Storytelling: Scared to Death in the Woods / Night Owl

So, made a beeline for Wasabi today - earlier than yesterday, so I wasn't in a rush. And yum. I was stuffed by the end, though - they give two escalopes per portion, and it's a lot. I was lucky enough to get a place to sit in the station, again, while I was eating - and was entertained by the sound of cheering, from an indeterminate location in the building. Which I'm guessing was the reason for the police officers stationed outside. Anyway, nothing untoward happened, and I set off in good time for my event.

Tonight, I booked something nice and Halloweeny - a ghost story event entitled Night Owl - changed from Scared to Death in the Woods, which they're now doing on Hallowe'en itself, and which has sold out. (Although mind you, my reminder email still called it Scared to Death in the Woods.) Tickets from Design My Night. So, an organisation called London Dreamtime was leading us off into a undisclosed location, somewhere around Hampstead Heath.. we were to dress warmly, and bring a blanket to sit on, and a "candle in a jar" - I actually went out and bought an LED flickering candle in a lantern-style holder. Well, thought it was the most practical! And I brought batteries back with me.

So, I popped in the batteries, and off I popped for the bus, which came promptly. And it was cool to see all the people out in Hallowe'en costumes. Even the Teletubbies. I had to change buses, mind - and as I waited for the next - the #46 - I checked the LCD screen to see how long it'd be. Nearly half an hour?! Ah now, that wouldn't do at all. This completely disagreed with Google Maps' estimate of 1 minute. Google, get your act together - I ended up on the Tube, which I could have taken in the first place, and which would then have worked out quicker and cheaper.

The Central Line was crowded, so I stood - but it was a shorter journey. The Northern Line, I did get a seat on - but it was so hot.. it was a relief to emerge into the cool night air. Speaking of which, I was glad I hadn't taken the advice to bring a blanket - it really wasn't that cold. So, I set off for the Overground Station, where we were to meet. I was just checking whether I should turn to the right, for the entrance - when I saw a lady with a lantern across the road, a crowd around her. Sure enough, 'twas her - and she ticked my name off the list along with the others', then told us to go stand with the crowd huddled on the path into the woods, further up. I noticed a few with lanterns, so didn't feel out of place. Looks like the avenue of trees here would be lovely in daylight, but in the dark, it's hard to make out.

We set off at a fair pace - and when we got past the lit area at the edge of the Heath, she instructed us to use our phone torches. Sure enough, my little lantern wouldn't have been much good on its own! She stopped a couple of times en route, to set the scene - at the first stop, she told us the hilarious tale of how her mother was secretary to Christopher Neil-Smith, an Anglican exorcist - until something happened one day to make her flee out the door and never come back. Her second stop was to set the scene for her main story. (Yes, story, singular..)

So, we eventually got led into the woods proper, where the light came in handy, and there were logs we could sit on - or a groundsheet. One couple had, indeed, brought a blanket to sit on. I got a bit of log - not that comfortable, I might add. But I did find that the lantern added to the atmosphere. We were kind of in a circle, and she took an elevated spot so we could see her - and she related the story of a practiser of occult arts, who lived just down the road, and of the last day of his life. Beautifully told, quite eerie - and with a backdrop of the sound of fireworks, somewhere nearby, it sounded as though we were under attack. I'd have taken a photo, but honestly, I didn't want to spoil the mood..

And, um, that was it. Half an hour to make our way there, a half-hour or so to tell the story, and we were done. You what?! It took me longer than that to get there on the Tube! Granted, my bum was glad to detach itself from the log, but still - dragging us all the way up there for half an hour's worth. Also, not as advertised - I mean, this event was advertised as carrying on until 10! We finished at about 8.15..

I needed to take someone's arm for a short but steep slope that led back to the path - then it was easy enough to make my way out - I just followed the lanterns, still lighting, of those in front of me! (The lanterns were handy for that.) And the #46 - this time - appeared as it was supposed to, and took me back into town. And on board, I noticed how muddy my boots were - and a patch of mud on my clothes, too. Bah humbug. Well, all's well that ends well - and I would like to see her do something else. Just maybe not on the Heath!

Tomorrow.. Halloween itself.. I finally came up with something to do! One of my cheap ticket groups (CT) finally sent me an email with good suggestions - one of which was the Cloak & Dagger Immersive History Tour (yes, with actors). Starting and ending at The George, and yes, running tomorrow. Sadly, all their ticket allocation had gone - I just booked one direct with the company.

On the same email, they advertised the Unrestricted View Horror Film Festival, at the Hen & Chickens Theatre! I found tickets even cheaper with my other cheap ticket group, TAC, however.. They have three sessions of short films tomorrow, the last of which finishes an hour before my walk, giving me time to get there. So I booked the first - but when I tried to book the others, the system wouldn't let me, saying they were too close together! I had to contact the box office direct to book them for me - which they promptly did. So, three 1.5-hour short horror film sessions, lasting all that afternoon, should set me up nicely for the walk!

On Monday, back with the Crick Crack Club - at King's Place, this time - for their annual Day of the Dead celebration! Keeping the spooky tradition nicely alive, there.

On Tuesday - weyhey, back with Ivan! Don't know where yet - watch this space.

Therefore, I'm taking the next day - Wednesday - off work. As I said to my boss, it'd be that or a sick day! That evening, however, I'll be dragging myself to the National for The Normal Heart, of which I've heard good reviews.

On Thursday, finally getting to see Tina - The Tina Turner Musical, which I'd booked pre-lockdown and got a refund for! Cheapest tickets, I found, were direct from the Aldwych Theatre. Peculiar website though - I couldn't see my basket without going back into the booking section. And then I'm flying back to Ireland again - a Friday flight, for once! Just for the weekend, this time.

Dance: Carmen & Immersive Audio: Deadhouse

Well, flew back last night. An early flight meant I might have had to rush my departure, but was in nice and early. But the revelation of the evening was the newly revamped security section at Shannon Airport! So yes, they've done away with the detours and the hoardings, and you now go through the normal Duty Free entrance - but wow, the new scanners mean you don't have to remove anything from your bag. Not liquids, not tech. Stupendous. As I said to her, ah, if only all airports had this! Ah, she said, it's only certain ones.. Oh, and they now also have trays big enough for my trolley bag. Welcome to the Big Time.

Crazy day today - I hardly got away from my computer in time to eat. (I worked from home, as I shall be next week as well, what with our office move in progress. I could have gone in today, but then would have had to bring my laptop with me tonight, as we no longer have access to our desks.) When I did finally scuttle out the door, I had one thing in mind - last night, coming through Liverpool Street Station, I passed someone eating what looked like a Wasabi katsu chicken curry. Which I was addicted to, when we were based across the road from a branch (now sadly closed). I know there's a branch in the station - takeaway only, but I figured I could eat on one of the many benches installed since lockdown. And, ladies and gentlemen, that is precisely what I did! Yum.. my first Wasabi in at least a year and a half..

This evening, I was back with the London European Club again, for Carmen - contemporary flamenco at The Place. And my bus arrived just as I did - strangely, Google Maps wanted to send me around the corner, which would have been both further to walk, and a longer bus journey. Anyway, amid the hard braking of our driver - which made me glad I hadn't eaten more - I got an email about new Darkfield Radio material! Sadly, had to wait until I got home before I could check it out - I literally didn't have time, for hours today, to charge my phone, and am having trouble getting it to fast charge now: so the battery was pretty low, and I needed to show my ticket on it.

Arrived at the venue - easily spottable as you approach, with the name printed on the approach side in large letters. Now, it is (6.5 - I checked) years since I was last here, and I remembered nothing about it. We were supposed to meet in the cafe - but that was closed, as we'd been told in a mail from the venue - so the bar seemed a better bet. Lo, I wasn't quite the first one of our group there - although it's been years since I saw the person who was, and when I last did, her hair was a different colour! What with the masks as well, it's hard to recognise people. But I did, and anyway, she'd secured a sofa, and although the bar wasn't actually open yet, we sat and chatted, and gradually everyone else found their way to us. And I worried about my phone battery - and thought about planning my route home, in case of emergency. Needn't have worried, all I had to do was reverse the outbound journey - again, you wouldn't think that from Google Maps, who had me taking another bus in the other direction, so I could get to a more convenient stop from which to catch the bus to take me home! Honestly, sometimes you'd wonder..

The battery was merrily down to 7% by the time we went in - but that was fine, and I commenced the climb to my seat. I was rearmost among our group, I think, up in the second-last row - well, that's all they had when I got around to booking it! The view was fine though - better than what I usually get in Sadler's Wells -  not that there was much to see, with the stage in darkness, and besides, my phone was on its last legs - so you'll have to take my word for it.

This only lasts an hour - but what an hour! Raw, passionate and intense, the story of Carmen is stripped to its basics. (In the Q+A afterwards, the choreographer started talking about a representative bullfight - I missed that reference at the time, TBH.) Flamenco - in bare feet! - merges with other dance moves, so seamlessly that you couldn't imagine anything else. The music is perfect - brooding, or passionate.. and as the action builds to a climax, the imagery is striking, dancers with their backs to the audience, silhouetted against the smoke that covers the stage, hands outstretched like supplicants - or as if carrying something. Someone remarked, afterwards, that this is a different language to the spoken word - well yes, and this is an eloquent example. Powerful stuff, highly recommended - and they're playing again tomorrow. Go see.

The Q+A, which most of us attended, was interesting - most of the dancers showed up, and the choreographer, and his flamenco teacher, who was the chair, it seems. The questions they got from the floor threw them somewhat, by the looks of it. But it was great to hear their perspective and motivations. Mind you, the appearance of the bare feet of some was testament to how tough this work is on the body..

The bus home was a while coming - and I couldn't check when it was due, as my phone died while trying to get a decent signal. When it did come, our driver was hard on the brakes again - perhaps the same driver as earlier? We were tied up for ages at roadworks in Shoreditch, but when I did get home, I hastened to check out that Darkfield Radio stuff. Turns out they've partnered with the BBC to produce a three-part story podcast called Deadhouse! Free, this time, and as usual, lie in the dark with headphones on and your eyes closed. Twenty minutes each. So - as soon as my call to my mother got sorted - you know what I was doing..

This is much better than their last offering. Each piece has an evocative placename - Salem, Xanadu, Bethlehem. Each is introduced with a trigger warning for the particular things that will freak you out in that episode. Personally, I liked Xanadu the best - but see what you think. If you dare.

Tomorrow, I'm doing something nice and Halloweeny - a ghost story event entitled Night Owl - changed from Scared to Death in the Woods, which they're now doing on Hallowe'en itself, and which has sold out. Tickets from Design My Night. So, an organisation called London Dreamtime is leading us off into a undisclosed location, somewhere around Hampstead Heath.. we're to dress warmly, and bring a blanket to sit on, and a "candle in a jar" - I actually went out and bought an LED flickering candle in a lantern-style holder. Well, thought it was the most practical! And I brought batteries back with me. And thank goodness for a lie-in! Oh, and Wasabi is open at weekends..

On Sunday.. Halloween itself.. I finally have something to do! One of my cheap ticket groups (CT) finally sent me an email with good suggestions - one of which was the Cloak & Dagger Immersive History Tour (yes, with actors). Starting and ending at The George, and yes, running on Halloween. Sadly, all their ticket allocation had gone - I just booked one direct with the company.

On the same email, they advertised the Unrestricted View Horror Film Festival, at the Hen & Chickens Theatre! I found tickets even cheaper with my other cheap ticket group, TAC, however.. They have three sessions that day, the last of which finishes an hour before my walk, giving me time to get there. So I booked the first - but when I tried to book the others, the system wouldn't let me, saying they were too close together! I had to contact the box office direct to book them for me - which they promptly did. So, three 1.5-hour short horror film sessions, lasting all that afternoon, should set me up nicely for the walk!

On Monday, back with the Crick Crack Club - at King's Place, this time - for their annual Day of the Dead celebration! Keeping the spooky tradition nicely alive, there.

On Tuesday - weyhey, back with Ivan! Don't know where yet - watch this space.

Therefore, I'm taking the next day - Wednesday - off work. As I said to my boss, it'd be that or a sick day! That evening, however, I'll be dragging myself to the National for The Normal Heart, of which I've heard good reviews.

On Thursday, finally getting to see Tina - The Tina Turner Musical, which I'd booked pre-lockdown and got a refund for! Cheapest tickets, I found, were direct from the Aldwych Theatre. Peculiar website though - I couldn't see my basket without going back into the booking section. And then I'm flying back to Ireland again - a Friday flight, for once! Just for the weekend, this time.

Concert: Raka & Balamuc & Films: The Last Duel & The Rescue

Right! I'm back. Well, I always am, eventually.. sorry for the delay, but a lot has been happening..

Remember how on Thursday, I'd booked Universe, a Crick Crack Club (CCC) show happening in Oxford and live-streamed? And then, the day before, I got an email to say that the recording of Universe would be made available to me for a week afterwards! Well, that didn't happen.. seems they had technical issues, and not only could some people not access the whole show, but they couldn't record it either. So they've refunded me. Ah well, as I mentioned, I had seen it before. Just as well it didn't get in the way of my other plans, though!

On Friday, I was back with the London European Club (LEC) for a concert - Balkan Music, courtesy of Raka & Balamuc, in The Post Bar, Tottenham. Sounded like fun. We wouldn't have access to our desks by that night, though, what with moving office soon - so I had to empty mine: and to save taking loads of unnecessary stuff to the concert, I left work a bit early, to get it back to the flat. So I was slightly exhausted by the time I hopped on the bus to the concert.

It's a long, long, straight road, from where I live - and the first time in years I sat upstairs on the bus, what with there being little choice downstairs. The bus dropped me across from the bar, and in I went - was about to grab a drink at the bar when I saw a Meetup sign peeping around it from a table at the other side, near the stage. So, around I went - and there was the organiser, and someone else I hadn't met since I came back! Cool - I grabbed my place on the sofa that came with the table, went back to the bar, and returned with a drink. Later in the evening, others joined us - some I knew, some not, but the chat was good. And oh, it was great to chill..

The first band up was Balamuc - and my, they had technical issues! It took them ages to get the mic fixed, there was terrible feedback. I also remember having to waft through a cloud of rather smelly smoke that was pumped out - for effect, naturally. But when they finally did get going, they were catchy, they were fun.. the floor in front of the stage was really filling up, but we were fine.

Raka came on at about 10:30 - too late for some, who had to be up early. By this stage, it was getting quite packed, and our table had been removed to make room. Honestly, I didn't get as much from their performance as from Balamuc - they weren't as catchy, and as I didn't understand what they were singing about, they pretty much lost me. So I didn't stay for much of their set, leaving at about 11. But the night was a good one, mainly for meeting and chatting to people. And as our organiser said, it was great to see the venue getting the custom - it was heaving by the time I left.

I couldn't have stayed up much later anyway; I flew back to Ireland the next day. With a few days off, I'm not flying back until Thursday. At least I'm not working from home this time, so didn't have to bring the laptop! Now, I didn't do anything on Saturday - the day I flew - and Sunday was my mother's birthday, so I left it alone. But yesterday, I took myself to the pictures. Highest-rated of the films showing locally is Dune, with Timothée Chalamet - a coming-of-age sci-fi film that I honestly have no interest in. But then, I never did read the book.

Nope, I took myself to one of far more interest to me. The Last Duel - directed by Ridley Scott - is based on the true story of the last trial by combat to be held in Europe. (Careful, that link contains spoilers.) In 1386, Sir Jean de Carrouges (Matt Damon) was horrified when his beautiful young second wife (his first having died of plague), Marguerite (Jodie Comer), broke the news that, while he had been away recently, his neighbour, Jacques le Gris (Adam Driver), had inveigled his way into the castle and raped her. Now, the two men had been at loggerheads for a while, over land.. and le Gris was the favourite of the local lord, Count Pierre (Ben Affleck, as a blonde). Le Carrouges was never going to be able to get a verdict in his favour locally - and so appealed to the king, Charles VI (Alex Lawther). Both parties wanted a fight to the death - that was the only way to repair the damage done to their honour. The king agreed, if the court could not come to a decision - and so it came to pass. Harriet Walter plays le Carrouge's mother, and John Cavanagh is le Gris' priest.

Showing at a slightly earlier time in the Omniplex, so I took myself in there. It was a bit of a scramble to make it in time, but I got there while the ads were still running - mind you, there were only about 10 minutes of them! They've really cut down on the programme these days, I'm finding.

Ah now, I am exactly the demographic for this film. I love history. I adore medieval history. I have a particular fondness for the 14th Century. And you won't find it more accurately represented on screen than in this film. Both Affleck and Damon contributed to the screenplay, which was based on a book about the subject by historian Eric Jager, who also oversaw the dialogue used in the film. As Marguerite goes about her business on the estate, she takes great care over the day-to-day running of the farm - and we learn a lot about how a medieval estate would have been run. I'm not a historian, but I couldn't fault it. And Alex Lawther plays a blinder, utterly believable as the young king who would later become famously mad..

It's very cleverly told. As they say, there are three sides to every story - here, we start with le Carrouge's version, then le Gris': and finally, Marguerite's. So, we essentially get the same backstory three times, with a slightly different twist each time. I do love seeing stories from different angles - and it is so interesting to look back afterwards, and note what exactly they changed. As you might expect, the woman's story comes out completely different from the men's.

The film starts dramatically, with the joust. Now, I used to attend the Knights' Tournaments - and before Health and Safety got so prissy, I remember I used to be able to get right up to the fence. And WOW! Let me tell you, little compares to the sheer drama of the horse thundering past you, and the crash of the lances against each others' shields. Stirring stuff - and this brought it all back for me. But we don't see it again until we're finished with all three backstories - and we get to see the conclusion. Caveat: as with other aspects of the film, the battle scenes are realistically gory. And there's nudity, plenty of violence..

Compelling - especially if you like things medieval. Filmed in Cahir Castle, near enough to where I am now, as it happens. But also a terrific examination of women's life in medieval times. An absolute must-see. At least for the likes of me! I just wish I had it to see all over again.

Yep, and today's film was also excellent. The Rescue is a documentary about the relatively recent rescue of 13 Thai schoolboys, and their football coach, from a flooded cave - monsoon season had come early. A highly rated film - but films about "worthy" subjects often are; it doesn't always mean they work as an enjoyable film.

This, however, is terrific - unexpectedly moving, with original footage and reconstructed scenes (using some original participants), alongside interviews with people involved. And it's interesting to note that the rescue effort was spearheaded by English amateur cave-divers.. nobody else had the relevant expertise, nobody else knew what equipment would be required! The step-by-step recounting of the process required is absolutely fascinating - and terrifying, as they convey how improbable it was that everyone would come out alive. Footage at the end, also, of the Englishmen receiving knighthoods. I felt like giving them a round of applause myself.

This was a preview - it's not officially out until Friday. And for once, I ended up in the Odeon, which was the only place showing it! Tonight only, and I'm glad I made the trip. I had to check my route though - it's been years. And I see they've built a whole new (since I was there last) shopping centre! Other things of note included the check of my Covid cert as I entered - they do that in Ennis, but not in Limerick Omniplex - and the neverending queue for McDonald's drivethru as I left. (I was passing, to be clear, not queueing.) Oh, and I had a squeaky seat in the cinema..

No more films here for now - my mother has booked me to open her birthday present (a Dyson) tomorrow evening, and I'm expecting a call in the afternoon. And I'm flying on Thursday, so it'd be too complicated. But on Friday, back with the LEC again, for Carmen - contemporary flamenco at The Place. (Might work from home that day, as we won't be in our new office yet, and I'd have to carry my laptop around with me.) Funnily enough, someone in the group said there were no individual seats left, and asked whether anyone wanted to double up with her. I offered, if there were no other takers - but she never got back to me. So, since I was now up to that date in my schedule, I decided to check for myself - and got an individual seat! So I've booked it.

On Saturday, I'm doing something nice and Halloweeny - a ghost story event entitled Night Owl - changed from Scared to Death in the Woods, which they're now doing on Hallowe'en itself, and which has sold out. Tickets from Design My Night. So, an organisation called London Dreamtime is leading us off into a undisclosed location, somewhere around Hampstead Heath.. we're to dress warmly, and bring a blanket to sit on, and a "candle in a jar" - I actually went out and bought an LED flickering candle in a lantern-style holder. Well, thought it was the most practical! And I got batteries today.

On Sunday.. Halloween itself.. I finally have something to do! One of my cheap ticket groups (CT) finally sent me an email with good suggestions - one of which was the Cloak & Dagger Immersive History Tour (yes, with actors). Starting and ending at The George, and yes, running on Halloween. Sadly, all their ticket allocation had gone - I just booked one direct with the company.

On the same email, they advertised the Unrestricted View Horror Short Film Festival, at the Hen & Chickens Theatre! I found tickets even cheaper with my other cheap ticket group, TAC, however.. They have three sessions that day, the last of which finishes an hour before my walk, giving me time to get there. So I booked the first - but when I tried to book the others, the system wouldn't let me, saying they were too close together! I had to contact the box office direct to book them for me - which they promptly did. So, three 1.5-hour short horror film sessions, lasting all that afternoon, should set me up nicely for the walk!

On Monday, back with the CCC - at King's Place, this time - for their annual Day of the Dead celebration! Keeping the spooky tradition nicely alive, there.

Next Tuesday - weyhey, back with Ivan! Don't know where yet - watch this space.

Therefore, I'm taking the next day - the 3rd - off work. As I said to my boss, it'd be that or a sick day! That evening, however, I'll be dragging myself to the National for The Normal Heart, of which I've heard good reviews.

On the 4th, finally getting to see Tina - The Tina Turner Musical, which I'd booked pre-lockdown and got a refund for! Cheapest tickets, I found, were direct from the Aldwych Theatre. Peculiar website though - I couldn't see my basket without going back into the booking section. And then I'm flying back here again - a Friday flight, for once! Just for the weekend, this time.

Concert: Anniversaries, Talk: Smoke Hole, & Free, 3 Mile Christopher Wren's Churches Tour & Post Event Social

Yesterday, I booked another walk with Invigorate - this one was a tour of (the outside of) Christopher Wren's churches. Starting even closer to the office than the last one, handily. Rain was forecast - I hoped it wouldn't get too bad. Well it seems that the guide had the same thoughts, because checking what turned out to be a dreadful forecast for yesterday, he postponed it to today! Instead, for yesterday, he took us to a free "Anniversaries" concert by the band of the Royal Yeomanry, at the Guards' Chapel. Tickets also available from Eventbrite. And funnily enough, this is where he took us, for another military concert, on what was my last Meetup before my long lockdown.. and as on that occasion, we were meeting in the Old Star. I hoped it wouldn't be as crowded as it was that day - not least because, with pretty much nobody following precautions, the UK now has the highest number of Covid cases in the world..

This time - unlike the last time - I had time to take the bus. I was the first to the pub, being shortly joined by the others - and happily, it wasn't too crowded. After a while, we even got a table! Oh my word, was it good to see everyone.. and we had a lovely chat before walking to the venue. Where we took a pew as near as you could get. Eh, maybe not the best idea, with the orchestra right on the other side of the pews.. our poor organiser was deafened, although it wasn't as bad for us on the end, at the French horn section..

A popular programme saw us entertained by a Fiddler on the Roof medley in the first half, as well as some lively tunes I didn't recognise - although we'd been given programmes on the way in. And in the second half, we were treated to an Indiana Jones soundtrack - both massively nostalgic. Towards the end of the second half, they moved to more militaristic music, with some regimental marches - and lo, if a couple behind us didn't stand to attention for these. Fair play to them for maintaining their stance - no-one else joined them! The concert finished with the National Anthem.

Now, when I'd strolled outside at the interval, it was a fine and balmy evening - but when we were leaving at the end, the heavens had opened! We agreed to head back to the pub - it was early - and were suitably drenched on the way. A few of the group ordered food - and everyone who did seemed delighted with it. And so ended an excellent evening, with me the only one heading back to the bus. And praise be that it actually stopped at my stop, which is never listed on the schedule any more - certainly, I didn't fancy walking more than necessary in that downpour.

Today, I thought I couldn't go on the rescheduled walk, because I had an online storytelling double-bill. First, I'd booked Universe, a Crick Crack Club (CCC) show happening in Oxford and live-streamed. Clare Murphy - and I've seen it before, and it was the best show ever! And then I saw that Martin Shaw from the CCC was doing an online show, earlier in the evening.. this one, in association with Watkins Bookshop, was called The Smoke Hole, and it was free. So I said, hey, why not?

And then, yesterday, I got an email to say that the recording of Universe would be made available to me for a week afterwards! Well hey, that left me free for the walk, so I signed up. Had lots else to do, but I did manage to sign into Smoke Hole beforehand, which had him touting his new book of that name. It's a kind of examination of how we need a dose of fantasy in our lives, how we need stories - and I did love the phrase he used, "we are heavily defended from seeing our own beauty". I'd happily have stayed to the end, but I needed to get going.. perhaps they'll put that on their YouTube channel, as they do other talks. Not that I can see the other talk I signed up for yet, mind!

Off I scurried to the City Thameslink Station, where we were to meet. Got there just in time, to find the group occupying one side of a triangular bench arrangement at the entrance. (I'd never been in here before.) Our guide was running a bit late - arrived just after we'd done the introductions. He'd brought quite the sheaf of notes with him - well, there are a lot of churches in London..

And so, off we set, and started with St. Bride's:

One of the group had brought his tripod, and spent a lot of time setting up shots - he frequently brought up the end of the group, but did manage to keep up! Anyway, then we were up Ludgate Hill, and of course had to stop in front of the much-photographed St. Paul's. I swear, every time I pass here there are people taking photos - and I can't blame them:

We popped in to St. Andrew by the Wardrobe, where a Coptic service was about to start - on;y church we could enter. As we passed One New Change, he had the inspired idea to take in the view from the roof:

He'd been a bit over-optimistic with his itinerary, mind, and we didn't get to all the churches on his list. But the decision, as our allotted time came to an end, to take a shortcut to the nearest pub received unanimous approval! Sadly, it was closed - but we headed (handily enough, in the direction of my flat) around the backstreets, and ended up at the Jamaica Wine House. We initially took our drinks outside - they have a large outside area - but had to repair indoors for 9pm. Finding it noisy in the main bar, we headed downstairs to Todd's Wine Bar - a cosy nook, all the better when we got seats around a barrel that served as a table. And a lovely chat was had, over a couple of drinks. One of the friendliest Meetup groups around - and to be honest, they're a little thin on the ground, these days.. And I had a short walk home, afterwards.

Tomorrow, back with the London European Club for a concert - Balkan Music, courtesy of Raka & Balamuc, in The Post Bar, Tottenham. Sounds like fun. We won't have access to our desks by tomorrow night, though, what with moving office soon - so I have to empty mine: and to save taking loads of unnecessary stuff to the concert, I might have to leave work a bit early, to get it back to the flat. Then I'm back to Ireland - another Saturday flight - and with a few days off, I'm not flying back until next Thursday. At least I'm not working from home this time, so don't have to bring the laptop on the flight!

But on the 29th, back with that group again, for Carmen - contemporary flamenco at The Place. (Might work from home that day, as we won't be in our new office yet, and I'd have to carry my laptop around with me.) Funnily enough, someone in the group said there were no individual seats left, and asked whether anyone wanted to double up with her. I offered, if there were no other takers - but she never got back to me. So, since I was now up to that date in my schedule, I decided to check for myself - and got an individual seat! So I've booked it.

And on the 30th, I'm doing something nice and Halloweeny - a ghost story event entitled Night Owl - changed from Scared to Death in the Woods, which they're now doing on Hallowe'en itself, and which has sold out. Tickets from Design My Night. So, an organisation called London Dreamtime is leading us off into a undisclosed location, somewhere around Hampstead Heath.. we're to dress warmly, and bring a blanket to sit on, and a "candle in a jar" - I actually went out and bought an LED flickering candle in a lantern-style holder. Well, thought it was the most practical! Now I just need batteries..

Talk: Hallowe'en Penny Dreadful Show - The Art of Victorian Horror

Tonight, I booked with Guided Walking Tours in Brighton and Sussex (!). They advertised an online talk entitled Hallowe'en Penny Dreadful Online Show - The Art of Victorian Horror. I have to say, online has become much more of an option since lockdown. And this'd be a night I could move stuff from my desk - we have to clear them out by the end of the week, as we're moving office next month!

Well would you credit it - the guide messaged us during the day, said he wasn't feeling well. But he kindly provided us with the link to a past recording. I stayed on in the office for a bit, watched the one soap I still follow (I can stream it), then took some stuff from the desk and made my way home - earlier than expected. Where I decided I might as well watch the recording!

Well, I'm glad I did! He's hoarse in the recording - apparently just out of a bout of Covid - but that doesn't detract from his excellent storytelling skills! He also chose a nice, spooky background, and appropriately spooky background music. And what an excellently structured talk, starting with modern horror, which had him hooked from an early age, then turning to the origin of the penny dreadfuls in Victorian times. So we get a good dollop of history to go with our tour through the popular titles. Well worth watching, very entertaining, and a nice run-up to Hallowe'en.. Highly recommended, for horror fans! He gave us another link too - and there are some links at the end of this recording. All in all, great value, with five for the price of one!

Tomorrow, I booked another walk with Invigorate - this one was a tour of (the outside of) Christopher Wren's churches. Starting even closer to the office than the last one, handily. Rain is forecast - I hoped it wouldn't get too bad. Well it seems that the guide had the same thoughts, because checking what turned out to be a dreadful forecast for tomorrow, he postponed it to Thursday! Instead, for tomorrow, he's taking us to a free "Anniversaries" concert by the band of the Royal Yeomanry, at the Guards' Chapel. Tickets also available from Eventbrite. And funnily enough, this is where he took us, for another military concert, on what was my last Meetup before my long lockdown.. and as on that occasion, we're meeting in the Old Star. All I can say is, I hope it's not as crowded as it was that day - not least because, with pretty much nobody following precautions, the UK now has the highest number of Covid cases in the world..

On Thursday, I can't go on the rescheduled walk, because I have an online storytelling double-bill - I'll have to see how that pans out. First, I'd booked Universe, a Crick Crack Club (CCC) show happening in Oxford and live-streamed. Clare Murphy - and I've seen it before, and it was the best show ever! And then I saw that Martin Shaw from the CCC was doing an online show, earlier in the evening.. this one, in association with Watkins Bookshop, is called The Smoke Hole, and it's free. So I said, hey, why not? (And this is realistically the last night I can move stuff from my desk.)

On Friday, back with the London European Club for a concert - Balkan Music, courtesy of Raka & Balamuc, in The Post Bar, Tottenham. Sounds like fun. Even if I have to bring my work laptop, as we won't have access to our desks by that night. Then I'm back to Ireland - another Saturday flight - and with a few days off, I'm not flying back until the 28th. At least I'm not working from home this time, so don't have to bring the laptop on the flight!

But on the 29th, back with that group again, for Carmen - contemporary flamenco at The Place. (Might work from home that day, as we won't be in our new office yet, and I'd have to carry my laptop around with me.) Funnily enough, someone in the group said there were no individual seats left, and asked whether anyone wanted to double up with her. I offered, if there were no other takers - but she never got back to me. So, since I was now up to that date in my schedule, I decided to check for myself - and got an individual seat! So I've booked it.

And on the 30th, I'm doing something nice and Halloweeny - a ghost story event entitled Night Owl - changed from Scared to Death in the Woods, which they're now doing on Hallowe'en itself, and which has sold out. Tickets from Design My Night. So, an organisation called London Dreamtime is leading us off into a undisclosed location, somewhere around Hampstead Heath.. we're to dress warmly, and bring a blanket to sit on, and a "candle in a jar" - I actually went out and bought an LED flickering candle in a lantern-style holder. Well, thought it was the most practical! Now I just need batteries..

Concert: The Sixteen

Tonight, I was with London Classical Music & Theatre Group, for a choral performance (annual, apparently) by The Sixteen in Temple Church. Fantastic! I discovered it was quite a short walk from the office, so I left in plenty of time.

Ah, I knew I'd have trouble with Temple - made my way in from the main road, and where the map said to turn, I think I'd have had to climb in a window. Or over a rooftop. Of course, the fact that it was dark by then - and raining steadily - didn't make it any easier: but I followed the trick of following other people, and finally found myself coming through an archway that bore a sign for the church. And so I arrived, and the lady guided me to my colour-coded section, at the back - cheapest, as usual. Plenty of empty seats too, despite the website saying it had sold out.

Lodged my phone on the convenient ledge. Hung my bag on the convenient hook. Couldn't see the performers, really, from where I was - but that wasn't the most important thing, anyway. I wasn't familiar with the pieces performed - but my, it was stunning! I had the choice of gazing at the vaulted ceiling, or just closing my eyes and letting it overpower me. I did both, at intervals - and I have to say, the last piece, I cannot find words for. Uncommonly wonderful.

Unfortunately, at the interval, it took long enough for my phone to find signal that I had little chance of finding the organiser, whom I'd never met before anyway, and wouldn't have recognised. I made my excuses - and as it happened, I was seriously distracted en route to the entrance, where he apparently was, by all the historical effigies! Which, mind you, rang a bell.. I was actually here before, nearly seven years ago! Ah well, I can't be expected to remember everything. Reading back my review of that occasion, I see I was also lost, until I found the arch with the sign.. See here for photos, they were better than what I took tonight.

Afterwards, he said he'd be at the entrance again - but I couldn't decide who might be a likely Meetup organiser, and gave up. I did find a quicker way out, though! Don't know how I missed it on the way in.. Anyway, the rain had stopped, and I had a really pleasant walk home. Even if I did have to check my direction at every junction! (Complicated streetscape, around here.) But it was sad to see all the closed businesses on Ludgate Hill.

Tomorrow, I'm with Guided Walking Tours in Brighton and Sussex (!). They have an online talk entitled Hallowe'en Penny Dreadful Online Show - The Art of Victorian Horror. I have to say, online has become much more of an option since lockdown. And that'll be a night I can move stuff from my desk - we have to clear them out by the end of the week, as we're moving office next month!

On Wednesday, I booked another walk with Invigorate - this one is a tour of (the outside of) Christopher Wren's churches. Starting even closer to the office than the last one, handily. Rain is forecast - I hope it doesn't get too bad.

On Thursday, an online storytelling double-bill - I'll have to see how that pans out. First, I'd booked Universe, a Crick Crack Club (CCC) show happening in Oxford and live-streamed. Clare Murphy - and I've seen it before, and it was the best show ever! And then I saw that Martin Shaw from the CCC was doing an online show, earlier in the evening.. this one, in association with Watkins Bookshop, is called The Smoke Hole, and it's free. So I said, hey, why not? (And this is realistically the last night I can move stuff from my desk.)

On Friday, back with the London European Club for a concert - Balkan Music, courtesy of Raka & Balamuc, in The Post Bar, Tottenham. Sounds like fun. Even if I have to bring my work laptop, as we won't have access to our desks by that night. Then I'm back to Ireland - another Saturday flight - and with a few days off, I'm not flying back until the 28th. At least I'm not working from home this time, so don't have to bring the laptop on the flight!

But on the 29th, back with that group again, for Carmen - contemporary flamenco at The Place. (Might work from home that day, as we won't be in our new office yet, and I'd have to carry my laptop around with me.) Funnily enough, someone in the group said there were no individual seats left, and asked whether anyone wanted to double up with her. I offered, if there were no other takers - but she never got back to me. So, since I was now up to that date in my schedule, I decided to check for myself - and got an individual seat! So I've booked it.

And on the 30th, I'm doing something nice and Halloweeny - a ghost story event entitled Night Owl - changed from Scared to Death in the Woods, which they're now doing on Hallowe'en itself, and which has sold out. Tickets from Design My Night. So, an organisation called London Dreamtime is leading us off into a undisclosed location, somewhere around Hampstead Heath.. we're to dress warmly, and bring a blanket to sit on, and a "candle in a jar" - I actually went out and bought an LED flickering candle in a lantern-style holder. Well, thought it was the most practical! Now I just need batteries..

Uncomfortable Statues Walk

For today, I found something interesting with London Walks, Art & Culture Explorers! Yet another new one for me. This was an "Uncomfortable Statues Walk" - statues commemorating controversial people. I could think of a few, and it'd be interesting to see which came up on this! Another early start though, damnit. Still, it was an early night last night.

Sleep wasn't an issue - getting my phone charged enough was, what with the trouble I've been having of late, activating fast charging. Anyway, with the charge nearly up to 50% again, I said I'd better go. Arrived at Trafalgar Square in good time - certainly, I had less far to travel than yesterday! Now, Trafalgar Square is large - but we'd been told to meet in front of the statue of James II. You what?! I had to Google it.

On the way, I noticed busking circles - new to me, since I was here last!

First controversial statue I saw had nothing to do with the walk - the current offering on the fourth plinth - where statues are regularly replaced - is, apparently, a reflection on surveillance in modern society:

A drone and a fly, on a cream topping with a cherry on top. Hmm.

Back to King Jimmy. Well, aside from his dubious taste in having himself portrayed as a Roman General (!), the source of the controversy surrounding him was that he apparently set up a slave-trading organisation. And thus began a long couple of hours of outing people as being slave-owners, or racists, or having made racist remarks. All this seems to have come to the fore primarily as a result of the Black Lives Matter movement. All well and good. Except that, scratch the surface of anyone that lived a while ago, and you might well come across something similar.

The next statue was of George Washington (slave-owner) at the other side of the square. And so on to Nelson's column - the statue of him in Dublin was blown up by the I.R.A. (probably) in the 60s, you know. The column is so high that you can't see the statue from where we were standing, at the base - instead, we saw a relief that depicts his death, with a person with African features at the left-hand side: probably one of the slaves who, if they escaped slavery in America, were offered freedom if they fought for the British.

Captain Cook had a suitably pompous stance, we agreed:

(Well, how else are you going to look in your statue, I guess?) He, of course, was guilty of invading far-flung places and bothering the locals.

Taking the biscuit, though, had to be Clive of India:

An embezzler, who got off because he was also a brave soldier, when he killed himself he wasn't popular, the idea of a statue to him over a century later was wildly unpopular. You'd have to wonder, not only how it got built at all, but also how such an in-your-face statue was permitted to be built, and is still standing there. Really, quite odd. A monument to rampant capitalism, perhaps?

And so to Parliament Square, home of many controversial statues. (As a couple of us remarked, it can't have been by accident that Margaret Thatcher's statue was located indoors.) We started with Churchill, a man of many contradictions - again, he held many ideas that we would consider racist, but hey, he was great during the war.. other contentious statues included Gandhi (who made racist remarks in his youth, which he later retracted) and Mandela, who, as everyone knows, was a member of the ANC, considered a terrorist organisation. As they say, one man's terrorist, another man's freedom fighter.. Speaking of terrorists, we ended with Oliver Cromwell, who ranks right there with Satan in the Irish consciousness, courtesy of his vicious campaign in Ireland in the 17th century. So, the Irish got the last word..

Our guide had obviously done a lot of research - he'd brought enough notes. Perhaps too many - perhaps he's not yet fully experienced, despite his guiding qualification. My one major quibble though was how softly spoken he was - not the best quality in a guide, particularly when we were trying to hear him in crowded, busy squares, with traffic, aeroplanes.. a mic would have served him well. Oh, and what were they doing, advertising a pub social afterwards for a Meetup that was obviously just advertising a commercial venture? Naturally enough, no pub was mentioned on the walk, and afterwards, we all just dispersed. Also the first guided walk I can remember where nobody applauded at the end.. neither did I feel inspired to do so.

I needed food again. What was around there didn't look too promising, so I headed back to Trafalgar Square, which isn't that far. Saw a Prezzo on Northumberland Avenue, and said I'd give it a go. Wow, am I glad I did: was quickly seated, and despite being warned that they were understaffed, so I might have to wait a bit - why, I honestly have never had such quick service!

Had garlic bread again - delicious, and this time just the right size! Followed, at a respectable interval, by spaghetti carbonara, with optional chicken, and optional sprinkling of cheese. Gorgeous, and accompanied by two glasses of wine - because. Dessert was a delectable chocolate fudge cake. My server had an eye on me the whole time, and I almost never had to wait. And I practically floated home. Yum.. 

Tomorrow, I'm with London Classical Music & Theatre Group, for a choral performance (annual, apparently) by The Sixteen in Temple Church. Fantastic, and I've never actually been inside!

On Tuesday, I'm with Guided Walking Tours in Brighton and Sussex (!). They have an online talk entitled Hallowe'en Penny Dreadful Online Show - The Art of Victorian Horror. I have to say, online has become much more of an option since lockdown. And that'll be a night I can move stuff from my desk - we have to clear them out by the end of the week, as we're moving office next month!

On Wednesday, I booked another walk with Invigorate - this one is a tour of (the outside of) Christopher Wren's churches. Starting even closer to the office than the last one, handily. Rain is forecast - I hope it doesn't get too bad.

On Thursday, an online storytelling double-bill - I'll have to see how that pans out. First, I'd booked Universe, a Crick Crack Club (CCC) show happening in Oxford and live-streamed. Clare Murphy - and I've seen it before, and it was the best show ever! And then I saw that Martin Shaw from the CCC was doing an online show, earlier in the evening.. this one, in association with Watkins Bookshop, is called The Smoke Hole, and it's free. So I said, hey, why not? (And this is realistically the last night I can move stuff from my desk.)

On Friday, back with the London European Club for a concert - Balkan Music, courtesy of Raka & Balamuc, in The Post Bar, Tottenham. Sounds like fun. Even if I have to bring my work laptop, as we won't have access to our desks by that night. Then I'm back to Ireland - another Saturday flight - and with a few days off, I'm not flying back until the 28th. At least I'm not working from home this time, so don't have to bring the laptop on the flight!

But on the 29th, back with that group again, for Carmen - contemporary flamenco at The Place. (Might work from home that day, as we won't be in our new office yet, and I'd have to carry my laptop around with me.) Funnily enough, someone in the group said there were no individual seats left, and asked whether anyone wanted to double up with her. I offered, if there were no other takers - but she never got back to me. So, since I was now up to that date in my schedule, I decided to check for myself - and got an individual seat! So I've booked it.

And on the 30th, I'm doing something nice and Halloweeny - a ghost story event entitled Night Owl - changed from Scared to Death in the Woods, which they're now doing on Hallowe'en itself, and which has sold out. Tickets from Design My Night. So, an organisation called London Dreamtime is leading us off into a undisclosed location, somewhere around Hampstead Heath.. we're to dress warmly, and bring a blanket to sit on, and a "candle in a jar" - I actually went out and bought an LED flickering candle in a lantern-style holder. Well, thought it was the most practical! Now I just need batteries..

Kenwood House, Hampstead, Visit

Today, my first outing with another new group - Bucket List London is off to Kenwood House, and I said I'd join them. You don't have to book, but it guarantees availability- tickets for free from English Heritage, via See Tickets. We were to meet at 11, and it'd take me the better part of an hour to get there - so naturally, I didn't get to bed early enough. And waking this morning wasn't the easiest, let me tell you..

Well hey, off I went. In light rain, which hadn't been forecast the night before. The only option to get me there in under an hour was Northern Line, followed by a bus - which is what I did. And happily, the Tube was early, so I got there early, and had time to get slightly lost, as usual. But it isn't desperately hard to find:

Well, our organiser had given good directions, so I managed to find our meeting place without too much trouble. No organiser, though - until I finally spotted him, dressed as he'd said he'd be. Full of apologies for being slightly late. See now, this is why I wouldn't fancy being an organiser - I do my best to be on time, but it's not always easy, and stuff happens. Anyway, no harm done - some of the group had already gone in, it transpired, but we caught up with them.

Kenwood House, it turns out, is famous for being the beneficiary of the Iveagh bequest - the first Earl of Iveagh saved the house from development by buying it. Then gifted it to the nation. Decent bloke.

The contents had already been sold, but he used the house to showcase some of the finest pieces from his art collection. I'm not an art aficionada, but even I had to be impressed when viewing the mixture of Rembrandt, Gainsborough, Constable.. and interestingly, he preferred pictures of women and children, in general..

The architecture is lovely, the presentation of the paintings carefully considered - and the volunteers hanging around in most rooms are generally only delighted to chat about their subject! "Yes, this is the family associated with Guinness, the stout." "Yes, this clock is as old as your country!" (said to an American). Mind you, I thought I'd never get away from the woman who wanted to talk about Ireland, which she'd visited, and loved.. well, she eventually got snagged by somebody who wanted to ask about a painting, and I made a graceful exit. But they're among the most engaged volunteers I've met, anywhere.

The gift shop didn't tempt me - but the coffee shop did, where I had a most excellent, vegan, chocolate orange cake and a hot chocolate. Large. And very hot. And we sat in what was now very pleasant sunshine, where we found plentiful seating, and chatted merrily - and I was back on the Tube with our gregarious organiser. Yes, had a lovely time meeting people! and this is a group I'll keep an eye out for, from now on.

Now, I hadn't had a huge amount to eat yet today - and food was high on my list. So I said, well, for the hell of it, I'll try Cote Barbican again - you might remember that they were booked up when I tried to get a table there, in lashing rain, a couple of weeks ago.. So, in I went, started by saying I didn't have a reservation, but - could I get a table for one? (I could see plenty of empty tables this time.) "Of course! Where would you like to sit?" Hmph. Maybe it was the weather, last time..?

Steak-frites, as usual, and wine, and I decided to try the garlic bread. Yeah - not sure I will again: nothing wrong with it, except the quantity. I didn't have it half finished by the time my main course arrived, and never did get more than half of the garlic bread eaten.. it's just too much. Besides, I needed to leave room for dessert - which was their delectably rich chocolate mousse (topped with cocoa powder). Yup, I was well fed, and practically rolled home. Wow, a much more successful day all round than two weeks ago..

Tomorrow, I found something interesting with London Walks, Art & Culture Explorers! Yet another new one for me. This is an "Uncomfortable Statues Walk" - statues commemorating controversial people. I can think of a few, and it'll be interesting to see which come up on this! Another early start though, damnit. Still, it'll be an early night tonight.

On Monday, I'm with London Classical Music & Theatre Group, for a choral performance (annual, apparently) by The Sixteen in Temple Church. Fantastic, and I've never actually been inside!

On Tuesday, I'm with Guided Walking Tours in Brighton and Sussex (!). They have an online talk entitled Hallowe'en Penny Dreadful Online Show - The Art of Victorian Horror. I have to say, online has become much more of an option since lockdown. And that'll be a night I can move stuff from my desk - we have to clear them out by the end of the week, as we're moving office next month!

On Wednesday, I booked another walk with Invigorate - this one is a tour of (the outside of) Christopher Wren's churches. Starting even closer to the office than the last one, handily. Rain is forecast - I hope it doesn't get too bad.

On Thursday, an online storytelling double-bill - I'll have to see how that pans out. First, I'd booked Universe, a Crick Crack Club (CCC) show happening in Oxford and live-streamed. Clare Murphy - and I've seen it before, and it was the best show ever! And then I saw that Martin Shaw from the CCC was doing an online show, earlier in the evening.. this one, in association with Watkins Bookshop, is called The Smoke Hole, and it's free. So I said, hey, why not? (And this is realistically the last night I can move stuff from my desk.)

On Friday, back with the London European Club for a concert - Balkan Music, courtesy of Raka & Balamuc, in The Post Bar, Tottenham. Sounds like fun. Even if I have to bring my work laptop, as we won't have access to our desks by that night. Then I'm back to Ireland - another Saturday flight - and with a few days off, I'm not flying back until the 28th. At least I'm not working from home this time, so don't have to bring the laptop on the flight!

But on the 29th, back with that group again, for Carmen - contemporary flamenco at The Place. (Might work from home that day, as we won't be in our new office yet, and I'd have to carry my laptop around with me.) Funnily enough, someone in the group said there were no individual seats left, and asked whether anyone wanted to double up with her. I offered, if there were no other takers - but she never got back to me. So, since I was now up to that date in my schedule, I decided to check for myself - and got an individual seat! So I've booked it.

And on the 30th, I'm doing something nice and Halloweeny - a ghost story event entitled Night Owl - changed from Scared to Death in the Woods, which they're now doing on Hallowe'en itself, and which has sold out. Tickets from Design My Night. So, an organisation called London Dreamtime is leading us off into a undisclosed location, somewhere around Hampstead Heath (where I was today, actually).. we're to dress warmly, and bring a blanket to sit on, and a "candle in a jar" - I actually went out and bought an LED flickering candle in a lantern-style holder. Well, thought it was the most practical! Now I just need batteries..