The Auburn Lodge

And so to clip the dog, today. Or rather, to deposit her with someone who would do it for us - and we don't envy her! (Dog or groomer - groomer for the hard task ahead of her, dog for having to be manhandled by a scary Eastern European woman with a gruff attitude.) Pissed rain all day, of course - we couldn't conceivably score more than one day of sunshine!

It was with some relief that I did deposit the wriggly, scruffy creature - we now had a couple of hours to ourselves, so the obvious thing was to grab a bite to eat while we were waiting. The Auburn Lodge is just down the road - and they do a carvery lunch in the bar at the weekends. Plenty of seating - not much variety in the menu, but it was fine for us. I had chicken with pepper sauce, as before - my mother had salmon, without sauce, as usual. The veg were loaded onto the same plate - something I haven't seen for a long time! Probably not since my last carvery, I guess. I had to order wine separately, at the bar.

Where we sat was determined by how loud the music was - a live trad band was playing over the side (quite early in the day for that). We found a spot where it wasn't too loud, and I could also catch Sky News out of the corner of my eye, on the tv over the fireplace. Nice n cosy, watching the persistent drizzle out the window. .As for the food - I was very impressed with the chicken, which was simply tasty, the sauce with a slight kick. Overall, the meal was a success. My mother was less impressed - she said afterwards that the salmon was a bit tasteless. Pity she didn't say so at the time - I could have gone back to get some sauce in a bowl! She was also of the opinion that the food was cold - but she always says that, unless it's volcanically hot.

As for dessert - all they had were some gooey, rather moreish, double chocolate muffins, of which I had one. She asked whether they had ice cream - not on display, but when I asked, they said they'd bring some to the table - and they did. Good quality, too. Fantastic value - the food for us both cost just €26.70. And happily, we were in good time to rescue Fluffy, who was now presentable again.

On Monday, Helen is in town for an interview - good luck! We'll meet for a bite after (somewhere) - I have plenty of time before the Crick Crack Club returns to Soho Theatre for an evening called Under the Eyes of Baron Samedi, courtesy of Jan Blake. It's too late for her, sadly. Delighted to say I persuaded a couple of other friends to come along! Hope they enjoy it. Also delighted that the crazy woman isn't coming - despite being a fan of Jan Blake, she couldn't make this.

On Tuesday, Up in the Cheap Seats again, and we're off to The Secondary Victim, at the Park Theatre.

On Wednesday, I'm finally back with The London Jazz Meetup, to see Ben l' Oncle Soul at Cadogan Hall. Really, I'd go with them much more often, but there's so much else on..!

Next Thursday, I'm back at Sadler's Wells with Up in the Cheap Seats, for Hunted Maud Le Pladec / Okwui Okpokwasili.

On Friday, I'm off to see Young Frankenstein, at the Garrick!

The weekend is Funzing, with Walking in London. Next Saturday, A Secret London Tour - I've had my eye on this for a while, it sounds interesting. And on the 19th, I'm finally doing Murder Mile Walk.

On the 20th, I'm off to This Beautiful Future, at the Yard Theatre.

On the 21st, my annual pilgrimage to Cirque Berserk at Winter Wonderland! Whee..

On the 22nd, 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 the 23rd, 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. 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 this week, with Up in the Cheap Seats. But then, of course, I couldn't go to that either.. third time lucky, I hope! Then I'm back to Ireland again.

On the 4th of December, 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 of December, my annual trip to La Soirée! "Posh new venue", as they say - they're now in the Aldwych Theatre. Cheapest tickets at Amazon tickets.

The 6th of December 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 of December, for a trip to Nuremberg Christmas market with LEC! 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. Be handy if I had a flat near Liverpool Street by then.. that's where you catch the Stansted Express! Here's hoping that works out - there seem to be loads of places, and it wouldn't be hard to get better than what I have now, and within walking distance of the new office. Possibly for less money, even!

Back late on the 10th of December, and on the 11th of December - having taken the day off work (I'll be exhausted) - I'm off to the Barbershop Chronicles. At the National.

On the 12th of December, 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 of December, 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 of December, my friends who are off 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.

And on the 15th of December, 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 of November, 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. Farewell 2017 - it's been good! Roll on 2018, and the next U2 tour..