, and will have to start my new job (whenever) by asking for that day off work!

Well, my friend got back to me - they're away in the middle of Easter week, back on the 21st of next month, so the most sensible thing to do seemed to be to visit on the 22nd of next month, which I've now arranged with her. Whether I take that week as holiday, or take the laptop there and work from Ireland, remains to be seen. Anyway, I'll fly back to London on the 24th of next month. And on the 25th of next month, I'm off to The Corn is Green, at the National.

Dance: Lord of the Dance, Walk: Magnificent Mayfair, Show: 24 Italian Songs and Arias, & Walk: Highgate - a Very English Village

Thursday was, of course, St. Patrick's Day. In Ireland, it was a bank holiday, as was yesterday - in London, Kíla was playing the London Irish Centre again. A standing gig, this time. Promised to be mad. But you know, when SFF advertised tickets for Lord of the Dance, at the Hammersmith Apollo the same night.. I booked. Well, such is life. Anyway, I should have paused a moment-  because I checked afterwards, and TAC had tickets as well. Bah humbug, would've been even cheaper. Never mind.

I planned to eat out there - Google Maps suggested an Indian called Rangrez, just around the corner. So I decided to try there, and headed out in good time. Had to be Tube, this far out - and it's right at the end of a couple of lines, so I had plenty of time to read the paper. I could see the Apollo when I left the station - on the way there, I'd be passing The Swan, so decided to try there first.

It looked promising. I found a small table to myself (with a fine view of the racing at Cheltenham), and discovered that you could order online. The printed menu had some things that sounded lovely, so I checked online - and discovered that they all read "Out of Stock"! Even the ones that didn't say there were out of stock were all greyed out. Well, bah humbug. I also tried the William Morris next door, where I've eaten before, but there wasn't a free table. So I continued on to Rangrez - which wasn't hard to find, although Google Maps had it on the wrong side of the road.

I was seated without issue - actually, they'd only opened 40 minutes before, and I was their first eat-in customer of the evening; there were plenty of takeaway orders. They'd had butter chicken on the menu in the window - but as it says on the website, on evenings when an event is taking place in the Apollo, they might have a restricted menu. And butter chicken was one thing that got chopped - so instead, I had chicken tikka masala (feeling rather naff, considering that they have stickers up about having won curry awards). And lamb samosa, pulau rice, and peshwari naan. They also have a decent drinks menu - I had a glass of the sauvignon blanc.

Wow, it took forever to get my food. I guess that means it's fresh? Meantime, a table came in and sat down the back - again, one had a carrying voice, so I got to listen to all their foibles about the menu. "Do you have _?" and they were so particular about the drinks - wanted to know what brands of rum and whisky the place stocked, and the waiter had to run and check the shelves behind the bar.

Aw, I love the little handled pots they serve the curry and rice in! And it was all lovely, although I could have done with a little more flavour in the tikka masala. But the naan was to die for.. portions not huge, which is no bad thing in an Indian - and for once, I finished it all. And a second glass of wine. And then waited for over half an hour for anyone to come to me again. The place was really filling up once we got closer to 7, most people having booked, and frankly they were run off their feet. I didn't really mind, although sadly, by the time the guy cleared my table, it was too late for me to order dessert. He looked disappointed, I thought. Anyway, would be delighted to come back here - but it looks like a real hotspot on event nights - beware!

And so, around the corner to join the first queue I saw. Which is what everyone was doing. Happily, it all seemed to be the same queue, zigzagging its way to the entrance along a slalom course of barriers - when we got there, everyone started queueing at the same door. An usher was desperately trying to get us to spread out at the different doors. "Trust me!" he said, "they all go to the same place!" And finally we were in. I was in the Stalls, so no stairs needed to be climbed, and I stopped at the bar on the way - where she explained that they were charging £1 extra for the plastic cup (which, of course, you can take in), but that you wouldn't have to pay that extra if you brought it back for the second drink. Sadly, I didn't feel like this money-saving offer. Didn't get a second drink.

Not a bad view, eh? Well, I needn't have worried - the show, typically for these large events, started 10 minutes late. No free seats around me - I wonder whether there were some in the Circle. One of the organisers from Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) posted on Facebook at the interval - she was there with her mum, celebrating her Irish roots! Gosh, I never knew she had them. Anyway, I said hi - on Facebook.

The show - a 25th anniversary celebration - began with an extensive introduction by its creator, Michael Flatley. He no longer actually dances in it - leaves that to more nimble legs. But otherwise, it's the same as ever - all the razamataz, dramatic production numbers, and a story that has the bad guys (in Transformer-like helmets) bothering a sprite-like creature, who must be rescued by the Michael Flatley stand-in and his cohort (generally shirtless). Plenty of skin on display, short skirts for the girls, some ripping off of outfits to great whoops and cheers. I did find one girl on stage who didn't have the long, bouncy hair, so I'm happy to see that it's not a requirement. But yes, lots of sparkle and show, and everyone went home happy. Following the standing ovation, which we kind of felt obligated to provide, given how many times it was mentioned in the video montage that they always got one.. Last show tonight.

And on the Tube, someone was watching Cheltenham on their phone. Good to see it's back up and running. It ran late on me that night, and I didn't manage to get the blog finished.

Yesterday - gee, of course I hadn't started work yet! Although I can't have much free time left really, as I have now (hopefully) submitted everything to them that I think they'll need. For once, they didn't ask me for anything, and I figure no news is good news. So guess what? Yep, booked with Laurence Summers and the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners for his Magnificent Mayfair walk. With lunch, naturally.

Equally naturally, I left it too late for the bus, so was on the Tube again - so often this week! Arrived at Pret on Piccadilly in good time, had me a hot chocolate, and joined the others who had congregated over the side. It was a stunning day for a walk - my winter coat was too warm, for the first time this year! Warm and sunny, with beautiful blue skies.. even Laurence emerged from the bathroom wearing fewer layers than usual. I just wish I could find my sunglasses..

We learned some interesting facts about Mayfair. How, for instance, it used to be a red light district, with Kitty Fisher one of its more famous prostitutes!

Plenty of famous inhabitants, plenty of blue plaques:

..and a stunning Jesuit church:

Plenty of activity there, what with Lent in full swing.. a group was performing the Stations of the Cross, and a face-to-face confession was being held in a soundproofed side chapel. Beautiful location for it.

A stop-off in Grosvenor Square, and most of us headed for lunch at the Marlborough Head:

Service was friendly, if a bit frazzled.. one of the more experienced bar staff had to remind the guy I'd ordered from to give me my drink! Food arrived in stages - and was very good, portions maybe a bit large. But we had a lovely chat, and a lovely lunch.

And so on to Mercato Mayfair - a former church, now housing food stalls:

We all stayed for a drink - some of us for another. :-) And after a most successful event, which had lasted most of the day, we parted - excellent company. I departed straight for my next event - no point in going home, really! That evening, I was back with London European Club, for 24 Italian Songs & Arias, at Battersea Arts Centre. They're operating a "Pay What You Can" scheme, where you pay what you want, between £5 and £35 - recommended price, £16. They even sent me a survey afterwards to see what I thought! And at least I could get buses, this time.

Wouldn't you know it, I arrived just after the organiser! So, we took a seat in the bar, where the others joined us when they got there. Had a good chat, and headed upstairs when it was time.

Oh dear, I made a huge mistake with this one. I had read it was a show about failure - didn't really take in what that meant, and didn't realise that the entire thing was a dirge about how each cast member had failed at something. Neither were there 24 songs or arias - there was some good music, but primarily it felt to me like a pity party. Sorry, but I hate these expository things, and couldn't wait for the end. In future, I'll read these descriptions more carefully. Last show tonight, inexplicably sold out. Ah well, it was good to see people. Buses home - worked a bit more on the blog, but obviously wasn't going to get it finished.

Because today, I was back with Laurence and the 45+s - this time, it was Highgate: A Very English Village. More hills.. and another lovely sunny day! Breezy, though - but I took the plunge, and ditched the winter coat for the first time this year! That was the last sensible thing I did before the walk - now, last night, I looked up my route for today, to discover that yes, buses would get me there in under an hour. But the buses I needed were diverted because of roadworks! Right, Tube again.

And then I had a brain freeze. Because first, I realised I'd left too late, even for the Tube, and then I forgot I was headed for Moorgate, and retraced my steps - and then headed in the wrong direction entirely for Moorgate! Jeez, talk about a senior moment.. anyway, realising I was going to be a little late - which I never normally am - I left a message to that effect, and did my best. The Tube, to be fair, could have been a little more obliging, instead of constantly loitering at stations on the way.

At Highgate Station, we were to head for the Shepherds Hill exit. Didn't see a sign for that, but did see one for the car park, and recalled that also having been mentioned. O Lordy, such a flight of stairs to it.. but yay, I could hear Laurence's voice as I climbed, and climbed.. and I exited to the exclamation "Just in time! You only missed 25 words.." Happily, he had some more talking to do, so I could get my breath back. Before the next climb. Past Jackson's Lane Theatre - jeez, it's an age since I went to something there! As I remarked to someone, I have so many memories of charging around the hills of Highgate, racing to something I was late for, and practically giving myself a coronary..

To be fair, he warned us that the first bit was hilly, and it'd be fairly flat after that. And he took it easy on the hilly bit. So I was in no real danger of that today. And I was to be so glad I'd worn a lighter coat.. it felt quite springlike, in the sunshine. En route, we met a fat and fluffy cat, busily heading in the other direction, and not looking at all put out by either the hilly terrain, or the presence of several nearby dogs. We came across a plaque that doesn't seem to be a real plaque, with no marking denoting who put it up..

The windiest part of the walk was also the part with the best view. And as I remarked, I thought I could tell where my house was.. just across from that big skyscraper.. well, one of them..

We saw where some famous people used to live..

and where someone still does! Witanhurst, second-largest private residence in London, owned by a Russian oligarch. Not welcoming to random passers-by..

And so to lunch - in The Gatehouse, another place I haven't been to in years. Have eaten and drunk here, been to the theatre.. I remembered the food being a little posh, and the best way to get to it being by bus, letting the bus wheeze up the hill, rather than doing so myself, all the way from the station.

Well, we had a table reserved at the back, which just about fitted us - although those sat with their backs to the open door kept their coats on, frozen by the breeze that blew in through it! My cough decided this would be a great time to resurge - happily, its timing wasn't bad, as I first had a chance to pick what I wanted, and order my drink, but nothing had arrived yet. I moved a bit away for the purposes of coughing, and as it happened, I got through with it just in time to collect my drink - and they hadn't yet even taken the food order. So that was fine.

Most of us had fish n chips - to be fair, many would have liked a sandwich, but they don't really do them. One had rabbit, one had skate - and a couple of the ladies, who really weren't that hungry, had tapas. And I think everyone was happy with the food - the few bones I found in the fish failed to cause me much trouble, the batter was tasty and crispy, the peas non-mushy. And the wine was from New Zealand - happy days!

So it's a shame that a dampener was put on the meal by the very snippy attitude of the guy who seemed to be in charge, who was put out by his waitress spending so much time adding up our several totals, as we were all paying separately. Now, Laurence had asked for separate bills from the beginning, but this guy had said that would be more trouble - well, what did he expect? A table of nine is rarely all going to pay as one! So, either have separate bills, or add up separate totals.. Frankly, this attitude is incomprehensible from someone who takes group bookings, and I'd have to say that this does not give the impression of a place that welcomes groups. I do wonder whether he makes smaller groups - say a family of four adults - do the same? So, beware coming here if you want to split the bill. Management is in the dark ages.

And so back, by Tube again. The cat passed us again, again in the opposite direction, back from whatever business it had.. and lo, with nothing else on tonight, I got this finished! Oh, the relief..

Tomorrow.. someone I swore I'd never do a walk with again. Well, we'll see whether she's back on form - Walks, Talks & Treasure Hunts (WTTH) is off on a walk called Secrets of Belgravia. (Courtesy of her company, London Guided Walks.) The code MEETUP3 gets you a £3 discount on all her walks - which does cover the booking fee of £1, not advertised before you come to the point of purchasing the ticket. Well, it'll be a start if she shows up! Funnily enough, she messaged me the other day - because I signed up on the Meetup group - to remind me to book a ticket through her company. I see she still doesn't cross-reference, since I already did! Supposed to be cooler tomorrow, so I guess the winter coat is coming out again.

On Monday, I'm at another Zoom talk - Quakers at War is the story of the Quakers and their pacifism. Courtesy of Surrey History Meetup.

On Tuesday.. I'm booked for Dear Evan Hansen, at the Noel Coward Theatre! Finally - I'd booked for this before lockdown, and of course it got cancelled. Cheapest tickets from the official site.

On Wednesday, back with Civilised London (CL) - back at Le Sacré Coeur, meeting beforehand at The Crown, as usual.

On Thursday, back with TAC for Avocado Presents - Improv, at Etcetera Theatre. Eh, I think it's a jazz concert? 

Failing any information from my new job, have provisionally booked for Friday - Laurence and the 45+s are off to see Elegant London! Anyway, then back to Ireland for the weekend again.

On the 28th, going to see Daddy at the Almeida. Having never seen a bad production here, I have high hopes.

On the 29th, finally going to see Andrew Lloyd Webber's Cinderella! I hear good things.. it's playing at the Gillian Lynne Theatre, which is new to me - Seatplan was invaluable in choosing the best seating option. What's On Stage provided the cheapest price for that seat, though!

On the 30th, back with CL - for a play this time. This is The Fever Syndrome, at Hampstead Theatre.

On the 31st, back with TAC for One Night With Robbie Williams. This is at The Courtyard.

On the 1st, back with the Crick Crack Club (CCC) for - The Grand Annual Lying Contest! at Rich Mix.

On the 2nd, I had booked with WTTH for a Regent's Canal Walk. Different guide. But yay, Laurence and the 45+s just advertised another walk for that day, which is pretty much guaranteed to be superior. So I've booked it. This is Scandals, Scriptwriters & Sumptuous Architecture - and of course, it being a London weekend, I can go!

On the 3rd, the CCC again! Emily Hennessey and Sheema Mukherjee are at the British Museum, with Holy Cow! Tales from the River of Life. Unfortunately, the London Landmarks Half Marathon is also that day, so I'll probably be on the Tube, at least getting to the museum. 

On the 4th, I'm back at the Park Theatre for the first time in nearly three years! This is for Clybourne Park, a comedy about a white family moving into a predominantly black neighbourhood.

On the 5th, I'm headed to But I'm a Cheerleader, a musical comedy at the Turbine Theatre.

On the 6th, back with Up in the Cheap Seats at Southwark Playhouse, and another free ticket for me! This time, it's for Anyone Can Whistle, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim.

On the 7th, Tommy Tiernan is playing at the Hammersmith Apollo! Now, I failed to get a ticket for this the first time around. Then it was rescheduled because of Covid.. and I got a ticket for the rescheduled event! Then that was rescheduled.. third time lucky?! Love Tommy Tiernan. The show is called Tomfoolery. And then it's back to Ireland for the weekend again.

On the 11th, I've booked for The 47th, at The Old Vic. Written by Mike Bartlett, this imagines the American presidential elections of 2024. I am really looking forward to this play..

On the 12th, I'm finally going to Six, the Musical! Based around the story of the six wives of Henry VIII (very loosely, I'd say), it's playing at the Vaudeville and I hear good things. Cheapest tickets from Leicester Square Box Office.

On the 13th, back with CL, who are off to the opera at the Southbank Centre. The show in question is The Paradis Files. Next day, I'm back to Ireland for Easter - but left it so late to book, I could only get an afternoon flight, and will have to start my new job (whenever) by asking for that day off work!

Well, my friend got back to me - they're away in the middle of Easter week, back on the 21st of next month, so the most sensible thing to do seemed to be to visit on the 22nd of next month, which I've now arranged with her. Whether I take that week as holiday, or take the laptop home and work from Ireland, remains to be seen. Anyway, I'll fly back to London on the 24th of next month. And on the 25th of next month, I'm off to The Corn is Green, at the National.