Pubs: The Coach & Horses, The King's Arms

Tonight, back with Spooky London - the John Snow Pub. And for once, I managed to leave in decent time! I had two routes to choose from, each of which involved two buses - seeing that the #8 was unexpectedly delayed, I chose the other combination, which involved taking the #521. And by 'eck, was it packed - I had trouble squeezing off!

Speaking of packed, the pubs were all heaving - and I got a message from the organiser to say that the pub we were headed to was way too full to accommodate us. When I got there, he was outside, and another of our number was gamely searching for a corner for us - to no avail. Although apparently some were inside, and had already ordered drinks - he necked his, and came with us to source another pub, while the others finished their drinks where they were.

Plenty of pubs in Soho. Unfortunately, they all had the same problem - Thursday is the new Friday, and we're in the run-up to Christmas. We did find some space, upstairs at the Coach & Horses - although it wasn't ideal, a bit noisy, and not enough space for the others if they joined us. Which they never actually did.

So, after one there, we headed out again - and were lucky enough to happen across a much quieter pub, with space! We even got a table down the back, big enough for the three of us - and the others, if they'd fancied it, which they didn't seem to. Hey-ho, we amused ourselves - the hostelry in question was the King's Arms, and lo, appropriately enough for our group, a sign on the wall declares that this was the site of the revival of the Ancient Order of Druids, in 1781! Gee, you never know what you'll find. Nice house white, too. My only quibble with the place was that the hand dryer in the ladies' - up a vertiginous, narrow flight of stairs - didn't work.

Nice to see those I got to see. Sadly, this might be my last meeting with them this year - I can't make the next, and that's all that's advertised so far. Never mind, I'm sure there'll be another time! On the way home, caught some of the newly erected (energy efficient) Christmas lights on Oxford Street:

Tomorrow, off for another weekend in Ireland. On Monday, the Crick Crack Club is back with Rebel Children, at the British Library. Ben Haggarty & Jan Blake - ooh yeah!

On Tuesday, my annual trip to Winter Wonderland - heading to Cirque Berserk and the Ice Kingdom, as usual. Someone said he might come along.

On Wednesday, the first night in ages with North London Friends! We're at A Day in the Death of Joe Egg, at Trafalgar Studios.

And next Thursday, our ex-company's social group's Christmas meeting. We had a tiff about the venue - the organiser decided on Thai Square, which I think is overpriced and underwhelming. So he started to grumble about the difficulty of getting somewhere before Christmas - which will take a group, and doesn't cost the earth. Still though, he came up with an alternative - we've decided on the Warwick Castle pub in Little Venice. Lovely area, the pub sounds nice - with a Christmassy open fire, and a room we can book - and hey, it's a pub, which won't throw us out as quickly! Must get on to booking their wine deal.. 10% off if you order at least £150 worth. Which I'm sure, among the dozen or so that are coming, we'll manage to drink. And gee, he's had us choosing what we want off the menu. I also asked for the wine list - and now am waiting impatiently for someone - anyone - to get back to me with an idea of what they'd like to drink!