Well, she sent me a shortlist of buildings, and boy was I glad I didn't go out last night, and had time - among other things - to work out the transport connections between them (handily, as it turned out, because she - and her husband, who came too - hadn't had time to do so). The most interesting to me was the Custom House, firstly because it's in the oldest part of town, and more importantly for the detector dog displays. :-) So we decided to meet in time to make the 1:30 display.
I fully meant to take the bus to Waterloo, and as usual, approached the stop just in time to see the one leave that I should've taken. Now, bus does take longer than train - and although I was too early to take the train, I was now too late to take the bus, and doing anything else while I was waiting would've made me late, overall. I took the train, occupying myself at Waterloo by buying a drink - from the kiosk, rather than the shops - and finding a seat.
Yes, I was in plenty of time, and when they arrived, we confirmed that yes, we were off to the Custom House, and yes, by bus (I'd also prepared the Tube option). Off, then, down the steps to Stop W, and one came nice and early, leading us on an interesting route through the backstreets south of the river (bit bumpy, too). Helen remarked that it was nice, travelling by bus and getting to see something of the city above ground - and we agreed that the display that tells you what stop is coming up just makes the whole thing very easy. I couldn't agree more - I love it. Across London Bridge, past the Monument, and traffic was so terrible on Great Tower Street that the driver let us off where we were - I do believe we'd have been late, otherwise.
Ahead, around the corner, and cross the road - you couldn't miss it. We weren't sure where to go in, until we saw the crowd.. beckoned in by a lady with an excitable dog. Yes, this was the place, and we were advised to go straight down and nab a good spot to see the display, which would be starting shortly. So we zipped through the old corridors of the building, passing several enthusiastic volunteers, some of whom were slightly dismayed that we were passing them by. We promised them we'd be back.
And so out to the car park, where we got a good vantage point overlooking the arrangement of luggage laid out in a large ring. We had one of the senior handlers explain to us how the star of the show - Teddy:
.. (the enthusiastic dog at the gate) would demonstrate how he could detect drug traces in one of these suitcases. (More photos here.) Or hopefully he would, since he'd only been in training for a week! Naturally, he played a blinder:
It was also interesting to hear how the dogs could be used to sniff out animal products, or even money. And the meet n greet with the dogs afterwards was very popular!
Several more interesting displays awaited us - a display on diesel smuggling, a table with examples of bomb components, a demo of how to disarm someone, a room full of examples of illegal animal products from endangered species. In one room, a hugely enthusiastic presenter made the talk about money laundering that much more interesting. I have to say, the friendly and welcoming atmosphere here made it a must-see destination for Open House, and there has to be something for everyone. Highly recommended.
Next on the list was the Senate House, so back to Great Tower Street, and a two-bus combination to Tottenham Court Road - the 15 and the 25. (It wasn't going to take much longer than the Tube.) Actually, I'd forgotten that the 15 is one of the great regular bus routes for sightseeing, and we got some great views of St. Paul's as we passed right by - I've been here a lot this week!
Now, I can't seem to reproduce the directions that Google Maps gave me yesterday, but I swear it said to change at Fetter Lane, direct from one bus to the other. The first piece of fun was when our driver passed that stop entirely, and we had to walk back. The second was when the 25 turned out not to stop there at all - we walked up Fetter Lane, turning onto High Holborn, and found a stop there to catch the 25, which, handily enough, was just coming.
All's well that ends well, and we made it to the Senate House soon after. I did remark on the difference between the neighbourhood we'd left and where we now were - so much more genteel. Anyway, the Senate House is the administrative building for the University of London, and an imposing, art deco building, apparently used as the backdrop for sundry films:
We didn't see much by way of definite guidance in there, although the advertising for the Shakespeare exhibition is prominent:
We did find a film, showing on a loop, made of archive footage of the laying of the foundations of the Senate House - which was interesting, and the architecture is gorgeous, the rooms stately, with more upstairs. As we felt we'd seen enough, and were making for the exit, someone working there advised us to go up to the exhibition - we took the lift up, only to be greeted immediately with the announcement that "Open House is closed - you can't go into the exhibition, and they shouldn't have told you that". Ah well.
The other locations were within walking distance, but it was getting to closing time by now, and we didn't feel like the walk, and were hungry. Helen, who used to work nearby, remembered a good Italian - and so we came to Olivelli's, a short walk down Store Street. Apparently run for a long time now by a Sicilian family, service is friendly, and the food is somewhat spectacular. For my part, excellent garlic bread - and a generous portion of it - was followed by a great saltimbocca, but the absolute highlight for me was the "torta paradiso", a house specialty, including a layer of hazelnut praline that I just couldn't resist. Not cheap, but this was the best meal I've had in an age. Memorable, and recommended. And the snipe of limoncello offered at the end was much appreciated!
I'd been too tired to research the bus route back from here to Waterloo, so we just took the Tube, Helen remarking that she was glad we hadn't been doing that all day, it was so hot underground! It was a good day though, good to catch up, and good to see these new places. And I now know of another excellent restaurant - for special occasions.
Tomorrow, those Meetup groups (and some others) are doing Open House again, and I'm going local with it - keeping it nice and simple. Locally, only one location is open tomorrow - St. Mary's Church, Battersea - so that's where I'm going. And it's close enough to walk. Could do with simplifying my life.
Next week is pretty busy - Monday, I'm back with London Dramatic Arts, for Father Comes Home from the Wars. A trio of short plays about a black man fighting for the Confederates in the American Civil War, it's a Pulitzer Prize finalist, and showing downstairs at the Royal Court - the very first venue I ever went to with them, as it happens.
On Tuesday, the Man with the Hat is taking Let's Do London - for Less! to Southwark Playhouse for another wartime drama. This one is The Greater Game, based on the true story of a football team, all of whom signed up to fight in the First World War.
Wednesday is actually Helen's birthday, I've taken the day off, and a few of us are headed for a full day of merriment. The plan as it stands is to start with the Clangers, Bagpuss & Co. Exhibition at the V&A Museum of Childhood, then we've booked a chocolate afternoon tea at Rabot 1745, followed by an evening of Colouring with Cats at Lady Dinah's Cat Emporium.
Thursday is a leaving do at work - taking place at The White House, in Guildford. So I'll take the train to work that day, for once.
Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend, and a well-deserved rest..
Before the following week! Monday sees the long-awaited return of the Crick Crack Storytelling Club, who are at Soho Theatre with The Girl who Married a Dog.
Tuesday, I'm back with Kensington Classical Music, for a concert at Asia House - part of the Talent Unlimited Music Futures Festival, for young performers, which runs all week.
Wednesday, the Man with the Hat is taking London for Less Than a Tenner to the Top Secret Comedy Club.
And Thursday sees my second outing of the week, with Kensington Classical Music, to Asia House, for that Talent Unlimited Festival.
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