Tour of Historic Pubs & Winter Wonderland

Tonight, I booked A Medieval Ghost Story with the Surrey History Meetup, on Teams this time. Tickets from Eventbrite, free when I booked, at least! But you know, I figured they'd probably record it. I hoped so, because in the meantime, Invigorate came back with another pub crawl! (AKA Tour of Historic Pubs.) Much closer together this time, thankfully, and all in Southwark, so convenient for me! So I booked for that.

And I could walk there - which was what I did, even with it drizzling on me. Arrived in Borough, round about where the first pub, The Old King's Head, was supposed to be - and it was handy that he'd told us to look for the hanging sign above the alleyway. Because there it was!

So, down the alley I went - and there it was. Jam packed, too - I managed to squeeze my way through to the bar and get a drink, then figured my best bet was to stand outside. Where I had a lovely chat with the owner - a Kiwi, dontcha know - until the organiser arrived. He then headed to the loo - and on his way back, came across two more of our members, already at a table inside! So we headed to join them, and had a convivial drink and chat there.

Our next plan was to head to the Southwark Tavern. We walked in the door - and into a wall of noise. Walked straight out again - and back to The Old King's Head, where we discovered that the crowd had evaporated! and we happily had another drink there. Being hidden down a side alley has its advantages..

The night finished in The George, just nearby. Our organiser fancied food - and the rest of us also thought that mightn't be such a bad idea. Well now, this place was packed too - but by dint of heading all the way up to the top floor, what should we discover but an almost empty dining room! And I can testify that each floor has its own set of toilets - now that's forward planning. We ordered on the app - and lo, it mustn't have been two minutes after an order that the drinks arrived! Most impressive. We were well fed - and most of us stayed till closing. Another very good night!

This evening, I made what used to be my annual pilgrimage to Winter Wonderland! Whee! Particularly as, to get an evening ticket, I had to book three weeks in advance - to combat Covid, they're restricting numbers, and of course, evenings are the hardest to get. Not to mention that they're now charging an entry fee - but that is waived if you book at least £20 of attractions, food or drink in the same transaction. Which I always do - the Cirque Berserk and Magical Ice Kingdom. Was looking forward to that hot chocolate with the shot in it..

Drinks in the office first mind, as always on a Thursday. And frankly, the chat was so good that I stayed later than I should have - too late to make the circus. Well, what the hey - it was a bit samey anyway, the same headline motorcycle act, year after year. When I finally left, I had a choice of taking the bus - but that wouldn't have left me much time to explore, before the Ice Kingdom. So I took the Tube.

Well hey, they moved the alcoholic hot chocolate stand! So, when I stumbled across it, I availed of it immediately - I know what it's like not to use something immediately, only to forget where it is. Unfortunately, the only whiskey option was "cinnamon whiskey", and I don't like cinnamon - so I had brandy instead. Which was very nice.

And around I wandered, absorbing the atmosphere.

What's happened to the Christmas market though? It's practically non-existent this year!! I saw a handful of stalls, no more. Bummer, that's one of my main reasons for going. Or maybe I just couldn't find it. Certainly, the site is even less navigable this year than usual - and when the time came for me to look for the Magical Ice Kingdom, I had to ask directions of two people working in token booths - the map is wrong, and I was completely lost! Well, but I did find it in the end.

The theme this year is from the realm of fantasy. And yes, it's as cold as ever - to the extent that my phone battery died immediately upon exiting! So, unable to figure out the buses without it, I took the Tube home - which was nice and quick.

I'm back to Ireland for the weekend - despite all my gallivanting, I tested negative for Covid! (Whee..) And so, on Saturday, I'm doing something else festive - I'm headed to Christmas with André, the latest offering of popular classical music from André Rieu, at the Omniplex.

Free 3 Mile City of London on Screen - Guided Walk & Post Event Social

Tonight, I signed up for a Free 3 Mile City of London on Screen - Guided Walk & Post Event Social, with Invigorate. It was a tour of film locations, most of which I might have known already, but hey. This is a newly minted group, made from one that I used to be a member of, before. And it'd be my first guided walk, post-lockdown! The organiser of this group also organised my last Meetup, pre-lockdown..

Today turned out to be one of my less stressful days at the office - probably at least partly due to the fact that there was almost no-one in the office! Well, with drinks yesterday and again tomorrow.. Graveyard shift indeed. So I headed off in good time. Now, I noticed upon reading the schedule for the walk that it was going very near the office.. Couldn't help thinking that it'd have been handier for me if they'd actually started there! Ah well.

As it was, I had to trek down to the Tate Modern. Didn't mind at all, it's been so long since I walked this route! And it is lovely, past St. Paul's..

and across the Millennium Bridge..

It wasn't hard to find them, clustered outside the Tate Modern - especially when I knew our guide.

We waited a bit for latecomers - but not too long. One did arrive late, and caught up with us - and to be fair, our guide was very conscientious about making sure nobody got left behind! Which wasn't always easy - honestly, he seemed to want to set a faster pace than most people tonight were interested in matching, and he had to keep stopping and checking we were all still with him. But that he did. I don't think anyone got lost..

And so back across the bridge, with a photostop for the sunset:

Back at St. Paul's, we stopped at the memorial to those who died protecting it, during the Blitz:

As we meandered on, several films were name-checked more than once. The Mission Impossible films, for instance, or Thor.. well, these are iconic landmarks, and it makes sense to have them as a backdrop:

Up the road, we came to the Old Bailey:

We made a trip to St. Bartholomew the Great, of course - sadly, not floodlit - and I see they've sensibly added handrails to that flight of steps. And yes, wouldn't you know it - we walked right past my office. Sadly, I didn't have an answer for why the adjacent street is called Little Britain - rather than having been named for the tv series, it seems to have been the name of the district that included this street - but where it got the name, I cannot say!

And on to Postman's Park - unfortunately, too dark by now to take pictures. (This is actually our assembly point when we have to evacuate the office because the alarm goes off. I remember we had to do it just once, and handily enough, I just arrived as they were making their way out..) Following this, we headed along London Wall. Someone asked me afterwards whether I'd seen ANYTHING new on the walk - well yes, I replied, I'd never before been on the Bastion Highwalk, which leads to the Barbican and has good views of the actual Roman wall. After which we carried on.. I really believed we were headed for my flat! and were close enough to it by the time our guide realised he'd missed a turning and we retraced our steps.

Ultimately, we ended up in Southwark, at the setting for Bridget Jones' flat, in Borough Market. There's a pub under it - but as the man said, too small and too crowded. So, it was back to the reliable George again for the social! Historic and spacious, it was the obvious choice. As one of the group said, why not sit outside? It wasn't cold, so we did. And wow, how great to socialise with a Meetup group again! This wasn't the first Meetup I've been to since I've been back, but it is the first that went to the pub. And how good was that..! Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) just doesn't have the appetite. It was an excellent night in good company. (And I got more exercise than I have in a while.)

The walk home took me past Leadenhall Market, which we'd gone through earlier - I got a better shot from this angle, though:

Tomorrow, more leaving drinks, it turns out- this guy is just changing office, though. 

Friday, back with one of my cheap ticket groups (TAC) for Lately, at the Lion & Unicorn. Then I'm back to Ireland again - on Saturday again, as I was unable to get a Friday flight! Working from home on Monday, and flying back to London that evening.

On Tuesday, I found a curious thing on Meetup - it seems that Watkins Bookshop has its own Meetup group, where it advertises events, and that day there's a talk by Stephen Skinner, about Aleister Crowley's Four Books of Magick. Ok, sounds interesting to me - I signed up. It is a bit early, so I'll have to see how we go.

Next Wednesday, back at last with Civilised London! We're off for what promises to be another excellent meal, this time at the Korean restaurant, The Petite Corée. Meeting beforehand in The Railway pub.

On the 14th, back at last with London European Club (LEC)! Happily, they're going to what I'd be going to anyway.. the Crick Crack Club is performing The Women Who Gave No F*cks, at Rich Mix. Fantastic when the London European Club decide to come..

On the 15th, woo! A couple of weeks ago, UITCS was off to 2:22 - A Ghost Story, but I was meeting an ex-colleague for drinks that night and couldn't go. Well, I got a ticket for the 15th - second-last night of the run! Unfortunately, cheapest available were £65, and no availability with cheap ticket sellers - ah well, I decided I really wanted to see it (great reviews helped), so I booked. Had great fun trying to decide which of the few remaining seats at that price was the best.. Showing at the Noel Coward Theatre. And with all the cheap shows I'm going to, I can afford it!

On the 16th, my first outing with another new group - Bucket List London is off to Kenwood House, and I said I'd join them. You don't have to book, but it guarantees availability- tickets for free from English Heritage, via See Tickets.

On the 17th, I found something interesting with London Walks, Art & Culture Explorers! Yet another new one for me. This is an "Uncomfortable Statues Walk" - statues commemorating controversial people. I can think of a few, and it'll be interesting to see which come up on this!

On the 18th, I'm with London Classical Music & Theatre Group, for a choral performance (annual, apparently) by The Sixteen in Temple Church. Fantastic, and I've never actually been inside!

On the 19th, I'm with Guided Walking Tours in Brighton and Sussex (!). They have an online talk entitled Hallowe'en Penny Dreadful Online Show - The Art of Victorian Horror. I have to say, online has become much more of an option since lockdown.

On the 20th, I booked another walk with Invigorate - this one is a tour of (the outside of) Christopher Wren's churches.

On the 21st, an online storytelling double-bill - I'll have to see how that pans out. First, I'd booked Universe, a Crick Crack show happening in Oxford and live-streamed. Clare Murphy - and I've seen it before, and it was the best show ever! And then I saw that Martin Shaw, another member of Crick Crack, was doing an online show, earlier in the evening.. this one, in association with Watkins again, is called The Smoke Hole, and it's free. So I said, hey, why not?

On the 22nd, back with the LEC for a concert - Balkan Music, courtesy of Raka & Balamuc, in The Post Bar, Tottenham. Sounds like fun. Then I'm back to Ireland - another Saturday flight - and with a few days off, I'm not flying back until the 28th.

But on the 29th, back with that group again, for Carmen - contemporary flamenco at The Place. Funnily enough, someone in the group said there were no individual seats left, and asked whether anyone wanted to double up with her. I offered, if there were no other takers - but she never got back to me. So, since I was now up to that date in my schedule, I decided to check for myself - and got an individual seat! So I've booked it.

And on the 30th, I'm doing something nice and Halloweeny - a ghost story event entitled Scared to Death in the Woods! Tickets from Design My Night. So, an organisation called London Dreamtime is leading us off into a undisclosed location, somewhere around Hampstead Heath.. we're to dress warmly, and bring a blanket to sit on, and a "candle in a jar" - I actually went out and bought an LED flickering candle in a lantern-style holder. Well, thought it was the most practical! 

Pub: The George

Tonight, back at last with Spooky London! It's ironic, he'd only just said that I'd been to all the pub socials - and I stopped going! Not deliberate, I can assure you.. this time, we were at The George.

Lo, I could walk there and back! Excellent - a nice evening for it too, although it's gone nippy. But then, I wrapped up.

Part of my route took me down Cannon Street, where major gas works are underway - and it seems they've used every piece of street furniture in London!

Less windy crossing the river this evening, thank goodness. Anyway, I arrived at the George slightly late - and looking at the crowds, I despaired of ever finding the organiser! But he'd sensibly stayed at the edge.

We were only joined by one more, and after having a drink outside, decided to gatecrash the front bar, which was apparently reserved from 5pm. But there were free tables in there, so we figured we were ok by this stage, which was after 8.

Had a good old chat - short on spookiness on this occasion, but we can always find something to talk about. Good to see them again. And a very pleasant walk home:

Tomorrow, I'm back to Ireland for the weekend again. On Monday, back with London European Club (LEC) for a night at the Proms - this is Prom 68: Wagner Night. At the Royal Albert Hall, natch.

On Tuesday, back at Trafalgar Studios - this time with North London Friends (NLF), for The Fishermen.

On Wednesday, I was back to the Proms, on my own.. Prom 71: Bach Night. But London Literary Walks finally advertised one - which is a better proposition. I just wish he'd post them earlier! This one is Bank Alleys - again, nice and convenient for me!

Next Thursday, I was thinking film - but not being enthused about what was coming up, I booked a cheap ticket to Remember, at the Cockpit, instead.

On the 13th, back with the LEC for a Scottish ceilidh! It's at Cecil Sharpe House. I had to cancel the last one of these I booked for, so hopefully I make this one!

On the 14th, London Dramatic Arts is off to see Two Ladies, with Zoe Wanamaker, at the Bridge Theatre. So am I - for half the price! (shh..) Going on my own, and will be avoiding them, as she takes umbrage at that sort of thing.

On the 15th, back with The Embers Collective - they haven't yet revealed the venue for Mischief on the Marshes! I've emailed them, as I should have heard at time of booking.

On the 16th, finally going to see Waitress, which I had to cancel earlier in the year. It's at the Adelphi.

On the 17th, some comedy, with Shappi Khorsandi, at Soho Theatre.

On the 18th, back with Civilised London (CL) for a Lebanese meal at Al Waha, meeting beforehand at the Prince Alfred. Then I'm back to Ireland for a long weekend.

On the 23rd, back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) - again, it'll have been nearly three weeks since I was last with them! The occasion is a production of Giselle, by the English National Ballet, at Sadler's Wells.

On the 24th, back with NLF, to Donmar Warehouse, for Appropriate.

On the 25th, the Crick Crack Club is back! Tricksters & Fools is at Rich Mix - it's another in Crick Crack's Archetypes series, and stars Sarah Liisa Wilkinson, Tim Ralphs, TUUP, and Nell Phoenix.

On the 26th, UITCS is back with Groan Ups, at the Vaudeville.

On the 27th, Love London Theatre, Arts, Music & Stuff is at Our Lady of Kibeho, at the Theatre Royal Stratford. Ahah, I knew I'd booked something else with them!

And on the 28th, I booked for the matinee of Glass. Kill. Bluebeard. Imp. at the Royal Court. And then CL organised an outing to see London Concertante perform the Four Seasons at Southwark Cathedral. What the hey, I figure I can make both! It's ages since I heard it, in fact.. and it'll be a nostalgic trip for me, as my very first Meetup with the Man with the Hat was to listen to Concertante in Southwark Cathedral. He's much missed.

Restaurant: Tas

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Meal: Tas Borough

Tonight, back with Let's Do This for another Turkish meal at TAS. The last was excellent, so they did it again! which I think is a very good idea. And the second host came, for the first time in ages..

I had a late meeting, so took the Tube, for speediness. Man, what a trek - a sluggish crowd led into Old Street Station, although it sped up after the barriers. And then I had the usual wait at the platform - a five-minute wait for the train to arrive, to begin with, and then it was too crammed and I had to wait for the next! Hey, better than the last time I took the Tube, and had to wait for the third train.. A cramped, almost airless journey ensued, and what a relief it was to get off, three stops later at London Bridge. When I saw a sign for a lift that would take me to Borough exit, which was exactly what I wanted - well, I jumped at the chance, and was whisked to the exit in no time! Recommended.

I then hung a left, and The George, where we were to meet again, was a short walk away. Our organiser had said something about being in the second space past the bar - well, I followed my nose and found him, and wouldn't you know it, despite being a bit late, I was the first of the others to arrive! The second organiser, when he arrived, was kind enough to nip off and get me a drink, and when we were all there, we had a most pleasant chat until it was time to leave.

Again, Tas is just a short walk down the road, and they soon sorted us out with a table near the door. I did find the heating a bit much, but otherwise it's a delightful space, airy, pleasantly decorated, with a fellow playing guitar just up the steps. We didn't have as many menus as last time, but really, how many do you need..? We ordered a couple of meze to share, and for my main course this time I had Tavuk Kofte: minced, marinated chicken served with couscous. What it turned out to be was kind of BBQ chicken pieces. And the whole meal was gorgeous - simple, good food, which I'd recommend to anyone. Even the foreign-food-challenged! We didn't really feel like dessert - I know the chocolate cake here is good, but it also takes more effort to eat than I was prepared to put in, this time.

Conversation was also good, flowing over a couple of bottles of wine that we shared among us. The Man with the Hat came up in conversation - to be honest, he often does, when we that knew him are gathered together! He casts a long shadow. But hey, we were so lucky to have had him while we did, and after all, he represented a side of Meetup that was less about the money, more about the getting to know people. And that's something that's worth preserving. Long may it last. The night finished earlier than I'm used to, but what a joy it'll be to get to bed early.. Roll on the next Meetup with this group, it's one of the friendlier ones.

Tomorrow, London Literary Walks is taking us for A Night in Knightsbridge - sure to be as good as ever. Another group I can heartily recommend, and often do.

And on Friday, North London Friends is going to Quiz, at the Noel Coward Theatre. This is based on the true story of an audience member who coughed at the right answers from the multiple-choice selections, in Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, thus enabling his co-conspirator to take away the top prize. Well, the group have onstage seats, which they sold themselves - they didn't show any availability when I looked, though, so I booked my own in the rear stalls, with the benefit of a Theatre Token I'd earned with Seatplan reviews. I then let them know I was coming.. it'd be nice to meet them on the night, if they're willing.

Restaurant: Tas

Yesterday, I had RSVPed with London Science Talks and Museums Meetup, for a Science Museum late. But hey, it was free - so I had no problem cancelling when Let's Do This advertised a meal the same evening. Turkish, with a drink at the George Inn beforehand. Closer to me, too.

It was only a short bus trip, followed by a short but absolutely frigid walk. The Arctic, gale force wind seemed to have a vendetta against me, and I was completely frozen by the time I got to the pub. Our organiser had helpfully said he'd be to the left of the main bar, so in I schlepped, spotting him before long, over the side. In, as the man said, a trilby.. good choice, you don't see many of those! Hmm, so now we have a second Man with a Hat..? ;-) Anyway, he had a drink, I got one, and before long we had a table, too. Good going, for a pub so packed! The others arrived in due course, and we yelled at each other for a bit, over the hubbub, until it was about time to go.

Tas is just across the road. It's quite a wide road, so sauntering across it was slightly unnerving - but we arrived alive, and were taken to our table. It's a very pleasant room - nice and airy, bright decor. We admired the glassware - I also admired the plates. It's quite classy. We ended up right across from a teeny stage, where a guitar player played classical music for most of the evening! What a shame we could hardly hear him over the din of a very crowded restaurant - it's one of my favourite kinds of music.

A long à la carte combines with a couple of special menus - one for groups, but we couldn't all agree to use it, so we didn't: and one that we could choose from individually. So, most of us went for that - terrific value, with a choice of two meze and a main from a long list of each, and a drink, which could be alcoholic, all for £19.95. I went for meze of sucuk izgara (garlic sausage), and mantar (sautéed mushrooms topped with cheese) - also available as a main. My main was kuzu sis - marinated chunks of lamb, accompanied by couscous. None of which were available on the à la carte, as far as I know.. honestly, I mainly couldn't tell you what the others ordered, except that we all had meze and a main, and a glass of wine.

The table was well-stocked with bread, which waiters kept trying to remove after we'd finished the meze, except for the valiant efforts of one of us! The meze filled the table, and I have to say, mine were delicious - the mushrooms particularly moreish. Our organiser had warned us about portion sizes with the mains - but I found mine perfectly sized, the lamb really tender. When the guy came with the dessert menu, the others might have left - but I'd already seen the chocolate cake ("simply delicious"!). So, you know, in the interests of research.. I do love the way they suggest drinks to accompany the desserts, but I passed on those.

So - verdict? Loved the place. For a start, it's a really pleasant environment, soothing - great choice of musical entertainment, if you can hear it. My meze, as I say, were delicious, the lamb for my main really tender - I was well fed. The chocolate cake, mind you, when it arrived, was quite a huge slab - if it hadn't been mousse-like, I probably wouldn't have been able to manage it at all. Dusted with cocoa powder - alway a nice touch - and with a chocolate coating, I found it nice and tasty. But honestly, too much after a whole meal - approach with caution! Next time, I might just go for ice cream..

It was a lovely evening, and I do hope they arrange more meals! I've always thought the social element is the best part of Meetup - and a meal focuses on that. And so I bade them farewell at the Tube - I was bussing, as usual. After a frigid wait. But hey, it was a lovely, clear night:

Early to bed then, for another U2 presale - probably the last for the year - today. Which was successful! Not as optimistic about the public onsale scrum tomorrow.. I start February with two from Up in the Cheap Seats. Tonight, I'm at John in the National. And tomorrow, my now-nearby venue, finally - I'm at Sadler's Wells Sampled. Hey, I can walk there and back, again..

On Saturday, I'm finally back with Anthony's Cultural Events and Walking Activities Group (fairly trips off the tongue, that!) for a free walk - Secret Diaries and Public Spaces: the Legacy of Pepys and Wren. As run by Walk London. I had a great time with this group before - it's a shame they so frequently clash with other things I'm doing.

On Sunday, another walk, with Funzing, via Walking in London - Forgotten Old London is one I've had my eye on for a while. And that evening, someone suggested a classical concert in King's Place - well, whyever not? So I booked. Close enough to walk home after, too.

And on Monday, back with Up in the Cheap Seats, at Hampstead Theatre, for Dry Powder.

Talk: Bodysnatching in Southwark

Last night, I headed to a rather interesting talk on Bodysnatching in Southwark! Mary, too.. and it's a funny thing, all the tickets were gone when I first saw it, but then I checked again on spec, and more were available! Lucky I checked - despite being on the waitlist, I got no notification. As advertised by Walks, Talks and Treasure Hunts - but they didn't run it, tickets were available on Eventbrite, and were free. London Social Detours were going too.

Determined not to have a repeat of what happened on Sunday, I left in good time to catch a direct bus - the office is that bit closer to Southwark cathedral than my home is, and it didn't take quite as long. Well, I was strolling along, nearly at the bus stop, when I got a message from the organiser of Walks, Talks & Treasure Hunts - the doors were closing at 6:45 for the talk at 7. I'd projected to be there by 7, and had heard nothing about this before - I wasn't going to have a hope of getting there for 6.45 now!! What possessed her to post this message at such a late stage, I don't know. Anyway, I did my best - got on the 68 instead to Waterloo and got the packed Tube from there - again; at least this time, I was dropped on the right side of the station, so it didn't take as long to get to the Jubilee Line! With delays on both bus and Tube, it still took as long as the direct bus would've - I needn't have bothered.

Also, this time, I knew which way to go from the station. More crowds to push through - and damned if I didn't have to traipse around the whole perimeter to get to the back door, leading to the back room where the talk was on - not in the main cathedral. It was a bit of a maze, but well-signposted. Oh, and I don't know where the organiser of Walks, Talks and Treasure Hunts got her story, but they didn't close the doors early - in fact, Mary arrived after the talk had started, and still got in! The place was pretty full, but not completely, despite the tickets having gone. There was water at the back if you wanted it - and you might have; it was stifling! The mc apologised, but explained that the aircon was too noisy and the windows tended to stick. Hey, the seats were comfy though.

I saw no sign, all night, of the organiser of Walks, Talks and Treasure Hunts, although in her misguided message she'd said she was on her way. Instead, the organiser of London Social Detours gave me a cheery wave, so I made my way over there. She'd mistaken me for someone else - but, despite me not being on her list, and not having paid the fee she was charging, she invited me to join them - and as there was a free seat, and I was sat beside someone I knew, I did.

The talk - which, I think, started a little late - or my watch might be fast - lasted about an hour, and was fascinating. Her well-researched talk described bodysnatching through the ages, from the 1600s to the 1800s. It all started with the advent of surgical schools, you see, and the demand for cadavers on which to perform dissections and other surgical procedures. Graveyards near medical schools were especially targeted - such as Southwark cathedral itself, of course, which is right across the road from St. Thomas' hospital.

Beadles from the colleges took themselves to executions, and were allowed a certain number of corpses per year: but not nearly enough. So a black market trade flourished. So-called "resurrection men" operated under cover of darkness, and she described to us how the corpses were extracted - very effective! and how they had to be stripped; the removal of a corpse was a misdemeanour, but if any of their clothing, or personal effects (or even bits of the coffin that came off while they were being removed) were left on the body and brought as well, the bodysnatcher could be hanged as a thief! Teeth were generally removed - unless required for medical purposes, they could be sold separately to dentists to make dentures.

Measures to combat the bodysnatchers included iron coffins - harder to break into, but expensive, so not that popular. Railings were put in place around churchyards, to make it harder to hide behind the high walls that had been there before. The night watch was established. Questions afterwards included why it took the government so long to do anything about it, whom the corpse belongs to (no-one, really), whether the church objects to dissections (no), and what sorts of operations they performed in those days. Without aid of anaesthetic. Which question greatly intrigued th guy sitting beside me!

Afterwards, I caught up with Mary, and we gatecrashed London Social Detours' trip to the pub. I've been to The George before - a lovey old coaching inn, very atmospheric: and, yesterday, not quite as busy as I've known it. Had a pie and chips, which came with gravy and veg, Very moreish - a very unusual pastry on the pie, which seemed homemade, and was seeded. It was all a bit much for me, and I couldn't finish it - but very, very nice. We sat at a table beside where London Social Detours were - that table was rather full. And Mary and I caught up until they chucked us out, and outlasted London Social Detours, I'm proud to say! ;-) Great seeing her again. Finally, a combination of buses brought me home without too much fuss. I was way too tired to blog, though.
Tonight, I'm back to Ireland again for the weekend. On Monday, I'm off to see Jesus Christ Superstar, finally! At the open-air theatre in Regent's Park - again, I hope it doesn't rain.

On Tuesday, my first talk with Scarlet Ladies UK (!). Their stated aim is to abolish the stigma of talking about sex.. so they have a load of talks. This one is about the history of slut-shaming.

On Wednesday, I was back with Jennifer Rees (and the same two Meetup Funzing groups again), for a talk about the Psychology of Serial Killers. This is at least the third instance of this talk - I was booked for one last month, but had to cancel - it clashed with the trip to the Icebar. The next was sold out - and then I saw this one and booked, at last! It's on the Battersea Barge, of all places! Just a 10% discount this time - I see the latest code for that is crazy_fun. And gee, guess what.. London Literary Walks just advertised a Regent's Park Walk for that day! Guess I'll never make this talk..!

On Thursday, back with Up in the Cheap Seats for Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill, a musical about the life of Billie Holiday. Nice and close to me, at Wyndham's. Passed it the other evening, in fact.

Next Friday, back with the same group (!) for yet another Camden Fringe double bill: Boris - the Musical! at the Cockpit again (the London European Club - LEC - are also going to this), and Make Advena Great Again, at Camden People's Theatre. Goodness, that's only a short walk from home..

On the 26th, I'm back to the Proms for the first time in years! Funnily enough, it was inspired by a Meetup group - Gothic Requiem London (!). This is the "Gothic Prom", you see - all the composers are Czech (Bohemian). Now, I'm no Goth - but the Proms sound like a great idea.

On the 27th, I'm off on a day trip to Bath, with Carpe Diem: booked while I was in Barcelona, recently.

On the 28th, the organiser of Walks, Talks & Treasure Hunts promised Helen and me free tickets to a treasure hunt she was organising that day - in recompense for that treasure hunt, not run by her but advertised by her, where the organisers never showed, and instead marked us as no-shows. However, the event on the 28th still hasn't been advertised, and what with severe engineering works at Waterloo for the whole month, Helen's not sure she can make it at all. We shall see.

On the 29th, I'm off to see Five Guys Named Moe, at the Marble Arch Theatre - a pop-up, it seems! From the Box Office provided the best deal on this occasion.

On the 30th, back with Up in the Cheap Seats, for Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, at the Apollo (although booking is with the Young Vic), with Sienna Miller, Colm Meaney, and nudity. Cheapest tickets this time were with LoveTheatre.

On the 31st, back with those two Funzing groups. This time, the talk is entitled "Can You Trust the Media?", and is given by Annie Machon, who gave an interesting talk last month on Russian Hacking. Another 30% discount. I just wish she'd use some visual aids.. At the Lighthouse again, terrific. :-/ Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend again.

On the 4th September, I'm finally going to see Dreamgirls, at the Savoy, courtesy of Amazon Tickets.

On the 5th September, I was back with the Scarlet Ladies for a talk on Generation Sex. Until Let's Do This advertised a concert that sounds really good.. at the Apples & Pears Bar. Hey, I do allow myself to change if something sounds better..

On the 6th September, I'm with another new group - North London Friends - for an interview with Michael Palin, at the Knowledge Centre Theatre at the British Library. I was really torn, though - the LEC is off to an early music concert the same night, and I do love that - but had already booked this, and it is Michael Palin. Hey-ho..

On the 7th September, I was back with North London Friends, and another talk on Fake News - different speaker, mind! This is the Fulbright Commission annual lecture, at the British Library. However, much more attractively, Let's Do This are reviving what used to be a regular Man with the Hat event - we're off to St. Martin-in-the-Fields, for some Vivaldi concertos. With a discount, yet! London Concertante, as usual.

On the 8th September, until the other day I was still technically booked for free comedy in Hammersmith with DiscoverLDN.UK. But, as I say - good atmosphere, but the comedy is usually pretty bad. I was saved - again - by Up in the Cheap Seats, who are off to see Doubt, a Parable, in Southwark Playhouse. Aww.. it's so long since I was there, and I have so many good memories of it from my time with the Man with the Hat!

On the 9th September, Helen and I have our 25km sponsored walk, in aid of Haslemere's Cat Protection Society. We're going as Dick Whittington and his cat, respectively, and the route is the Thames Bridges Trek. You can donate here..

Which will tire me out nicely, just in time for my flight to Prague the next morning! I'm at a conference there, Sunday to Tuesday. (What a nice company I work for!) Gee, but I love Prague - most beautiful city I've ever seen, and I've seen a few. They're putting me up at a nice hotel too, just down the road.

So, I fly back on the 12th September, and on the 13th I'm back with Up in the Cheap Seats, at Sadler's Wells, for the Hofesh Schechter Company grand finale.

On the 14th September, I'm at another talk with Walks, Talks and Treasure Hunts - this one, at Southwark Cathedral, is about the River Effra, South London's Secret Spine. Another free Eventbrite event, this is to publicise a book about the subject, and the talk is again given by the author. Another thing that had no tickets, then it did (no notification)! I'm not going to believe any messages about door closures. Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend again.

On the 18th September, I was off to Showstopper! at the Lyric. Ticket courtesy of From the Box Office again. I have actually seen this before - but, being an improvised musical, it literally is different every time! But you'll never guess - the Crick Crack Club finally announced their autumn schedule today, and now, that night, I'm off to Eaten Father, Eaten Mother by Ben Haggerty. In Soho Theatre, first time in ages.

On the 19th September, back with the Scarlet Ladies, for a talk entitled 100 Women - Their Breasts, Their Stories.

On the 20th September, Funzing (same two groups) and Jennifer Rees again - this time, a fun talk about the Psychology of Batman Villains! The first of hers for which I managed to get a 30% discount.. and it's on nice and close to me again. Seems to be a feature of her talks!

On the 21st September, technically, free comedy in Hammersmith - with Free Comedy Nights in Hammersmith, Wimbledon and Greenwich, Random London, and DiscoverLDN.UK. And on the 22nd September, the same - with DiscoverLDN.UK. I rather doubt it though - don't you?

On the 23rd September, I was to do the same, but am now headed to the launch of Rob Luft's new album, Riser, at King's Place. As advertised by The London Jazz Meetup. I finally ended up paying their membership fee after booking an event with them the other day, for November, which someone is attending that I know. So I figured it was wiser!

I had booked the same free comedy, with the same group, on the 24th September, but was again saved - this time, by the World Music Meetup! They're off to see Kefaya, in Nell's Jazz and Blues bar, back in my old stomping ground of North End Road! Happy days, when I was working there..

On the 25th September, a group called Theatre and Stuff is off to see Prism, at Hampstead Theatre. They're charging extra to go with them, though - so I happily bought my own ticket. What the hey, odds are I won't know any of them anyway.

On the 26th September, I'm back with Up in the Cheap Seats - to see Wings, at The Young Vic. Accidentally booked standing, I think.. :-/

On the 27th September, with Up in the Cheap Seats again - for Jekyll & Hyde, presented by the National Youth Theatre, at the Ambassadors Theatre.

On the 28th September, with another new group: London, Surrey and Beyond.. for an event called "A Unique Experience. Olde Pub, Gerry's Private Club, 2 'i's Famous Fish 'n' Chips". Which says it all, really! Then it's back to Ireland for the weekend again.

On the 2nd October, I had booked at Hampstead Theatre, for No One Will Tell Me How to Start a Revolution. North London Friends are attending - and charging extra, so I was going it alone! But now it turns out I'm spending the week in the Stockholm office - back on the 8th.

On the 3rd October, it was free comedy in Hammersmith - nominally. With Free Comedy Nights in Hammersmith, Wimbledon and Greenwich. So, that was easy to cancel, for Stockholm!

On the 4th October was Up in the Cheap Seats and Labour of Love, with Martin Freeman, at the Noel Coward Theatre. Cheapest tickets from the venue, for once!

On the 5th October, same group - headed to see the Company Wayne McGregor, at Sadler's Wells.

And finally! on the 6th October, headed to see Chekhov's The Seagull, at the Lyric. Third night in a row for that group - almost as busy a group as I am a person! So, four things in all I had to cancel, without refund.. what the hey, I'll doubtless be saving money in Stockholm!

On the 9th October, I'm finally going to see the show so many people have asked me whether I'm seeing. Ink is showing at the Duke of York's Theatre. 

And on the 10th October, I'm back with Up in the Cheap Seats for Ballet Boyz at Sadler's Wells.