University of Limerick PhD Alumni Reunion and Tour & Films: The Menu & Triangle of Sadness

Spent the weekend in Ireland again. On Saturday, UL hosted a PhD reunion, with a tour of the campus and, crucially, free lunch. And I intended to use the occasion to catch up with an old friend and, hopefully, find out what finally prompted him to quit lecturing at last, more than 10 years after I did, considering he was bullied even worse than I was! The event started in one of the newer buildings, which I looked up on the campus map - and shared with my friend. Not easy to find - I had to Google it!

Well, I found it - something of a trek across the far side of the campus: they certainly have loads of space! Parked behind the building, only to get a message from my friend to say all he could find were changing rooms - yes, that's on the ground floor. I had seen this one before, knew the cafe was on the first floor. So, I decided to go straight up, figuring he might have found his way in by now - and he had. I found him in the lunch room, gazing at the slideshow of PhD conferrings. I don't think he came across either of ours - he'd have said.

We chatted for a bit, and then people started to queue up for lunch, so up we went. There was rice, and a choice of chicken or beef - I enquired as to the sauces, and was told it was chicken curry or beef stroganoff. I love a stroganoff, so had that - was just sorry the portions weren't larger! To drink, we had water - tea and coffee were brought around after a bit, but I don't drink either. After lunch, we were brought out plates of biscuits. The place wasn't overcrowded - the event was free, and as we discovered afterwards, 70 had registered, but only 40 showed up. Which the organisers thought was a pretty good turnout, for a free event! At the end, we were introduced to our volunteer guides - who, I must say, were friendly and professional all day - and in what was a well-organised move, we were told that we'd be led to our next stop, but then, if we had cars, we should park them at the Kemmy Business School, where a bus would take us around the rest of the campus.

Walking to our next point of interest, I remarked to my friend how all these buildings were new since I'd last been here - UL is sure expanding massively! We identified what we thought was a new student residence, beside which stands the Graduate Medical School - a brilliant UL innovation, entry to this is restricted to people who already have a degree. It's designed to avoid the tremendous pressure of coming to medicine straight from the school system, with so much competition, and teenagers not even sure whether this is truly what they want to do. It's also a secondary route into medicine for those who are not successful straight out of school. And crucially, the students are more mature than the regular medical student intake - making for a better experience all round, methinks!

Anyway, across from that, UL now has the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance. This used to be housed in another building, and itself was a new innovation when I was here - established by the late, great pianist and composer, Micheál Ó' Suilleabháin. Well, it now has its own building! and we were sat in one of its theatres to listen to a speech about the academy, and watch a presentation on the music therapy programme - another UL initiative that's unique in Ireland.

Most impressive. We then drove our cars down - I wasn't sure of the parking around the Business School, so parked in front of the Computer Science building instead and walked across - fortunately, not a long walk, as the weather was dreadful! And we piled onto the bus, and were taken the short distance to the Bernal Institute. You guessed it - another completely new development since my time. Someone asked the presenter what was there before that building - he had a think, and came up with - a bus stop. Figures. And the most enthralled of our group were the people who'd graduated the longest time ago - the place certainly has come on by leaps and bounds. This instute, FYI, concerns itself with material science - the development of composite materials, ever lighter, ever stronger: for use in aeroplanes, for example. And it was great to hear about their collaboration with other university institutes around the country, each of which specialises in a different area.

And so on to the library - the organiser was wondering about the wisdom of taking the bus, when it's only a short walk, but as I pointed out, people do have a tendency to wander off if unsupervised! So instead of the short walk, we drove out of the university by the back gate, in the main one again, and around. Then straight up to the top floor (happily, there's a lift), where we were led into the Law School (never been up here before, myself):

And while sat here, we were given a fascinating presentation on research that UL is doing into rugby injuries! Apparently, they're the only ones in the world conducting research into injuries sustained by female rugby players - it was interesting to see the differences in types of injury. And the crowd was never so animated as in this talk, firing questions - plenty of rugby fans! (Well, Limerick is the home of Munster rugby..)

On our way out, we happened past the space-age book retrieval system. As someone said, hey, who's going to order a book, so we can see it in action..?

Reminds me of Star Wars! Our final stop was to be back at the Business School, where we were fed tea, coffee, water, and pastries - and when we'd had our fill, filed into a lecture room for a series of presentations by Limerick PhDs about the kind of thing they'd learned during their PhDs, and also how they'd used them afterwards. Last speaker of the evening - was Bill Whelan! A Limerick native, and recipient of an honorary doctorate from UL, he composed the music for what became the behemoth that is Riverdance! Plenty of other anecdotes from his career too.. mind you, his wife, sitting at the back, didn't look too impressed. Doubtless she's heard them too many times!

The evening ended with an interesting discussion with the organisers, and whoever wanted to stay - they were curious about whether people had ideas of how to reproduce the day! Well, it was an excellent event - kudos to them, and here's to more interesting events in the future. I won't be taking them up on any opportunities to describe how I used my PhD though - I don't think my story is quite what they're looking for!

And so, my friend and I repaired to the Kilmurry Lodge Hotel for dinner. Or at least, he did - I always have trouble finding that turnoff, and wouldn't you know it, got myself trapped in the Johnson & Johnson campus in the technology park! It's massive, it's one-way - and they don't seem to want to let you leave! Mercifully, I finally escaped and made my way to the hotel. Where, despite having left after I did, my friend had been waiting for me for 15 minutes. Well, he had got menus - it didn't take me long to order, and we were soon fed. I had the stuffed, breaded mushrooms - which were lovely - and the steak sandwich. Sadly, this was not lovely - a bit tasteless, mostly my problem with it was that the steak was far too thick for the sandwich, rendering the whole thing impossible to eat. I managed just over half, and won't be having it again.

Oh, and I might have guessed - he's timed his leaving of lecturing to ensure that his pension won't be curtailed. And will just put up with the atmosphere until then. Well, rather him than me.. Anyway, I was too tired to blog that night.

Planned a film yesterday.. and coming up was Aisha, just released at the weekend, which centres on a young woman in Direct Provision (Ireland's asylum processing system). Looks like a hard watch, focusing as it does on a severely criticised system, which can see asylum seekers stuck for years in limbo, while their claims are processed.. Ennis only.

But wouldn't you know it - I checked on Saturday night, and its ratings had plummeted! Right, recalculation - and the highest rated, showing in the afternoon, was The Menu. Also in Ennis. This has Ralph Fiennes as the head chef of an exclusive restaurant. Anna Taylor-Joy is a reluctant diner, invited along but not enthused by the excessive luxury and gourmet dining that the evening entails. And the trailer looked dark and interesting..

Well, here we go again, I thought as I meandered round and around Ennis, looking for a parking space. Another GAA match, dontcha know? At least this time, I got parking in the Dunnes multistorey - and only on the first level. And, being Sunday, it was free. I was a bit late though - but it's worth remembering that this is actually closer to the cinema. I'll think about it from that perspective in future.

I galloped along to the cinema - as I climbed the stairs to the box office, I overheard a couple of young ladies telling staff how one of them had just thrown up in Screen 1. Very sorry about it and all. And off they went. As I arrived, staff were just discussing how they could hardly do anything about it until the film finished - and this was the largest screen, too! Wow, was I glad I was in Screen 2..

Sadly, I did miss the start - but not too much, it seems. The restaurant is on an island, the customers are taken out there by boat - I missed that part. When I came in, they were being shown around the restaurant staff quarters, on the island - and the stern-looking maitre-d' was explaining how the long hours made it preferable for staff to live onsite. I did spend a little time wondering whether these people were to be expected to work there - but no, this was just an informational tour.

I'd also missed being introduced to the different characters, but that happens quite naturally through the film, so that's ok. So yes, this is the story of a very exclusive dinner - only 12 guests, each charged a fortune to be there. A famous chef, who runs his kitchen with more than military precision. Most diners are rather blasé about being there - either because they've been before, or because they're, well, jerks. Anna's companion is stoked - he's been trying for months to get a reservation, and here he is! And she just gets less and less enthusiastic as the night goes on.

Oh, this is surreal. You really have no idea, from course to course of this really long meal, what's going to happen next - and it's more outrageous than you can imagine. As Anna's companion says, each meal has a theme - it's not until the end that you figure out what it is. She provides our entry into this world, gaping in astonishment at what's going on around her - incredulous at the chef's pretentiousness, at the staff's superior attitude, at her companion's fawning adulation.

You could call it a scathing indictment of fine dining, and of those who indulge in it. Let's just say this - the chef has chosen this evening's guest list very carefully. He has a bone to pick with each of them. Except Anna - she wasn't on the original guestlist, doesn't appreciate what he's doing, and turns out to be a real thorn in his side. But - how she does it is a stroke of genius. This is very, very clever.. just be prepared for it to be very, very dark, too.

Now, last night, I flew back to London. Ryanair, as usual, flew an hour late - so we missed the train and had to take the bus. Which takes longer. And in London, I was obliged to wait on the never-present #205 for 35 minutes.. so it was after 3am when I got in. Hence the delay in the blog.

Headed to another film tonight - I wanted to see Triangle of Sadness last month, in the BFI Film Festival, but it was sold out. Well, it's made it to the mainstream - and I've just seen it in the Vue Islington, which is the closest venue to me that's showing it. It's a comedy in which Woody Harrelson is a cruise ship captain, cynically presiding over a group of scathingly depicted rich folk - and then they get shipwrecked on a desert island. Oh dear, how shall they fare?! ;-) Yet another scathing indictment of the rich - am I sensing a theme? Cheaper if you buy online, so I did.

Well, this being one of the longer blog posts, I didn't have time to get it finished before I left. Neither did I have time to grab a proper bite to eat - got some overpriced Maltesers at the cinema instead. The cinema was just open for us to take our seats - I had about 10 minutes before the programme started. And after a series of Christmas ads, and trailers of varying interest, off we went..

So, I'd been thinking about this as a film about a cruise - but it actually starts off with the model couple we see in the trailer, who are given the cruise tickets as a present. In fact, the first scene - which appears in the trailer - has the man, Harris Dickinson, at a modelling shoot. We discover that the "triangle of sadness" of the title is not some kind of reference to the Bermuda Triangle, as I thought - nope, it refers to the bit between your eyebrows - the bit that creases when you frown. We are then introduced to his girlfriend - Charlbi Dean, who in real life, tragically died suddenly in August.

Now, if the purpose of this film is indeed to send up the shallow culture of the rich and beautiful, it kind of batters us over the head with it - we see both taking part in vapid modelling shoots, we see her spending more time on her phone than talking to him, we see an intense argument about how she never, ever pays for dinner. Well, he's arguing intensely - she's staring at him as though he's lost his mind.

Cut to the cruise ship, where we have every variety of obnoxious passenger. The beleagured crew are instructed firmly by the steward always to give the passengers what they want! no matter how insane. The captain? He, rather sensibly, has retired to his cabin, where all you can hear is the clanking of bottles. The fun really starts when he decides to hold the captain's dinner - highlight of the ship's social calendar - on the one night when the weather is to be bad. You can imagine the chaos that ensues..

Not all the passengers are shipwrecked - I suppose most drown. Anyway, the motley crew that assembles on the beach of the desert island includes, initially, the model couple, a Russian oligarch, a guy nobody recognises who says he worked in the engine room, and a lady who's had a stroke, and has lost the use of both legs and one arm, and can only say "nein" and "in den Wolken" in German, although she does seem to understand everything that's happening. There's another guy who might be a painter - and one crew member, the steward. Until.. they come across a lifeboat (a proper one, with roof and such), which has a resourceful crew member in it: the toilet manager. Who turns out to be - the only one able to fish, the only one able to gut a fish, the only one able to build a fire, the only one able to cook..

Suffice to say, authority is turned on its head as she now discovers a respect she never had before. She becomes the de facto leader of the group - having previously been the least of them. And it is fascinating to see how their social group restructures itself in this new reality. I tell you though, hilarious as it is, this is also really poignant - particularly at the end. In fact, the actual ending is left really ambiguous.. Well, I do like to be kept guessing. Anyway, this is great fun.. highly recommended. Even with everyone throwing up once the weather hits.

And gee, there's a lovely, big Sainsbury's across the road! Lovely big supermarkets they have up there. Finally, I got everything on my list.. And dragged it all the way home. And lo - our lift is finally working again! after five months. Well, not half soon enough.

Tomorrow, I'm with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) again, for a double-bill at the Park Theatre. Part of the Make Mine a Double series, where you get a discount for booking two or more, in the same transaction. This week sees a comedy double - Anything With a Pulse, about dating, and Pickle, a Jewish comedy. Some of us will meet there early, to eat.

Wednesday - oh dear, I'm just not sure. There are a few things coming up that I'm iffy about.. at the moment, I'm leaning towards Chess Community Wednesdays, with the London Chess Community (LCC). But I booked with them twice before and cancelled, so am reluctant to do it again - watch this space.

On Thursday, I'm back with TAC for Haunting Julia, at The Questors Theatre, a new one to me. A ghost story, goodee! Written by Alan Ayckbourn.

On Friday, back with the Crick Crack Club for The Beast in Me, by Daniel Morden. At King's Place. Fantastic!

On Saturday, I have my Christmas get-together with Helen! We're planning a Christmas bonanza - first to the Magical Ice Kingdom at Winter Wonderland, where we must also have a stroll around the Christmas markets, and get some alcoholic hot chocolate. Then food - then we're on a Tootbus night-time open-top bus tour. As booked on Wowcher. Now, there is a rail strike that day, but she says it's not yet affecting her - she'll keep an eye on it. Mind you, the Tube strike might - I had her asking me for bus directions this morning!

On Sunday, I'm back with Discover London, for a walk entitled Secrets of the Riverside Part 1: Tower Bridge to London Bridge. These events are good - I'm delighted to be back on one!

The next two days, back with UITCS - for some reason, I only just saw their advertised trip, next Monday, to see Austentatious: An Improvised Jane Austen Novel, at the Arts Theatre. Awesome! This should be good - title decided by the audience on the night.

On the 29th, we're back at the Park for the Make Mine a Double series - next week, it's Press, which examines the world of journalism, and Tunnels, about two cousins hoping to escape East Berlin. So, darker than tomorrow's.

On the 30th.. same problem as this Wednesday. Again, watch this space..

On the 1st - well, I might be unemployed, as my contract technically ends the day before. If I am, best thing on is an online talk, The Life and Times of Magnus Folk, from the Surrey History Meetup. One of the earliest electrical engineers in England, it seems. Anyway, it's free, if I want to cancel.

Then back to Ireland for the weekend again - flying Aer Lingus for a change! My passport is due to expire, you see - I don't technically need one to travel between Ireland and the UK, but Ryanair demands it. Aer Lingus doesn't.. so, I must get on to that renewal now!

On the 5th - yep, the LCC is again looking like the best option. Hmm.

On the 6th, well, Free Stuff and Free Events are holding another online singalong. Again, I cancelled my attendance at the last of these I booked for, so am reluctant to rush off and book again..

On the 7th, phew, a definite plan! I'm back with UITCS for Baghdaddy at the Royal Court. About a little girl, realising she's half Iraqi, just as the Gulf War is raging.

On the 8th, I've signed up for another Watkin's Bookshop talk! This is Colin Stanley on Colin Wilson's Introducing the Occult. Well, the last talk I was at here was interesting, so..

On the 9th, I'm heading to Lightopia, at Crystal Palace Park. As suggested by Over 40 Living the Life, who are not actually hosting a trip themselves, but just wanted to advertise it. 15% discount if you subscribe to Lightopia's mailing list, 20% discount for purchases of 10 or more tickets.

On the 10th - I've bravely scheduled another meeting of Those who Do Not Come. It's my last weekend in London before Christmas, you see. Well, so far Ivan and my first boss in London are probable attendees, the one person who came the last two times probably not, for once. We shall see - I asked them again today to confirm, and only the one who probably can't make it did so! Nowhere booked yet.

And on the 11th, I'm vaguely thinking of heading to see Carnaby Street's Christmas lights..

Pub: The Museum Tavern & Concert: Olcay Bayir

On Tuesday, I tried to get the first meeting of the year going with that group from my last company. Had the idea while I was eating at the Amarcord Museum - I love to advertise good places to people, and this is one! But apart from a couple of people who made their excuses because they're on holiday abroad - and despite the invite having gone out before Christmas - the only taker was Ivan, with no-one else even bothering to respond until the last minute, and most not at all. Dead in the water, that group, it seems. Well, their loss.

He was working from home, and had a lot to do - he was taking the bus in, and I'd said to let me know when he started out, so I could start to make a move as well. He lives a good bit out of town, so it'd take a while for him to get there. So I ultimately made a move - in time to walk, which I did. And boy, was I frozen by the time I gratefully got there! And.. the restaurant was closed. Really shouldn't have been - I checked the website, you could technically still book up to 9pm that night! (It was 8.30 when we arrived - Ivan just slightly after I did.) Well, blast - with only the two of us, I hadn't bothered to book -  and I suppose they'd had no business on a cold Tuesday night, and had closed early. What a shame..

Never mind, I knew The Museum Tavern, at the street corner by the museum itself, does good food - so we went there. You can't miss it - festooned with fairy lights, it advertises itself well. We managed to get a table, I perused the menu - he got a bottle of wine, which we shared, and then he had a lot to say for himself; turns out he had a job interview the day before, and was full of plans for the future, and news. And so it took me forever to get my order in (he wasn't actually that hungry, and passed on food: so it was just as well we ended up in the bar, where that wasn't such an issue). I was wondering whether I'd ever get the chance to order at the bar - but the server, who had little to do, saw me with the menu and decided to come and ask whether she could get me anything. Very obliging - you are supposed to come and order at the bar! So I ordered my regular hunter's chicken - which was reasonable priced, and absolutely delicious. I'm a sucker for bbq sauce.

By the time I finished - Ivan was still talking - the kitchen was closed, so no dessert: and anyway, he wanted to make the Co-Op near the studio, to pick up some more alcohol. It'd take a while to get the bus - so we took the Tube instead. Our train would be the third, with one waiting on the platform - we really shouldn't have had to wait long. A train was sat at the platform, there'd be another along between it and ours. Except.. no movement. No announcements. Meantime, another delayed passenger took an interest in Ivan's guitar, which he'd brought - during this prolonged delay, he had tons of time to have a look, have a go on it himself.. isn't music a great unifier?! They were bosom buddies by the time the other guy's train arrived. Signal failure, we were eventually told. In practical terms, it meant that we were delayed enough that we just missed the Co-Op, which had just closed, tantalising bottles of wine visible from through the glass doors.

Blast. Well, he investigated Google Maps to find the nearest off-license.. and there was one about 10 minutes' walk away! Ironically, very near Ladbroke Grove Station, which was one before ours - so we could have got off early, and saved a walk. Hindsight is 20-20. So off we set - and I was getting a bit miffed at walking by now. Anyway, we arrived, I chose a bottle - he was still deciding, so I went to pay: and the card machine was broken. He did tell us that there was an atm just down the road, so off we headed, as Ivan didn't have any cash either. Turned out to be right beside a Sainsbury's - which was still open! We went to have a look, he decided there was a better selection, and he shopped there instead, also picking us up some food. Me, I went back to the off-licence, where I'd left my shopping on the counter.

And so off to the recording studio for the night. And as they do a special deal for 10 hours.. it was all night! So I took yesterday off work - wisely. A great time was had - the Tube home was much less problematic, and by the time I finally dragged myself home, I just had time to have a few hours' sleep before I headed out again. Grabbed a quick bite to eat in the ever-tasty and convenient Upper Crust.

Yesterday evening, I originally signed up for my first ever event with The Roads Less Travelled: Ekzotic Adventures Travel Club. Not actually travelling, mind - this was a talk about Myanmar. Specifically about the rubies you can get there, but with plenty of other information about the country as well. Took place in a room above The Iron Duke pub. Ah, but then.. (and I should have remembered this event, because I knew about it) London European Club (and the World Music Meetup) advertised a concert by a Kurdish artist (from the Turkish side) at the Finnish Church. So I booked for that instead. Tickets from Tuned In London, as usual.

The No. 47 bus got me straight there - and another very cold, but mercifully short walk took me the last stretch. On the way, I passed the Norwegian Church - gee, a real Scandinavian vibe to Rotherhithe! Obviously a legacy of its days as a port. Another little bit on - and I came across an unassuming building, with a couple of glass doors: went over to check, and sure enough, there was something written on the doors about it being a church. And Google Maps said I'd arrived. So I tried the doors - which wouldn't open! Ah, I thought - maybe this is the back door, and there's another. So I left to have a better look around the building - but before I could get to the corner, someone came running after me and shouting! Turned out to be the janitor, who doubled as the sound engineer at the concert - he showed me where I should have rung the bell! I hadn't seen that, over the side. Anyway, he swiped me in.

Everything in there seems to be in Finnish.. so I was lucky that it was easy enough to find where I was going. I entered the cafe - these things tend to be cash-only, and it's ironic that I had cash, for once! but I didn't see anything I wanted. So I searched for my ticket - the organiser was checking the tickets, but didn't even bother with mine - she knew me, of course, and had seen my name on the list. She told me where both groups were sitting - well, the World Music Meetup were up the front, but it turned out that London European Club had another attendee! who just hadn't formally RSVPed. I knew him, so I sat down the back with him.

The wall behind the altar is a fabulous centrepiece, all natural stone. The concert took place just in front of the altar - and what a fabulous voice that lady has! Operatically trained, it seems - and it shows. Her voice soared clear and high over the music.. the songs, a mixture of Kurdish, Cypriot, Turkish, etc. were lovely, but her voice was the main draw, and I could listen to it eternally. We were supposed to be out of there by 9, but ran over.. she gave a full two hours' show, and then some. It was a lovely, soothing end to my day, and I was delighted I'd made the effort. She's on a UK tour - details on her website, above.

I ended up leaving before the encore - and wouldn't you know, when I left, it was raining. Damn, that wasn't supposed to start until after midnight! And me without a hood. Google Maps said I should walk to Southwark Park to catch my bus back - but I knew the stop on the outbound journey was closed for extensive roadworks, and suspected the same of the one I had to use now. So I went down to the stop before.. had a freezing cold wait (at least it's covered).. and when I finally got the bus - yep, I'd been right, Google Maps is unaware of the stop closure at Southwark Park. You have been warned..

It ran too late to blog - I had to catch up on my soap, and I was tired anyway. Tonight, I'm back at Soho Theatre for Jen Brister's show, Under Privilege. Tomorrow, I'm back to Ireland for the weekend - where I have to sneak a look at my mother's Eir contract. She just changed to a new package, I just got her first bill for it (we've gone paperless, so it gets emailed to me as she doesn't use her email account), and I swear they've overcharged her on the monthly package price. They messed up the email address when I was ordering over the phone, so I never got the confirmation email - will have to check the paper version she got to ensure that what she got was what I agreed on in the first place. No point in asking her to check - she won't know what to look for, and she'll only get hysterical.

And assuming I survive all of that (they are AWFUL to deal with, and I thought her previous internet provider, 3, was bad!), on Monday I'm back with Up in the Cheap Seats for The Haystack at Hampstead Theatre. Another group of them went on Friday night, and I'm hearing excellent reports..

Vampire Hearts, Modern Killers: An evening of live horror music and talks

I was intrigued when I saw that Spooky London had organised an evening about vampires. I love my scary stuff, so it didn't take long for me to decide to book. Now, yesterday was a red-letter day for me - I finally made the final deposit payment, and collected my car! Still some paperwork to organise, but it's sitting outside my place as we speak. Which was an achievement in itself, since I got lost on the way back. What the hey, all's well that ends well..

I got all that done in the afternoon, and had just about enough time to eat before the event - if I ate out, not having to cook. Which I'd intended to, anyway, to celebrate. I checked the website for The King and Queen pub, where the event was taking place, but it seems they don't do food at the weekends. Righty-ho, there are plenty of places around Clapham Junction.. so I set off in search.

I was aware that I shouldn't spend too long on the hunt, but I didn't have to - at the end of the road was a pub on the corner that I'd noticed, of course, several times, but never yet visited. Revolution seemed to have a good vibe, so I went in. It was pretty crowded - I found a little table that was free, but with a Reserved sign on it: but the reservation wasn't until 7, which was when I was supposed to be at my event - so that was ok.

I ordered at the bar, paid and collected my drink straight away, and was served the rest within ten minutes - can't complain about the service, although the barman did have to repeat himself a couple of times when I was ordering, to be heard over the pumping music. They have a "hero" special every day - they pick one main course to be discounted; yesterday's was the bacon burger, but I felt like chicken and ordered that instead. With BBQ sauce (the alternative is hot sauce) and fries (instead of salad) and I decided to go for a side of sweet potato wedges.

And it was all delicious! I found the wedges a bit sickly after a while, but the vodka salsa dip that came with them was sublime (there was also a sour cream dip). The fries were great, the chicken lovely - it was a half roast chicken though, and in the end I couldn't finish everything. But I really enjoyed it - the atmosphere was great, the playlist catchy, and the whole meal (including the wine) cost less than £20 - excellent value, by London standards. Definitely one to return to - I was sorry I didn't have time for dessert. Booking essential, though.

Now, these days I have a choice of driving to events, of course. But this one being in town, I figured I'd have trouble parking - so instead I took a train to Vauxhall, where I caught the Victoria Line. Which was confusing in itself, as the barriers I had to pass through looked like entrance barriers to the Tube, rather than exit barriers. Which meant I'd have to touch my Oyster card in without touching out, first. Which is a no-no. But no, they were exit barriers, it transpired - and I was just in time for a train. Which I caught to Oxford Circus.

Streetview proved itself invaluable, again. I've got lost here before - this time, I knew north was past H&M (shops are a good way to orient yourself in this part of town), and I knew which streets I needed to turn onto, and which landmarks were on the corner. Because The King and Queen is not terribly close to the Tube, and some navigation is required. Still, it didn't take me too long to wend my way, and boy, was it vexing to see plenty of parking available in front of the pub! and on a Saturday night, too. Must remember that, in future - I see there's also a parking app you can download. (Well, I never paid attention before!) At least not having the car meant I could drink as much as I pleased.

Inside, the pub is lined with - appropriately - various portraits of English monarchs. Spot the famous face time. It's quite a small space, and it was easy to see there was no sign for the meeting. I asked at the bar as I was ordering another drink, and sure enough, it was through the door marked "Private Function Room". This leads to a flight of stairs - one floor up, there's a landing with several doors, and I found myself confused. Luckily, someone was coming out at that moment, and I was able to choose correctly. Could've done with a sign at this point.

They ticked my name off the list, and I took a seat to the side. Again, a small room - cosy, with fairy lights on the end wall. The seats were standard function room type, and not the most comfortable, but never mind. They didn't actually start at 7 - but by about 7.15, the band kicked off. I'd been a bit dubious about the description, but they were actually quite good. They played to start, between talks, and again at the end, and moved things along nicely - their material, billed as "gothic" wasn't that scary, but did make for a nice backdrop.

The speakers were the highlight of the night, though. First up was someone who did a BA and Master's on vampires, and was now doing a PhD on werewolves. As you do. She spoke about the gradual romanticisation of vampires in modern popular culture, referencing many famous books and tv shows. She's a Twilight fan, but we won't hang her for that! Sadly, not a True Blood fan, and that series didn't feature - but she was really engaged and entertaining, and we loved her talk.

The second speaker was the author of a number of books about vampiric real-life serial killers, with a penchant for drinking their victims' blood. Lovely. Some fascinating stuff in there, and some of his books were available to buy - though I didn't. And it made for a nice juxtaposition with the first speaker. All in all, a very interesting evening - I was sorry not to stay to mingle afterwards, particularly as this was the first of this group's events I managed to get to - but by the time the second speaker was finished, I was wrecked, and made my way home. Hope they stage something else I can go to - I'm not around for their next two meetings.

Arriving in Clapham Junction station again, I decided to pop into Sainsbury's, to treat myself to a box of chocolates as a final treat - and since I hadn't had dessert. Well, I almost regretted it, it took so long to check out - the self-service machine's coin collector wasn't working properly, and neither of the two idiot staff members that came to help me had the faintest clue what they were doing. Neither would they just take the money and let me go - oh no, I must needs stand there while they vainly tried to get the thing to work. Finally, they gave up and checked me out on the next machine. Duh..

Now, I was supposed to go on a walk today. But you know, frankly, I don't have any enthusiasm for it. I have too much to do - including some work I said I'd finish over the weekend. And it's free, so I can cancel easily. Funnily enough, when I was checking last night what time it was on, someone had commented that she was sorry it'd been cancelled! First I'd heard of it, but frankly I was glad, and duly cancelled my RSVP. Sure enough though, today it turns out it was all a misunderstanding, and the walk is still on. In the meantime, though, I provisionally decided to go to a film - which meant I stayed up very late, doing this week's film list! So yes, I do have a film I could go to today - but as I say, think I'll just stay in.

That film list will prove handy for tomorrow, though - assuming I'm not too mentally exhausted, after figuring out my driving route to and from Guildford! Well, or I could get a cheap ticket to a play happening in the Battersea Arts Centre, just down the road, which I can walk to - Give Me Your Love does sound interesting. If I go to a film, it'll be Room - and I see that Cineworld Wandsworth offers free parking in the adjacent car park after 7! so if I do that, or indeed for future performances, I know how I'll be going..

The rest of the week is booked up - on Tuesday, I'm headed to a play called Jane Wenham: the Witch of Walkern, at the Arcola. Long time since I was there - well, it's awkward to get to. Might be easier from Clapham Junction. Wednesday is my only Meetup of the week - I'm off to a Farsa Moneda concert at Sands Film Studios, with the London European Club. Really looking forward to that - both the music, and the fantastic, quirky venue. Thursday, I got a cheap ticket to Laugh Train Home - I've been to that once before, but this one is in Acton. And then it's back to Ireland for the weekend again..

Plays: All On Her Own & Harlequinade

A side effect of booking ahead for this week, at the end of November (and all working towards Let's Do London - for less!'s outing to The Nutcracker), is that most Meetup groups don't arrange things that far in advance. So it was Time Out that suggested that, for yesterday, I go to Harlequinade, directed by and starring Kenneth Branagh. Fair enough - it sounded ok. Now, it's in the Garrick, which I know from bitter experience to be one of those old theatres that's appalling for seating in the upper levels (no legroom whatsoever) - so the stalls it had to be. Which made it expensive. I found the best deal through London Box Office.

Yesterday evening, I didn't have much time to eat, but when I arrived back from work to Clapham Junction station, I was hungry - and Sainsbury's, conveniently located in the station precinct, provided me with the handiest hot counter, where I picked up a cooked half roast chicken. Very much appreciated! With Google Maps telling me that the 7.13 train would get me there in time, 7 o'clock seemed time enough to leave the flat, which just nicely gave me time to eat my purchase.

I arrived back at the station just in time to catch the 7.07 to Waterloo. Great - except there was a delay as we approached the station (something about a fault with the doors) and we eventually chugged in at nearly 20 past. Then I had what is commonly described as a senior moment, and couldn't find the Underground for a few minutes, despite walking right past it twice - and by the time I made it to Leicester Square, I was already five minutes late for the show. Well, I wasn't giving up on a £65 ticket, so I persevered.

I'm not used to exiting Leicester Square from the Northern Line, so it took me a moment to locate Exit 1, still to my left. From there, it's left down Charing Cross Road - I looked enviously at Wyndham's, which I passed on the way, but mine was further down. Sure enough, by the time I got there, the only people still in the lobby were staff. But they were kind enough to get me my ticket, and show me to the bar, where they sat me on a cushioned stool in front of a large television, showing a live feed, until I could be let in. So not so bad - and I wasn't even the last to arrive, as I discovered when they pulled up another stool next to me for another fellow.

Well, the sound quality wasn't terrific, and I couldn't get all the dialogue. And it was some minutes before the display changed to colour. Nonetheless, it was good that I hadn't really missed anything. The first play is the short one - All On Her Own, where Zoe Wanamaker gives an excellent solo performance as a drunk, middle-aged woman, downing the whiskey while conversing with her dead husband.

After about 15 minutes, that play was ending and we were shown to our seats - in my case, at least, making several of my neighbours grumpy! As I sat, they were showing a postwar-style film, which explained how a national board was sponsoring a number of theatre companies (this one included) to bring culture to the masses. In due course, the curtain rose to a Renaissance-style set, and Kenneth Branagh appeared in Renaissance costume and a flamboyant wig.

Oh dear. Oh dearie me. Now, the audience loved it - well, the laughter died down as the evening progressed, but the people around me had a hoot! It's the story of the shenanigans of a madcap touring theatre company, with him as the director - and Zoe Wanamaker back, after a costume change, as his aunt, who is also a member. Comedy is subjective - and I'm afraid, although this elicited some laughs from me, and indeed, I loved their use of the venue - I just found it far too silly. Note to self - never, ever again go to a comedy directed by Kenneth Branagh. I'd have left, if I'd been on the end of the row - it played without interval, so I had to stay to the end.

At least it finished quite early - although there still wasn't time to blog, last night. London Box Office asked for a review today, and I told them the same - and remarked that, although the seat was fine, it definitely wasn't worth £65. Which, by the way, is face value.

Well, I have higher hopes for tonight - both for quality, and likelihood of getting there on time. Again part of my early booking, I have a ticket to La Soirée, playing at the Spiegeltent, walking distance from Waterloo. And, having been there before, I MIGHT not get lost.

Well, if you've been reading regularly, you'll know that I didn't get a ticket to The Nutcracker tomorrow - after all that fuss, they were sold out by the time I got to them! I got a ticket to an evening of poetry set to music instead, part of the Winter Festival at the Southbank Centre. I got a seated ticket when there was a cancellation - and it's free! And then.. I was literally just writing this very post, a short while ago, and looked up the link to the Let's Do London - for less! page (just for reference).. and there had just been a cancellation (as he only just now explained); they had one ticket left (one of the more expensive ones, but still the best value available) in the auditorium. So I snapped it up, and now I'm going to that instead!

Thursday's plans have also changed. I've decided I want to come to the office that day - which I normally wouldn't be - because I'm interested in our product planning meeting that's happening that day, and which won't have remote access. (Means an early start after what's bound to be a late night, but never mind! And at least I get a free lunch out of it). Unfortunately, that means that, once again, I have to cancel on the Central London Outdoor Group - that's happened a few times now, but I'd never make it in time. Instead, I got another of those cheap tickets - to Cirque Berserk, in Dartford. Long journey, but I know they're good. And I don't have to travel to work on Friday! Later that day, of course, I fly back to Ireland for the weekend - that plan hasn't changed (yet)!