Concert: Synchrony

Tonight, back with the London European Club, at somewhere called the Ugly Duck, for Synchrony, a female 12-piece string ensemble. Tickets from Eventbrite. As hosted by Eleanor Salter Thorn again! So glad to see her hosting events in more central locations..

Now, I know there are plenty of good places to eat around that part of town. Looking around on Google Maps, I suddenly came up with the Dean Swift.. I hadn't eaten there before, but I'd had a great drinking session there! At under 10 minutes' walk from the venue, it was in an OK location - I filled out the form, and the manager got right back to me to confirm the booking. Excellent! Mind you, this was one of those busy afternoons.. I should have had time to get the bus all the way, but I ended up leaving late, so it was Tube. Followed by bus! Happily, I got an earlier Tube than I needed, and the bus was right along - so, even though it was diverted (burst water main), I got to the pub just in time for my booking.

A smiley lady at the bar spotted I wanted to talk to someone - I told her I had a booking, she checked my name, and told me my table was upstairs. Which turned out to be almost empty - apart from a long table of Americans, sounding like army guys (to my untrained ears). I found the table with my "Reserved" sign on it, and the same lady took my drink order. When she took my food order, she was unsure which dish I wanted - I showed her on the menu, she apologised for her ignorance; seems this was only her third day! Ah, she was lovely, though.

I had the "marinated sirloin boccadillo" (steak sandwich, to you and me). Sounded good, marinated in red wine and onion as it promised to be. And OMG it was.. too messy to pick up and eat though, I had to use a knife and fork. She had given me a steak knife, fortunately. The accompanying chips were gorgeous too, if a bit salty - excellent, I've found another good eatery! I had a second glass of wine, while I worked my way through the sandwich - would have liked to try the churros you can have for dessert, but I didn't really have time. Raincheck..

And so to the venue, which turned out to be a warehouse. The guy checking tickets gave mine a cursory glance, and directed me to the bar - where the group was hanging out and chatting. Now, they were only serving non-alcoholic drinks - but I have to say, their "noughty" white wine was very tasty! Club Soda is the name, it seems..

When the time came to go upstairs for the concert, I was relieved to see that seating was laid out for us! and Eleanor had thoughtfully saved us some seats in the front. As there'd been no seating in the bar, I'd had visions of us standing..

You know, it's a curious thing - this is the first time I've attended a concert in a warehouse, but not the first time I've seen one; the Irish-language TV channel, TG4, has had lots of series about Irish music, where Irish traditional musicians collaborate with musicians from Brittany, or Newfoundland, who have the same musical traditions. And they're always hanging out in warehouses! The acoustics, perhaps..?

Well, the sound tonight was top notch - just as well, as they were recording. The programme threw up a few surprises - we were given free programme fliers on the way in, which detail what it is we were to listen to: but I'm not sure that the first piece, Ramifications by Ligeti, managed to convey the complex themes described in the flier.. it did vaguely remind me of a swarm of malevolent insects. Mind you, we had been warned. We were on safer ground with Stravinsky, which took us to the interval.

During the interval, I finally took the opportunity to resolve outstanding issues with my flat's water bill (yes, this is the level of detail my life has, these days). Sorted now - for the moment..

After the interval, we had a completely new piece - and the composer in the audience, which was nice. She herself described this as "heavy metal Persian" or some such.. Anyway, I fancied I could hear some Persian influences, and this was the first new piece I've heard in ages that I actually liked! Probably my favourite of the night, in fact. We finished with Bartók's Divertimento - and it was lovely to see accomplished artists in such an intimate setting. Really, a lovely concert - as all of Eleanor's are!

Bus all the way home, and as I was changing buses, I gave directions to a Spanish-speaking family looking for the Tower. In the night..? Anyway, they were glad to hear they could walk - less complicated than buses, when you're not familiar with them. And of course, it does look even more spectacular, floodlit..

I was keeping tomorrow free because Ivan is feeling thirsty again. :-) And for once, he seems to be sticking to the date, having booked us a table at The Lucas Arms (which, as he pointed out, has a smoker's area). We're hoping to have Martin - my other friendly ex-boss - join us, but he said he'll be late - he'll join when he can. And this looks like turning into the first zapoi in a while - Ivan is talking about booking a studio, where we can drink overnight. Oy ve, watch this space.. So, not pushed about doing anything extra on Saturday.

On Sunday, I'm back with the Crick Crack Club, for Orpheus Dismembered, at the British Museum, courtesy of Ben Haggarty. The event there that I'd already heard of..

Monday is film, so I was waiting for the film listings - and I was delighted with what came up. Top of the list was Tetris, would you believe! Now, this is a game I used to love - and it seems it also has an interesting backstory! The chameleon-like Taron Egerton plays the American businessman who wants the rights, but it seems the inventor is actually a programmer in Soviet Russia. Cue lots of Cold War-style intrigue - right when the USSR was collapsing, in 1989. So, also looking forward to sights and sounds I remember from then! Also stars Toby Jones. Seems the real story wasn't quite as exciting as depicted - but you know what they say about not letting the truth get in the way of a good story! Anyway, the trailer looks fantastic. Streaming on Apple TV+ from Friday, if you have it.. In cinemas, it seems to be exclusively in the Everyman - not all of them though, and the closest showing to me is in the Screen on the Green.

And then its rating fell today. :-( Now, top of the list is Mrs. Chatterjee Vs. Norway - based on the true story of an Indian woman, living in Norway, whose children were taken into care. Differences in perceptions of how children should be raised, apparently. Only showing in Cineworld Wood Green at a time I can manage - but do you know, I'd much rather watch Tetris. Watch this space..

Tuesday, back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) for The Unfriend, in The Criterion Theatre. A comedy about a British family that befriend an American lady while on holiday over there, and agree to keep in touch. Now she's on a plane over to see them - and they've discovered a terrible secret about her! How to they get rid of her - politely..? Sounds excellent. My though, I had terrible trouble trying to find a decent seat - everything left that was cheap seemed to be behind a pillar! and they aren't small pillars, as I discovered thanks to Seatplan. I finally plumped for something in the back row of the Dress Circle, where the pillars are thinner. Hey, you never know, I might be upgraded..

On Wednesday, back with the Horror Book Club, at the Prince of Wales in Drury Lane, as usual. And wow, this month's book is a doozy - House of Leaves is a massive tome, which I started reading years ago and never did get finished. I couldn't find that copy, so ended up buying it again - but am I finding the time to read it? Well, I'm doing my best, and it is a cracking read. Here's hoping I get it finished in time, as it's quite dense.. I'm still only about 120 pages through a nearly 700-page story..

Next Thursday, with a bank holiday next day, flying back to Ireland. Aer Lingus, because I left it too late to book with Ryanair, and the evening flights were gone. Now, I have an old friend, Vicki, in Cork, whom I usually go down to see once a year, staying the night - usually at Christmas, but she was too busy for me last Christmas. So we've arranged for me to go and stay on the 11th this year, coming back the next day. Now, that realistically means I can't fly to London before the 13th - but with nothing unmissable on the 14th, I'm flying back that day instead. I finally got my holiday request in - no word yet.. Well, if I am denied the holiday, I'll just have to take the laptop with me. Which could get interesting, as I'd have to have it on in the car on the road to Cork..

I definitely have to be back for the 15th though, when I'm booked on another walk with Laurence Summers and the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners! This one is A City built by a Genius - Wren's London. And as of now, he's scheduling walks I haven't done for days I can make them! Very cool.. because I do love his walks. And lunches.

Now, I'm not exactly clear on what's happening on the 16th, when my boss suggested - quite a while ago - that we might have a jaunt to the head office in Tel Aviv! I haven't heard anything since, though - I must get around to asking him. The dates suggested were out on the 16th, back on the 21st. But that was when there were two writers - we lost one, and they still don't have a replacement. Perhaps he wants to wait until that happens.. Watch this space..

Anyway, I have to go back to Ireland the following weekend. On the 24th, back with UITCS for The Secret Life of Bees, at the Almeida - no seats left in the stalls! Seatplan made me wary of the cheapest seats, so I'm in the next bracket up..

And on the 25th, back with Over 40 Living the Life, for dinner at the Greenwich Yacht Club again. Well, it was good last time - good food, cheap prices, good company. Only me and the organiser so far - I'm sure there'll be more!

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.

Play: The Red Balloon & Walk: Passage Through Pimlico

Yesterday, I headed with the London European Club (LEC) to the Puppet Theatre Barge, for a performance of The Red Balloon! Sadly, our organiser tested positive for Covid that morning, and couldn't make it. Left in decent time - this far away, it had to be Tube. Now, of the three lines that share the platform I was waiting on, two would have done. Unfortunately, the one that came had no sign indicating what line it was - just a destination: Amersham. I don't take the Tube often enough to have known automatically what line goes there. With no Underground maps anywhere in sight, I took a chance and hopped on - and of course, this turned out to be the one line that wouldn't do - the Metropolitan. Never mind, it'd do for a few stops.. I could have ridden it as far as Baker Street, but bearing in mind what a complicated station that is, I decided to get off at the stop before.

It wasn't long before the next train arrived - and lo, it was another with no line name, and a destination of Amersham! Well, I know what that is now. The one after was headed to Paddington, which was where I was headed. Conveniently finished my paper just as I arrived, and left it there. And followed the handy sign for Little Venice. I had 25 minutes to do what Google Maps said was an 8-minute walk.

Heh. It felt more like Shackleton's expedition to the Antarctic.

Google Maps does have a disclaimer that their directions might be incorrect, or that walking routes might be unwalkable (!). Gee, no kidding. So, I started off walking along the canal - fine. My woes began when I took their advice to cross the footbridge. I then found myself on the other side - which was darker. Nearly twisted my ankle on some particularly knobbly cobblestones. Anyway, creeping along past the barges, using the torch on my phone, I finally made my way to Rembrandt Gardens, where I was apparently supposed to pass on to the main road.

They were locked. I subsequently discovered they close at 6pm - this was, of course after that.

You've guessed it - of all the pathways and steps that lead from the canals of Little Venice up onto the roads, this bit doesn't have any. Yes, I had to retrace my steps all the way to the footbridge, and come up the other side. Where it was a long way to the next bridge..

My next mistake was not taking the little footbridge that runs alongside it - I could see that let you down by the barges, and frankly, given the experience I'd just had, I wasn't keen! So I schlepped along the main road, checking out the barges through the railings as I passed, and sure enough, near the end, there was the Puppet Theatre barge! Blast, and now I couldn't see a way down to it. Mercifully, there was a man standing on it. It was now showtime - and ascertaining that I was headed there, he reassured me that they hadn't started yet. "But how do I get down to you?" So he informed me that I had to cross at the lights, and there was a way down to the right, on the other side. Thankfully, the lights were in my favour - but I still couldn't see the way down, until I spotted a couple of blokes climbing up. So, would you believe it, I made it in time! To find the room dotted with members of the group, who hailed me, one remarking that they had been wondering..

It's a snug space, although larger than you might expect from the outside. Nearly full, but not quite. With marionettes hanging all over the walls, I'd have loved to take a photo - but it was about start time, and I was a bit frazzled, and just hurried to turn my phone off. Never mind - the show, which lasted just over an hour, was lovely! Three puppeteers, as we discovered when they took their bows at the end (including the nice man who gave me directions). And a simple story, without words, of a little boy, and his friendship with a (rather feisty) lovely, round, shiny red balloon. Highly amusing, based on the short film of the same name - runs until the 20th of next month, and comes highly recommended!

Afterwards, consensus was on The Bridge House bar, just up the road, and much easier to get to - when we got there, I posted a message so any stragglers could find us. And it was a relief to get in from what was a bitterly cold night, again! Unfortunately, we couldn't all sit together - but we did all get seating. And had one or two drinks.. confirming once again that this is one of the friendliest of groups! (And once again, I got a drink bought for me.) Lovely night, great company - hope to do it again soon. The bus back was quicker than it would have been earlier, making it the prime option for heading home. Sadly, this was one of those occasions when I just missed my bus, and nearly froze to death waiting for the next.. I ended up getting three buses in the end, always choosing the combination that meant the least time spent standing in the cold!

Ran too late to blog last night, because today, I was back with the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners, and Laurence Summers - got the last spot on his Passage through Pimlico walk! which, as he was telling me Tuesday last week, is through a not very well-known part of town! Well, this one promised at least to be warmer, being in daytime.

Dragged myself, grumbling, out of bed as usual on these occasions, got some cash out, and made an early bus. Was there in plenty of time, and had enough time to get a hot chocolate in Pret - on what was another frigid morning! Just as I finished, he materialised across the road, a crowd around him - handily, there was also a bin over there, not something there are a lot of in central London. For obvious reasons. Anyway, after more excruciating waiting around in the cold, we began with a chat about what we could see around us.

And then, off we traipsed. Now, this part of town - close to the centre of things - has housed a lot of interesting people. So naturally, most of the walk focused on those, and we went through a lot of what still look like residential areas. Not, honestly, a lot to photograph - but as the sun came out, we did appreciate the warmth, and our guide tried to steer us towards sunnier areas. And despite the woman on the side of the road, painting the Battersea Power Station, no, I didn't feel like photographing that either. Towards the end, we did come across the imposing statue of the MP whose claim to fame was that he was the first person killed in a rail accident:

(Well, it's nice to be famous for something.) Have to say, I was glad to have a walk around Pimlico - not a part of town I was familiar with at all; indeed, I'd have had trouble telling you where it was! Pity there was such a cold wind, is all.

And so to lunch. Now, our guide apologised for the venue, which was a bit far away - he hadn't thought to factor in the Six Nations, you see, and most of the pubs were packed with people wanting to watch it! But he found us space in the Brass Monkey. (Cue saying..) Except our arrival was kind of a surprise to the guy behind the bar - there was some kind of miscommunication, with our guide thinking it was confirmed, apart from slightly fuzzy numbers, and the guy in the pub under the impression that it wasn't confirmed at all! Hey-ho, he was prevailed upon to evict an unsuspecting family, and we did all get to sit together. Within sight of two televisions - neither of which was (yet) showing the rugby.

When we hit the loos, there was no toilet paper - although I went again before we left, and it had been replenished. And the poor guy behind the bar was not having the best of days - apart from us descending on him (sort of) unannounced, and lots of other people who had no place to go and ended up there, when he was clearing a table near us, he let a whole load of chips go crashing to the floor! and while he tried to pick those up, there went the sauce as well. Oh dear. Some days you just shouldn't get up. But I have to say, he remained cheery throughout.

Food has to be ordered at the bar, and while I was waiting to do so, some came out, so I got a preview - not liking the look of the burger I'd planned on ordering (and most of the menu is composed of burgers), I just had some "waffle chips" and some onion rings. Which, to be fair, were excellent - and I heard no complaints from the others. Possibly, the burger would have been OK too. Never mind, the chat was mighty (as they say) - another excellent outing with this group. I have been lucky with my groups! And - you guessed it - someone bought me a drink. So yes, hoping to go on another of these outings again soon, too! Happily, Laurence has a good portfolio of walks - they just need to fall when I can make them. Watch this space - always happy to go on his walks, they're always entertaining. (Oh, and the rugby did come on before we left - and Ireland's blistering trouncing of Wales did guarantee them the win, in the end.)

Tomorrow, Crick Crack scheduled an interesting one - Japanese ghost stories, the event was called The Game of Candles, with each story represented by a lit candle, blown out when the story is completed. Was taking place at the British Museum, Tim Ralphs and Sarah-Liisa Wilkinson performing. Sold out quickly - they were only doing half capacity.

Except - yesterday morning, the museum sent word that it was cancelled, and to contact them for a refund! Nuts, I was really looking forward to that (as was another member of the LEC). They are running it again, but not in London - although they are livestreaming it, but wouldn't you know it, it's the same night as another show! Rats.

So, instead, I'm booked on another guided walk - this is the Platinum Jubilee Royal Walk, with London Walks, Art & Culture Explorers! Not expecting this one to be as sociable, but should be fairly interesting - all about the Queen, on what is her actual Platinum Jubilee! So, taking place pretty near where we were today. It's supposed to rain all night and in the morning, but that will hopefully have stopped by the time of the walk, which starts a bit later than today's. Tickets through Eventbrite.

And on Monday - another interesting talk by The Garden Talks. This one is What Conditions Create Witch Hunts? Have to say, Meetup seems to have awoken from the doldrums..!

Storytelling: The Little Prince

Today, ooh - London European Club was at a storytelling event in King's Place! Not Crick Crack this time - this appeared to be an independent event, a telling of The Little Prince, with piano accompaniment. Sounded lovely! and was bound to be more sociable than yesterday.

So, Google Maps suggested two buses - the first was diverted again, but this time didn't cause me too much trouble. But when it came time to change, I seemed to be in a completely different area from where Maps thought I should be! Nuts to where they were telling me to go - I could see the next stop was closer, and happily, my knowledge of the area let me know that I needed to get down from the Holborn Viaduct to get there. Not long to wait, anyway, and I was at the venue first, and took a seat in the lobby. When the organiser arrived, he was brandishing a takeaway cup of coffee; the cafe in King's Place is, sadly, still closed, but the bar does meals and drinks, including for takeaway. So I got a hot chocolate - which was passable, if not memorable.

The others arrived in due course - and among other things, the conversation turned to what exactly the theme of the book was. Happily, one (out of all of us!) had read it fairly recently, and was able to tell us, basically, what happened. And when the time came, downstairs we went to the show.

In the audience, several children - perfectly behaved, for the most part. On stage, a storyteller (with some props), a pianist, in a lovely, sparkly dress. And the story, which lasted for the next hour or so. It's the tale of a pilot who crash lands in the Sahara, and meets a little prince, from a faraway asteroid, who asks him any amount of questions - from which we (and he) learn what we should be considering as important. I have to say, it was an excellent performance.

Afterwards, we repaired to the bar, where a number of us had food - for me, a rather good, if unusually presented, shepherd's pie. And we chatted about the performance - which not everyone was mad about, but hey, I think it was worth watching either way. And the chat lasted for hours, with talk of what's good on film, and Meetup recommendations. See now, that's what I call a Meetup! Saw a number of people I hadn't seen in a while, and everyone had a most convivial chat.

Tomorrow, Surrey History Meetup has another Zoom meeting - this one is on Canal History and Heritage. Forgot I had to register separately, so it's just as well he reminded me.

On Tuesday, my first in-person Meetup with 45+ not Grumpy Old Londoners - a guided walk with Laurence Summers! This is the Feisty Fitzrovia pub tour - and since I used to live there, I can hardly refuse! Another pay-on-the-day, but I have cash.

On Wednesday - would you believe, my first Meetup of the year with Up in the Cheap Seats! Well, they're going to see Magic Goes Wrong, which I've been dying to see - again, I could hardly refuse! Yet again, I missed out on cheap tickets - ended up in the Gods, but at the end of a row, and the view should be OK. The Apollo Theatre, tickets now cheapest on the official website. And with all the seats that were still free, you never know, I might get an upgrade.. The ticket was a nightmare to book, mind - when I tried to add my payment details, it gave me an error! Failing to get a response from the box office, I tried the workaround of adding the payment details to my account and checking out again, which worked.

On Thursday, I wasn't really seeing anything - but CT then advertised two shows at 2Northdown that night. So I'm going to both! As you do. And then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend - and finally get to pick up my new phone! But the Stansted Express isn't running again next Sunday, damnit..

Durer Exhibition & Play: Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike

Today - ironically, the most expensive thing I booked - I headed with London European Club to an Albrecht Durer exhibition at the National Gallery. I could have booked for free if I'd taken out membership, but I don't think I'd get the value of it. We finally got access to the free audio guide that comes with the booking, accessible through our smartphones, yesterday, and of course I'd picked up my headphones. Anyway, we were to meet beforehand at Notes Coffee.

I was up late last night - and it was seriously hard to get myself out of bed this morning, when I was damning myself for having booked this. Ah well, I managed it - and again, the bus blessed me by arriving just as I did! I was early anyway - and just as well, because we were detoured. But I still arrived plenty early - and was, in fact, the first of us to get there. The organiser had asked us to grab the communal table at the back - an elderly chap was reading the paper at the far end, so I sat myself at the opposite end. And it was lovely and cosy, on what proved to be a miserable day! Also nice is that there's table service - and of the 10 or so of us that ultimately arrived, several had a variation on brunch. (Our organiser had two, as it happened, thinking that one was a side order!)

Oh, and all the hot drinks came with a nice pattern!

A lovely - and varied - chat was had with people I had seen recently, those I hadn't seen in ages, and some I'd never seen before! Anyway, apart from one who headed off early to get her ticket, as she couldn't get her phone to work, we all headed off just before 1 - and I followed someone who knew where exactly we were headed! (To the left of the main building, as you face the gallery.)

Have to say, for the historical period concerned, that's a fair amount of travelling, that Durer got up to! Anyway, I connected to the gallery's free WiFi, and got the audio guide set up without too much trouble. We had seven rooms to examine, and the guide picked two or three items per room to discuss. Several of the pieces, mind, were on similar themes, and many were sketches that were used to form larger pieces, also on display. Most of the art on display was more realistic than, perhaps, might be expected from the time..

I would always have loved to have been able to produce something like this engraving.. 

(though, mind you, I wasn't really convinced by the faces of the lions!) Oh, and a few royal faces appeared - some of which were familiar to me! I've seen so many historical portraits..

As someone remarked afterwards, what were missing were exterior pictures! Anyway, despite the last rooms being over-warm, I think we all agreed it was an excellent exhibition. Our organiser, before we went in, told us, if we had time, to head afterwards to Ole + Steen on Haymarket, which we did - again, I think I was first there. I headed to the upstairs seating, where most space was available at the time.. spotted a few of our group coming in, but meantime others took tables right under where I was sat, where I couldn't see them! Never fear, a couple came upstairs to tell me, and I headed back down - and had what I must say was the most delicious ham & cheese toastie! Highly recommended. And there we cosily passed most of the rest of the afternoon, with rain pouring down outside - and a most intense and enduring discussion was had about the best places for hot chocolate. Indeed, had it not been for the weather, I think a field trip would have been proposed!

And so, home for them, and off for food in my case. After a good experience last time, again I headed to Prezzo - where the waiters are unfailingly charming, and apparently all Italian. The guy rolled his eyes when I said I didn't have a reservation, but squeezed me in, right beside the service area. Now, having recently had a toastie, I decided not to have a starter - and this time, not feeling too starving, I decided to skip pasta and, as I said to the waiter, try the grilled chicken and mushroom in marsala sauce. "No!" he exclaimed. "You must not try - you must enjoy!!" Eh, all right then. Well, the sauce was gorgeous, the accompanying chips were gorgeous.. sadly, the chicken was a little tough. Besides that, I was now stuffed, and couldn't quite finish it. I mightn't have had dessert, except that I had time to kill - I finally decided to forego both chocolate cakes, and just go for some chocolate ice cream - which went down a treat. And given the hordes of people arriving towards evening, they might have done better to give me my bill faster! But as I say, I was killing time anyway.

Later this evening, that organiser from London Classical Music and Theatre Group (LCMTG) was headed to Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, in Charing Cross Theatre. Only just down the road. Now, this was a funny one, because the organiser and I both booked with TAC - but when someone else wanted to book, he went to the theatre website, where it said today's performances were cancelled! Much to-ing and fro-ing eventually clarified that actually, the performances were going ahead, but only for an invited audience - including TAC. Well, don't we feel privileged! Mind you, they were taking no new bookings - so although this had been advertised as a Meetup event, it didn't ultimately make sense to do that, as nobody else could have joined!

It was quite early when I left the restaurant, but I decided to mosey along to the theatre and see whether it was open - it was a bit cold to be hanging around on the street! Happily, it was open, and I got my ticket and took myself to the bar, got myself a drink, and messaged the people who were to join me - who arrived after a bit, and we had a nice chat until it was time to go in.

And handily, we were all sat together! It actually started quite late, as the lady beside me was remarking to her companion - it was at least 10 minutes before it got going! Anyway. Someone from today's first group had asked me whether this was by Chekhov, given the names - no, but you couldn't miss that it was inspired by him, both from the general theme, and the constant namedropping of his plays! The only thing they really missed was (ahem) having three sisters..

So. As per Chekhov, this was set in a rural house, housing two elderly siblings, whose sister - an actress - arrived to sell the place, despite them trying to make her nostalgic for the cherry orchard. Masha was involved with someone who himself was flirting with Nina. And the other guy in the story  - Vanya, nicknamed "Uncle Vanya" - wrote a play that wasn't appreciated, and had a meltdown after constant audience interruptions. Every single one of those things a Chekhov plot point, and probably others I've missed.

Frankly, they laid that on so thick I was sick of it. And Vanya - like his sister and companion - started out annoyingly repressed. At least he got to have his say in the second half, with what I must say was an extremely well-written and powerful monologue. Didn't really redeem the play for me overall, though - in particular, the maid, Cassandra, I found way OTT. (Yes, she has prophetic visions that no-one listens to, which is another point that is laboured.) Comedy is subjective, is all I can say. Wouldn't be bothered with it again. But hey, it was good to see the others!

We spent some minutes chatting outside before going our separate ways - and when we did, I saw my bus parked to the side, just down from the stop! I approached dubiously, sure it'd move off at any moment, wondering why it hadn't yet. It transpired that a fellow in a wheelchair was trying to get on - and by the looks of it, the driver couldn't figure out the ramp! He tried a few times, couldn't get it quite right - and wouldn't let us on in the meantime. Finally, he pulled up to the stop proper (of course, when he'd arrived, there'd been another bus there, as the wheelchair passenger explained), and the pavement level was different there, and seemed to suit the ramp. So we got away eventually!

Tomorrow, I'm with Discover London - History Walks and Events for a walk entitled Bawdy Borough: Poverty, Prostitutes and Playhouses. Cash on the day, annoyingly - I just about have it, as long as she doesn't mind a bit of change! And yes, I'm going to sleep far too late.. another short night, nuts! Anyway, it's close enough to walk there - if quite cold.

And on Monday, back with LCMTG, for a Gabrieli Consort & Players concert at Wigmore Hall. And wouldn't you know it, the organiser gave his seat number - so, when I saw the seat beside him was free, I booked it! Well, I know him now..