Kaleidoscope Exhibition

Today, Let's Do This was off to a kaleidoscope exhibition at the Saatchi gallery. And so I booked. It was only the two of us! At least I could have something of a lie-in, as it was later than yesterday's start.

I'm a bit fluey today, so that lie-in was really needed. I woke in good time, and was just checking my messages - still in bed - when the phone pinged my one-hour warning! For my event..?! Uh-oh- I'd forgotten the change to summer time! The bedside clock, of course, isn't smart enough to update automatically - my phone is, luckily. So, cue another scramble like yesterday's - handily, there are a few buses that take me down to the Tube, which I'd have to take, to get all the way out west.

Bus came quickly, I made a Tube straight away - which was packed with weekend wanderers - and actually made it early to Sloane Square. Where I met my companion, and we headed to the gallery. He's been here a lot, I believe - I never have. It's an airy and pleasant space, over four floors, divided into several different galleries. The kaleidoscope exhibition is on the ground floor, to the left as you enter.

Gallery 1 houses an interactive, walk-through tunnel, with changing lights - not for sufferers of photosensitive epilepsy, obviously! However, sneakily - they require you to pay if you want to walk into it: and you have to remove your shoes. Photography allowed, but not flash. Our conclusion was that it was very 60s, very psychedelic. It was also the best thing in the exhibition, by a country mile.

Gallery 2 is also interesting - concentrating on maritime themes, it includes a fascinating series of water paintings..

..and you know what? Just skip the rest of the exhibition - unless you're a big fan of modern art, it's a bit useless. Instead, head upstairs to the truly awesome exhibit of Arctic photography, which shows the effect of climate change.

A couple of videos play on loop at stages around the exhibit, showing aspects of local life.

Our final visit was to the basement, where you can buy prints - and it's well worth a look:

Afterwards, we repaired to La Bottega, where I - being hungry (I'd had nothing to eat yet) ordered chicken Milanese and roast potatoes. Note: the guy behind the food counter doesn't take orders - order at the till and it'll be brought to your table. Nice little place for a quick bite, on a sunny afternoon. Unfortunately, I shouldn't have gone for the chicken, which was dry and tough. The hot chocolate was better, and I'd be happy to try a pastry - the selection was tempting. Anyway, despite the conversation consisting of Brexit and redundancy, it was a very pleasant outing, and I'm delighted I went. It was then Tube all the way back.

Tomorrow - with nothing on Meetup (are Meetup people getting tired?), I booked with my "cheap ticket club", first time in ages, to a concert by Ekaterina Semenchuk & Semyon Skigin, at Wigmore Hall. However, I've been in contact with an ex-colleague about the doings here, and he wants to meet us - I picked Monday, as he wants to meet my boss as well, who'll be on holiday from Wednesday and for the rest of the week. So I cancelled the concert - and now he's decided Tuesday would be better! Ugh. That concert is still the best thing on - we shall see. Things are so up in the air, I'm reluctant to book anything.

On Wednesday and Thursday, I'm at plays with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS). Wednesday, we're off to Ghost Stories, at the Lyric in Hammersmith! Now, I saw this before, years ago.. but absolutely loved it and am delighted to see it back. And this time I'm very near the front.

On Thursday, we're at Intra Muros in Park Theatre. Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend.

And on the 8th, I'm back with UITCS for She Persisted, by the English National Ballet, at Sadler's Wells.

Play: The Crown Dual

For last night, Let's Do This advertised discount tickets for The Crown Dual, in the King's Head! Well yes please, sign me up! And so I went to that. Left a little later than intended -  I could have walked, but decided to take the bus instead, to have as much time as possible there. It does go right past.

In the pub, which is always busy, the group had efficiently managed to snare a table! I was the last to arrive - our organiser kindly surrendered his seat for me. I got a drink, which I didn't have to rush - you can take them in to the show. Indeed, we didn't have long before we went in and took our seats - second row. Of which we were glad, having heard rumours of audience participation. In fact, the front benches were covered in Union Jacks..

It's a two-person, multi-character show. Story goes, this lady was trying out for the role of the Queen in The Crown, but lost out, and has now taken her alternative version to the stage. She is assisted in this valiant endeavour by her trusty agent, who actually spends considerably more time than she does dashing offstage to change costume.

As we were to remark afterwards, so much happens in this that it's quite impossible to capture it all. Now, I haven't watched the series, but was informed by someone who has that they managed to cover the first two seasons. In something over an hour. Golly. At last count, we met the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Charles, the Queen Mother, Princess Margaret, Peter Townsend, Antony Armstrong-Jones, Winston Churchill and Anthony Eden! Oh, and a couple of corgis. And that's not counting the audience participation - mainly for the coronation that forms the climax of the show!

Manic, performed with gusto, this production is absolutely brilliant! The comic timing - both of the actors and of the accompanying musical score - is perfect. The writing sparkles. It's so fast-paced that you miss how good it is - but there's no missing the fact that it's utterly hilarious. Hell, I just put on the National Anthem and started to chuckle.. it's had that effect. Does help if you know some royal history - or have watched the tv series. Caveat: I really do have to warn you - if you're in the front row, you might be subject to some audience participation of a nature that some might find embarrassing. Which is not to say that you're completely safe in the rows further back. You have been warned.

But by all means, rush to this royal audience! Runs till the 6th. Kind of unmissable.

Afterwards, with the pub still busy, we repaired - appropriately - to The Crown, where we had a drink and a convivial chat - even if it did involve collectively shaking our heads at the lunacy that is Brexit! And then I walked back.

Tonight, back with the Crick Crack Club! This is a performance by Jan Blake, at King's Place - and da boss having liked a clip of hers that he saw previously, he's taking the spare ticket I accidentally booked. Should be a good night. And a much-needed break from reality.

Tomorrow, our team has our monthly social. This time, we're off to Tas.

On Friday, The London Art Song and Opera group advertised the opera, Andrea Chénier, at St. John's Waterloo. Hell, they don't make it easy though - if you want the special offer (quoting "MEETUP"), you have to ring. And, as I discovered, when you ring, you will not get an answer. No, you have to leave your name and number and they'll get back to you. When I discovered that there was no way to do this "live", I rang them very late on Saturday night - would you believe, they got back to me on Sunday morning! which was when I discovered that the offer includes a free drink and programme, and that they - ahem - post the tickets to you (!). I'm still waiting for mine to arrive. If it does, that's what I'm doing on Friday.

And on Saturday, back at last with Chronicles, for the last of his walks - this one sounds interesting, being about Rebellious London. And that'll be the last new walk on my list.. so many good walks advertised around London, but I've pretty much done them all by now!

Restaurant: Le Sacré Coeur

Tonight, I was back with Let's Do This (LDT), for another restaurant trial. This time it was French - Le Sacré Coeur - and we were again meeting in The Crown beforehand. These Meetups are proving very handy for my knowledge of London restaurants!

So, as usual, when the time came to leave, I was caught up in doing something. So I left a bit later than ideal - took the Tube, to compensate. So crowded that I had to let two pass, before one came that I could reasonably get onto. Now, the last time I was headed for The Crown, I remember doing the same - and having Google Maps forget my route when I got off, and not being able to find an internet connection..! Fortunately, I had no such problems this time, and it seemed to take so much less time to schlep up the road.

So, we stayed there for one, and chatted convivially. In due course, it was time to head for the restaurant - a charming bistro, where we were shown to a table at the back. And perused a detailed menu:

Lots of starters, lots of mains, lots of changing of minds. For starters, I finally went for the mushrooms stuffed with garlic and topped with cheese. Yum. You could tell straight away that they know their sauces. Others had camembert, escargots, frogs' legs (for the sake of it!).

Main course for a couple of us was beef Bourguignon. Others had steak, or coq au vin, or one of a decent variety of vegetarian dishes. And..? Plates were finished, compliments were uttered, we stuffed ourselves and cleared our plates. Dessert was kind of obligatory, after such a good meal.. I was torn, but went for the lemon sorbet with vodka (Coupe Colonel). Which was excellent. My alternative would have been the chocolate mousse, which a couple of our group had, and which was good enough that they ran their fingers around the bowl so as not to miss any. Such desserts are worth piling on top of an already stuffed stomach. For sheer visual appeal, I'd have to recommend the Café Gourmand that one had, which is a selection of desserts, including an espresso.

Most had a Côte de Rhône to accompany the meal - I was on white. There are two choices for which you can get a carafe, which I did, being the only one - I had the Chardonnay, and perhaps it's all the Virgin wines I've had lately, but I wasn't hugely impressed. However, the complementary digestifs afterwards were most welcome - I had limoncello, for the first time in years. Gorgeous!

Afterwards, in the interest of not walking too far, most of us repaired to The Bull, where our organiser was kind enough to buy a round. And we repaired to the pleasant upstairs level, which we were chucked out of at 11 - we had time to finish drinking downstairs, though.

Back by bus. Tomorrow, I'm back to Ireland for a long weekend - had holiday days left over from last year that I had to use by the end of this month. Well, that's what the system said..! and who am I to argue? I fly back on Monday night, and on Tuesday, LDT just advertised discount tickets for The Crown Dual, in the King's Head! Well yes please, sign me up! And so now I'm going to that.

Next Wednesday, back with the Crick Crack Club! This is a performance by Jan Blake, at King's Place - and da boss having liked a clip of hers that he saw previously, he's taking the spare ticket I accidentally booked. Should be a good night.

And on the 28th, our team has our monthly social. This time, we're off to Tas.

Restaurant: Tas

Last night was supposed to be a show called Bare: A Pop Opera, at The Sainsbury Theatre. With Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) again, and the organiser was there on Monday. Ah.. but da boss was back from holiday yesterday.. and I'd ordered a case of wine for the office, which had finally arrived (late).. so that was that.

Tonight, I was back with Let's Do This for another meal at Tas, meeting at The George again beforehand. This one, I wasn't going to miss - for one thing, only two of us had signed up! Plus, these meals are always enjoyable - the host is an excellent one. So I told my boss as much - and indeed, after last night's session, he was in no mood for a repeat performance so soon! So I headed off.

By virtue of trotting a short distance, I made a bus early enough that I got to The George first of any of us. Was just queueing at the bar - and lo, in walks our host! Now there's timing. Well, he took a look at the scrum for the bar - and had an idea. He led me to the outside bar - see, there's one bar where they serve you through the window. And gee, there was hardly any queue. He very kindly bought me a drink, and we repaired back inside, grabbing one side of an under-occupied table. Which was where our companion found us. And we had a convivial chat until it was time for us to leave.

Tas is just down the road, and after a scarifying crossing, we got there slightly early. They wanted to put us in the deserted cellar - but our host had, apparently, asked specifically to be seated upstairs, and so we took a seat on the comfy sofa at reception, and they soon had one for us. I was starving after my session last night, and wolfed down the bread that was brought - and a lot of the second bowl that replaced it.

We all ate from the special price menu, all had meze to start, and indeed, they were all different! And lovely. I particularly recommend the mantar (mushrooms with various toppings). For main course, I decided on lamb "patties" - which didn't have a patty shape, but were good - ever so slightly spicy. And we all cleared our plates. The ladies had desserts - my chocolate cake finished me off nicely, with a nice salted dusting of cocoa powder. And one of my companions had gorgeous-smelling mint tea.

We'd been asked to bring cash, for convenience - unfortunately, the cash machine en route to work had been broken when I'd passed, and I'd forgotten to get any cash later. Never mind, it all worked out ok - and very reasonably priced. I also managed a couple of glasses of wine - well, at least this time it was mixed with food! A lovely evening, and lovely to see this pair again. May it not be long till the next time.

Tomorrow, I'd have loved to go with UITCS for Season 7, the last of Pinter at the Pinter. Unfortunately, when I checked, although they still had tickets - they were either standing or a minimum price of £93 for that night. Nah, don't really want to go that badly! Never mind, the London European Club is off to a concert of French Chansons: The Sparrows of Paris, at Old Mary's. That's a most acceptable choice! But now I've cancelled, as da boss is planning another drinking session. To be fair, these are stressful times at work, and after a difficult day of meetings, he'll probably need it. And while I'd be interested in the concert, I'm not familiar with the venue, and a frightful number of people have signed up for it - it could be very crowded. Plus it's all the way across town. I have no qualms about skipping it, especially as it's free.

Then I'm back to Ireland at the weekend again. And on Monday, I am back with UITCS to Sadler's Wells for Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina Bausch! This time though, it's Bon Voyage, Bob. And with cheaper tickets in the back row of each of the lower levels, I'm in the stalls for the first time in ages! Annoying overhang, but hey, they're the cheapest seats, and I get to avoid all those stairs, for once.

Dance: Tango Fire

Tonight, Let's Do This was off to Tango Fire at the Peacock. They booked a box, so had a very limited number of seats, and I wasn't in time for theirs - but I got my own ticket, and would meet them for a drink afterwards in the Princess Louise.

The row in front of me actually remained completely empty until some time after the show started. It wasn't to last - after the interval, both that row and the rest of mine had vanished! Whether they got seats further down - like the girls on the outside of my row - or just left, I cannot say. But if it was on foot of the first half - well, I have to take exception. Their loss, actually..

The first half was a blizzard of highly kicked legs, half of which wore high heels as well.. and afterwards we wondered how they managed to escape uninjured. Terrific coordination between the ladies in the jewel-coloured dresses, and the besuited men. And I, for one, felt terribly inadequate.

But it was the second half that shone - good grief, the oohs and ahhs and gasps from the crowd would alert you to what was happening! The gents were flinging the ladies around - spinning them around their heads, rolling them across the floor - if they weren't bruised, they should have been! This, you might call tango Xtreme - acrobatic, passionate, violent performances throughout, well deserving of the standing ovation at the end. A truly spectacular show - and as the group organiser remarked afterwards, how on earth were the seats not all filled? Well, you have now been told, if not before. Runs till Saturday, with a matinee on the last day - go buy! You shall not regret it.

And so to the highly ornate pub, where a most convivial time was had - complete with rather decent house white, and some rather good crisps. 'Tis the difference between Meetup groups, you know, the social element - and I have to say that this is among the best. Met new faces tonight, and felt as much at home as ever.

Ironically, it's a week when, as I say, I have fewer distractions than recently, with my boss away and unable to distract me at the office. And yet I am unbooked. Never fear, I never don't have a plan.. Tomorrow (and for the rest of the week, indeed!) I'm thinking of film. But anyway, for tomorrow I'm thinking of catching up with Burning. You know, the one I missed last week because we were sampling the office wine? Anyway, not showing in the Vue Islington anymore - tomorrow, I'll have to head down to the BFI for it. Not overbooked yet, but I'll keep an eye on it.

Restaurant: Little Georgia & Winter Lights

Yesterday, I was back with Let's Do This for the first time this year, as we headed to a Georgian restaurant for dinner. Georgia, the country. When I told my boss, he absolutely gushed about Georgian cuisine - he's not from there, but from Bulgaria, just across the Black Sea. Anyway, he seemed to know.

Well, it was a horrible day at work - most stressful - and it hadn't ended yet by the time I left. I had to take my laptop with me, so I could work from home last night - I wasn't coming back to the office, as I was headed to the other side of where I live. Close enough that I could walk - but of course, I ended up leaving late, what with all the work, and decided to maximise my time with the group by taking the Tube to Angel (only one stop), and walking from there.

Not too crowded at this hour, anyway. I looked up the route on Google Maps on my phone before I left. But wouldn't you know it, the damned app closed the journey details en route! and when I exited the station, I couldn't get an internet signal! Took me a few minutes to be able to look up my route again. Cue a trot through mainly residential streets, to The Crown, where we were to meet: one of those pubs with lots of engraved glass to tell you it's a pub - as Mary pointed out. And we had a drink, and a lovely chat there, before heading off to the restaurant.

Little Georgia is quite a little place. As we waited for them to get our table ready, we noted the curious collection of phones they have - old-fashioned, in various colours, dotted about the counter and on a shelf. An old gramophone. Also a surfeit of Georgian posters, the writing incomprehensible to me. And for the whole night, we remarked among ourselves how full it was - notable, for a Wednesday in January!

Our host ordered a bread basket for the table, which came with garlic butter - all of which proved so popular that we had another! But I have to say, the star of the night - for me, at least - was my starter. Moshushuli-Soko Katmit is shredded chicken with onion, mushroom, chilli, and "Georgian spices".. and as soon as it arrived at the table (complete with another couple of slices of bread), everybody's nose was twitching. It smelled absolutely delicious. And I have to say, the taste was just as good - I cleared my plate with gusto. Can't honestly remember a more delicious starter in my life! For main course, I had poussin in a garlic sauce - which was lovely, but the poussin, by its nature, had a lot of small bones, and was tricky to eat. We had both red and white wine among us, both Georgian, and a bottle of (Polish) beer.

Service was friendly throughout, and quick enough, although they had a full house to contend with. And they do desserts - although there didn't seem to be a general trend for that among my companions, and we didn't. Prices decent, too. A great evening was had, with excellent company. No general trend towards the pub afterwards - which was a shame, I could really have done with it after my day! Anyway, I walked home (downhill). Good to get in early, at least, since I still had work to do..

Meantime, I've been quite busy.. but tonight I decided (yes, on the coldest day we've had so far this year) to take myself to Canary Wharf (one of the coldest spots in London), for their annual Winter Lights festival. (Got the idea from the Central London Outdoor Group - but I found them a bit clingy in the past, to be honest, and didn't fancy going with them.) It runs till 10pm (and after, for the outdoor exhibits) - but I was a bit delayed in going, showing my late-working boss a video of Jan Blake. So I decided on the Tube again, to give myself as much time as possible there. And again, it wasn't too crowded. And isn't it great how they provide so much there for free? The first of the installations is right outside the Tube station, and you can get a map on the festival website.

More photos and videos here. (Apologies for the those videos that are sideways - I can't seem to remember not to shoot them landscape!) Anyway, I zipped around, and saw most things - a terrific exhibit. Runs till the 26th - highly recommended. I got the bus back, which fairly flew at this time of night!

Tomorrow, back with Up in the Cheap Seats for Pinter at the Pinter - Programme Six! (Party Time / Celebration.) And I'll have to be up early on Saturday - have to be in Sutton for midday to give the car back! End of an era.

Restaurant: Cinnamon Tree

Tonight was our office Christmas party, but Let's Do This advertised a Christmas dinner- which sounded a more attractive prospect. So I did that instead. Places filled up quickly with regulars. The boss asked me to drop by if we finished early, and it's not far away, so I decided to do that.

I walked to the Betsey Trotwood, where we were meeting before dinner - I'd have been there faster, if I hadn't paused to give directions to someone who had Google Maps on his phone, but obviously hadn't figured out how to use it. One of the group had found a table by the window, and it turned out to be just inside the door. Not hard to find then, and it's a lovely, cosy pub, with some quirky decor, where we spent a pleasant time before dinner, and the gents were kind enough to buy me drinks.

It was a short, cold walk to the Cinnamon Tree, where we had a booking, and where they had a table for us, right by the bar. The only problem with that, of course, was that, if I wanted to go to the loo, I had to have two people outside me get up! as I had no room on my side. Hey-ho.

Service was quick and friendly, although there was confusion at a couple of points - the wrong beer was brought, and there was an argument about naan, of all things. But all was settled amicably, the beer was replaced, the naan was brought, and we set to it. Honestly, I was in no way adventurous with what I had - it's a while since I had Indian food, and I went for my favourites: meat samosa, butter chicken, peshwari naan. They had two white wines by the glass - I had the non-house white, which was very nice indeed.

We started with poppadums - ooh my, I missed that mango chutney! And I have to say, the samosas were quite the tastiest I've ever had. The butter chicken and the peshwari naan were excellent - apart from the sauce, I cleared my plate, and I think everyone else did too. The food here is to be recommended, and the price is excellent. Careful on the way to the toilets though - those steps down are steep!

Another bitterly cold walk to The Three Kings.

(This was cross the road.) Oh, it was good to get inside out of the cold, where as we grabbed a drink, a table came free in the corner, and we sat and had one for the road, in the convivial company of one of the locals:

In a gathering of ex-members of the Man with the Hat's groups, I guess it was to be expected that he'd come up in conversation - particularly at this time of year, when the fashion is to look back. We all wondered how he's doing..

As we wended our separate ways back, I was in touch with the boss, who said yes, they were still there. Well, it took me about half an hour to get there, and when I did, they were all headed somewhere else. I accompanied them, and we walked and walked - I did get my exercise tonight! We finally fetched up at Barrio Shoreditch, which was so damn noisy that I didn't even stay for one drink. To me, pubs are for conversation - I have never seen the point in a pub so loud that you can't hear yourself think, let alone speak. I ducked out, even though someone else was paying.

Tomorrow, I'm thrilled to be going to Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake, at Sadler's Wells, with Up in the Cheap Seats. He's a fantastic choreographer, but I've never before gotten around to seeing this all-male version. Sold out now for that day, I believe. Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend again. 

And on Monday, the Crick Crack Club is performing Gilgamesh, at Soho Theatre. With Ben Haggerty in the spotlight, this will be a treat! Sold out, of course - you have to book these things early. Last of the year. He's doing it again on the 10th of February, at the British Museum. Meeting Helen for a meal beforehand.

Concert: Shirt Tail Stompers

Tonight, I booked for Macbeth, at the Wanamaker Playhouse. And then Let's Do This (LDT) finally posted that date for the Shirt Tail Stompers at Wilton's - well, I couldn't miss that! Funnily enough, London Social Detours (LSD) later advertised the same thing (and charged more, as usual) - the leader of the latter group thinks she discovered the place first, and has prior claim to the floorspace. She had 36 (ultimately reduced to 31) attendees to our five. More fool them - I find her quite snippy, myself. Meantime, I never did get a taker for Macbeth.

I managed to leave in good time - we were conscious of the fact that it'd be crowded, and we'd like a table. Well, I got there at 5.25 - and was literally the first customer in the bar! "I see I missed the rush!", I remarked to the bar staff - I'm croaking less now, and can more easily make myself understood. With two tables at the front, I nabbed the larger - and managed to hold onto it until a couple of others arrived, 50 minutes later! At last - I was feeling self-conscious.

The others arrived after a while. The house wine here is quite palatable, and I managed a second glass before the show, as we had quite a convivial chat. My first Meetup in over three weeks, wow! LSD showed up en masse at about 7.25, had nowhere to sit, and promptly vanished - somewhere, returning just before showtime, at 8, to stand around the bar.

It wasn't unless we looked around that we were to realise how full the bar was, considering that most people were standing behind us. And the Shirt Tail Stompers were their usual, stompingly catchy selves - no 50s outfits in the crowd tonight, and no dancing, sadly. But hey, they're always worth a look..

(Sorry, there was also a guitarist to the left, but the crowd increased after the interval, and my view was impaired.) Videos here and here. It was funny to see a couple of ladies in the alley outside, who looked surprised to see them there! I'd been coughing intermittently all evening - and sure enough, during the second half was when it decided to rear its head properly. Mercifully, the music was loud enough that it didn't cause much of a disturbance. And afterwards, we outlasted LSD, as we stayed on in the bar to talk about this and that. Always a friendly group, ours.

Tomorrow, we were to have our monthly team outing - just the two of us. But today, my boss suggested that we postpone it until our new starter arrives, next week. TBD when she can manage it, as she's supposed to be keen on going out, too. For tomorrow, I booked with London Speaks Sessions and LDN Talks @ Night for Space & Time: What Is a Supermassive Black Hole? And it being a Funzing event (like all of theirs), I scoured my old Funzing discount codes, and discovered that Funzing_Fb20 seems to be working again - for all of them I've recently booked! So, a 20% discount - better than any recently offered on their Facebook page. Funnily enough, the Meetup groups seem to disagree with Funzing on where it's on - Funzing says it's BBB, while Meetup thinks it's in Rich Mix. I tend to believe Funzing. Same street, at least.

On Wednesday, back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) at last for Love Lies Bleeding, at the Print Room at the Coronet. Got my ticket from London Theatre Direct.

On Thursday, I'm going to try the Seven Deadly Sins Pub Naughty History Tour. Walking in London, so Funzing, again.  Then I'm back to Ireland again for the weekend.

Next Monday, News of the Strange, from the Crick Crack Club, at Soho Theatre. The club does have a Meetup group, but it seems to have gone dormant, and is no longer advertising upcoming events. Not that that stops the organiser from attending - I'm sure I saw her at a recent event! I've actually asked whether they're now defunct - we'll see whether I ever get a response. None yet.

On the 20th, back with UITCS for Pinter at the Pinter - Pinter plays at the Pinter Theatre. Two long ones on this occasion - this is Programme Four: Moonlight & Night School.

On the 21st, back at last with The London Jazz Meetup, who are off to the London Jazz Festival for a concert by the Faraj Suleiman Quartet at King's Place. UK premiere, apparently!

On the 22nd, with UITCS at the Garrick for Don Quixote. The only cheap tickets left for this were terrible, so I went a bit upmarket. A bit - I'm still behind a pillar!

On the 23rd, I'm on a Paranormal Activity Tour - ooh! Now, for this one, we get ghost-hunting equipment, which could make it interesting - I don't fancy the dowsing rods, myself, but we'll see. Walking in London, again. Discounted, again. And this was after my loyalty discount - so I got it at better than half price! which is good, considering the price.

On the 24th, I'm off on my own to see A Small Place, at the Gate.

On the 25th, back at last to Winter Wonderland! That evening, I'm off to Cirque Berserk - an annual tradition for me. The latest show is the cheapest, so that's the one I booked.

On the 26th, I'm back with UITCS for Programme Three of Pinter at the Pinter - Landscape / A Kind of Alaska / Monologue.

On the 27th, I'm going to see Company, by Sondheim, at the Gielgud. No tickets available for the upper levels on the official site - they must all have been bought up by resellers! Cheapest I found was with OfficialLondonTheatre, run by See Tickets.

On the 28th, I'm with Walking in London again for the Haunted London Pub Tour. 

On the 29th, I'm back with UITCS at the National for Hadestown. Then back to Ireland again for the weekend.

On the 3rd, I'm back to the National for I'm Not Running.

On the 4th, I'm off to the Bush, for Drip.

On the 5th, LDN Talks @ Night and London Speaks Sessions (both Funzing) advertised a "Winterville" talk on The Science of Santa, where we get the scientific explanation of how he does it. Taking place at The Windmill. However, seems they meant the day before, when of course I'm busy. So instead I'm going to True West, with Kit Harington, at the Vaudeville. Cheapest tickets from the venue. 

On the 6th, Hazel of Walks, Talks and Treasure Hunts, London Guided Walks (and, indeed, Walking in London) has a Christmas Carol Tour. Now, the last two events I booked with her turned out to be no-shows.. the first might not have been her fault, as she was advertising someone else's event, but the second, she just missed the ball on and left three of us standing on a street corner. Whether this event happens is anyone's guess! Now, it's technically more expensive if you book on Funzing - but if you have my discount ;-) it comes down to the same price she charges on her own site, without the booking fee! So I did it that way. But then Henning, with the London European Club, advertised a Happy Xmaths evening at Imperial College, the same night! Festive fun for maths geeks. Plus it's free - you just have to register with Eventbrite. I thought it'd be great to get back with this group. And since I booked the walk with Funzing, I've cancelled and will get a full refund. And I feel no sadness at missing an evening with Hazel, after what's been happening. But gee, this evening is proving to be one of the more popular- now a colleague has booked it for his leaving do. So I'm now going to that instead. Nibbles arranged at The Enterprise.  

On the 7th, back with UITCS at the Royal Court, for The Cane. Got the very last ticket, phew!

On the 8th, with them again at the Orange Tree Theatre for The Double Dealer.

On the 9th, the Crick Crack Club is back at the British Museum for I Know Not, an afternoon of Sufi legend.

On the 10th, I'm off to the Bridge Theatre for A Very, Very, Very Dark Matter, by Martin McDonagh. Starring Jim Broadbent, this is a dark take on Hans Christian Anderson!

On the 11th, I'm going with North London Friends to The Convert, at the Young Vic. Discounted top-price seats, it seems!

The 12th of next month is our office Christmas party, but LDT has now advertised a Christmas dinner- which sounds a more attractive prospect. So I'm doing that instead. 

On the 13th, I'm thrilled to be going to Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake, at Sadler's Wells, with UITCS. He's a fantastic choreographer, but I've never before gotten around to seeing this all-male version. Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend again. 

And on the 17th of next month, the Crick Crack Club is performing Gilgamesh, at Soho Theatre. With Ben Haggerty in the spotlight, this will be a treat!

Restaurant: Sofra

Tonight, I was with Let's Do This (LDT) for another Turkish meal - this time at Sofra. It'd also be the first time since July I'd have met Mary! Mercifully, I got out of my evening meeting - so was able to leave in good time. Still, I left late enough that I decided to take the Tube. Less crowded than it would be a bit later. But boy, was it hot and awful - it was such a relief to get off, for the short walk to the Shepherds Tavern, where we were to meet.

We were all quite prompt, this evening, and pushed two tables together for a convivial chat. The bar was a little manic - like all in the area - and the music got a bit loud; it was well located for us, just up the road from the restaurant, but it's not one I'd choose to come to for a relaxing drink. Still, they were showing the same Turkish news channel I'd been watching in Amsterdam. So it was nice to catch up on how those stories were progressing.

When it was time, we made our way down to the restaurant, and were shown to a table on the ground floor - which looks much bigger than it is, by means of a full-wall mirror at the back! The basement has more seating - and another full-wall mirror - as well as housing the toilets, in a snug, twisty little section at the bottom of the stairs.

We were handed A3-size, laminated menus - with Duchy Originals breakfasts on the back! Kind of hard to choose - and be warned, the portions are a bit large. I had chargrilled ground lamb & beef for starter, and went with the lamb tagine for main course. I don't think any two people had the same thing - and we shared a bottle of red and a bottle of white for the table, one person having beer.

My starter tasted exactly like Birds Eye beef burgers with onion. That's actually a compliment - they're very tasty! The lamb I had for the main course looked more intimidating than it actually was - it was on the bone, so that took up a lot of the bulk. And it was as tender as you could wish, the meat literally falling off.. a few gristly bits didn't spoil my enjoyment. The rice was good - and we were served with lovely, warm bread throughout. I was the only one who had a dessert - everyone was too stuffed. The chocolatiest thing on the menu was ice cream, so I had that - you get three smallish scoops of your choice from a variety of flavours. Someone else was an aficionado of Turkish coffee, so had that..

Altogether, a very pleasant experience, in good company, as ever with this group. The menu says something about the waiters always having a smile, and gives a five-minute guarantee on starters. Well, I'm not sure about the five minutes, but the smiles are definitely part of the service. Good eats, and not expensive for the area.

As it's a school night, and we hadn't hurried the meal, sadly no drinks after, and we wended our separate ways home - me by bus, remarking, as I was waiting for my second one, how many more 19s and 38s there are than others.. I wasn't the only one there to notice that. 

Tomorrow, film again - already booked though, because they were already selling out. It's part of the London Film Festival at the BFI - Be Natural is the story of Alice Guy - Blaché, the first female filmmaker, and is narrated by Jodie Foster. Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend, again.

On Monday, back with North London Friends for The Wild Duck, by Ibsen, at the Almeida. I wasn't in time to get one of their tickets, so booked my own - what the hey.

On Tuesday, comedy with Ahir Shah at Soho Theatre.

Next Wednesday, a real dose of nostalgia - Mayerling ballet, at the Opera House. My favourite ballet, this was also the last event we attended here with the Man with the Hat. And the second last event ever. At least it'll be less evocative since, for once, I'm sitting facing full-on! He always had us in the slips, so I haven't faced the Opera House stage since I started with his groups! I'd watch it blindfolded just to have him back again, though. We miss you, MwtH.

On the 18th - why, I'm off to Manchester. For U2, unsurprisingly. Yes, I get busier around now as they come around these parts. Taking the train that evening - it was the cheapest, and so much handier than having to make my way to and from airports and watch what I pack! I should arrive walking distance from my hotel, Roomzzz Corn Exchange, which itself is walking distance from the venue, the Manchester Arena. And right beside the shopping centre, apparently! That could be handy.. if only to buy provisions, as this is an aparthotel, so I can cater for myself.

The concerts themselves are on the 19th and 20th, and I'm expecting a more enthusiastic audience than my section last Monday! Really, who'd believe such apathy from a U2 crowd?! Ironically, the English concerts are the only ones whose tickets are being posted to me - and would you believe it, what with booking them in January and moving in June, I completely forgot to make the connection. So I forgot to update my address with Ticketmaster (TM). Just remembered recently, by which time it seems they'd already been posted. I've contacted my old flatmates, but the only response I got was from one who's also moved out - happily, TM says, if I contact them next week, they'll void the old tickets and issue new ones that I can pick up at the box office. There's always some palaver on a U2 tour, and this isn't the first time I've had to pick up my tickets in Manchester!! Outside of England, they're all e-tickets..

I take the train back on the 21st. Better not leave it too late, as I've actually booked for the Smithfield & Clerkenwell Walk: Guts & Glory, with Walking in London - but more specifically, with Katie of Look Up London! Excellent - I was booked for this in July, but she had to cancel. She's one of the best around. Should be close enough to me, too, and it doesn't start too early. And it being a Funzing event (like all of Walking in London's) I scoured my old Funzing discount codes, and discovered that Funzing_Fb20 seems to be working again - for all of them I've recently booked! So, a 20% discount - better than any recently offered on their Facebook page.

On the 22nd, I'm back with the Crick Crack Club for Buddha Babies, again at Soho Theatre. Naturally, not advertised on their Meetup group. I wonder whether that's now defunct, as they have advertised no upcoming events.

On the 23rd & 24th, I don't have to travel so far to see U2 - they're playing the O2 in London. These tickets, I got my address changed in time for, it seems - they're also being posted. Helen is going on the 23rd.. sat in the corporate box, poshly! Nah, I'd rather be closer and sweatier, thanks! I wonder how many of them stand during the show..

The 25th is my colleague's last day before he quits for a new life in Stockholm - we're headed out that night. Amazing that I still had that day free when we arranged it!

On the 26th, I fly to Belfast. Yep, U2 again. Told ya. Staying in the Crescent Townhouse, walking distance from the SSE Arena, where the concerts take place on the 27th and 28th. On the 29th, I'm taking the train down to my mother for a week - makes more sense than jetting back and forth to her!

On the 5th, I'm back up to Dublin. U2 again, dont'cha know? Staying in the Clayton again, which is a hop, skip and jump from the 3Arena, where there are concerts on the 5th and 6th. Would you believe, not even I could swing a ticket for the 5th - well, I'll just rock up on the day, and hopefully I can get something at the box office. I have heard of such things happening. I've had stranger things happen!

On the 7th, I fly back to London (BA) - purely so I can work on the 8th, before flying back to Dublin that night! Was supposed to be Cityjet, but they've now ended their flight schedule after this month - so now I'm going Ryanair. Same hotel, same venue, same band - on the 9th and 10th of next month. I fly back on the 11th, exhausted, and finished with U2 concerts for the year!

On the 12th, I booked for Macbeth, at the Wanamaker Playhouse. And then LDT finally posted that date for the Shirt Tail Stompers at Wilton's - well, I couldn't miss that! Eh, anyone want a spare ticket for Macbeth?

On the 13th, we have our monthly team outing - probably just the two of us, but hey.

On the 14th, back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) at last for Love Lies Bleeding, at the Print Room at the Coronet. Got my ticket from London Theatre Direct.

On the 15th, I'm going to try the Seven Deadly Sins Pub Naughty History Tour. Walking in London again, so discounted again! Then I'm back to Ireland again for the weekend.

On the 19th, News of the Strange, from the Crick Crack Club, at Soho Theatre.

On the 20th, back with UITCS for Pinter at the Pinter - Pinter plays at the Pinter Theatre. Two long ones on this occasion - this is Programme Four: Moonlight & Night School.

On the 21st, back at last with The London Jazz Meetup, who are off to the London Jazz Festival for a concert by the Faraj Suleiman Quartet at King's Place. UK premiere, apparently!

On the 22nd, with UITCS at the Garrick for Don Quixote. The only cheap tickets left for this were terrible, so I went a bit upmarket. A bit - I'm still behind a pillar!

On the 23rd, I'm on a Paranormal Activity Tour - ooh! Now, for this one, we get ghost-hunting equipment, which could make it interesting - I don't fancy the dowsing rods, myself, but we'll see. Walking in London, again. Discounted, again. And this was after my loyalty discount - so I got it at better than half price! which is good, considering the price.

On the 24th, I'm off on my own to see A Small Place, at the Gate.

On the 25th, back at last to Winter Wonderland! That evening, I'm off to Cirque Berserk - an annual tradition for me. The latest show is the cheapest, so that's the one I booked.

On the 26th, I'm back with UITCS for Programme Three of Pinter at the Pinter - Landscape / A Kind of Alaska / Monologue.

On the 27th, I'm going to see Company, by Sondheim, at the Gielgud. No tickets available for the upper levels on the official site - they must all have been bought up by resellers! Cheapest I found was with OfficialLondonTheatre, run by See Tickets.

On the 28th, I'm with Walking in London again (and the same discount) for the Haunted London Pub Tour.

On the 29th, I'm back with UITCS at the National for Hadestown. Then back to Ireland again for the weekend.

On the 3rd of December, I'm back to the National for I'm Not Running.

On the 4th, I'm off to the Bush, for Drip.

On the 5th, LDN Talks @ Night and London Speaks Sessions (both Funzing). This is a "Winterville" talk on The Science of Santa, where we get the scientific explanation of how he does it. Taking place at The Windmill.

The 6th could be interesting - Hazel of Walks, Talks and Treasure Hunts, London Guided Walks (and, indeed, Walking in London) has a Christmas Carol Tour. Now, the last two events I booked with her turned out to be no-shows.. the first might not have been her fault, as she was advertising someone else's event, but the second, she just missed the ball on and left three of us standing on a street corner. We shall see whether this happens, I guess! Now, it's technically more expensive if you book on Funzing - but if you have my discount ;-) it comes down to the same price she charges on her own site, without the booking fee! So I did it that way.

On the 7th, back with UITCS at the Royal Court, for The Cane. Got the very last ticket, phew!

On the 8th, with them again at the Orange Tree Theatre for The Double Dealer.

On the 9th, the Crick Crack Club is back at the British Museum for I Know Not, an afternoon of Sufi legend.

On the 10th, I'm off to the Bridge Theatre for A Very, Very, Very Dark Matter, by Martin McDonagh. Starring Jim Broadbent, this is a dark take on Hans Christian Anderson!

And on the 11th of December, I'm going with North London Friends to The Convert, at the Young Vic. Discounted top-price seats, it seems!