Well, I duly dragged myself out of bed and got ready. Of course, I was rushing - and a full inbox made me a little late, as did Google Maps, which confused me. Weaving through the crowds of Soho didn't help. As I scurried along, I did manage to text the guide, who'd been kind enough to provide his number. Meet at the thumb, he'd said - and when I got there, a couple of minutes late, a quick look around revealed a group at the base. Yippee, I arrived at the same time as a couple, so didn't feel so bad. We left slightly after.
More photos here. And wouldn't you know it, after an almost completely dry week, it had to choose today to rain. Mercifully, it didn't start out too bad - but it got progressively worse, and was miserable by the time we finished. Bah.
Anyway, this was worth making the effort for. Really one of the best I've been on - Fun London Tours, this company is called (they use Funzing to advertise), and if this is any indication, I'd love to go on another of theirs. We had Jess, and man was he fun! Personable, funny, and absolutely full of facts I hadn't heard before - and for someone who goes on so many guided walks in London, that's a really good sign for me. For instance - how many times have I been past Cecil Court, and never gone down there?! It's right off Charing Cross Road, so I've passed it a million times. Full of eccentric bookshops now, it used to be the hub of the fledgling film industry in London, and featured in Harry Potter, apparently - not that I'd know much about that. It wasn't the only atmospheric, Harry Potter-inspiring, side street we went down, either:
We heard the story of William Terriss, who met an untimely end at the stage door of the Adelphi, where we stood to hear his story. The guide hadn't even had time to tell us about his ghost when there was a knock on the door! We passed the Benjamin Franklin House, where apparently they hold a very interesting exhibition - the statue of Charles I that marks the official centre of London - and one of the last nose sculptures, at Admiralty Arch.
But I have to say the highlight for me had to be finding out the origin of the cat topiary at the Savoy! Seems that, in 1898, there were 13 people for a dinner party there. Tradition has it that the first person to leave a party of 13 will die soon after - and that's what happened. Ever since, the hotel has banned parties of 13..! If you have 13 in your group, they used to put a staff member with you - but that was unpopular. So now, you get.. Kaspar! the hotel's wooden cat. Who will be plonked on a cushion and provided with dinner, to provide a 14th guest. Well, and I never knew..
Awesome walk - highly recommended. Particularly if you can book through Funzing, so you can get a discount (I always do), and can cancel up to 48 hours in advance without penalty. Hopefully tomorrow's will be as good - I'm finally doing the Murder Mile Walk. Early start, bah!
On Monday, I was off to This Beautiful Future, at the Yard Theatre. And then it turned out that a couple of guys from the North American training team in our company are visiting the office for a couple of days! Team dinner that night. Well hey, I wasn't that pushed about the play anyway. Not everything I book for is a must-see.
On Tuesday, my annual pilgrimage to Cirque Berserk at Winter Wonderland! Whee..
On Wednesday, back with Walking in London, this time with Katie of Look Up London, and her Alternative Christmas Lights Tour. Delighted to give her the business, and it should be fun!
On Thursday, back with Up in the Cheap Seats - this time at the newly opened Bridge Theatre, for their first show, Young Marx. Delighted to make this - I had booked it for the 20th October, then the Crick Crack Club got in the way, as they often do! The theatre charged me a nominal fee to change it to this date. So this'll now be the first play I'll have gone to in a while! And then it's back to Ireland for the weekend again.
On the 27th, I'm headed to see Follies at the National - one that London Dramatic Arts (LDAM) went to a while ago, expensively. What with their ticket prices, and other things getting in the way, I really don't know when I'll be with them again..
On the 28th, back with Let's Do This! (LDT) at a place called The Fiddler's Elbow, for a Blues Club & Jam. Be good to see them again!
On the 29th, the Crick Crack Club has their long-awaited 30th birthday party at Rich Mix. Finally advertised by their Meetup group, I see, months after tickets went on sale. A friend is going to this, and Helen is thinking about it. Oh, and the crazy lady is supposed to be going - may she not dare to cross my path! I'm perfectly capable of throwing a drink over her. If the need arises.
On the 30th, LDT is off to.. Saint George and the Dragon, at the National! Now, when this was advertised, I remembered having booked it already. Checked, and discovered that was during my week in Stockholm - so I was happy to book it again. Completely forgot, of course, that I was already booked for last week, with Up in the Cheap Seats. But then, of course, I couldn't go to that either.. third time lucky, I hope! Mind you, consensus seems to be that it drags - never mind. Then I'm back to Ireland again.
On the 4th, I'm finally seeing Heisenberg: the Uncertainty Principle, at Wyndham's Theatre. Another that LDAM saw before I have, and another I rescheduled - this from the 16th October, when I was with Up in the Cheap Seats. Another nominal fee to change. And they posted me physical tickets - how retro!
On the 5th, my annual trip to La Soirée! "Posh new venue", as they say - they're now in the Aldwych Theatre. Cheapest tickets at Amazon tickets - you save on the booking fee.
The 6th sees our office Christmas party! Mercifully, I've just found out it's not black tie this year - don't have to buy a new outfit, then! It's at Bounce - a pub with ping pong tables, wouldya believe?! We have a private room, with three such tables and a karaoke machine. I foresee a noisy night..!
I can't stay long though - have to be at Stansted at 6 in the morning of the 7th, for a trip to Nuremberg Christmas market with London European Club! We'll also be doing some travelling in the area. Helen liked the sound of it, and my other friend who's coming to the storytelling is coming too. We'll have a ball! I just bought Lonely Planet's chapter on Bavaria, downloaded it, and have shared it with them - isn't it handy how you can buy individual chapters? Mercifully, although the crazy woman was supposed to go on this, she's pulled out. So, the plan is to stay in the new place, the night before..
Back late on the 10th, and on the 11th - having taken the day off work (I'll be exhausted) - I'm off to the Barbershop Chronicles. At the National.
On the 12th, I've just booked a Funzing talk - Interviews With a Serial Killer, courtesy of London Speaks Sessions and LDN Talks @ Night. For which, with their new loyalty scheme, I earned £10 credit! Not so shabby..
On the 13th, my last visit of the year to Sands Films - finally advertised on Meetup, through the World Music Meetup, TunedIn London has a concert by Plastikes Karekles, a Greek group.
On the 14th, my friends who came to Soho on Monday are headed to Wilton's Music Hall, for something called The Box of Delights. And for once, I'm letting them decide for me, and am going myself too.
On the 15th, my final trip of the year to the Crick Crack Club - Jan Blake is performing Masters of Hex at the British Library. Along with Ben Haggerty and TUUP. Same friend going with me as on the 29th, and Helen too - and the same lunatic. Well, after the nasty things she had to say about me, I'll be surprised if she dares to approach me at all. Next day, I'm back to Ireland for Christmas.
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 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!
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