Walk: Discover Historic Chelsea - From Quaint to Quant - 1660s to 1960s

Today, back with Discover London at last - she does excellent walks, but sometimes they clash, and sometimes they sell out before I get to them! This one was Discover Historic Chelsea: From Quaint to Quant - 1660s to 1960s.

Ah, TFL and its diversions.. I could get the bus there in under an hour, but they said the second one, the #19, was diverted and wasn't going where I needed. Well, as I got there just in time to take it, I said I would, and would see what happened. What happened was, it terminated early, and the driver told us all to get on the #38, right behind us. Which goes to Victoria. And as that was the closest I could seem to get to Sloane Square on it - which was where I needed to be - that was where I got off! Naturally, I headed the wrong way out of the station - London stations are designed to be confusing - but I ended up walking the rest of the way. In bitter cold.

I arrived a bit early, and seeing a place, beside Sloane Square Station, selling hot drinks, decided a hot chocolate would be just the thing! And it was - piping hot. Warmed the hands, warmed the insides. "Chocolate" might be something of a misnomer though - I dropped two sachets of sugar into it, and it still didn't taste of anything much. Hate it when that happens.

Our guide was there early too - and as we waited, the others gradually arrived. Some of them, anyway - most didn't show, probably because of the cold weather, we figured. Funny how many no-shows you get for events you don't have to pay for in advance - which is as it is, but strikes me as rather unfair to all the people on the waiting list (this was booked out for a while), as well as to the guide, who might feel obliged to wait for people who haven't confirmed that they're not coming. It only takes a few seconds to say you can't make it..

Meantime, Chelsea residents were as colorful as ever!

We walked pretty briskly, which helped to warm us up a bit - still, it was painful to be out. As we roamed the backstreets of Chelsea, we came to..

Yes, this is the site of the original Chelsea Bun House, famous for its Chelsea Buns! The owners apparently closed it down because it got too successful!

Now, I've been to the Royal Hospital Chelsea before - but had missed the ironic fact that, while it was built by Charles II, its first inhabitants were those who fought against his eldest son in a battle for the crown!

Plenty of famous inhabitants of Chelsea, over the years - I was intrigued to notice that Bram Stoker's old house has a skull over the door! Someone offered the opinion that it was there to ward off evil spirits.. (wouldn't they have done better with garlic? ;-))

And just around the corner, his pal, Oscar Wilde:

We came to the Chelsea Physic Garden, where I'll be on Wednesday - Lordy, if we're going to be outdoors, and the weather continues this cold, I might want to bring a throw!

It's an historic borough:

And I never realised that Scott's team were the first to discover Antarctic fossils:

This wasn't my first guided walk in the area, but I was pleased to learn several new things - and fair play to us all, and in particular to our guide, for braving the cold! Delighted I made it, this time.

Afterwards, I fairly ran to get a bite to eat, and to get in from the cold - Cote, in Sloane Square, fitted the bill perfectly. Ah, they had such a blast of hot air as you went in.. got me a table without delay, and service was prompt. I felt so much better for the meal, and for the heat - and it was interesting that Google Maps gave the correct, diverted, bus route on the way home.

Tomorrow, back with - you guessed it - Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS), for Romeo and Julie, at the Dorfman.

On Tuesday - not so much appealed on Meetup. Free Stuff and Free Events does have Free Community Singing with Ros Hone and the Global Fusion Sound Singers, which you can attend on Zoom, or in person at Fossdene School Community Hall. Which sounds just fine - except that this is the sort of thing I keep cancelling! So I decided not to confirm until nearer the time. Which is just as well, because - predictably last-minute - Eleanor Salter Thorn, from Tuned In London, just advertised an evening of Iranian music with Shahab Azinmehr, with the World Music Meetup. I adore this kind of music - and for once, it's not all the way out in Rotherhithe! It's just such a trek.. no, this is in St. Ethelburga's Centre for Reconciliation and Peace. Which, ironically, is just down the road from where I last lived.. anyway, much closer than usual for these concerts! Refugees and asylum seekers get free tickets.

On Wednesday - back with the Crick Crack Club, woohoo! for Goddesses in the Garden, at the Chelsea Physic Garden. Features my favourite, Clare Murphy, along with Sarah Liisa Wilkinson, Laura Sampson, and Xanthe Gresham. As I say, might bring something to keep myself warm..

On Thursday, my final booking - for the week - with UITCS, for Brilliant Jerks at Southwark Playhouse. And wouldn't you know it, I still had credit on my Pay as you Go subscription, so got it for free! And then it's back to Ireland for the weekend again.

The English Concert

Tonight, back with London Classical Music and Theatre Group, for an English Concert of Bach, at Wigmore Hall. Lovely, it's been ages since I heard Bach..

Of course, this is very close to St. Christopher's Place, which is packed with eateries - not all exceptionally cheap. But there is a Cote there.. and I do love Cote.. and it's been a while.. I figured there was no need to book, and I was right. Despite all the people bravely eating outdoors in the cold, there was plenty of space inside. Although I didn't recognise him, the guy who showed me to my table remembered me from the Barbican branch! which was nice. And as I was happy with the selection on the Prix Fixe, I ordered from that - steak frites, and a chocolate mousse for dessert. The steak frites is quick - and the frites were gorgeous, as ever - and while I'd have preferred truffles for dessert, the mousse is quite acceptable. All of this - and a lovely glass of chardonnay - left me just enough time to get to the venue; had I had a starter, I'd have been late.

I went to the bar first, for another glass of chardonnay - I know not to get the sauvignon blanc at Wigmore Hall, it's a ridiculous price. Where we were to meet, the organiser and one other had secured a table - I grabbed another chair, and we chatted convivially until we were the last in the room. As I remarked, they sure do jump at the announcements, here! As our organiser remarked, it's just as well to wait a few minutes after the main bulk of people start to move - less of a queue, that way.

I was in Row AA, at the side of the stage - excellent seats, just with a side view. The music, of course, sounds perfect - and did so for this, a concert that mostly consisted of Brandenburg Concertos. As the helpful text on the back of our free programmes explained, these were composed for a Margrave of Brandenburg-Schwedt - not all of whose family were so interested in music as he was! Well, we must be thankful that Bach composed for him - this is some of the loveliest classical music composed, I think. And as those sitting beside me remarked, very impressive playing on the harpsichord from the director of the group - Francesco Corti, a substitute, not originally slated to play. Simply stunning.

Sadly, I didn't meet the others again - hope to meet them at another event before too long! Good to have an early night, though..

Tomorrow, it's film again - this one is a BFI presentation of Joyland, an Indian film about a young man who joins a burlesque show, and becomes infatuated with the trans lady who runs it. I'm normally suspicious about Indian film, having had some bad experiences - but this trailer looks excellent, so I'll risk it. Showing in the Vue Islington - which I've booked, for once, as they now have theatre-style seat pricing, different seats in different locations at different prices!

On Thursday, back with TAC for Feel More X Lately, showing at the Lion and Unicorn.

Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend. Where the choice of films is very limited. Mostly kids' films, in fact. Best for me seems to be What's Love Got to Do with It?, a romcom in which Emma Thompson plays the mother of a young lady whose good friend (of Pakistani heritage) decides enough is enough, and he's going to let his parents arrange his marriage. She's a budding filmmaker, and decides this would provide excellent footage for a new documentary. No prizes for guessing how it turns out, I suspect - but it seems harmless enough.

There follows a mostly Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) week. On Monday, back with them for Lemons, Lemons, Lemons, at the Harold Pinter Theatre. This is a rom-com about a couple living in a dystopian state, which limits the number of characters they can speak. Lots of body language then, I guess! Frankly, I was delighted to see that, by the time I booked, the Balcony was sold out - the legroom there is woeful, and good luck to those who've booked up there. The cheapest price bracket left when I booked included some in the Dress Circle - and thanks to Seatplan, I seem to have identified a decent seat among them. Watch this space.. cheapest tickets from the official site, but I booked with From the Box Office, which had tickets at the same price, but without the booking fee.

Next Tuesday, my one non-UITCS day next week - back with Over 40 Living the Life, for a dinner at Greenwich Yacht Club. Ooh la la..

On the 1st, back with UITCS at the Arcola for Afghanistan is Not Funny, the true story of a British comedian and photographer in war-torn Afghanistan.

On the 2nd, with them again at the Peacock (think I can walk to that!) for Bat Out of Hell, a musical based on the music of Meat Loaf. Awesome - just a pity it isn't one of the singalong nights..

On the 3rd, ending a run of UITCS with Lucrezia Borgia, by the English Touring Opera Company, at the Hackney Empire.

On the 4th, back cat-herding - Ivan suggested that whole day for, well, a lot of drinking. And food - he wanted to go back to O' Neill's. Well, he must have been reading the blog - because the other day, he got in touch. To say that, unfortunately, he can't now make it. My other coworker from that company still can, though - as they've both said, it's been so long since they actually met each other! They can never seem to coordinate..

On the 5th, back with Discover London at last - she does excellent walks, but sometimes they clash, and sometimes they sell out before I get to them! This one is Discover Historic Chelsea: From Quaint to Quant - 1660s to 1960s.

On the 6th, back with - you guessed it - UITCS, for Romeo and Julie, at the Dorfman.

On the 7th - not so much appeals on Meetup. Free Stuff and Free Events does have Free Community Singing with Ros Hone and the Global Fusion Sound Singers, which you can attend on Zoom, or in person at Fossdene School Community Hall. Which sounds just fine - except that this is the sort of thing I keep cancelling! So I'm not confirming until nearer the time.

On the 8th - back with the Crick Crack Club, woohoo! for Goddesses in the Garden, at the Chelsea Physic Garden. Features my favourite, Clare Murphy, along with Sarah Liisa Wilkinson, Laura Sampson, and Xanthe Gresham.

On the 9th, my final booking - for now - with UITCS, for Brilliant Jerks at Southwark Playhouse. And wouldn't you know it, I still had credit on my Pay as you Go subscription, so got it for free! And then it's back to Ireland for the weekend again.

Walk: Bloody Brilliant Bermondsey Women

The weekend is all about London Herstory Guided Walks, the walks from a female perspective, as guided by Mandy Morrow. Today, a new walk for Mandy - Bloody Brilliant Bermondsey Women. Oh, and if you sign up to her newsletter, you get the next walk half price! I saw that offer in time for this walk.

Went to bed in decent time, for once - and got the bus down there. Not much difference in travel time from the Tube, actually.

Weirdly, again, Google Maps was telling me that the bus stopped just past the bridge - now, I was checking, and no it doesn't! It'd have been handy if it did, of course - but no, it stops in the bus station. Whence I made my way down to Duke Street Hill, and schlepped up the road until I found the guide. Who was where she'd said she'd be - not where the Meetup map had her, mind, but hey. We all found her.

I adore this part of town - was most jealous to find out that others in the group do live there. Tons of history - and just that bit disreputable. We went into King's College, where Virginia Woolf apparently studied:

and no tour of the area would be complete without a stop at The George!

Soon, we were at Crossbones Graveyard - once for prostitutes, then for the destitute in general:

The prostitutes of the area were known as the Winchester Geese - licenced by the Bishop of Winchester, and paying him tribute. Now, for all the times I've been past here, I'd never been inside - as it happens, today, we came across the guy locking the gate. And he was only delighted to take us in and show us around! The entrance is in the shape of a goose's wing:

One statuette was donated by a Mexican diplomat!

There's some poetry:

There's a poignant suicide corner:

There's a statue of a trans angel:

and oh! this is lovely. Apparently, it's a Japanese tradition - if you lose a child - to erect a mizuko in the garden, in remembrance:

The little one in the picture? Thrown over the wall, when the graveyard was closed - they decided it was appropriate to erect it with the others!

The donation box is a reproduction of the skull of one of the last people buried there - Elizabeth Mitchell, who died in her late teens, of syphilis. Hence the pockmarked skull - this one, however, was made from 2p coins!

Seriously, this was a highlight of the walk. Highly recommended that you visit, if you have the chance.

This was an area obviously keen to be of assistance - we couldn't stop anywhere, but someone was out and ready to add something! Like in Red Cross Garden:

Also has a library - one of those bring a book, leave a book initiatives. Fantastic community spirit, which we could do with more of in general.

The Church of St. George the Martyr incorporates part of the old Marshalsea prison, where Charles Dickens' father was imprisoned:

Sometimes, the female connection led us to some interesting sights. This, for example, was designed by a female architect, who had a thing for blue people:

Some plaques speak for themselves:

One of the most enjoyable features of the walk was the streets we walked through, lined with converted warehouses. And with surprising views:

Terrific walk, I have to say! A real winner. And for all the times I've been in the area, this was an almost completely new route.

Afterwards, we repaired to the Dean Swift for a drink - or several. At the cheapest price I've seen since I came to London, who could blame us? And a most convivial evening was had. When we parted, I headed for the nearest eatery - which turned out to be Cote. Where I was well fed - but in order to get the bill, had to get up and put my coat on. Usually works! In all though, an excellent day.

Tomorrow, thinking film again - and what's coming up looks really interesting. Continuing on a women's theme, Women Talking is, apparently, based on real-life events in a Mennonite community, where women were being drugged, and sexually assaulted as they slept. Some ended up injured, some pregnant, some with STDs. The film is based on a book, imagining the women's response - in a community that doesn't even teach its women to read and write, the women mobilise to form a response to a group of uncaring elders, whose dictat is that they must forgive their attackers, or forfeit their place in heaven. Stars Rooney Mara, Claire Foy, Jessie Buckley, Ben Whishaw, and Frances McDormand - against type, as has been mentioned - as an older woman who does not support the younger women's rebellion against staying quiet. Also nominated for the Oscar for Best Picture. Closest showing to me is in the Everyman King's Cross.

On Tuesday, back with London Classical Music and Theatre Group, for an English Concert of Bach, at Wigmore Hall. Lovely, it's ages since I heard Bach..

On Wednesday, it's film again - this one is a BFI presentation of Joyland, an Indian film about a young man who joins a burlesque show, and becomes infatuated with the trans lady who runs it. I'm normally suspicious about Indian film, having had some bad experiences - but this trailer looks excellent, so I'll risk it. Showing in the Vue Islington - which I've booked, for once, as they now have theatre-style seat pricing, different seats in different locations at different prices!

On Thursday, back with TAC for Feel More X Lately, showing at the Lion and Unicorn. Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend.

There follows a mostly Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) week. On the 27th, back with them for Lemons, Lemons, Lemons, at the Harold Pinter Theatre. This is a rom-com about a couple living in a dystopian state, which limits the number of characters they can speak. Lots of body language then, I guess! Frankly, I was delighted to see that, by the time I booked, the Balcony was sold out - the legroom there is woeful, and good luck to those who've booked up there. The cheapest price bracket left when I booked included some in the Dress Circle - and thanks to Seatplan, I seem to have identified a decent seat among them. Watch this space.. cheapest tickets from the official site, but I booked with From the Box Office, which had tickets at the same price, but without the booking fee.

On the 28th, my one non-UITCS day that week - back with Over 40 Living the Life, for a dinner at Greenwich Yacht Club. Ooh la la..

On the 1st, back with UITCS at the Arcola for Afghanistan is Not Funny, the true story of a British comedian and photographer in war-torn Afghanistan.

On the 2nd, with them again at the Peacock (think I can walk to that!) for Bat Out of Hell, a musical based on the music of Meat Loaf. Awesome - just a pity it isn't one of the singalong nights..

On the 3rd, ending a run of UITCS with Lucrezia Borgia, by the English Touring Opera Company, at the Hackney Empire.

On the 4th, back cat-herding - Ivan suggested that whole day for, well, a lot of drinking. And food - he wanted to go back to O' Neill's. Well, he must have been reading the blog - because the other day, he got in touch. To say that, unfortunately, he can't now make it. My other coworker from that company still can, though - as they've both said, it's been so long since they actually met each other! They can never seem to coordinate..

On the 5th, back with Discover London at last - she does excellent walks, but sometimes they clash, and sometimes they sell out before I get to them! This one is Discover Historic Chelsea: From Quaint to Quant - 1660s to 1960s.

On the 6th, back with - you guessed it - UITCS, for Romeo and Julie, at the Dorfman.

On the 7th - not so much appeals on Meetup. Free Stuff and Free Events does have Free Community Singing with Ros Hone and the Global Fusion Sound Singers, which you can attend on Zoom, or in person at Fossdene School Community Hall. Which sounds just fine - except that this is the sort of thing I keep cancelling! So I'm not confirming until nearer the time.

On the 8th - back with the Crick Crack Club, woohoo! for Goddesses in the Garden, at the Chelsea Physic Garden. Features my favourite, Clare Murphy, along with Sarah Liisa Wilkinson, Laura Sampson, and Xanthe Gresham.

On the 9th, my final booking - for now - with UITCS, for Brilliant Jerks at Southwark Playhouse. And wouldn't you know it, I still had credit on my Pay as you Go subscription, so got it for free! And then it's back to Ireland for the weekend again.

Play: Baghdaddy & Talk: Colin Stanley on Colin Wilson's Introducing the Occult

Yesterday, I was back with Up in the Cheap Seats for Baghdaddy at the Royal Court. About a little girl, realising she's half Iraqi, just as the Gulf War is raging. I see CT now has tickets for this.. unusually for this venue!

I made sure to leave on time - I wanted to eat beforehand, and wasn't risking it, after Monday! So off I went - I was lucky with the bus, the driver was doing something with a ledger, so hadn't pulled away by the time I got to him. Still, it was just as well the only other person going to the play messaged me to say she'd be a bit late, because so was I! Handily, although the bus was terminating early, it was going as far as I was..

I was eating at Cote Sloane Square, of course. And it. Was. Manic. But, true to their nature, one of the people in charge asked me to give her a minute, and dashed off to find me space - then despatched me with another person, who deposited me at a small table in the back, which I could have for an hour. Which was perfect, as I had to be elsewhere by then!

It did take a while for them to take my order, and again to arrive with my soup. I ask you, what is the delay with soup?! Surely they're not making it fresh - unless, perhaps, nobody usually orders this one and they didn't have any in stock? I was also left waiting for the wine, despite being right beside the bar - and as the minutes ticked by, it was a relief when each individual item came. To be fair, they couldn't have been busier - and it was entertaining to watch them dashing to and fro. Funniest moment of the evening came when a waitress, a tray in each hand, stopped dead in the middle of the floor, pulled a face, and sighed.. she had no idea where the order was headed. A beat later, a manager scooted by, and without breaking stride, lifted one of the trays from her hand and continued, at speed, to the back of the room - the hapless waitress in tow..

I started with French onion soup: as my companion later remarked, just the thing for cold weather! I'd have to agree - it was a little salty, mind, and quite stringy. Steak frites for main, as usual - just the thing if you're in a hurry, and a lot lighter than your average steak. The waiter actually took a moment to check that I was ok with it being medium rare - well yes, isn't it always? Perhaps someone had objected. Delish.. and I was nearly finished when my companion messaged to say she'd just arrived. So I finished, put my plate aside, and produced my card, which I casually displayed prominently. A manager passed - might have been the tray woman - scooped up the remains, took them to the bar, returned straightaway with a card machine. Now, that's what I call efficiency..

And so I schlepped over to the theatre bar, where I joined my companion.

When we went in, I was to discover that the Slips operate by a slightly different rule (did I know this before? Possibly..) Although the RHS (as you enter) is numbered up to 11, the Slips on that side only go up to 8 - at #9, I was on the other side!

Now, the place was half empty, so my companion suggested I sit near her, closer to the centre - shortly afterwards, people came in at both sides of her, but the row in front of her was completely empty! So I sat there:

Now, this is captioned - which we agreed, at the interval, is a good thing. For one thing, they do break into Arabic, and it's handy to know that's what's happened. Because it frequently isn't easy to hear what they're saying - one actor, for instance, has a pronounced lisp that makes it very difficult sometimes! Having said that, her diction is generally better than the others'..

Oh dearie me, I hated it. Now, I left at the interval, and sure, it might have improved - my companion did stay, but as I said, it wasn't improving fast enough for me.. The beginning, certainly, is more a therapy session for a nine-year-old than an actual play. She's obviously working through her issues, as the whole thing is presented as a garish children's tv show, characters in luridly coloured suits yelling at everyone. Having said that, it is possible to piece together a story - it's just that I hated seeing everything in this cartoonish perspective, and I couldn't have taken any more of it. Ah well, it was good to get home early, last night was - again - like being in a fridge! This runs till the 17th.

These days, I generally have to be up early for meetings - and this post ran over time, what with having to do the film list! So I didn't have time, last night or during today, to post..

Tonight, I signed up for another Watkin's Bookshop talk! This was Colin Stanley on Colin Wilson's Introducing the Occult. Well, the last talk I was at here was interesting, so.. Now, I also intended to eat before this. But it was on very early, and I was running late, so I didn't - I could have eaten en route, but I'd have been rushing. No, instead, I got there in time to give a couple of Irish ladies directions on which buses to take to where they were going! I tell you, every tourist should be given a crash course in Google Maps..

Also had time to browse Watkins, which is a very interesting, occult bookshop! And when it was time, I schlepped downstairs for the talk. Now, this didn't fill up as fast as the last - I had no trouble getting a seat. The speaker was in situ long before - his wife was sat in front of me, and some of his friends came, and they mused that perhaps the cold was stopping people from coming out. He also, as he remarked, took comfort from the fact that Margaret Atwood apparently recently did a book launch - which nobody attended! Well never mind - people were just late, and it did fill up eventually. Although many of the folks creeping down the stairs, trying unsuccessfully to be quiet, were actually in search of books. One lady, in fact, retreated back upstairs with an armful of them! and, of course, dropped one..

So, it turns out that Colin Wilson - of whom I'd never heard - was a prolific writer, who, despite professing not to be interested in the occult, amassed a library of some 500 works on it. And this book, Introducing the Occult, that the speaker has put together is a collection of some of the highlights of Colin Wilson's writing. Have to say, I wasn't inspired to get a copy. Actually, I found the speaker's voice most soporific - and having been up so early, I was tired.. and my eyes kept closing.. I did make an attempt to keep them open, when I noticed the speaker had started staring in my direction!

And so home.. which took me near the Brunswick Centre. So I stopped in to GBK. Which was, again, packed - but they found me a table, right in the far corner. Asked me to order at the till - and just as I went up to do so, there was a huge group of people, apparently looking for a table, without a booking. Such optimists. They had to leave, I'm afraid. Anyway, as for me, I was anticipating they wouldn't have onion rings, as usual, and sure enough.. although she did ask whether I'd like them to chuck one into the burger, as they didn't have enough to give them to me as a side..! Eh, no thanks. Instead, I had French fries.. and had to have the house white, as they were out of sauvignon blanc. And it was as moreish as ever - the fries were delicious, and were a good idea; I find the burger isn't enough on its own. I ended up eating the second half with a knife and fork, for once - they'd doused it in so much sauce!

Tomorrow, I'm heading to Lightopia, at Crystal Palace Park. As suggested by Over 40 Living the Life, who are not actually hosting a trip themselves, but just wanted to advertise it. 15% discount if you subscribe to Lightopia's mailing list, 20% discount for purchases of 10 or more tickets. And durnit if Groupon hasn't just advertised cheap tickets.. And after tonight's temperatures, I'm going to have to increase the amount of padding I wear, yet again!

On Saturday - well hallelujah, Bucket List London has finally scheduled something I want to go to, at a time I can make! He's off to see the Wallace Collection that morning - and so am I.

In the afternoon - London Social & Cultural Meetups (LSCM) has a bevy of Christmassy stuff! They're off for afternoon tea first - we're headed to the Garden at the Lane (at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane). And she's discovered that she's got a clash for lunch, so, mercifully, I get a bit of a break in between events to have my own lunch!

So, then we're off to King's College Maughan Library, for an exhibition of old manuscripts. Followed by a trip to the Knights Templar pub, time permitting.

And finally, we're hitting the Christmas markets! All part of the Southbank Winter Festival. First is the Southbank Christmas Market, where I hear rumours of white mulled wine.. then I'm not sure whether I'll have time, but we're off to the Christmas by the River Market.

I might have to duck out early because that evening - I've bravely scheduled another meeting of Those who Do Not Come. It's my last weekend in London before Christmas, you see. Well, so far Ivan and my first boss in London are actually coming! while the one person who came the last two times probably not, for once. We shall see - I've booked The Lucas Arms - O' Neill's isn't taking bookings for that day. Deposit payable, refundable with cancellation up to 72 hours beforehand.

On Sunday, I was vaguely thinking of heading to see Carnaby Street's Christmas lights.. but now LSCM is off to the Museum of the Home, followed by carols by candlelight at Westminster Chapel.

And for that evening, CT advertised tickets for Love Factually - a kind of rewriting of one of the relationships in that classic Christmas romcom, Love Actually. Sadly, all their tickets were gone - but I got a full-price ticket from the venue. It sounds good. Showing at 2Northdown.

On Monday, I'm thinking film (hence the film list needed redoing). Top of the list - that I can make, and looks like I might actually enjoy it - is The Sparring Partner, a Hong Kong film based on the true story of a young man who conspired with his friend to murder, and dismember, his parents. Closest showing is in the Odeon Luxe Haymarket - unfortunately, I can neither confirm the times, book a ticket, nor see how it's booking, because the website wouldn't let me in! Even when I got access on my phone, it didn't work right - I always have trouble with Odeon.

On Tuesday - hellfire, if the best thing on Meetup isn't Free Stuff and Free Events, with another online singalong. Uhh.. we shall see.

On Wednesday, again, thinking of film - at least the same list does for both days! So, at the moment (with the caveat that the list isn't completely up to date), it's looking like Ingmar Bergman's film, Fanny and Alexander, which is showing at the BFI. Which has a tendency to sell out - I'll have to keep an eye on it.

Next Thursday, back with the Crick Crack Club, yay! for The Winner Takes It All at Rich Mix. This, the club's last performance of the year, is performed by a congregation of souls known as Pandvani 108, comprising Ben Haggarty, Emily Hennessy, and Sheema Mukherjee, among others.

And then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend - just worked out that way - coinciding perfectly with a train strike! So I've booked a ticket on the bus - will just have to take that evening's meeting on my phone!

Concert: Piano Passions

Well, I made it back! eventually. It occurred to me afterwards that the reason my flights have been earlier in recent weeks might simply be that I didn't book in time to get the later ones! They wouldn't necessarily advertise the flights that are full.. Anyway, I was now back to the later time - with a vengeance. Ryanair had its standard 1-hour delay - so, instead of taking off at 10.15pm, we were now scheduled to leave at 11.15. So it's a shame that the airports no longer seem to have free WiFi:

As someone said, this sign should read "WiFi-Free Zone"!

Now, at 11.05, we were still waiting to get onto the tarmac and walk to the plane. Could see it out the window, could see the passengers disembark. They were long gone and still no sign of letting us out - I was wondering whether the plane had a fault, and whether we'd get out at all! Half an hour, we were stood there.. finally, someone opened the door. The guy at the head of our queue asked him what the delay was - wouldn't you know it, he said, they were late already, and then two kids were sick. So they were just cleaning it up. Lordy.. I guess even Ryanair wouldn't leave that for us to find!

So, it was 11.45pm by the time we took off, 12.50am by the time we landed. Too late for the Stansted Express, of course, which finishes at 12.30 (I must remember I have an unused return portion of a ticket with them, now) - fair play to the National Express though, I've always said they had enough demand to put on a more frequent service, and it looks as though they've finally noticed. Not much of a queue, and I easily got on a bus at 1.25. Which means it was after 3 when I got home, fielding regular calls from my mother, who stayed up till she knew I was in..

Ah, the advantages of WFH - I rolled out of bed at 9.30, logged into the computer, set it to stay on as if I was working, and went back to bed for a few hours. Lovely! and no-one was looking for me till after I was properly up. Tonight, with nothing on Meetup, I thought about heading to see the Carnaby Street Christmas lights, which will be up by now. But I had another look at what was on, and booked for Piano Passions at Cadogan Hall - Beethoven and Chopin, gorgeous! Hadn't had a chance to shop, of course, and was properly hungry by the evening - I decided to go for Cote in Sloane Square, just down from the concert hall. Decided also to book, just in case.

I had to take a couple of buses - had some fun. I had a choice for my first bus - one was the #46, so I was sad to see it come as I made my way to the stop. Happily, just as I got to the stop, along came another! and I was off. Just down the road, we came across the first #46 - I dunno what happened, but it was now empty and executing a complicated turnaround - our driver got out to assist. Shortly afterwards, I had to change buses - and of course, my stop was closed for roadworks, and I needs must head to the next. (This closure is not flagged online.) Never mind, things went smoothly after that - and I could view the Christmas lights progress! Plenty of signs on Piccadilly, warning of road closures this week so they can be put up.. A lot of places haven't gotten around to them yet - this will be a spectacular route in a few weeks. Harvey Nichols is a notable exception, looking as though Christmas has exploded all over it! (Sorry, I couldn't get a good shot of it.)

Arrived slightly early at Cote - she gave me a choice of a cramped table between two occupied ones, or heading down the back - which is what I did, taking a seat with a good view of the bar. (Which proved handy when I wanted a second glass of wine, later on, and the barman noticed me and brought it himself.) The Prix Fixe menu had butternut squash and roasted garlic soup, which I thought sounded nice - as well as steak frites, my old reliable, and chocolate mousse. So all of that is what I had, along with their excellent chardonnay.

Service, I have to say, was unparalleled in my recent experience - it makes such a difference. In fact, my waiter was being trained in, and boy was he keen to please! Poor lad only made one mistake, getting flustered when he brought my steak knife, and forgetting to remove my regular knife. As to the food - oh man, that soup was divine, lovely and sweet. I wasn't mad about the burnt offering of sourdough served with it - but it was warm, I was hungry, and I ate every bite. The rest was excellent, as ever - when Cote is good, it's very, very good, and this is a lovely branch of it. No wonder I had another glass there, instead of in the concert hall bar - and I had a great view of the barman, impressing customers with his cocktail-shaking tricks. Interestingly, towards the end of my meal, I got an email to say my reservation had been cancelled - I suspect the restaurant forgot to confirm I'd arrived, then cancelled it later. As it happened, there were plenty of tables - I needn't have booked at all.

A short walk to the hall then, and the guy wasn't half as interested in checking my bag as my ticket. Well, it's a small bag. I had to run to the loo, which just left me enough time to pant my way upstairs to the hall. Just as well I wasn't late - I was front row centre!

I just had time to snap that photo as the pianist walked onstage. And it was an impassioned performance indeed - unable to see his face properly, or his hands, from where I was sitting, I focussed on his feet - constant use of the right pedal, I noticed. Rather like driving! Similar function here, in a way, to the accelerator pedal in a car - driving the sound forward by blending the notes.

Beethoven first, and I was in heaven. After the interval, passion of a different sort, with Chopin - I've never been as keen, I'm afraid: in contrast with the chap to my left, who was enraptured. But they were both beautifully played, and it was an interesting combination of repertoire. Also great to be back here - it's been a while.

On the way home, I caught the bus much more easily - and got a glimpse of the tree on Regent Street, as we turned the corner:

Got off near the Brunswick Centre to do a bit of shopping on the way home - of course, again my bus stop was closed because of roadworks! (This, at least, is flagged online.) Anyway, again, it looks as though Christmas has exploded over Brunswick Square:

Tomorrow, headed to see John Gabriel Borkman, by Ibsen, at the Bridge Theatre.

On Wednesday - originally, nothing better coming up than Soho Comedy Factory, upstairs at The Blue Posts. Now, last Thursday, I was to be back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) - for Noor, at Southwark Playhouse. The true story of a WWII spy - and bought, as usual, on my PAYG subscription - which gives you cheap tickets to five shows, and never expires. But wouldn't you know it, that performance was cancelled. Instead, I've changed my booking for Noor to this night. Sadly, not with the group, who rearranged for a night I can't go.

On Thursday, back - at last! - with London Classical Music and Theatre Group (LCMTG), for Alcina at the Royal Opera House. More Handel..

On Friday, I was heading to The Horror Show at Somerset House - a horror-based art exhibition - with The Horror Book Club. But then Civilised London popped up with another meal - so I booked that, and we were headed to Champor Champor, a Thai / Malay restaurant. Meeting beforehand at The Rose, nearby. Until he decided, just last Thursday, to cancel it! I supposed he hadn't wanted to do it with only two of us, since I was - unusually - the only one to sign up. But to my further surprise - he kicked me out of the group later that night! No warning, no explanation - not very "civilised". Jeez, I suppose he's had enough of me. And you think you know someone.. Can't believe I used to consider him a friend.

Killer is, he was such a good reference for good eateries - and the group is private, so without being a member, I won't be able to see where he's going. Ah well, TBH, I was beginning to feel out of place with the people who were attending the meals.. which was pretty much all I was doing with the group, lately. Meantime, I'm back at The Horror Show - at least the ticket won't go to waste!

On Saturday, planned another meal with the people that are harder to herd than cats! But lo, of the four people I invited, three have now bowed out. Jeez.. so I'm down to just the same person that was the only one to make it last time, so I decided to head somewhere different. For variety. We're going to The Garrick Arms, which is in a nice, central area, and is - crucially - a Greene King pub: so I can have my pie!

On Sunday, back with the Crick Crack Club at the British Museum, where Daniel Morden and Hugh Lupton are performing The Iliad.

Next Monday, not having been with LCMTG for ages, I'm with them for the second time in a week! Heading to Wigmore Hall this time, for the Takács Quartet, who are playing Beethoven. Now sold out - and I'm not surprised, given that when I booked, I got one of the last three (top price) seats! Ah well, it wasn't astronomical - and I do love Beethoven.

On the 15th, back at the QT Bar - for the RB and Soul Revue. Now, they put on a great show - but, given my experience last time, I'll know to buy my drink at the upstairs bar and take it down with me - better choice! And at least this time, I'll know where I'm going.. Pity I didn't think to check CT first, who have cheap tickets!!

On the 16th, I'm back at Conway Hall, for a concert called Sing Like a Vagabond - Shouts and Cries of Victorian London. Tickets are free, but you do have to book.

On the 17th, I'm back with UITCS at the Coliseum, for a performance of Yeomen of the Guard, by Gilbert & Sullivan. And knowing the steepness of the steps in the Balcony - and the irregularity - and what with my stairs phobia - I've done my best to get a seat at the side, so I can use the handrail to get down. Oh, and an aisle seat, what with the restricted legroom..

Then I'm back to Ireland again. On the 19th, UL is hosting a PhD reunion, with a tour of the campus and, crucially, free lunch. And I'll be using the occasion to catch up with an old friend and, hopefully, find out what finally prompted him to quit lecturing at last, more than 10 years after I did, considering he was bullied even worse than I was! With a late flight the next day, I might get to a film as well..