Exhibition: Mexico After Hours, Walk: Paddington - Proud, Perky & Picturesque, Comedy: Dara O' Briain - So, Where Were We?, & Storytelling: Inisfáil

Friday was something advertised with the Crick Crack Club (CCC) - they're celebrating all things Mexican in Kew Gardens this month, with Mexico After Hours on some nights! With something about the Day of the Dead, of course.. and on Friday, the CCC came along.

That far out, it had to be Tube - even coming home, late at night. Outbound, I took the Piccadilly Line - happily, before it got to be full, so I got a seat. And changed to the District Line - as you have to, for Kew Gardens. And when I got off, it was drizzling - as it had been all afternoon. Just as well the e-ticket they sent me included a map, though, showing me where to enter - although Google Maps recognises Temperate House, where the event was taking place, in no way did it seem to know exactly where it was! Without the map supplied with the e-ticket, I'd have been completely lost. As it was, I had about 15 minutes' extra walk once I got as far as the gardens. You couldn't miss it in the end though - I arrived at about 6.15, 15 minutes before it was due to open, and the queue outside the gates was growing rapidly..

They were about five minutes late letting us in. The path to Temperate House was lit for us - most attractively, I must say. And as we made our way, someone behind me remarked to her companion that she'd looked into hiring it as a wedding venue - but it would've cost £20,000..

See those buildings either side? They're all connected - this is, apparently, the world's largest Victorian greenhouse. 

The central atrium is the centrepiece of the activity, with constant music and a bar:

Oh, and to satisfy the macabre cravings of - well, people like me - there are plenty of shrines to the ancestors:

Well, we'd been handed the evening's programme on the way in, and I could see that the first of two CCC sessions was scheduled for 6.45 - five minutes' time, by this stage. Unfortunately, this central section of the glasshouse is on a raised area, steps either side - and yes, the CCC sessions were in a separate building to the rear. I spent the whole blasted night steeling myself to go up and down these steps - no handrails, of course. No accessible alternative, either - when I went for food, later, I did manage to find a flat path to the side, which I used to come around to the back again. However, the event trucks were parked there, and when I tried to exit that way at the end, an usher spotted me and sternly ordered me back hrough the central hall. There were a few people on mobility scooters - I suppose, if they had wanted the accessible path, they'd have been allowed.

Well, I managed it - and scored a central seat, in the ring of chairs they'd erected, for the performance.

(Note the plate of scraps of paper in front of the altar - the CCC left blank paper and pens at the front of the stage, for people to write deceased loved-ones' names on, if they wanted, and leave them at the alter. So they'd be included in the ceremony.)

All night, Clare Muphy and Sarah-Liisa Wilkinson took turns to deliver short stories centred around death, cheating death, the Land of the Dead.. One interesting tale described the origin of mist, and I heard again the story of how Hare brought the tale, from the Moon, that people woud die, but was in such a hurry that he completely forgot the second part of the message, that they would rise again. Clare Murphy has a wonderful, comic delivery, and Sarah-Liisa Wilkinson an absolutely madcap one, always urging the audience to contribute sound effects. I was sad to leave them at the end of the set - but we had to make way for a Mexican cookery/cocktail making demonstration, so off I went. It was damn chilly in there, anyway - I don't know how "temperate" these glasshouses were that night, with all the doors left open!

And so to investigate the bar. By this time, it was about 7.25, and I managed to grab the very last small bottle of white wine in one of the ice buckets - a pinot grigio. And a plastic container to go with it. Tricky to open, but I'm good at that - and I was determined. And meantime, there was a parade of costumed people! ( I did take a video, but am having trouble downloading it..)

And then I went for a stroll. It's fantastically lit, quite surreal in the dark:

Marigolds are supposed to ease the passage of those from the Land of the Dead:

Quite striking from outside:

I finished what was rather a weird-tasting pinot grigio, and headed for the cocktail bar, where I had to queue - you could have an old-fashioned, or a margarita. Margarita all the way for me, thanks! and it did taste good. Toilets are located down a spiral staircase, in the "magnolia room". And then, being hungry, I went in search of food! Following the map on my programme, I found that the only food to be had was back the way we'd come in - great, down the steps again. Where I found just the one food stall, serving tacos - pork or veggie. I had pork. After a long queue, the guy to the side taking orders with his card machine. I dunno why he bothered to ask what we wanted - they were the same price, and we had to give the order again at the counter! Ah well, it was tasty anyway. The miniscule amount of it we had, for £9.50, was scandalous - mind you, they were the only food stall there! Disgraceful - of course, I should have left earlier to find food elsewhere, but wanted to stay for the storytelling at the end of the night.

I sat and watched people stream in for the demos - and when a queue started for the storytelling, I joined it. Unfortunately, there is very little seating. And, of course, all the people who'd been lucky enough to score a seat for the demos were reluctant to give it up, and thought they might experience a bit of storytelling as well! So, for all of the ladies in front of me in the queue saying it wasn't fair, we hadn't a hope of getting a seat. Being first up, though, we did manage to get a perch on a ledge at the edge of the flowerbeds, at the side. Where we (usually) had a clear view to the side of the stage, but it was a challenge to hear. Ah well. At least some newbies were experiencing storytelling - and it might stick with some.

Different stories for this section, of course - Sarah-Liisa regaled us with the tale of a Scandinavian hero, whose mother came to rescue him and bring him back to life, after he was killed while out adventuring. Both got a great reception. Meanwhile.. a ghostly silver cat slinked its way through the crowd, disappearing into the foliage. Then came back and did it again, completely ignoring us all. And as I left, at the end, I could hear its meowling, bidding us farewell.. most appropriate.

The Tube home was interesting - first up was the ever-interesting District Line, where I found myself sitting beside a bunch of people in togas, one arguing with another about the suitability of his modern underwear, which was poking out, to the period he was trying to evoke. And unfortunately, I decided to change to the Victoria Line - which was stifling! What a relief to get off..

Couldn't blog that night, as I had to be up early. Yesterday was another of those busy days. So.. first I was headed on a walk with Laurence Summers and the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners - this one was Paddington - Proud, Perky & Picturesque.

Not hard to get to Paddington - a simple bus ride, with a choice of buses. (And would you believe it, I was just in time to miss a #205 - the fabled, but rarely seen bus of the fleet. What are the odds?) Having got off the bus, though - not being familiar with the station, it was impossible for me to find it!! Jeez, they have roundels for the Tube - could they not stretch to a sign saying something like "station entrance over here"? Anyway, it appeared as a big blob on Google Maps - so, heading in that general direction, I eventually came across what looked like an entrance. Found the platforms - and Laurence had helpfully mentioned that the Paddington Bear statue beside which we were to meet was on Platform 1. And so it proved - but not at the top of it, oh no. I had to walk a long way down the platform - and saw the group before I saw the statue. Ah well, he's only a little bear.

We waited for latecomers, and then we were off. And one of the most interesting things in the tour was right outside!

There's a man in the clock - about lifesize. And he's constantly on the move - cleaning it, repainting the hands as the time changes. Seriously, you could spend so much time just watching this..!

On to the Mitre pub:

And on to the Italian gardens, designed by Prince Albert as a present for his wife, Queen Victoria, not long before he died:

The man had taste, I must admit.

To the side is a statue to Jenner:

And to the other side, an upmarket (Rolls Royce) ice cream van!

We enjoyed our trip to the park - but it was hard for Laurence to get us all back in time, and we were a bit late starting off again! Never mind, we were nearly finished.. just a quick stop outside St. Mary's Hospital, which has seen the births of so many members of the Royal Family in recent times!

A most interesting and entertaining walk! And so to lunch in Fountains Abbey pub - where you might be forgiven for thinking they'd never heard of us, although Laurence had rung to book, as he always does. Well, they have a couple of function rooms upstairs, and duly shunted us into one of them - where we did a bit of reorganising so we were all sat together. We had to go back down to order, mind. But we were well fed - me on the half roast chicken with BBQ sauce - and passed a most pleasant afternoon chatting.

Me, I was killing time - I wasn't going home, because, for nearly a year now, I've had tickets booked, for me and Helen, for Dara O' Briain in the Hammersmith Apollo that night! Crikey, I'd never even have thought of it if it hadn't been noted in my calendar. So anyway, she couldn't come on the walk, but we arranged to meet for dinner beforehand in Bill's of Hammersmith. I could only hope for better service than I got in Bill's of Clink Street..

So, I got the bus. Buses. And ended up going the wrong way, slightly. Ah well, I was still on time - got the table, and then she arrived and someone was right along to take our order. This time, I had steak - skipped a starter, under the circumstances. And we shared a bottle of sauvignon blanc. And it was good - although the steak was nothing special. Indeed, we might have had dessert - certainly, I asked for the dessert menu - but Bill's was back to its old self, and the only thing we could get the staff to do for us from then on was bring us the bill. Yep, not the place to come for a special occasion.

As usual, I couldn't access the "free WiFi" - can't get it in train stations, on trains, or in hotels or restaurants or airports at all any more. It technically exists, but has "no internet". Which meant I couldn't download our tickets. Of course, as soon as I was out the door, no such problems.. it was a short walk to the Apollo, and we went straight in. And having booked quite quickly, we had very good seats!

No support act, he came straight on. I love his comedy, and really enjoyed this - his comeback tour after lockdown. Revelation of the night, however, was that he's adopted! He was describing the palaver to get a look at his birth cert, following which he tracked down his birth family. Crikey, you never do know, eh?

Too tired last night to blog, but it was a great day, and great to see Helen again. Today, back with the CCC for Inisfáil, Irish storytelling courtesy of the wonderful Clare Murphy, in the British Museum. Mercifully, not on till afternoon, so I could have a lie-in - and walk there!

Took the back entrance, as cleverly suggested to me by Google Maps, and arrived just in time. And wow, I have never seen one of these events so well-attended! Popular subject today, methinks. There were people directing audience members to seats. I got one a few rows from the front - and a young couple were delighted to grab a couple of spare seats together, right beside me.

Well, she took us on again in her inimitable way, charming her way into the audience with a healthy dose of humour. Today, it was all about the Tuatha Dé Dannan - even the name sounds like a drumbeat. About how they came to Ireland (then known as Inisfáil) and fought the Firbolg. And finally, about how they in turn were displaced by the Celts. When she asked, yes, many of the audience had heard of the characters in the tales - but probably hadn't seen them brought to life in the energetic way that she did. We spent a fabulous hour or so - and the man of the young couple beside me turned to his partner (as so many have before) and thanked her profusely for dragging him there. Well, yes. Others on the way out were remarking to their friends how Clare Murphy is one of the best. Well, yes! I heartily agree.

On then to The Museum Tavern. It was pretty full, but I found a table right at the end - with a QR code on it! And hey, here - and in the museum itself - is the first free WiFi I've come across in ages! So, I was going to have a stab at that for once - but just as I was looking at the website, the waiter came along and took my order. Now, this is also a Greene King pub - like the Fountains Abbey pub - so a similar menu. So I decided not to have the chicken again, and went for a steak and ale pie instead. And the requisite glass of sauvignon blanc. Which were serverd quite promptly. The glass could have been cleaner - but otherwise, it was very moreish, gorgeous beef dripping gravy accompanying the pie. The chips weren't the best I've had, but the pie might well have been. I was absolutely stuffed for the walk home.

Tomorrow, I originally booked a free online talk about Railways of Surrey, from the Surrey History Meetup. But I just recently saw (despite the fact that it was evidently posted months ago) an event in Sadler's Wells from Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) - Samsara is inspired by the Chinese novel, Journey to the West, and contains partial nudity, we're told. Tickets for this are quite cheap, and we're all in the Stalls, for once - they haven't even opened the Second Circle, where we normally are! So, no stairs, for a change!

On Tuesday, I've booked for Iphigenia in Splott, in the Lyric Hammersmith.

On Wednesday, was supposed to have drinks with Ivan. But now it turns out he has Covid, so that's off the menu. Instead, I'm headed to hear the London Handel Players perform At Their Majesties' Pleasure, a programme of Baroque dance music, at St. John's Smith Square. Courtesy of TAC.

On Thursday, back with Civilised London for dinner at Le Sacré Coeur. Always good.

On Friday, back to Ireland again - and the following Monday, it's my mother's birthday, so I'm staying in Ireland for that and flying back on Tuesday 25th. I've already cleared it with work.

On the 26th, I've booked with UITCS again - for Mary, at Hampstead Theatre again. Political machinations in the court of Mary, Queen of Scots. Funny thing - there were two seats in the main seating section at the cheapest price, but the site objected to me just booking one of them. No problem booking an equivalent seat in a higher price bracket, though! So I booked one of the high seats, at the back, instead. At the lower price.

I hadn't anything booked for the 27th - was thinking film - and then Ticket Text (one of hundreds of ticket organisations I seem to have signed up for) sent me an advertising email. So, it seems that night the comedy venue, 21Soho, is holding an event of Comedians Telling Spooky Stories. Which sounds the business, for the week that's in it. So I booked. Hallowe'en fancy dress, apparently - well, I'll have a think. I do have some duds that might do.. 😜

The 28th, I've kept free for an all-night drinking session with Ivan. Man, I've missed these! In vino veritas, as they say, and these are wonderful chances to get stuff off your chest. He fancied doing it earlier, but I didn't want to have to take time off work - this was the first overnighter I could fit in. And with him taking ill, it seems it was just as well! I hope he can make this one.

Which should make the 29th interesting - I'm on another walk with Laurence and the 45+s! Might not actually get to bed in between.. this one is the Edgy London Walking Tour, and is one of his new ones.

And yes, I have something to do that evening! (This month is far too busy.) I'm back with the CCC, for the Game of Candles - their Hallowe'en offering, where they extinguish a candle for every spooky story told. Tim Ralphs and Sarah-Liisa Wilkinson - in King's Place, lovely! I can walk (or stagger) home..

Tomfoolery

Tonight, Tommy Tiernan was playing at the Hammersmith Apollo! Now, I failed to get a ticket for this the first time around. Then it was rescheduled because of Covid.. and I got a ticket for the rescheduled event! Then that was rescheduled.. third time lucky.. Love Tommy Tiernan. The show is called Tomfoolery. Doing something of a world tour for the next few months.

It was as well that I checked for my ticket early in the day - I'd selected to receive an e-ticket, which was supposed to be stored in my Eventim account - but it wasn't there! Probably as a result of the reschedule. I did come across a phone number to ring if it was within 24 hours of the event - got a quick response, explained the problem, and the nice chap tried to email me the ticket but couldn't. Instead, he switched it to box office collection, emailed me a collection code, and instructed me to have ID with me.

This far from me, of course it was going to be Tube. Google Maps suggested that the Central Line, followed by the Piccadilly, would be faster - and after my last experience of the Circle Line, I'd be forced to agree - so that's what I did. Again, just as well - there were delays on the Circle. I needed to eat, wanted something a bit fast, although I knew the show wasn't starting till 8 - behold, I was walking out through the shopping centre at Hammersmith Broadway and there was a Wasabi. So I thought - why not? It'd been a while, and I used to like it. As I was queueing though, I made the decision to pass on the katsu curry I used to get, and try the teriyaki instead - I have always liked that. Had noodles with it too, for a change. And it was all nice - if perhaps a bit heavy on the soy sauce. I found I couldn't finish it.

And so to the theatre, just past 7, when the doors had opened. There is great value to not being there when the doors open, there's much less queueing. A separate queue led to the box office - and so much for the collection code, he just checked my name against the filed tickets, using my ID. Wow, it's so long since I had a physical ticket.. And to the bar, where the white wine comes in cans. Well, it's ok. And so to the long climb to my seat, in Row X of the Circle.

The support act, as before, is his cousin Eleanor. And thereafter, a 15-minute wait for the main attraction:

Well, the warm welcome that Eleanor got was nothing to the roar that greeted Tommy. His following is loyal - and was pissed. It's more than two years, you know, since this show was originally scheduled here - imagine. And part of the show tonight had him describe how he is re-energised by the energy of the audience, how on long stretches of motorway - or at home during lockdown - his life force just drains away. He thanked us for remembering we'd bought tickets (as one fellow beside me remarked to his companions, he'd only suddenly remembered today..).

He sure was in fine fettle here! He prowled around the stage like a kind of creaky guru, complete with white beard. The crowd was a bit rowdy - drowned out by one group of ladies, he quieted them by saying "ladies, we arranged to meet BACKSTAGE, afterwards.. I have work to do here now!" And he still manages to reduce me to tears. I particularly love his description of his small dog at home, which he doesn't much care for: describes it as a "small, yappy thing - a cross between a mop and a panic attack!" Or then, there's the explanation for why the Russian forces are retreating - it's not that they're being beaten back. Oh no, it's the Irish. They haven't sent over troops (hah! as if - if the Ukraine is short of equipment, sure the Irish never got any..). No, instead they've sent over council road workers with diversion signs. The Russians have just been diverted back to Russia..

Fabulous stuff. Be warned though - the jokes get filthier as the set progresses. Good luck to you Tommy, delighted to see you on the road again!

Happily, I didn't have to climb down all those stairs without a handrail - we had a quick route out the fire escape at the back. Circle Line home, stopped off in Liverpool Street because I was peckish, Wasabi not having quite done the business. Delice de France was still open, and I grabbed a bite there before walking the last bit.

Tomorrow, it's back to Ireland for the weekend again. For Saturday, I've booked Uncharted - an Indiana Jones-style adventure, probably with less style, but at least starring Mark Wahlberg and Antonio Banderas. Could be fun, and anyway, the choice for daytime isn't spectacular. Showing, as usual, at the Omniplex.

On Monday, I've booked for The 47th, at The Old Vic. Written by Mike Bartlett, this imagines the American presidential elections of 2024. I am really looking forward to this play..

On Tuesday, I'm finally going to Six, the Musical! Based around the story of the six wives of Henry VIII (very loosely, I'd say), it's playing at the Vaudeville and I hear good things. Cheapest tickets from Leicester Square Box Office.

On Wednesday, back with Civilised London, who are off to the opera at the Southbank Centre. The show in question is The Paradis Files. On Thursday, I'm back to Ireland for Easter - but left it so late to book, I could only get an afternoon flight - no problem getting the day off work though!

Well, my friend got back to me - they're away in the middle of Easter week, back on the 21st, so the most sensible thing to do seemed to be to visit on the 22nd, which I've now arranged with her. Happily, my boss was also fine with me taking that week as holiday. Anyway, I'll fly back to London on the 24th. And on the 25th, I'm off to The Corn is Green, at the National.

Dance: Lord of the Dance, Walk: Magnificent Mayfair, Show: 24 Italian Songs and Arias, & Walk: Highgate - a Very English Village

Thursday was, of course, St. Patrick's Day. In Ireland, it was a bank holiday, as was yesterday - in London, Kíla was playing the London Irish Centre again. A standing gig, this time. Promised to be mad. But you know, when SFF advertised tickets for Lord of the Dance, at the Hammersmith Apollo the same night.. I booked. Well, such is life. Anyway, I should have paused a moment-  because I checked afterwards, and TAC had tickets as well. Bah humbug, would've been even cheaper. Never mind.

I planned to eat out there - Google Maps suggested an Indian called Rangrez, just around the corner. So I decided to try there, and headed out in good time. Had to be Tube, this far out - and it's right at the end of a couple of lines, so I had plenty of time to read the paper. I could see the Apollo when I left the station - on the way there, I'd be passing The Swan, so decided to try there first.

It looked promising. I found a small table to myself (with a fine view of the racing at Cheltenham), and discovered that you could order online. The printed menu had some things that sounded lovely, so I checked online - and discovered that they all read "Out of Stock"! Even the ones that didn't say there were out of stock were all greyed out. Well, bah humbug. I also tried the William Morris next door, where I've eaten before, but there wasn't a free table. So I continued on to Rangrez - which wasn't hard to find, although Google Maps had it on the wrong side of the road.

I was seated without issue - actually, they'd only opened 40 minutes before, and I was their first eat-in customer of the evening; there were plenty of takeaway orders. They'd had butter chicken on the menu in the window - but as it says on the website, on evenings when an event is taking place in the Apollo, they might have a restricted menu. And butter chicken was one thing that got chopped - so instead, I had chicken tikka masala (feeling rather naff, considering that they have stickers up about having won curry awards). And lamb samosa, pulau rice, and peshwari naan. They also have a decent drinks menu - I had a glass of the sauvignon blanc.

Wow, it took forever to get my food. I guess that means it's fresh? Meantime, a table came in and sat down the back - again, one had a carrying voice, so I got to listen to all their foibles about the menu. "Do you have _?" and they were so particular about the drinks - wanted to know what brands of rum and whisky the place stocked, and the waiter had to run and check the shelves behind the bar.

Aw, I love the little handled pots they serve the curry and rice in! And it was all lovely, although I could have done with a little more flavour in the tikka masala. But the naan was to die for.. portions not huge, which is no bad thing in an Indian - and for once, I finished it all. And a second glass of wine. And then waited for over half an hour for anyone to come to me again. The place was really filling up once we got closer to 7, most people having booked, and frankly they were run off their feet. I didn't really mind, although sadly, by the time the guy cleared my table, it was too late for me to order dessert. He looked disappointed, I thought. Anyway, would be delighted to come back here - but it looks like a real hotspot on event nights - beware!

And so, around the corner to join the first queue I saw. Which is what everyone was doing. Happily, it all seemed to be the same queue, zigzagging its way to the entrance along a slalom course of barriers - when we got there, everyone started queueing at the same door. An usher was desperately trying to get us to spread out at the different doors. "Trust me!" he said, "they all go to the same place!" And finally we were in. I was in the Stalls, so no stairs needed to be climbed, and I stopped at the bar on the way - where she explained that they were charging £1 extra for the plastic cup (which, of course, you can take in), but that you wouldn't have to pay that extra if you brought it back for the second drink. Sadly, I didn't feel like this money-saving offer. Didn't get a second drink.

Not a bad view, eh? Well, I needn't have worried - the show, typically for these large events, started 10 minutes late. No free seats around me - I wonder whether there were some in the Circle. One of the organisers from Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) posted on Facebook at the interval - she was there with her mum, celebrating her Irish roots! Gosh, I never knew she had them. Anyway, I said hi - on Facebook.

The show - a 25th anniversary celebration - began with an extensive introduction by its creator, Michael Flatley. He no longer actually dances in it - leaves that to more nimble legs. But otherwise, it's the same as ever - all the razamataz, dramatic production numbers, and a story that has the bad guys (in Transformer-like helmets) bothering a sprite-like creature, who must be rescued by the Michael Flatley stand-in and his cohort (generally shirtless). Plenty of skin on display, short skirts for the girls, some ripping off of outfits to great whoops and cheers. I did find one girl on stage who didn't have the long, bouncy hair, so I'm happy to see that it's not a requirement. But yes, lots of sparkle and show, and everyone went home happy. Following the standing ovation, which we kind of felt obligated to provide, given how many times it was mentioned in the video montage that they always got one.. Last show tonight.

And on the Tube, someone was watching Cheltenham on their phone. Good to see it's back up and running. It ran late on me that night, and I didn't manage to get the blog finished.

Yesterday - gee, of course I hadn't started work yet! Although I can't have much free time left really, as I have now (hopefully) submitted everything to them that I think they'll need. For once, they didn't ask me for anything, and I figure no news is good news. So guess what? Yep, booked with Laurence Summers and the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners for his Magnificent Mayfair walk. With lunch, naturally.

Equally naturally, I left it too late for the bus, so was on the Tube again - so often this week! Arrived at Pret on Piccadilly in good time, had me a hot chocolate, and joined the others who had congregated over the side. It was a stunning day for a walk - my winter coat was too warm, for the first time this year! Warm and sunny, with beautiful blue skies.. even Laurence emerged from the bathroom wearing fewer layers than usual. I just wish I could find my sunglasses..

We learned some interesting facts about Mayfair. How, for instance, it used to be a red light district, with Kitty Fisher one of its more famous prostitutes!

Plenty of famous inhabitants, plenty of blue plaques:

..and a stunning Jesuit church:

Plenty of activity there, what with Lent in full swing.. a group was performing the Stations of the Cross, and a face-to-face confession was being held in a soundproofed side chapel. Beautiful location for it.

A stop-off in Grosvenor Square, and most of us headed for lunch at the Marlborough Head:

Service was friendly, if a bit frazzled.. one of the more experienced bar staff had to remind the guy I'd ordered from to give me my drink! Food arrived in stages - and was very good, portions maybe a bit large. But we had a lovely chat, and a lovely lunch.

And so on to Mercato Mayfair - a former church, now housing food stalls:

We all stayed for a drink - some of us for another. :-) And after a most successful event, which had lasted most of the day, we parted - excellent company. I departed straight for my next event - no point in going home, really! That evening, I was back with London European Club, for 24 Italian Songs & Arias, at Battersea Arts Centre. They're operating a "Pay What You Can" scheme, where you pay what you want, between £5 and £35 - recommended price, £16. They even sent me a survey afterwards to see what I thought! And at least I could get buses, this time.

Wouldn't you know it, I arrived just after the organiser! So, we took a seat in the bar, where the others joined us when they got there. Had a good chat, and headed upstairs when it was time.

Oh dear, I made a huge mistake with this one. I had read it was a show about failure - didn't really take in what that meant, and didn't realise that the entire thing was a dirge about how each cast member had failed at something. Neither were there 24 songs or arias - there was some good music, but primarily it felt to me like a pity party. Sorry, but I hate these expository things, and couldn't wait for the end. In future, I'll read these descriptions more carefully. Last show tonight, inexplicably sold out. Ah well, it was good to see people. Buses home - worked a bit more on the blog, but obviously wasn't going to get it finished.

Because today, I was back with Laurence and the 45+s - this time, it was Highgate: A Very English Village. More hills.. and another lovely sunny day! Breezy, though - but I took the plunge, and ditched the winter coat for the first time this year! That was the last sensible thing I did before the walk - now, last night, I looked up my route for today, to discover that yes, buses would get me there in under an hour. But the buses I needed were diverted because of roadworks! Right, Tube again.

And then I had a brain freeze. Because first, I realised I'd left too late, even for the Tube, and then I forgot I was headed for Moorgate, and retraced my steps - and then headed in the wrong direction entirely for Moorgate! Jeez, talk about a senior moment.. anyway, realising I was going to be a little late - which I never normally am - I left a message to that effect, and did my best. The Tube, to be fair, could have been a little more obliging, instead of constantly loitering at stations on the way.

At Highgate Station, we were to head for the Shepherds Hill exit. Didn't see a sign for that, but did see one for the car park, and recalled that also having been mentioned. O Lordy, such a flight of stairs to it.. but yay, I could hear Laurence's voice as I climbed, and climbed.. and I exited to the exclamation "Just in time! You only missed 25 words.." Happily, he had some more talking to do, so I could get my breath back. Before the next climb. Past Jackson's Lane Theatre - jeez, it's an age since I went to something there! As I remarked to someone, I have so many memories of charging around the hills of Highgate, racing to something I was late for, and practically giving myself a coronary..

To be fair, he warned us that the first bit was hilly, and it'd be fairly flat after that. And he took it easy on the hilly bit. So I was in no real danger of that today. And I was to be so glad I'd worn a lighter coat.. it felt quite springlike, in the sunshine. En route, we met a fat and fluffy cat, busily heading in the other direction, and not looking at all put out by either the hilly terrain, or the presence of several nearby dogs. We came across a plaque that doesn't seem to be a real plaque, with no marking denoting who put it up..

The windiest part of the walk was also the part with the best view. And as I remarked, I thought I could tell where my house was.. just across from that big skyscraper.. well, one of them..

We saw where some famous people used to live..

and where someone still does! Witanhurst, second-largest private residence in London, owned by a Russian oligarch. Not welcoming to random passers-by..

And so to lunch - in The Gatehouse, another place I haven't been to in years. Have eaten and drunk here, been to the theatre.. I remembered the food being a little posh, and the best way to get to it being by bus, letting the bus wheeze up the hill, rather than doing so myself, all the way from the station.

Well, we had a table reserved at the back, which just about fitted us - although those sat with their backs to the open door kept their coats on, frozen by the breeze that blew in through it! My cough decided this would be a great time to resurge - happily, its timing wasn't bad, as I first had a chance to pick what I wanted, and order my drink, but nothing had arrived yet. I moved a bit away for the purposes of coughing, and as it happened, I got through with it just in time to collect my drink - and they hadn't yet even taken the food order. So that was fine.

Most of us had fish n chips - to be fair, many would have liked a sandwich, but they don't really do them. One had rabbit, one had skate - and a couple of the ladies, who really weren't that hungry, had tapas. And I think everyone was happy with the food - the few bones I found in the fish failed to cause me much trouble, the batter was tasty and crispy, the peas non-mushy. And the wine was from New Zealand - happy days!

So it's a shame that a dampener was put on the meal by the very snippy attitude of the guy who seemed to be in charge, who was put out by his waitress spending so much time adding up our several totals, as we were all paying separately. Now, Laurence had asked for separate bills from the beginning, but this guy had said that would be more trouble - well, what did he expect? A table of nine is rarely all going to pay as one! So, either have separate bills, or add up separate totals.. Frankly, this attitude is incomprehensible from someone who takes group bookings, and I'd have to say that this does not give the impression of a place that welcomes groups. I do wonder whether he makes smaller groups - say a family of four adults - do the same? So, beware coming here if you want to split the bill. Management is in the dark ages.

And so back, by Tube again. The cat passed us again, again in the opposite direction, back from whatever business it had.. and lo, with nothing else on tonight, I got this finished! Oh, the relief..

Tomorrow.. someone I swore I'd never do a walk with again. Well, we'll see whether she's back on form - Walks, Talks & Treasure Hunts (WTTH) is off on a walk called Secrets of Belgravia. (Courtesy of her company, London Guided Walks.) The code MEETUP3 gets you a £3 discount on all her walks - which does cover the booking fee of £1, not advertised before you come to the point of purchasing the ticket. Well, it'll be a start if she shows up! Funnily enough, she messaged me the other day - because I signed up on the Meetup group - to remind me to book a ticket through her company. I see she still doesn't cross-reference, since I already did! Supposed to be cooler tomorrow, so I guess the winter coat is coming out again.

On Monday, I'm at another Zoom talk - Quakers at War is the story of the Quakers and their pacifism. Courtesy of Surrey History Meetup.

On Tuesday.. I'm booked for Dear Evan Hansen, at the Noel Coward Theatre! Finally - I'd booked for this before lockdown, and of course it got cancelled. Cheapest tickets from the official site.

On Wednesday, back with Civilised London (CL) - back at Le Sacré Coeur, meeting beforehand at The Crown, as usual.

On Thursday, back with TAC for Avocado Presents - Improv, at Etcetera Theatre. Eh, I think it's a jazz concert? 

Failing any information from my new job, have provisionally booked for Friday - Laurence and the 45+s are off to see Elegant London! Anyway, then back to Ireland for the weekend again.

On the 28th, going to see Daddy at the Almeida. Having never seen a bad production here, I have high hopes.

On the 29th, finally going to see Andrew Lloyd Webber's Cinderella! I hear good things.. it's playing at the Gillian Lynne Theatre, which is new to me - Seatplan was invaluable in choosing the best seating option. What's On Stage provided the cheapest price for that seat, though!

On the 30th, back with CL - for a play this time. This is The Fever Syndrome, at Hampstead Theatre.

On the 31st, back with TAC for One Night With Robbie Williams. This is at The Courtyard.

On the 1st, back with the Crick Crack Club (CCC) for - The Grand Annual Lying Contest! at Rich Mix.

On the 2nd, I had booked with WTTH for a Regent's Canal Walk. Different guide. But yay, Laurence and the 45+s just advertised another walk for that day, which is pretty much guaranteed to be superior. So I've booked it. This is Scandals, Scriptwriters & Sumptuous Architecture - and of course, it being a London weekend, I can go!

On the 3rd, the CCC again! Emily Hennessey and Sheema Mukherjee are at the British Museum, with Holy Cow! Tales from the River of Life. Unfortunately, the London Landmarks Half Marathon is also that day, so I'll probably be on the Tube, at least getting to the museum. 

On the 4th, I'm back at the Park Theatre for the first time in nearly three years! This is for Clybourne Park, a comedy about a white family moving into a predominantly black neighbourhood.

On the 5th, I'm headed to But I'm a Cheerleader, a musical comedy at the Turbine Theatre.

On the 6th, back with Up in the Cheap Seats at Southwark Playhouse, and another free ticket for me! This time, it's for Anyone Can Whistle, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim.

On the 7th, Tommy Tiernan is playing at the Hammersmith Apollo! Now, I failed to get a ticket for this the first time around. Then it was rescheduled because of Covid.. and I got a ticket for the rescheduled event! Then that was rescheduled.. third time lucky?! Love Tommy Tiernan. The show is called Tomfoolery. And then it's back to Ireland for the weekend again.

On the 11th, I've booked for The 47th, at The Old Vic. Written by Mike Bartlett, this imagines the American presidential elections of 2024. I am really looking forward to this play..

On the 12th, I'm finally going to Six, the Musical! Based around the story of the six wives of Henry VIII (very loosely, I'd say), it's playing at the Vaudeville and I hear good things. Cheapest tickets from Leicester Square Box Office.

On the 13th, back with CL, who are off to the opera at the Southbank Centre. The show in question is The Paradis Files. Next day, I'm back to Ireland for Easter - but left it so late to book, I could only get an afternoon flight, and will have to start my new job (whenever) by asking for that day off work!

Well, my friend got back to me - they're away in the middle of Easter week, back on the 21st of next month, so the most sensible thing to do seemed to be to visit on the 22nd of next month, which I've now arranged with her. Whether I take that week as holiday, or take the laptop home and work from Ireland, remains to be seen. Anyway, I'll fly back to London on the 24th of next month. And on the 25th of next month, I'm off to The Corn is Green, at the National.