Talk: Anglo-Saxon Surrey

Today, I had yet another viewing. Now, this is an interesting one - I'd asked to see the room ages ago, he didn't get back to me - then got back to me the other day and said the room was available again, and did I want to view?! Ooh, yes please - and unless something unexpected cropped up during the viewing, I was taking it on the spot - it's big enough, I think, it has a good big wardrobe, it's walking distance to work. The only one of those on the horizon. And it has its own, private balcony!

I started work early this morning so I could get off early - and was on a crowded, noisy bus when the agent rang me. Never fear, he was just confirming I was still coming! I made it 15 minutes early actually, and lo, he was outside, on the phone. And showed me the flat - there's a step just inside the door that could literally trip me up, and the toilet is separate from the bathroom (which I find annoying) - and the balcony runs under the window of the room next door. So, no wild parties. That's it then for minus points.. as for plus points, there's a lift, there's plenty of shelving in the wardrobe, a shelf that I hadn't noticed runs around the back of the bed, and apart from the size of the room, and the fact that I have a balcony - I've been told I can have the small fridge in the kitchen for my own use! Well now. So, I've paid the holding deposit (a week's rent, which I think is quite reasonable), and I can move in on the 1st. Now, that is a weight off.

So, I celebrated with a meal at the Indian Lounge, which was on my way home, and where I had the usual. Had two glasses of wine, because the manager suggested it. They left the door open, because it was nice and mild. Unfortunately, there was far too much food for me - I couldn't finish the chicken, made my apologies and left.

This evening, I was at an online talk - Anglo-Saxon Surrey - with the Surrey History Meetup. Which I was slightly late for - but that didn't matter, they were waiting for latecomers or something! Just as well, considering the palaver I had signing in, with passwords and such. Anyway, while we waited, they were playing - of all things - Mná na hÉireann (Women of Ireland). Not sure what that has to do with Surrey, but hey! Lovely tune.

So, I was slightly early for the lecture. The chap giving it apparently teaches history to kids, and finds visual aids useful - and lo, he pulled them out! So, instead of what I was kind of expecting - a talk with an archeological bent - we got a show n tell, with helmets of different kinds (including what seems to be a perfect reconstruction of the Sutton Hoo helmet), a discussion of what they would have worn (based on the Bayeux tapestry), a suit of chainmail.. must have been the jingling chainmail that attracted the cat, who decided to make a nest in the historical artefacts during the last part of the talk. As he also mentioned, his wife was threatening to divorce hin if he came home with any more stuff..

Pictured is a replica of William the Conqueror's shield. Man, he must have some cool things though - imagine having an excuse to go around buying all this!

(This is a reproduction of a church woodcarving.)

So yeah, a very interesting, high-level discussion of the Anglo-Saxons in Surrey. This group always holds a poll at the end to see what people thought, and the organiser said this was one of the best ratings ever!

Tomorrow, woo! back at Shakespeare's Globe - for Henry VIII, which I've never seen. And it's years since I was last here.. and what a shame the weather report is bad. Never mind..

On Wednesday, back with Up in the Cheap Seats for Bonnie and Clyde, at the Arts Theatre. Now, most of the group going booked this ages ago - I just booked recently. And I noticed that all the cheapest seats were bench seating, which didn't sound terribly comfortable. But for under £2 more, so £25, I managed to get a ticket in the next band up - in the rear stalls - from Todaytix! See, they have this great £25 ticket offer until Sunday. Whatever about the show, the offer is highly recommended!

On Thursday, back with London Classical Music and Theatre Group - this time, we're at the Royal Festival Hall, where the Philharmonia is playing Mozart and Bruckner. Which makes this my best week for Meetup since lockdown, the only non-Meetup day being Tuesday! The last time I saw this organiser is even longer ago than I saw Didi, the organiser yesterday! (She's a classical guitarist - I just found her page..)

And then back to Ireland for the weekend. The film for the weekend - is looking like Top Gun: Maverick! in which Tom Cruise reprises his fighter-pilot role of so many years ago. Also stars Jennifer Connelly, Val Kilmer back as Iceman, Ed Harris as the rear admiral. Now, that should be fun!