Play: The Sex Party & Walk: The Mysterious Square Mile

Yesterday, I finally went to The Sex Party, at the Menier Chocolate Factory. My goodness, it's so long since I was last there, I couldn't remember my username, and had to ring them! (CT were advertising cheap tickets, but had sold out.) Interesting pause when I was talking to my mother on the phone, and told her I was off to a sex party at the chocolate factory.. ;-)

Unfortunately, their restaurant is closed "due to circumstances beyond [their] control", so - as I was to pass The Lucas Arms on the way - I thought I'd eat there. Mind you, I checked online beforehand, and they weren't taking bookings before 7pm - oh no, thought I, they're full! I also tried O' Neill's online, who weren't taking bookings before tomorrow. Huh, typical. So I figured I'd try near the theatre, and headed out. Now, as I mentioned, I was passing The Lucas Arms on the way - had a peek in, and it was mostly empty! So in I went, and got well fed there. Good to know. First time back this year - crikey though, you do need an appetite..

And so to the theatre, rather early - where the receptionist was far too helpful, checking for a physical ticket when I knew quite well mine was on my phone. Ah well, I got in eventually (complete with a complete set of directions from her - Lordy, it's been a while, but not that long!) and got a drink at the bar - and I was there so early, I also got a table! Wow. First time. I think I was there about half an hour early. Anyway, can't really recommend the sauvignon blanc here, it's quite insipid. Meantime, of course I ended up sharing my table. Which was fine.

When I'd finished my paper, I moseyed in. Bench seating, but handily, there was a free seat beside me, which afforded me some extra space.

So, the set was a well-appointed kitchen - in Islington, as it turned out. The island was festooned with alcohol and glasses, the garden just visible through the French windows to the left. There was beer in the fridge, we discovered, and the living room was just through a door to the right of stage. Oh, and one of the cupboard doors near the fridge hid the washing machine - which did come in handy at one point in the play. Although how that character automatically knew where to find it..! ;-)

And yes, our hosts were throwing a sex party! Not a swingers party, we quickly discovered - no, there wouldn't be any partner-swapping. (Well, until there was.) Now, this was not a play for the prudish - but I think the prudish know that already! So.. the language was what you might call spicy, and while the characters started the evening nicely dressed (to various levels of sexiness), clothes were gradually shed, and we got a nice selection of lingerie etc. By and large, the action took place offstage - we were fed titillating scraps of appropriate noises on occasion, and at one point, some very well-done, evocative shadows were projected through the door! Mind you, the funniest interaction with the living room was when someone told our host there'd been a spillage in there. "White or red?" he demanded. "Red," she admitted ruefully. "Where?" he exclaimed. "Oh, it's the Persian, isn't it?! Damn it, it would be the Persian.." rushing out with a cloth and a big bottle of salt..

It was hilarious! You name it, this covered it - we had every joke, certainly, that I could possibly think of related to the topic, and they were well done. The script sparkled. Oh, and there were plenty of practical tips for those who might not be experienced in this practice - for instance, a number of the guests brought a change of clothes. Well, you might not want to get your nice clothes messed up - alternatively, you might not feel like changing back into formal clothes after the evening's.. exertions! Oh, and the guy who needed the washing machine? He accidentally stepped in the pool, dirtied his trousers. And that's not the only reason he was a dead ringer for Boris Johnson! He had the messy hair, the gormless expression - spent most of the play wandering around without trousers on - kept apologising. Yep, all I could think of when I saw him was Boris..

We got a huge mix of characters, though. The hosts were a couple who met at a sex club; we also had a husband and wife, she'd known the man of the house for years, her husband didn't want her having sex with anyone else, so he was very definite about the "no-swapping" rule. There was a couple comprised of an American husband (who turned out to have some quite conservative views, for someone involved in this) and a Russian wife, sex-mad, straight talking, and hilarious! The wife of the trouser-less guy was unknown to the host - she turned out to be very woke, and highly opinionated! And when the final guest arrived - whom nobody but the host knew - well, the cat was well and truly among the pigeons!

Thing is, this sex party was a kind of vehicle for getting everything into the open. As the clothes were shed, so were people's pretences - and we got a huge level of honesty. Which wasn't always comfortable. Both private relationships and political views were aired in a jaw-dropping exchange - carried on in the kitchen while the party, apparently, continued next door. Any details we missed, we were filled in on later. By the end, we felt like we'd had as much of a workout as the characters - psychological, rather than physical. Fabulous. Sadly, tonight was the final performance - but do keep an eye out for it if it comes back! It's a cracker.

I booked so much stuff last night that there was no time to blog - keep reading for more.

Today, back with Laurence Summers and the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners, yay! This time, it was The Mysterious Square Mile Walking Tour. Wisely, I set my alarm, which I don't normally need to do - I'd never have woken in time, otherwise, given the hour I went to sleep at. Woke with a grumble, got myself out. The bus I needed to get was due to come at 10-minute intervals, and according to my Buses Due app, every single one was delayed - I ended up getting the first, it seems, just past the time the second was due! Which was absolutely fine. Funnily enough, almost every second stop along the way was closed, due to roadworks - happily, not the one I wanted.

I got turned slightly the wrong way around looking for Le Pain Quotidien, where we were to meet - it's not obvious, and I was a bit clueless that I was walking right past it, until one of the group, sat just inside the window, saw me and waved! Well, in my defence, I was still half asleep. Anyway, I ordered a hot chocolate, sat down and chatted to him - and to others, when they arrived. Absolutely great to see the folks again, first time this year! And this was just the start of what was a very chatty day - definitely one of the best Meetup groups I'm part of. I might have skipped the hot chocolate, though - although the coffee was apparently good, the hot chocolate was the blandest I've had in years! Not even a liberal dose of sugar helped - I won't be having it here again.

The group was somewhat depleted by the persistent train strikes - Laurence usually waits for 15 minutes past the scheduled time, but today, he figured, by 10 past, we had all we were going to. And we were off, into the grey drizzle. Mind you, despite dire weather forecasts, we didn't get much rain at all! just a few spots, now and then. Of course, we started around the corner, with the Monument:

The frieze depicts both Charles II and his brother, the future James II / VII, who was apparently in charge of firefighting operations during the Great Fire, which the Monument commemorates. And the design on the very top represents flames. We also heard the theory that, before the railing was built around the walkway near the top, more people actually died from falling off this than died in the fire!

On to Leadenhall Market, where we discovered that the flag of the City of London represents the cross of St. George, with apparently the sword that beheaded St. Paul:

Outside again, and at the corner of Cornhill, it seems - if you look up - that there's a statue of Ceres, the goddess of cereal! (among other things). As someone remarked, we just don't look up enough..

We learned that St. Michael's is traditionally the stockbrokers' church:

and that on the adjacent St. Michael's Alley, London's first coffee house was established during the Puritan era, because they weren't keen on alcohol!

We came across a couple of interesting statues - including one that looks like possibly the most comfortable statue in town, as he gets to sit for eternity!

I hadn't realised that the ground floor of the Bank of England is some 300 years older than the upper floors - the missing windows on the ground floor are apparently due to the Gordon riots, when a number were broken!

Here's a use I hadn't previously noted for a bus:

And we finished at St. Paul's. I hadn't realised that Christopher Wren originally intended the columns to extend all the way from bottom to top, but they had no way of transporting columns that large!

And so to lunch, at The Old Bell. A lovely pub, again built by Christopher Wren, with plenty of snug seating areas, and the Christmas decorations still up - which was nice, on a day we saw many being taken down. I didn't realise at the time, but I had actually been here before.

We were alarmed to discover a sign on the bar to say the kitchen was closed, but of the two behind the bar, one bravely volunteered to do the cooking! We had a limited menu though - they only had pies and burgers. Fair enough - now, after having a pie yesterday, I didn't fancy another, so decided on a burger. I asked about the Nicholson's burger, but was told they didn't have it, so I had the cheeseburger instead. Which was fine, except I think mine was the last to come out! Too much mayo, which meant I had to eat half with a knife and fork, but otherwise fine. Ooh, and their NZ sauvignon blanc was Oyster Bay! One of my favourites, lovely. And a smashing afternoon's conversation was had - looking forward to my next meeting with this group!

Tomorrow, headed with Cultureseekers (CS) to the "Executions" exhibition at the Museum of London Docklands. Should be nicely atmospheric - and mercifully, starting a bit later than today's event. The organiser was recently in touch, encouraging me to take out full membership, as I'd been to so many events, and could get a discount. Yeah, but most of them were during lockdown, and were free! I don't think it'd be worth my while - I don't go to nearly as many events with this group now.

On Monday, Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) are headed to Mandela, a musical at the Young Vic. Unfortunately, I was way too late for a cheap ticket - but then I noticed that someone attending couldn't make it, and had advertised two tickets for anyone who wanted - much cheaper than what I could get elsewhere. Front row, too! One ticket had gone - I messaged her, and yay, I got the other! She sent them through when they arrived today, and I agreed with the other guy who should take which!

On Tuesday, thinking film again - the listings site was typically slow, but had some info for next week. But given my experience on Tuesday - when it hadn't even included listings for my local cinema - I checked what was on there on this coming Tuesday as well. And lo, I came up with some not yet listed at all at that stage on the listings site.. highest rated is a documentary - Crows are White tells the story of a rather unusual Buddhist monk, who'd rather listen to heavy metal than birdsong..

On Wednesday, heading to Comedy in your Eye, at the Camden Eye. Tickets from Design my Night, including a free drink.

On Thursday - my first Crick Crack Club (CCC) event of the year! Online, but never mind - it's Nick Hennessy, at the Story Museum, performing The Kalevala. I think I remember hearing that he's the only non-Finnish person ever to win their competition to recite this! So, really looking forward to it. Then, of course, I'm back to Ireland for the weekend..

On the 16th, back with UITCS for The Art of Illusion, at Hampstead Theatre. Award-winning, it seems..

On the 17th, I'm headed to Chicago Blues Explosion in the January Blues Festival at the 100 Club. Just a shame their early bird tickets were sold out.

On the 18th, with TAC for a classical concert at King's Place (nice and close). This is the Kirckman Society for young artists, presenting Connaught Brass.

On the 19th, Ken's Green Walks for Health (aka Ken's Events, to those of us who know it from before) is off to see the Winter Lights at Canary Wharf. Now, I wouldn't go with them in a fit - but there's nothing to stop me seeing the lights myself for free, eh? I don't see the point in paying Ken £5 to lead a group around..

On the 20th (a Friday, unusually), back with Watkin's Bookshop for a book launch. This is Fifty Forgotten Books by R. B. Russell. Occult theme, as usual. Let's see whether I can avoid falling asleep this time!

On the 21st, back at King's Place - this time it's the CCC, with Stories in the Dark. Told in darkness, by the sound of it - sounds divine!

On the 22nd, back with CS for the Hieroglyphs: Unlocking Ancient Egypt exhibition at the British Museum. Assuming it's not curtailed due to transport strikes - there is a warning on the museum website that galleries might have to close early!

On the 23rd, I've finally booked for Best of Enemies at the Noel Coward Theatre. This play concerns a series of debates on US television between liberal writer Gore Vidal and conservative William F. Buckley in 1968 - the interesting twist here, given the time and place we're talking about, is to cast William Buckley as black! Had my own seat review on Seatplan to guide me in picking a seat - this is one of those restricted view/legroom theatres. And despite all the theatre offers flooding my inbox, I found the cheapest tickets for this on the official website! Mind you, what with See Tickets doing the selling, I found myself with a second, unexplained, booking fee..

For the next week or so, it's all UITCS! On the 24th, for some reason, I hadn't seen their advertised event to see Orlando, based on the book by Virginia Woolf, and showing at the Garrick. For this, however, I found the cheapest tickets from Official London Theatre (OLT).

On the 25th, we're off to see John Bishop at the Leicester Square Theatre. Love him, so I booked as soon as I saw this advertised - one of the few things for this month that I booked last month! Not that it seems to be selling out..

On the 26th, we're off to The Vaults Festival - specifically, The Welsh Lxdies, a bilingual show about the women of Wales. Then back to Ireland for the weekend again.

On the 30th, we're heading to Noises Off, starring Felicity Kendal, at the Phoenix. Again, cheapest tickets from OLT.

On the 31st, with a group I haven't joined in a Very Long Time - I'm back with London Dramatic Art, from whom I've got a front-row ticket for Sylvia, at The Old Vic; this is the story of Sylvia Pankhurst, and stars the excellent Beverley Knight. Completely sold out - this was my only way to get a ticket!

On the 1st, back with the Horror Book Club - Lordy, that means I need to read a book! :-) I suppose I can use my flights for that. This time, it's The Ballad of Black Tom, based on the Lovecraft story, The Horror at Red Hook, but told from the perspective of a black man. Which means I should really read that, too.. Nice, I'd like to get back to some Lovecraft! In the Prince of Wales, Covent Garden again. Question is, will the kitchen be open..?

On the 2nd, I'm on my own for My Son's a Queer (but what can you do?), a musical at the Ambassadors Theatre.

On the 3rd, my first meeting of the year with London Classical Music and Theatre Group! We're off to Wigmore Hall, to listen to the Hagen Quartet play Mozart. They're Austrian, so that's appropriate.. I just need to remember not to drink the ultra-expensive sauvignon blanc!

On the 4th, well, Laurence is back to Greenwich again. Now, I have been there with him before.. not sure how "new" this one will be, but hey, it was a great day last time!

On the 5th, nothing on Meetup appeals massively at the moment - I might go for a walk along the Ken's Events route, if I feel like it! (on my own).

On the 6th, my first actual event with Over 40 Living the Life. We're off to How Not to Drown at the Theatre Royal, Stratford East - the first event of theirs for which I couldn't get a cheaper ticket! So I decided, if I couldn't beat them, I might as well join them. True story of an unaccompanied, 11-year-old asylum seeker.

On the 7th of next month, excited to be headed to see Derren Brown in Showman, at the Apollo Shaftesbury Avenue. Cheapest tickets with OLT again.

On the 8th of next month, off to The Lehman Trilogy, at the Gillian Lynne Theatre. Based on the true story of the bank that collapsed. Got the last £39.50 ticket!

On the 9th of next month, back with UITCS for Winner's Curse, at the Park Theatre - an interactive show about a peace negotiation. And then I'm back to Ireland again.

And on the 13th of next month, I'm headed to Allegiance, starring George Takei in a musical based on the true story of his internment in an American internment camp during the Second World War. Showing at the Charing Cross Theatre.

Royal Opera House Backstage Tour

Today, I was back at the Opera House with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) - for a backstage tour! There's a group rate, but the group booked ages before I got interested. Still, when I suggested that I buy my own ticket and come along, they suggested I contact the box office to see whether I could be included on the group rate! So I did - and they said yes, and gave me a booking reference number, saying to ring with that number to pay by phone. So I did - and was speaking with a terribly nice chap, with a terribly posh voice, who was delighted to hear all this! And so I went, on the group rate.

I had my ticket in advance, of course - and just as well I remembered to bring it; e-ticketing hadn't been an option. Caught the bus there, early enough to grab something in the cafe beforehand. It's worth remembering that you get a 10% discount with a tour ticket, for the same day! So I had a hot chocolate - the weather's actually heated up a bit (I had a lighter coat on today), but that wind is chilly. Brandished my ticket, which he checked and thanked me profusely for showing him. You collect hot drinks around the side of the cafe. The chocolate itself was curiously malty, but not unpleasant - my though, their containers are terrifically heatproof! Mine was easily cool enough to hold - but I needn't have worried about the temperature of the hot chocolate; it was molten.

Turned out to be a busy day.. Dots Day in the Opera House is all about the little humans! We weren't to see a lot of them apart from at the beginning and end, though - we spent a lot of time in the backstage areas. But the cafe was busy.. and the "baby-wearing" ballet classes, downstairs in the lobby of the Linbury, seemed to be a big hit! (Yes, they were wearing babies - so, performing ballet complete with perplexed baby in carrier. With someone accompanying on piano.) Alternatively, you could let the kiddies loose on a giant chalkboard. Suitable for ages 5 and under.

Anyway, after I'd finished my chocolate (and someone was right along to clear away my glass), I had a look around for the new box office, where the group was to meet. Never actually been there, of course - I usually don't elect to pick up my tickets. Couldn't see it.. until I turned around. O yes, there it was, hiding along the entirety of one wall. Duh. With a long sofa opposite - so I deposited myself there, and waited for the others to arrive.

Which they did, in due course - the others had to get their tickets from the organiser anyway. But the tour was actually leaving from just in front of the cloakroom, on the other side of the cafe. They put a sign there to inform you of that. And maybe five minutes beforehand, our guide materialised with an armful of guest passes on yellow lanyards, which we had to wear for the duration. We were one person short - someone had messaged the organiser, right beforehand, to say she was en route but delayed. Well anyway, we started the tour in the old lobby - the one with the red carpet - and as we were about to head off from there, the organiser had a word with the guide to explain about the latecomer. Wouldn't you know it, at that moment, in she came, breathlessly, having found someone to guide her to where we were! Terrific timing - although had she been just a few minutes earlier, she might have caught us as we were leaving the cafe. What a difference a few minutes make.. apparently, today has been a bad day for the Tube, with a strike and other issues.

Aw, what she'd have missed! This is a fantastic tour - and as our guide explained, she's a student, does this part-time, and absolutely loves it. You simply wouldn't believe everything there is to see - and to hear about. It starts at the royal entrance - and we hear how Queen Victoria was a massive fan, came something like four times a week (I think she and I would have had much in common), and lobbied hard to get it rebuilt, when it burned down during her reign. We were at the foot of the stairs to the royal box - sadly, not accessible to the public. Sadly, also, photography is not permitted. Never mind, the tour continues to the "king's smoking room". Apparently set aside for Prince Albert - who wasn't as keen on the shows as his wife was, and came down here during performances for a nap on the sofa, before nipping upstairs again to wave at the crowd - it was later put to good use by their eldest son, Edward VII, who, with the help of some agreeable ladies of the stage, found another use for the sofa..

Ah, but there's more. We are led through a warren of passages, strictly instructed to hold the security doors open for each other, because our passes won't open them. We end up under the stage, backstage.. we heard lots of rehearsals, so had a beautiful musical backdrop to much of the tour. We have to take the lift, near the beginning of the tour - and wouldn't you know it, the big one seemed to be out of action, so not only did we have to split into two groups (with another Opera House employee shepherding one half), but our group, which went up second, took forever to get there! what with other people using the lift, and so on. By the time we did get up to Level 6 - where the ballet rehearsal rooms are - the first group up had had ages to stare through the soundproof window at three dancers, rehearsing inside. Not that our half didn't stay for long enough as well, as our guide explained to us the everyday trials of a ballet dancer, and people passed with tutus and so on.. Indeed, we were outside the rehearsal room windows for so long that the poor dancers on show must have wondered what we could be doing..

From there to the costume workshops, hearing how designers take such care with the costumes, even the bits that aren't going to be seen by the wider audience. And past enticing windows overlooking the backstage area - apparently seven times the size of the stage area, and packed with huge, evocative backdrops. And throughout, our guide was delighted to take questions, and we learned all sorts of interesting stuff. Like how opera productions are planned and cast five years in advance (three for ballet), so as to secure the services of artists who are much in demand. And how about 1000 people work in the Opera House, if you take everyone into account - 50 or so technicians etc. on each production. The building is colour-coded, so you know where you are - red for production, green for admin, and so on; we still hadn't a notion where we were at any point, until she deposited us, around the corner from where we started. Right outside the giftshop..

Absolutely fascinating, really highly recommended. I defy anyone to find a more intriguing backstage tour!

After much discussion, most people headed their ways - some were off to Death of England, anyway. Those of us who were left headed into Covent Garden Market, and ended up in Le Pain Quotidien, which had enough seating upstairs to accommodate us, and there's a choice of large or small plates. We had to wait a bit to be served - it was quite busy - but service was friendly, and the food was good. A couple of people had hot chocolates - essentially a cup of milk, accompanied by a little jug of thick chocolate sauce, which you add to taste! I must try that, some time. I had wine, others beer. I had the stew - that's twice, this week! and I have to say, I preferred the one in Kalamaras. Today's was tasty enough - but absolutely swimming in sauce, so that when I was finished, my bowl was still half full. The others had tartines, one had the chicken pie, one the chilli sin carne. And everyone seemed well satisfied. The chat was good, and overall, an excellent day!

On my way home, I waited for the #11, at the stop on Strand. No sign of it coming - and when I could get the internet on my phone to cooperate, my bus app said it'd be 18 minutes.. 20 minutes.. 25 minutes.. so I decided to take the short walk to Aldwych and try for the #26 instead, which was promised to come much quicker. Imagine my surprise when the bus that came - was the #11! and not from Strand, but from Lancaster Place. I've asked TFL whether this was a route change.. I had no warning of it.

Well, it's good to have a few hours to myself! Tomorrow, of course - not having been mentioned previously - is film. And I've finally worked my way down the film list to Jojo Rabbit. Multi-Oscar-nominated (although not a winner), this is the story of a little boy in Nazi Germany, with Adolf Hitler as his imaginary friend, whose world view is questioned when he discovers that his mother (Scarlett Johansson) is hiding a Jewish girl in the attic. Someone said during the week that he'd found it funny - which kind of disturbed him. Me, I think the trailer looks quirky, and I'm looking forward to seeing it for myself. Showing in the Vue Islington - five times tomorrow. So I should be able to find a time to fit. Not wanting to restrict myself, I'll wait to see how tomorrow goes before I choose a showing.

All next week is UITCS! On Monday, we're at The Sunset Limited at the Boulevard - a new one for me. I booked on Christmas Eve, so in time to get a Roulette ticket - I don't find out out until the night where I'm sitting. Nor do the others!

On Tuesday, off to see a WIP show by comedian Kerry Godliman in 2Northdown.

On Wednesday, we're going to see A Number, at the Bridge.

Really looking forward to Thursday, when we're off to see Endgame, at the Old Vic. Double bill with Rough for Theatre II. I'm a huge Beckett fan. Incidentally, stars Daniel Radcliffe. I hope he does it justice. Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend, again - checking my mother's electricity meter, which they persist in over-estimating the usage of.

On the 2nd, back with Civilised London for another of those free jazz nights at Wilton's. This time, it's One Voice, One Cello & a Mad Belgian!

On the 3rd, back at Soho Theatre to see Dane Baptiste's comedy show, The Chocolate Chip.

On the 4th, back with UITCS at Sadler's Wells for a collaboration between Crystal Pite and her company, Kidd Pivot, and Jonathon Young, on an adaptation of a Russian comic play, Revisor (The Inspector General).

And on the 5th, going to see Shoe Lady at the Royal Court.

Circus: Beta Testing

Yes, the London for Less Meetup group did it again - taunted me with an interesting event, and dashed my hopes by having it be sold out by the time I got around to it. :-) Well, that didn't stop me buying my own ticket to Beta Testing by Circus Geeks, part of the Udderbelly Festival - I do love my circus! Mind you, I was a bit miffed to discover, after I'd bought my ticket, that I could've got it cheaper on lastminute.com. Never mind..

I made my leisurely way in, in good time - a good thing, given that I had to change at Earl's Court, where the direction board was positively schizophrenic. It was a lovely sunny evening, if breezy, and it didn't take too long to get to the upside-down, purple cow for which the Udderbelly is famous. I pretty much immediately saw my group when I went in (well, not officially my group last night), what with the organiser's trademark cream baseball cap. They were second row from the front in the centre section. Honestly, you wouldn't have had trouble finding anyone in there - it can't have been as much as 1/3 full.

So I went and sat in one of the several empty seats behind them (seating was unassigned), and said hi. I was introduced to the other people there, one of whom I recognised from Saturday's event. And when they saw where I was sitting, there was a mass uprising (literally) and they almost all decamped to my row - slightly elevated, it gave a better view over the front row.

In due course, the show started. Three jugglers, in short. Now, I recognise that people in this business have to keep their acts fresh and interesting - hence the twist to this show. As the group name implies, this started geeky. We literally had a 20-minute lecture on the science of juggling, with some practical examples. And honestly, I wasn't sure what to make of it, or whether it really worked. Certainly, the little girl two seats down from me wasn't impressed - she remarked to her father, sitting between us, "Daddy, this is boring!"

And then there was this extended routine that they "couldn't" get right. I thought it dragged on a bit too long - but the little girl perked up remarkably! And for sure, the show improved after that, with some impressive juggling, and in particular a spectacular visual display at the end, superimposing film taken of them on stage, on a transparent screen behind which we could see them in "real life". Slightly headwrecking, and very visually impressive. They've definitely found a new take on juggling - I'm just not sure the kiddies are the best audience. Anyway, runs until 21st - tickets available every day except next Monday and Friday, and they also have weekend matinees.

One of our group was definitely not impressed, and left as our organiser was finding us a space in Le Pain Quotidien, just on the other side of the bridge. The rest of us took the end of a long table, and treated ourselves to most excellent desserts and drinks - the strong recommendation from one of the group was for the cheesecake, but I've had their chocolate bombe before, so bucked the trend there. Someone had tarte tatin. And I can testify that the pinot grigio is excellent.. and the chocolate bombe as chocolatey as ever. I was in chocolate heaven - despite the cocoa powder coating getting all over my top. Only recommended on its own though - not with a meal, it'd be far too much.

The chat was excellent, we had what you might call a rare old time, and I was delighted I'd come. On my own tonight though - another of those Meetup groups I'm not a member of is off to hear the Philharmonia play Sibelius in the Royal Festival Hall. So I booked myself one of the cheap tickets in the rear stalls. Tomorrow, I'm off to Ireland, and on Monday I'm breaking new ground again - another new Meetup group, would you believe! The Post-Apocalyptic Book Club is meeting to discuss The Running Man, by Stephen King, writing as Richard Bachman. I don't have time to dig it out again in the meantime.. must try and revise as much as possible though!