Office Party & Catchups

On Thursday afternoon, we had our office Christmas Party. Literally in the office, which they transformed into a casino. We were instructed to take lateral flow tests beforehand.

It was pretty much impossible to get any work done that day - the above photo was taken from my desk, so you can see how close I was to the party area! And for hours beforehand, they were setting up - the company had really gone to some effort. We were intrigued by the variety of stuff appearing. In the end, the tally was as follows: two casino tables (blackjack and roulette), with accompanying cards and chips: a table football game: an air hockey game: a Scalextric track, and any amount of food and drink - plus uniforms for the caterers. They'd also brought a bar to operate from, but found our existing kitchen area handier. And there was a dj in the corner.

We had to hand it to them, the whole event went really well - initially hesitant, after a while crowds had gathered around everything. Except the dj - they had left a small dance floor, but no-one was tempted. The bar had a small menu, offering three different cocktails and red and white wine - I spent the afternoon downing "mandarin martinis" - vodka martinis with orange. Far too easily drinkable. And to be honest, I wasn't feeling quite myself after that - I was rather glad when they ran out of orange, and I switched to wine and felt much better! Prosecco was also on offer. And I was in a table football-winning team! It was lovely to get chatting to people I hadn't spoken to in a while, or not really at all.. and I was even dragged into a couple of pictures in the photo booth they set up in reception. Complete with festive headgear.

Anyway, that evening, the Crick Crack Club was supposed to have their first Christmas show ever! In Rich Mix. Wow, promised to be epic. But.. wouldn't you know it, a spot was reserved in The Paternoster pub near the office, and some drinks pre-ordered. So I said I'd see how it went - tarnation, why does everything have to happen on the same night?! So was I delighted when I got an email that morning to say the show had been cancelled, owing to the illness of a cast member. Awesome. When I finally managed to drag some of my colleagues to the pub, we discovered that a corner area had been roped off - a bit snug for everyone that eventually showed up, but we managed - and drinks were indeed waiting for us in the corner. I managed on the white wine that was available - plus one drink kindly bought for me by a colleague. And again, spoke to people I knew pretty well, some I hardly knew at all.. a very successful night, and I'm glad I could go. Despite the lashing rain that doused me on the way home!

On Friday, I met Ivan and another ex-colleague for drinks (I didn't expect the other ex-colleague to last the night, but anyway.) He suggested Soho, I suddenly remembered where the Man with the Hat used to take us! The Nellie Dean would do very well indeed - I have so many good memories. I also remember the Man with the Hat once asking us whether we'd miss him..

Yes, we do. Very much.

Anyway, we arranged a time, and were, of course, all late - me, least so, so I said I'd hang around upstairs until a table was free. Which I did. Then another of us arrived, and we ordered food - downstairs, awkwardly, although they cook it upstairs. By the time it came though, a decent-sized table had come free, and we moved over there - and there we stayed until they closed the upstairs bar and we all moved outside. In due course, it was just me and Ivan, as predicted, and we headed to The Hippodrome, which has the advantage of being a central location where you can spend the night drinking without having to dance. Service is friendly, and they and they have a "boozy tea room", open till after 2, where it's a little quieter. We had very tasty nibbles, and when they chucked us out, it was to the restaurant overlooking the gaming tables, where you can still order food and drink until whatever time you want to leave.

The (free) cloakroom is interesting - they take your mobile number, and text you a retrieval code - although Ivan never got a text. However, your mobile number itself will do as well. By the time we left though, the cloakroom was unattended - we had to ask the bouncer, who told us to find the gaming manager, who got someone, and we were sorted. Really, all they need is to open some rooms to sleep / wash change in, and they'd have everything!

I even got a few hours sleep before dragging myself into wakefulness to meet Helen! London Transport Museum it was, and brunch would be welcome. I fact, I made it early - and across from the museum, on Tavistock Street, I discovered the Covent Garden Cafe, where I decided a hot chocolate would be wonderful while I waited. I was lucky to arrive early though - by the time she got there, it was packed! But we didn't stay, as she needed the toilet, and they don't actually have one.

And so to brunch - she generously paid, and I thought the Cote I could see ahead would be a good choice. They were manically busy, but said that yes, they could seat us, if we could be done in a little over an hour. So we agreed - and ended up beside the stairs to the kitchen. And had great fun watching the frantic dashing to and fro of the waiting staff. I went for my usual steak frites - and when she saw it being served to the table next to us, she decided on the same. It's simple, it's tasty, it's quick. A bottle of Chardonnay accompanied it - a little sharp, I thought, and I'd probably go for something else next time. And we chatted apace - when the tables started to empty out a bit, and we saw they weren't moving us, we decided on dessert - chocolate fondant for her, chocolate mousse for me. She asked whether she could have the version of her dessert listed on the festive menu, with the cinnamon ice cream - but apparently not. But anyway, we were well fed - if slightly neglected in the hubbub - and I felt much restored.

And so around Covent Garden, where much purchasing was done - on my part, principally in the ever-popular Hotel Chocolat.

The drizzle that greeted us when we emerged from Cote turned heavier for the afternoon, but we braved it. Some places were far too expensive to shop in, but we made a fair dent in our bank accounts in others. We next headed to Christmas in Leicester Square - and let me tell you, this beats Winter Wonderland hands down! Sure, head there if you want the funfair, or specific shows - but the market is much better here, they have shows, and it's free! We were laden down with shopping by the time we wanted to sit and have a drink. Now, I wasn't enamoured of Costa, the last time I was there - so we carried on, and as it turned out, found a much better place! O Be Joyful is a tiny, French-style cafe, tucked away down Whitcomb Street, with extremely friendly service, and a range of teas and jams.

Really handy double-layer glasses, so the drink is kept away from you and you don't burn yourself - and note the little churn of milk! Goes to show what you can find if you snoop around a bit (although neither hot chocolate I had yesterday was up to my standards. But I am exacting!)

On the way home, we stumbled across yet another excellent market - in Trafalgar Square this time!

And so home for us both - one of my carrier bag's handles conveniently broke just as I got on the bus, but I did manage to get everything home safely. Of course, all this drinking and all these late nights meant I was too tired to get the blog done - but better late than never!

And tonight, I'm booked with Guided Walking Tours in Brighton & Sussex again, for Victorian Ghost Stories at Christmas (via Zoom)..