Walk: Red Lights, Rabble Rousers & RocknRollers

Today, back with Laurence Summers and the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners - this time, it was a walk called Red Lights, Rabble Rousers & RocknRollers, around Soho. And Helen came up for it! So, a highly sociable week! Sadly, this'll probably be my last trip with Laurence and the 45+s this month.. the trials of working during the week. Not likely to be anything next month either, yikes! Ah well..

Google Maps told me to get the #8. Great. From Old Broad Street. Eh, you what? I can catch it closer than that. And I did. And just as well, considering that it was diverted, and didn't go down Old Broad Street at all! Wouldn't that have been nice, stuck there with no bus on the horizon?! Tsk, Google! Anyway, I got there and stopped off at a Caffe Nero en route, for their "luxury hot chocolate". We were to meet at Exit 1 of Tottenham Court Road Tube Station - of course, not arriving into there, I had to look up where it was! (west side, Charing Cross Road). Laurence arrived a bit early, and the time passed convivially as we broke into different conversations, before it was duly time to leave.

Soho Square was a pleasant place to start.. followed swiftly by Denmark Street, the "Tinpan Alley" of London. As we made our way down, we were accompanied by the sounds of music from people in guitar shops, trying out the merchandise - and competing with the building works.

And on to Chinatown..

..where we were just in time for a protest march!

Down to the mural on Carnaby Street - which I never realised was a clock with moving parts!

And so, finally, to lunch. Laurence made a good find with The Clachan - people thought it must be an Irish word, and so it proved, but I'd never heard of it! Means a small settlement, apparently.

Where I had a much better chicken schnitzel than, um, recently.. for a lot less money. With some v nice garlic mayo. And Helen and I shared a nice bottle of Oyster Bay. Yum. She had ordered for us on the app.. must get her back for that! None of the rest of us could get it to work.. grr. But hey, conversation sizzled. And when we were finished, we didn't want to be.. so we headed to a local Spanish bar, Bradley's.

Toilets are down a vertiginous flight of stairs (where they have a second bar), but otherwise it's a cool place, with a jukebox. And there we passed more convivial time, and drank lots more wine. Olé.. Another excellent day with Laurence & co.- one of the more interesting walks - and aw, I do miss these outings! Roll on the next.

Tomorrow, back with the Crick Crack Club (CCC). This is The Origins of Life and Death, with Jan Blake, at the British Museum, which I missed in January. Limited availability at time of writing, as they have socially distanced seating.

On Monday, I'm headed to a film - Everything Everywhere All at Once is a Chinese English-language comedy about a woman travelling through multiple alternate realities. Jamie Lee Curtis shows up too. Nearest showing to me is in Hackney Picturehouse, and I've booked because it's booking heavily.

On Tuesday, I had what was probably my last event rescheduled because of Covid - I was  headed to the postponed Tarot, at Soho Theatre. Wow, it's over two years since I was there last.. (and now TAC have tickets, blast.) But yesterday it was cancelled, and now I'm headed - with TAC - to Death and the Maiden at The Tower Theatre.

On Wednesday, back with TAC - for another operatic evening at Hoxton Hall. National Opera Studio is presenting Mozart: Secrets and Seduction. (So much for Meetup being busy on Wednesdays!)

On Thursday, my only Meetup of the week - I'm back with Up in the Cheap Seats, to see a performance of As You Like It at Wilton's. Went for a slightly more expensive seat than usual, this time - I'm sick of straining my neck.

Then back to Ireland for the weekend - would you believe it, I've exhausted the films showing locally that I'm interested in! So it'll be a quiet one.

On the 16th, headed to Middle, at the National.

On the 17th, back with Civilised London for a meal at last - this one is at Mestizo (Mexican). Not usually my favourite, but I'll give it a shot. Meeting beforehand at the Crown & Anchor.

On the 18th - well, I saw on Meetup that a group called Get a Tech Developer Job has a free webinar, Learn Web Scraping with Python! Now, we're expected to use Python in my new job, and I never have - so this could be very handy indeed.

On the 19th, I'm headed to the CCC again, for Astray, at Rich Mix. A storytelling double bill.

On the 20th, headed to Marys Seacole, at Donmar Warehouse. Based on a true story. I've heard mixed reviews - we shall see.

And on the 21st - well Lordy, I've booked for the Roman London Walk, with Walk About London (also advertised on Walks, Talks & Treasure Hunts - both linked to London Guided Walks). Now, I missed the last two I was booked on with this company - third time lucky?

Restaurant: Cote Covent Garden

For tonight, an ex-boss, Ivan, asked could we do drinks again! He also suggested we try to find somewhere quieter than the last place - not an easy ask, for a central venue on a Friday night. Ah, but I have contacts.. the organiser of CL once recommended to me a pub just off Charing Cross Road, which he knows as quieter than the usual - I couldn't remember the name, but he reminded me it's the Round Table. I'd have booked, but they seem not to take bookings on Friday evenings. Our ex-colleague, James, was coming, and for the first time, my favourite ex-boss from my last company! Promised to be cool, and would make up for me missing her leaving drinks on Wednesday night.

And then Ivan cancelled - as usual. Complicated life, as he says - he swears he'll make it up to us. Ah well, I did enough drinking on Wednesday night anyway! And my aforementioned ex-boss is still recovering from her debauchery on Wednesday. James was still meeting me for a meal - we booked Cote Covent Garden. V necessary on a Friday night.

I arrived really early - waited for him, and we went in, to be given a table right at the edge of the passageway. So, in danger of being tripped over. Not ideal. Anyway, they didn't have the starters we were fond of - which come on the set menu, which we weren't given. We therefore didn't have starters. We both had steak frites - I wouldn't again, on a Friday night. I found it so tough as to be practically inedible. Chocolate ice cream for dessert was more successful - and for his part, the salted caramel tart, which he proclaimed very chocolatey! but beware this restaurant on a Friday night, standards are not up to scratch.

Afterwards, we meandered in search of a pub:

The George IV fitted the bill quite well! Not too noisy - amazingly for a Friday night - and plenty of seating. Friendly staff too. Yes, recommended - and we had a grand old catchup there! 

Tomorrow, back with Laurence and the 45+s - this time, it's a walk called Red Lights, Rabble Rousers & RocknRollers, around Soho. And Helen is coming up for it! So, a highly sociable week! Sadly, this'll probably be my last trip with Laurence and the 45+s this month.. the trials of working during the week.

On Sunday, back with the Crick Crack Club (CCC). This is The Origins of Life and Death, with Jan Blake, at the British Museum, which I missed in January. Limited availability at time of writing, as they have socially distanced seating.

On Monday, I'm headed to a film - Everything Everywhere All at Once is a Chinese English-language comedy about a woman travelling through multiple alternate realities. Jamie Lee Curtis shows up too. Nearest showing to me is in Hackney Picturehouse, and I've booked because it's booking heavily.

On Tuesday, I had what was probably my last event rescheduled because of Covid - I was  headed to the postponed Tarot, at Soho Theatre. Wow, it's over two years since I was there last.. (and now TAC have tickets, blast.) But this afternoon, it was cancelled, and now I'm headed - with TAC - to Death and the Maiden at The Tower Theatre.

On Wednesday, back with TAC - for another operatic evening at Hoxton Hall. National Opera Studio is presenting Mozart: Secrets and Seduction. (So much for Meetup being busy on Wednesdays!)

On Thursday, my only Meetup of the week - I'm back with Up in the Cheap Seats, to see a performance of As You Like It at Wilton's. Went for a slightly more expensive seat than usual, this time - I'm sick of straining my neck.

Then back to Ireland for the weekend - would you believe it, I've exhausted the films showing locally that I'm interested in! So it'll be a quiet one.

On the 16th, headed to Middle, at the National.

On the 17th, back with CL for a meal at last - this one is at Mestizo (Mexican). Not usually my favourite, but I'll give it a shot. Meeting beforehand at the Crown & Anchor.

On the 18th - well, I saw on Meetup that a group called Get a Tech Developer Job has a free webinar, Learn Web Scraping with Python! Now, we're expected to use Python in my new job, and I never have - so this could be very handy indeed.

On the 19th, I'm headed to the CCC again, for Astray, at Rich Mix. A storytelling double bill.

On the 20th, headed to Marys Seacole, at Donmar Warehouse. Based on a true story, I've heard mixed reviews - we shall see.

And on the 21st - well Lordy, I've booked for the Roman London Walk, with Walk About London (also advertised on Walks, Talks & Treasure Hunts - both linked to London Guided Walks). Now, I missed the last two I was booked on with this company - third time lucky?

Cool Camden Pub Walk & Play: Scandaltown

Well, Wednesday was Star Wars Day. And I had another flat viewing on Wednesday evening - advertised as a 1-bed! Imagine, affordable and within walking distance of work - I hoped it'd work out, I'd love to live alone again, for the first time since I moved to London!

I could have taken a bus, but with a last-minute work demand and having to call my mother, it ran too late, and I ended up on the Tube. I arrived where I'd been told to go on the dot of 5, when I'd arranged to be there. Messaged him to let him know I was there..

So, it started to rain. No response from him, and the only people around had shopping bags, so I figured none was him. I messaged him every few minutes, no response. No sign of him either. Then it started to pour - I finally took refuge under a large tree across the street. I might have left, but was so keen to view a 1-bed that I hung on. At 5.30, he apologetically messaged back, asked whether I had a UK number. Duh, no, just the one you've been messaging me on! I pointed out to him that it's on WhatsApp, on which you can call and message for free - indeed, this was what we were talking on! He told me there was someone in the flat, who would call me on WhatsApp.

He did, told me to come into the courtyard. I told him the gate was locked, he contradicted me and said it was open. I said it had been open, but someone had gone through and locked it. He said he'd come down.

No sign. His boss, whom I'd been speaking to first, got back to me to say the other guy had been calling and there was no answer. Meantime, someone opened the gate and I entered the courtyard. I didn't know the flat number, got it from the boss - but checking the list of flat numbers, I couldn't see it! A local resident passed, and I asked - he told me I was on the wrong side of the building, I'd have to go out and around. Sure enough, there was another courtyard with another gate - and it was open! Guy #2 called me again, I explained what had happened, and he came and got me, led me up to the flat.

He told me someone else was also looking. Well, duh - I should have been in and out by now. Lo, it was a couple that had also been waiting around the other side - pity I didn't get talking to them! Now, they'd got directions from someone, and come around here before I did - pity the idiot didn't join the dots and realise I'd got lost the same way. Anyway. The place - described in the ad as "spacious" - was the pokiest flat I've ever seen. A tiny kitchen, a tiny bathroom, no storage anywhere - and two other rooms. The whole place still needed furnishing, which makes it odd that it's already available! Anyway, I was confused about the two rooms - oh, he told me, he's renting out both! So it's a 2-bed. Well, they were way too small for my purposes, as was the whole flat. What a let-down. I legged it out of there, and reported the ad to Spareroom as misleading. They've been on to him to change the description.

I was due back with Laurence Summers and the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners shortly afterwards! Ah, it'd been too long.. someone suggested that I skip off work for a couple of hours during the day to go on the walks, but seriously, every time I checked when his walks were, I had a meeting that clashed! So, not an option. Anyway, this was the Cool Camden Pub Walk! and a short walk from where I was. It was actually rescheduled - was originally supposed to happen last week. Unfortunately, last night it clashed with a couple of other things - a Civilised London (CL) meal I was actually booked on (happily, he gave me a refund of my deposit), and leaving drinks for my favourite ex-boss from my last company. Tarnation. Well, couldn't be helped - I really wanted to go on this. I was originally booked for an online talk that night - Fight Them on the Beaches was a talk about the greatest speeches in parliament. Courtesy of Guided Walking Tours in Brighton and Sussex. But they record the talks, and indeed the organiser sent me the link yesterday, since I didn't attend. True, isn't it - everything happens on Wednesdays!

So, I was the first Laurence met. And heading to the nearby station, we met someone I literally haven't met in years! Great to see her. The others happened along gradually - only half the number who'd booked, because of the rain. And off we schlepped, through the always-interesting streets of Camden. To be fair, it did rain on us a bit, but not as much as when I was stuck under that tree. It was chilly, though..

Came across a statue that Laurence described as "unloved" - but this guy does deserve respect, as the man who helped to repeal the corn laws, which had such a devastating effect on Ireland as well as England.

Famous residents included:

and I've always loved the graffiti:

We even saw some blue sky, eventually:

Our first pub was The World's End, with nice heavy music on the sound system, and a barman who (again!) mistook my request for a glass of white wine, and tried to serve me red. And him Irish, too! Mind you, he was a bit away with the fairies - stared into space as I was ordering, and came back to himself with a jolt. Anyway, I always like this pub.

Next was The Dublin Castle, which had a loud, live gig in the back (with well-soundproofed doors, thankfully). This is where we shared a table with someone who used to work there, and regaled us with stories..

And so finally to Camden Market:

and our final pub, the Hawley Arms, where Amy Winehouse used to work. V musical part of town, Camden!

Terrific to see everyone! I'm nearly forgetting how to have proper conversations these days, it happens so seldom.. Anyway, I was too tired that night to blog. Mercifully, my internet connection was down yesterday morning, so I got a bit extra in bed. And then too busy to blog all day!

Last night, I was off to Scandaltown, at the Lyric Hammersmith. Yet another play by the prolific Mike Bartlett, this is a revamped Restoration comedy, set in modern-day, debauched London. As always, love his stuff and was really looking forward to this. But wouldn't you know it, now CT has tickets.. ah well..

Again, work got in the way of my leaving at a decent hour - and again, I had to do without a proper dinner. Grabbed a molten steak slice from Delice de France in Liverpool Street Station en route to catch the Tube. And while I was there, caught sight of a Tube status update board - severe delays on the Circle, District, and Hammersmith & City lines. For different reasons, it transpired. All the lines I could get direct to Hammersmith. Happily, there's an alternative - Central and Piccadilly lines. Just as well I've been out there several times lately, and knew what I was doing.

Now, this had all been a rush - which is why, as we approached Hammersmith - in the above-ground section, where I can get internet - it occurred to me that I hadn't dug out my ticket yet. They had texted me a link, but that was to pre-order drinks. So I set about finding the ticket - and was so engrossed, would you believe it, I missed my stop! Jesu. I ended up all the way out in Acton! Non-stop between there and Hammersmith on the Piccadilly line, mind you - so I just caught the next one back. Having said that, I was so flustered, I was in grave danger of missing it - it's years since I lived in West London and used to fly to/from Heathrow, so was familiar with this station..

The Lyric isn't far from the station, is well-signposted, and visible once you're at the right exit - all v helpful. It also helped that I knew where to go - the entrance is on the right, the theatre upstairs (not immediately obvious) - and with all of the fuss, I just made it in time! Well, I might actually have been slightly late, but that was due to the horrendous queue on the stairs. And I had a nice seat, third row in the Stalls:

I'd heard a bad report of this - but that was from someone who doesn't like Restoration comedies. Me, I absolutely loved it! The tone is exactly right, rather silly and very debauched, with even some of the appropriate language creeping in! (The excuse for the two young persons at the centre of the plot speaking in such an old-fashioned way is that they were raised by their aunt, who "wanted to raise them right"). It's hilarious - and wow, does it poke a pin in the inflated ego of some of today's sacred cows! Politics, TV, social media, "wokeness".. scathing dialogue combines with very topical plotlines. Covid shows up, appropriately, as the Plague - Tories having parties in the garden, anyone? The hapless politician, squirming and changing sides as he finds himself in bind after bind, turns to the audience at one point for support. Heh. In fact, there was a good bit of heckling, all taken in good spirit by the cast. Silly, cheeky, OTT.. Highly recommended! Only runs till the 14th - run and see it!

(Oh, and maybe buy something from the poor usher who positions himself in the Stalls at the interval - with everyone heading out to the landing, where there's a bar as well as an ice cream stand, he had nothing to do! Occupied himself bopping to the interval music. Well, I'd have bought my ice cream from him, but he didn't arrive in time..)

Anyway, the Tubes were all running again when I was headed home, and I got a direct one. Ran too late to blog though, as I had to be up for a meeting today - which, ironically, I couldn't attend: internet problems again! For tonight, another ex-boss, Ivan, asked could we do drinks again! He also suggested we try to find somewhere quieter than the last place - not an easy ask, for a central venue on a Friday night. Ah, but I have contacts.. the organiser of CL once recommended to me a pub just off Charing Cross Road, which he knows as quieter than the usual - I couldn't remember the name, but he reminded me it's the Round Table. I'd have booked, but they seem not to take bookings on Friday evenings. Our ex-colleague, James, was coming, and for the first time, my aforementioned ex-boss from my last company! Promised to be cool, and would make up for me missing her leaving drinks on Wednesday night.

And now Ivan has cancelled - as usual. Complicated life, as he says - he swears he'll make it up to us. Ah well, I did enough drinking on Wednesday night anyway! And my ex-boss is still recovering from her debauchery on Wednesday. James is still meeting me for a meal - we've booked Cote Covent Garden. V necessary on a Friday night.

Tomorrow, back with Laurence and the 45+s - this time, it's a walk called Red Lights, Rabble Rousers & RocknRollers, around Soho. And Helen is coming up for it! So, a highly sociable week! Sadly, this'll probably be my last trip with Laurence and the 45+s this month.. the trials of working during the week.

On Sunday, back with the Crick Crack Club (CCC). This is The Origins of Life and Death, with Jan Blake, at the British Museum, which I missed in January. Limited availability at time of writing, as they have socially distanced seating.

On Monday, I'm headed to a film - Everything Everywhere All at Once is a Chinese English-language comedy about a woman travelling through multiple alternate realities. Jamie Lee Curtis shows up too. Nearest showing to me is in Hackney Picturehouse, and I've booked because it's booking heavily.

On Tuesday, what I think is my last event rescheduled because of Covid - I'm headed to the postponed Tarot, at Soho Theatre. Wow, it's over two years since I was there last.. (and now TAC have tickets, blast.)

On Wednesday, back with TAC - for another operatic evening at Hoxton Hall. National Opera Studio is presenting Mozart: Secrets and Seduction. (So much for Meetup being busy on Wednesdays!)

On Thursday, my only Meetup of the week - I'm back with Up in the Cheap Seats, to see a performance of As You Like It at Wilton's. Went for a slightly more expensive seat than usual, this time - I'm sick of straining my neck.

Then back to Ireland for the weekend - would you believe it, I've exhausted the films showing locally that I'm interested in! So it'll be a quiet one.

On the 16th, headed to Middle, at the National.

On the 17th, back with CL for a meal at last - this one is at Mestizo (Mexican). Not usually my favourite, but I'll give it a shot. Meeting beforehand at the Crown & Anchor.

On the 18th - well, I saw on Meetup that a group called Get a Tech Developer Job has a free webinar, Learn Web Scraping with Python! Now, we're expected to use Python in my new job, and I never have - so this could be very handy indeed.

On the 19th, I'm headed to the CCC again, for Astray, at Rich Mix. A storytelling double bill.

On the 20th, headed to Marys Seacole, at Donmar Warehouse. Based on a true story, I've heard mixed reviews - we shall see.

And on the 21st - well Lordy, I've booked for the Roman London Walk, with Walk About London (also advertised on Walks, Talks & Treasure Hunts - both linked to London Guided Walks). Now, I missed the last two I was booked on with this company - third time lucky?

Musical: Oklahoma!

Last night, I was at a revamped version of Oklahoma at the Young Vic! They sent the ticket on Sunday, by email.

With the boss on holiday this week, I could sneak off a bit early - so I headed back to The Duke of Sussex for dinner beforehand. Could get any number of different buses - and lo, as I approached, no fewer than three of the ones I could get were disappearing into the distance! Never mind, it wasn't long till another came along - I had to change with that one, but the next wasn't long either, and I soon found myself in Waterloo.

A short walk to the pub - I hadn't been able to book online, but when I asked at the bar, there was no trouble in seating me there! I ordered at the bar as well, which is much handier than being in the restaurant and having to wait for service. Didn't fancy a starter, had the same chicken kyiv as before - and it was, again, gorgeous. Looked at the desserts, didn't see anything I fancied apart from ice cream.. then I noticed it was gluten free, and suddenly thought - wasn't the ice cream weird here? So I checked the blog - and sure enough, to be avoided! Phew, narrow escape - how useful this blog can be! I had a second glass of wine instead, having time to kill.

Headed down to the theatre then, and into the bar - which was as cramped as ever. I've never liked this bar. So I headed back outside again, still having time to kill - saw a Caffe Nero across the road, and thought that'd be nice, and would do for dessert! I see they don't do the cafe milano any more - they now call it "luxury Belgian hot chocolate", which I had - mind you, it's been so long since I had the other, I'm not sure it's the same. Certainly, it wasn't served the same way. But hey, it was nice. I had a little bar of gianduja with it - which was severely melted! But anyway, it was nicer than what I'd have had in The Duke of Sussex.

And so across again, just in time to take my seat.

I was handily near the end of the row, with no-one outside me - until the second act, when I was joined by a couple of ladies. Being upgraded? The ushers had been looking for spare seats, so I don't think they'd had them booked already. Anyway, so it's a prime location - but the bench seating isn't very comfortable, even with upholstery. Oh, and there's a table in front of the front row - beware, it's there for a purpose. They prop drinks on it - and when the party gets going, they get a bit frisky! When one of them started to shake a can before he opened it, I knew what was coming - and even in the second row, I got splashed..

So. The singing is terrific - and they do the original numbers. Mostly, it's quite traditional - and with the wooden set, and a backdrop depicting a flat, agricultural landscape, it gives a good impression of a large building in a rural community. When they traipse on in cowboy hats, denims, and chaps - and with all the guns displayed along the walls, as well as some carried by the actors (be warned, they do shoot some off during the production) - well, you're in no doubt but that you're in the middle US of A. And wow, they give it welly! I remember our school putting this on one year - we had a thing for musicals - but it didn't have anything like the energy of this!

Having said that, after a while I was beginning to wonder - the advertising had mentioned a modern production, as indeed I would associate with this theatre. Well, we sure did get that in due course - and I wasn't entirely sure of some of the staging. Yes, the tone is a lot darker than I'm used to - which is no bad thing. But honestly - two complete blackouts during the show, each lasting for several minutes? During which we can hear the actors continuing with the production. Used for particularly disturbing scenes. Eerie, and I'm not sure it quite worked - seems excessive, really. But as I say, they effectively conveyed an air of menace - and affected the whole tone of the show! Which I say again is no bad thing. Runs until the 25th of next month, some shows socially distanced, some relaxed performances. An interesting take, if you want to check it out. It ran too late last night to blog.

Well, today is Star Wars Day - May the fourth be with you! And I have another flat viewing this evening - this for a 1-bed! Imagine, affordable and within walking distance of work - fingers crossed it works out, I'd love to live alone again, for the first time since I moved to London! Later in the evening, I'm delighted to be at last back with Laurence Summers and the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners! Ah, it's been too long.. someone suggested that I skip off work for a couple of hours during the day to go on the walks, but seriously, every time I checked when his walks were, I had a meeting that clashed! So, not an option. Anyway, this is the Cool Camden Pub Walk! and a short walk from the flat I'll be viewing. It was actually rescheduled - was originally supposed to happen last Wednesday. Unfortunately, tonight it clashes with a couple of other things - a Civilised London (CL) meal I was actually booked on (happily, he gave me a refund of my deposit), and leaving drinks for my favourite ex-boss from my last company. Tarnation. Well, can't be helped - this is a pub tour I really want to go on. I was originally booked for an online talk tonight - Fight Them on the Beaches is a talk about the greatest speeches in parliament. Courtesy of Guided Walking Tours in Brighton and Sussex. But they record the talks, so I can catch it afterwards. True, isn't it - everything happens on Wednesdays!

Tomorrow, I'm off to Scandaltown, at the Lyric. Yet another play by the prolific Mike Bartlett, this is a revamped Restoration comedy, set in modern-day, debauched London. As always, love his stuff and am really looking forward to this. But wouldn't you know it, now CT has tickets.. ah well..

Just as well I had Friday free when another ex-boss, Ivan, asked when we could do drinks again! He also suggested we try to find somewhere quieter than the last place - not an easy ask, for a central venue on a Friday night. Ah, but I have contacts.. the organiser of CL once recommended to me a pub just off Charing Cross Road, which he knows as quieter than the usual - I couldn't remember the name, but he reminded me it's the Round Table. I'd have booked, but they seem not to take bookings on Friday evenings. Our ex-colleague is coming, and for the first time, my aforementioned ex-boss from my last company! Should be cool, and will make up for me missing her leaving drinks tonight.

On Saturday, back with Laurence and the 45+s - this time, it's a walk called Red Lights, Rabble Rousers & RocknRollers, around Soho. And Helen is coming up for it! So, a highly sociable week!

And on Sunday, back with the Crick Crack Club. This is The Origins of Life and Death, with Jan Blake, at the British Museum, which I missed in January. Limited availability at time of writing, as they have socially distanced seating.

Film: Downton Abbey - A New Era

For this afternoon, it was the much-advertised Downton Abbey: A New Era. Like the tv series, the films focus on an aristocratic English family: Dame Maggie Smith as the dowager Countess, Hugh Bonneville as the Earl, Brendan Coyle as his valet, Laura Carmichael as one of his daughters, Jim Carter as the butler, Penelope Wilton as a cousin, and friend of the dowager Countess, whose son is heir to the earldom, as the Earl and Countess have no sons. I was never a fan of the tv series, and didn't see the first film, but hey, it promised to be watchable. In this one, a film crew arrives at the stately home - the real-life Highclere Castle - while about half the family decamp to a villa in the south of France, which was bequeathed to the Dowager Countess, and which they never knew about!

I could park freely a bit closer today - free parking on Sundays - which was nice! And came to the cinema a different way, as I had an errand to run first.

Made the cinema good and early. I'd seen some seats booked online, but not nearly as many as that actually showed up! Last-minute change of mind?

Grand sweeping shots of architecture (the castle / abbey and the villa), grand sweeping shots of landscapes (the shot of the Med was particularly appealing), lovely costumes. We get some lovely weather, courtesy of this new villa location, and some terrific costumes from the film-within-a-film as well, given that it's set during the Belle Époque. And do you know, this is much better than it has a right to be. The Dowager Countess, as usual, nicks the best lines, but provides a much-loved centrepiece to the family, and some touching scenes. Yes, the plot is fairly predictable - but it's not taxing, the intended audience doesn't care, and there's still room for fun. Yep, I liked it, regular fans will love it. Glad I went - although I'm pretty sure I'll never be a major fan.

Afterwards, I fancied The Grove, next door to Jade Cottage, for dinner - but wouldn't you know it, it was completely full! And so, back to Jade Cottage - and I wasn't the only overflow from The Grove, I daresay, given how busy they were! So, for once they were unable to seat me out of anyone's view.

I got the smiley waitress again - we kind of joked over whether I wanted to taste the wine, as she recognised me and I've had it twice before. She didn't bother with an ice bucket this time, mind. Anyway, same starter - which was lovely - and this time, last choice on the menu that suited, I decided to try kung po chicken. Which I have to say, came out best on the menu for me. Tasty, not too spicy, and not too filling. Lots of peanuts, which I don't remember seeing in kung po before - but it worked! And I had room for dessert. Yep, I have found my preferred dish here at last.

Back to London tomorrow, and on Tuesday, a revamped version of Oklahoma at the Young Vic! They sent the ticket today, by email.

On Wednesday (Star Wars Day - May the fourth be with you), I'm at last back with Laurence Summers and the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners! Ah, it's been too long.. someone suggested that I skip off work for a couple of hours during the day to go on the walks, but seriously, every time I checked when his walks were, I had a meeting that clashed! So, not an option. Anyway, this is the Cool Camden Pub Walk! It was actually rescheduled - was originally supposed to happen last Wednesday. Unfortunately, this Wednesday, it clashes with a couple of other things - a Civilised London (CL) meal I was actually booked on (happily, he gave me a refund of my deposit), and leaving drinks for my favourite ex-boss from my last company. Tarnation. Well, can't be helped - this is a pub tour I really want to go on. I was originally booked for an online talk that night - Fight Them on the Beaches is a talk about the greatest speeches in parliament. Courtesy of Guided Walking Tours in Brighton and Sussex. But they record the talks, so I can catch it afterwards. True, isn't it - everything happens on Wednesdays!

On Thursday, I'm off to Scandaltown, at the Lyric. Yet another play by the prolific Mike Bartlett, this is a revamped Restoration comedy, set in modern-day, debauched London. As always, love his stuff and am really looking forward to this. But wouldn't you know it, now CT has tickets.. ah well..

Just as well I had Friday free when another ex-boss, Ivan, asked when we could do drinks again! He also suggested we try to find somewhere quieter than the last place - not an easy ask, for a central venue on a Friday night. Ah, but I have contacts.. the organiser of CL once recommended to me a pub just off Charing Cross Road, which he knows as quieter than the usual - I couldn't remember the name, but he reminded me it's the Round Table. I'd have booked, but they seem not to take bookings on Friday evenings. Our ex-colleague is coming, and for the first time, my aforementioned ex-boss from my last company! Should be cool.

On Saturday, back with Laurence and the 45+s - this time, it's a walk called Red Lights, Rabble Rousers & RocknRollers, around Soho. And Helen is coming up for it! So, a highly sociable week!

And next Sunday, back with the Crick Crack Club. This is The Origins of Life and Death, with Jan Blake, at the British Museum, which I missed in January. Limited availability at time of writing, as they have socially distanced seating.

Film: The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent

Now back to Ireland for the weekend. Yes, almost every weekend last month - it just worked out that way. I'd normally have been in London last weekend you see, except for staying in Ireland to see my friend. And this trip was already booked when that was organised. Now, it's a long weekend, so I have an extra day here - can see two films! The Arc Cinema now being the cheapest around, I'm concentrating on that - there isn't anything special showing in Limerick anyway. Higher rated is The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, a comedy where the versatile Nicholas Cage plays a version of himself, sending up his iconic characters. I wasn't sure how many I'd recognise - I'm not the most dedicated follower of his work! Also stars Neil Patrick Harris as his agent, and Demi Moore. So, I saw that yesterday.

Someone I was speaking to wasn't keen on this, having already seen it - but frankly, I don't trust her judgement. Anyway, off I toddled, arriving as trailers were showing. A couple of other people were in the screen. In this, Nicholas Cage plays a version of himself, having something of a midlife crisis. He's in financial trouble too, so when his agent suggests a gig where he gets paid $1m just to show up at a birthday party, he reluctantly agrees. It's in Mallorca. However, it turns out to be a ruse - his host (Pedro Pascal) has written a screenplay and would love Nick Cage to act in it. And then there's a side story - there's a gangster connection, and a kidnapping that they all get caught up in..

So. I have to say, I had a marvellous time! I might not be a dedicated follower of Nicholas Cage, but I do enjoy watching him. And in this, you get two versions - a younger version of himself (digitally de-aged) keeps showing up, kind of as his conscience / ego, and they keep having arguments. His bonding with Pedro Pascal is the highlight of the film - Pedro is quite adorable to watch, with one of those baby faces, acting as the lovable fool. The story develops into a film-within-a-film idea, as they plan to do a screenplay together, discuss how it should be an adult, character-driven drama, and then agree to add a kidnapping for box office appeal. The kidnapping does feel tacked on - as Pedro remarks when it's first mooted. So hey, perhaps we have in this an explanation to why they did it. Anyway, it isn't ideal, but as I say, I did love the character-driven part of the film. Watch out for a totally unexpected cameo at the end by Demi Moore. Recommended.

Afterwards, I fancied Jade Cottage again. Now, as mentioned before, the partitions here mean that tables are pretty much hidden from each other - interestingly, both the seats I'd sat in before were occupied, so I was led to a third, again quite discreet. Apart from the blasted conveyor belt of waiters traipsing past, making me feel constantly under surveillance as they checked whether I was done yet. Of course, the last time I was here I developed a plan for what to choose next - unfortunately, I needed to check the blog to see what I'd said, and while I was on my phone, one of these attentive waiters pounced, thinking that meant I was finished with the menu, and took my order. Happily, I had just about had time to decide. I chose the same starter as before (leading to a bit of an argument with the waiter about which menu I was choosing it from, which he cared about more than I did), and this time, honey chicken. With a half bottle of white wine.

Well, the waiter who brought the wine wasn't as solicitous as the previous one in bringing an ice bucket - but to be fair, I didn't need one, and he was great at refilling my glass. The starter was lovely. The honey chicken.. well, it achieved the aim of not being spicy, which was why I chose it, but the honey taste was very slight. The main problem though was the sheer quantity of what they gave me! I hadn't a hope of finishing it, or even of having a dessert. And so, my quest for the perfect dish continues!

Couldn't use the computer last night, it was playing up. For this afternoon, it's looking like the much-advertised Downton Abbey: A New Era. Like the tv series, the films focus on an aristocratic English family: Dame Maggie Smith as the dowager Countess, Hugh Bonneville as the Earl, Brendan Coyle as his valet, Laura Carmichael as one of his daughters, Jim Carter as the butler, Penelope Wilton as a cousin, and friend of the dowager Countess, whose son is heir to the earldom, as the Earl and Countess have no sons. I was never a fan of the tv series, and didn't see the first film, but hey, it should be watchable. Apparently, in this one, a film crew arrives at the stately home - the real-life Highclere Castle - while about half the family decamp to a villa in the south of France, which was bequeathed to the Dowager Countess, and which they never knew about!

Back to London then tomorrow, and on Tuesday, a revamped version of Oklahoma at the Young Vic!

On Wednesday (Star Wars Day - May the fourth be with you), I'm at last back with Laurence Summers and the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners! Ah, it's been too long.. someone suggested that I skip off work for a couple of hours during the day to go on the walks, but seriously, every time I checked when his walks were, I had a meeting that clashed! So, not an option. Anyway, this is the Cool Camden Pub Walk! It was actually rescheduled - was originally supposed to happen last Wednesday. Unfortunately, this Wednesday, it clashes with a couple of other things - a Civilised London (CL) meal I was actually booked on (happily, he gave me a refund of my deposit), and leaving drinks for my favourite ex-boss from my last company. Tarnation. Well, can't be helped - this is a pub tour I really want to go on. I was originally booked for an online talk that night - Fight Them on the Beaches is a talk about the greatest speeches in parliament. Courtesy of Guided Walking Tours in Brighton and Sussex. But they record the talks, so I can catch it afterwards. True, isn't it - everything happens on Wednesdays!

On Thursday, I'm off to Scandaltown, at the Lyric. Yet another play by the prolific Mike Bartlett, this is a revamped Restoration comedy, set in modern-day, debauched London. As always, love his stuff and am really looking forward to this. But wouldn't you know it, now CT has tickets.. ah well..

Just as well I had Friday free when another ex-boss, Ivan, asked when we could do drinks again! He also suggested we try to find somewhere quieter than the last place - not an easy ask, for a central venue on a Friday night. Ah, but I have contacts.. the organiser of CL once recommended to me a pub just off Charing Cross Road, which he knows as quieter than the usual - I couldn't remember the name, but he reminded me it's the Round Table. I'd have booked, but they seem not to take bookings on Friday evenings. Our ex-colleague is coming, and for the first time, my aforementioned ex-boss from my last company! Should be cool.

On Saturday, back with Laurence and the 45+s - this time, it's a walk called Red Lights, Rabble Rousers & RocknRollers, around Soho. And Helen is coming up for it! So, a highly sociable week!

And next Sunday, back with the Crick Crack Club. This is The Origins of Life and Death, with Jan Blake, at the British Museum, which I missed in January. Limited availability at time of writing, as they have socially distanced seating.