Unfortunately, no-one from the office came with me. I'd have asked the visitors, but one was meeting a friend and the other needed to go souvenir-shopping, which isn't really the thing at Winter Wonderland. Never mind, off I set on my own! Discovered I could walk it in about half an hour - and that was absolutely the best way to see the lights and imbibe the Christmas spirit. Got cash on the way as well - not everyone there takes card.
Now, the website had said that I'd get fast-track entry with an attraction ticket - I said it to the person shepherding the queue at the entrance, because I was quite short of time, and she directed me up to the exit and said to go in there. Eh, not quite - seems there's a separate entry track beside the exit lane, and the guy was quite ticked off that I hadn't used it. Never mind, when he spotted me he checked my bag and in I went. So much for the "interactive" map on the site, though - Google Maps couldn't keep up, and put me in completely the wrong place, so I ended up going up the wrong laneway and was damn near late! Just as well I knew what the tent looks like, from last year..
More photos and videos here. They checked my ticket, and in I panted. Open seating, and although the ringside row was gone, I nabbed a seat in the second row, centre section. The tiered section behind me was almost full, but on this Tuesday early-evening showing, most of the rest was empty.
Now, this show is quite dark - they have a tamer version that runs in the daytime, in case the kiddies might get scared at this one: although kids are allowed at the evening shows, too. Photos and videos permitted, no flash of course. Very Mad Max-ish theme, with the costumes all raggedy, leather featuring heavily, and of course motorbikes. Of the non-bike acts, there were people working with hoops, jugglers, an aerialist that drew screams from what sounded like teenage girls, somewhere in the tiered seating. One interesting twist was two girls, working in tandem on a hoop suspended from the high wire. And a short person acted as a clown. But what everyone was waiting for were the bikes.
Bike on a high wire - that's new!
I did wonder when they started doing something with the globe without bringing it out to the centre of the ring - but it turned out that was just a teaser, since they've obviously figured out that's what everyone wants to see! And it was with some fanfare that they did so..
If you thought that four bikes zipping around inside were bad enough - try five! Truly awesome, well worth the price. 45 minutes well spent, as ever.
And so out into Winter Wonderland proper.
Got an XXL burger from a very nice German couple - she was taking orders and managing the till, he would cook. Sadly, I don't think he had a word of English, so there was no point in objecting as he oh-so-carefully positioned two slices of tomato and three of cucumber in my burger! No, I just purloined one of the forks they were giving out for chips, and ate my burger by the nearby bins, picking the offending articles out as I went. Well, I was fed, at least - and I do have to compliment management on the profusion of bins. I was looking for a stall that'd sell me hot chocolate with a shot in it, but blast it, gave up in the end and had a very creditable non-alcoholic one. After which, of course, in rapid succession, I spotted two that would have added a shot. You're looking for the stalls that sell Galaxy hot chocolate, FYI!
Presents obtained for three people from the market, and I considered it an evening well spent! Just some spatters of unpredicted rain got in the way. And so I walked home, which was a bit of a trek, but did give me a great view of the lights!
Lunch today was out, in honour of the last day of one of our visitors - one of them flew today, this one's going tomorrow. Someone suggested Busaba, which he described as Asian fusion. Nah, not really - it's Thai. We were seated around one half of a large square table, on upholstered benches. Minimalist decor, dark wood, with large, bamboo-style lamps over the tables. Anyway, glad to see pad thai on the menu, which I ordered - the rest had curries. If I were to have this here again, I think I'd douse it in some soy sauce - it was a teensy bit bland. The prawn crackers, I found heavier and stronger tasting than the ones I'm used to from Chinese restaurants. But we were sufficiently fed.
On Wednesday, more Christmas walking 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! It is supposed to rain, but not until later - clouds have been lowering ominously al day.
Tomorrow, 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 Monday, 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 Tuesday, 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!
Next Wednesday, 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 recently, 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 last week 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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