Play: Henry VIII

Tonight, woo! back at Shakespeare's Globe - for Henry VIII, which I'd never seen. And it's years since I was last here.. and what a shame the weather report was bad. Never mind..

It lashed at lunchtime - just as I was headed out for food. Lovely. Thunder too, and cold.. I put something a bit warmer on when I got back. Deciding on food, I suddenly thought - why not Bill's? Not far from me, not far from the Globe - I could walk to both.. so that's what I did. Happily, the rain had stopped, it was lovely and sunny, and a bit warmer.

And it was an inspired choice! No need to book, I was seated without trouble. Service was quite quick, and I see they're dog-friendly! (Well, I heard as much, from a loud-mouthed canine at a nearby table.)

Wow, terrific food. I had calamari, which was delicious (Moo Cantina, take note) - and minute steak, which was like how it used to be like at Cote. And they were both off the set menu. The wine was lovely. I'd taken the precaution of checking the dessert menu as I was waiting for my order to be taken, so knew I wanted ice cream and could give her that order straight away. Excellent meal, I really should come here more often!

A short walk then to the Globe. From dodging rogue cyclists, north of the river, I went to avoiding gangs of joggers, south of the river.. was in good time, and queued for wine at one of the stalls. I see they offer 500ml portions of wine now! so I asked for white, was given a choice of pinot grigio, chardonnay, or sauvignon. I chose the latter. Turns out that the 500ml comes in a screwcap. plastic bottle.. she asked me how many glasses I wanted, and I told her "one!", and assured her I'd drink it slowly.. and as I turned away, struggling to get my card back in my wallet while holding the drink, I was assisted by an usher. V friendly here!

Had to laugh at the content advisory.. as usual..

Seriously - people need to be warned about blood and executions, in a play about Henry VIII? The gun, I grant you, is anachronistic - although they might have had muskets, but the one used in this play is modern.

Oh man, it was so, so good to be back here at last!

I was doing so much gawping that the usher you can see in the front of this picture came and asked me whether it was my first time! No, I told him, just my first time since lockdown.. Anyway, the large crosses and preponderance of gold on stage (ingots and gold backdrop) give an indication as to the themes of the play. Religion and money, hey? My, my.

Oh, and the quirkiness you'd expect from the Globe:

That is a seat for commentary (one of two).

This was the first evening since lockdown that I really recognised the London I love, the one that keeps reminding me why I stay here. Mind you, not everyone was so enamoured.. three middle-aged ladies took the seats beside me, and the one next to me wouldn't stop glaring at me! Now, I think at first she took exception to my bag and drink, which I'd left on the bench beside me. There is plenty of room, but I put them on the ground anyway. Didn't stop her, she just kept glaring - I can only assume that she wanted my seat! I was at the end of the row, you see, which is to the side of the stage - and the end has the best view. Mercifully, they all left at the interval - I guess it was their first (and last) visit, and they hadn't realised the sightlines would be restricted.

Interesting play. Henry himself is a bit too old, as played - this guy has grey hair and looks in his 60s, while the play runs from 1526 (he meets Anne Boleyn) to 1536 (Catherine of Aragon dies). So he'd have been aged between 35 and 45. But anyway. Catherine is beautifully played, trying to defend her position against a hostile English clergy, that declares for Henry, and pleading her cause with him, as he ignores her. Torn from her only daughter, she is a tragic figure. Anne, mind you, is very dubious about becoming the next Queen - and who could blame her? Wolsey is another one you feel sorry for - yes, he feathered his own nest: but we know several others such, and his precipitous downfall seems too harsh a punishment. The only one who really comes out of it well is the baby Elizabeth - born at the end of the play, her adult self comes on in magnificent garb in a kind of preview of what is to come. Runs till the 21st of October.

So, a lovely evening! Until, wouldn't you know it, as I came out, it was to the sight of yet another cycling hooligan terrorising a pedestrian. Bloody typical - I've said it before and I'll say it again, CYCLISTS SHOULD BE BANNED FROM CENTRAL LONDON. They obey no laws, and there is no regulation of them. It's an utter disgrace.

Tomorrow, back with Up in the Cheap Seats for Bonnie and Clyde, at the Arts Theatre. Now, most of the group going booked this ages ago - I just booked recently. And I noticed that all the cheapest seats were bench seating, which didn't sound terribly comfortable. But for under £2 more, so £25, I managed to get a ticket in the next band up - in the rear stalls - from Todaytix! See, they have this great £25 ticket offer until Sunday. Whatever about the show, the offer is highly recommended!

On Thursday, back with London Classical Music and Theatre Group - this time, we're at the Royal Festival Hall, where the Philharmonia is playing Mozart and Bruckner. Which makes this my best week for Meetup since lockdown, the only non-Meetup day being today! The last time I saw this organiser is even longer ago than I saw Didi, the organiser on Sunday! (She's a classical guitarist - I just found her page..)

And then back to Ireland for the weekend. The film for the weekend - is looking like Top Gun: Maverick! in which Tom Cruise reprises his fighter-pilot role of so many years ago. Also stars Jennifer Connelly, Val Kilmer back as Iceman, Ed Harris as the rear admiral. Now, that should be fun!

Talk: Anglo-Saxon Surrey

Today, I had yet another viewing. Now, this is an interesting one - I'd asked to see the room ages ago, he didn't get back to me - then got back to me the other day and said the room was available again, and did I want to view?! Ooh, yes please - and unless something unexpected cropped up during the viewing, I was taking it on the spot - it's big enough, I think, it has a good big wardrobe, it's walking distance to work. The only one of those on the horizon. And it has its own, private balcony!

I started work early this morning so I could get off early - and was on a crowded, noisy bus when the agent rang me. Never fear, he was just confirming I was still coming! I made it 15 minutes early actually, and lo, he was outside, on the phone. And showed me the flat - there's a step just inside the door that could literally trip me up, and the toilet is separate from the bathroom (which I find annoying) - and the balcony runs under the window of the room next door. So, no wild parties. That's it then for minus points.. as for plus points, there's a lift, there's plenty of shelving in the wardrobe, a shelf that I hadn't noticed runs around the back of the bed, and apart from the size of the room, and the fact that I have a balcony - I've been told I can have the small fridge in the kitchen for my own use! Well now. So, I've paid the holding deposit (a week's rent, which I think is quite reasonable), and I can move in on the 1st. Now, that is a weight off.

So, I celebrated with a meal at the Indian Lounge, which was on my way home, and where I had the usual. Had two glasses of wine, because the manager suggested it. They left the door open, because it was nice and mild. Unfortunately, there was far too much food for me - I couldn't finish the chicken, made my apologies and left.

This evening, I was at an online talk - Anglo-Saxon Surrey - with the Surrey History Meetup. Which I was slightly late for - but that didn't matter, they were waiting for latecomers or something! Just as well, considering the palaver I had signing in, with passwords and such. Anyway, while we waited, they were playing - of all things - Mná na hÉireann (Women of Ireland). Not sure what that has to do with Surrey, but hey! Lovely tune.

So, I was slightly early for the lecture. The chap giving it apparently teaches history to kids, and finds visual aids useful - and lo, he pulled them out! So, instead of what I was kind of expecting - a talk with an archeological bent - we got a show n tell, with helmets of different kinds (including what seems to be a perfect reconstruction of the Sutton Hoo helmet), a discussion of what they would have worn (based on the Bayeux tapestry), a suit of chainmail.. must have been the jingling chainmail that attracted the cat, who decided to make a nest in the historical artefacts during the last part of the talk. As he also mentioned, his wife was threatening to divorce hin if he came home with any more stuff..

Pictured is a replica of William the Conqueror's shield. Man, he must have some cool things though - imagine having an excuse to go around buying all this!

(This is a reproduction of a church woodcarving.)

So yeah, a very interesting, high-level discussion of the Anglo-Saxons in Surrey. This group always holds a poll at the end to see what people thought, and the organiser said this was one of the best ratings ever!

Tomorrow, woo! back at Shakespeare's Globe - for Henry VIII, which I've never seen. And it's years since I was last here.. and what a shame the weather report is bad. Never mind..

On Wednesday, back with Up in the Cheap Seats for Bonnie and Clyde, at the Arts Theatre. Now, most of the group going booked this ages ago - I just booked recently. And I noticed that all the cheapest seats were bench seating, which didn't sound terribly comfortable. But for under £2 more, so £25, I managed to get a ticket in the next band up - in the rear stalls - from Todaytix! See, they have this great £25 ticket offer until Sunday. Whatever about the show, the offer is highly recommended!

On Thursday, back with London Classical Music and Theatre Group - this time, we're at the Royal Festival Hall, where the Philharmonia is playing Mozart and Bruckner. Which makes this my best week for Meetup since lockdown, the only non-Meetup day being Tuesday! The last time I saw this organiser is even longer ago than I saw Didi, the organiser yesterday! (She's a classical guitarist - I just found her page..)

And then back to Ireland for the weekend. The film for the weekend - is looking like Top Gun: Maverick! in which Tom Cruise reprises his fighter-pilot role of so many years ago. Also stars Jennifer Connelly, Val Kilmer back as Iceman, Ed Harris as the rear admiral. Now, that should be fun!

Concert: BBC Symphony Orchestra

I had a viewing today, for a room out near Victoria. Location not near enough to work to be ideal, but not a million miles away - and quite close to the West End. And the room didn't look huge - but there seemed to be a massive wardrobe, and shelving, and the fact that there was a sofa was a good sign. Took the bus out there, arrived early - and just as I was about to message the landlady, she rocked up with her husband and a new vacuum cleaner! which he was carrying. She'd said the place needed cleaning..

So, she showed me in, chattering nineteen to the dozen. The room was empty of stuff, just did need a vacuuming and a couple of paint touch-ups where there were marks. Opens directly onto the balcony, but it isn't private, the stairs down to the entrance come up there. Still, nice. The wardrobe is lovely, including a trouser rack - and she told me that there's only one other flatmate, who is a professional chef and has his own fridge, paying for the extra electricity separately. So I'd have a fridge freezer to myself.

But.. as I say, not close enough to work. Also, the room is a little cramped for all my stuff, even allowing for everything that could go in the wardrobe. Plus, a new building is going up across the road, so there'll be a lot of building work.. she checked with me that I'd be in the office most of the time. (Hah! not out there.) The orthopaedic mattress also seemed a bit hard for my liking. I don't think it's a runner, but I said I'd let her know, and wouldn't keep her waiting long. And she certainly was chatty.. very pleasant, in fact.

And so to brunch. I'd researched what was in the area, and came up with the Moo Cantina, a gastropub a short walk from there. I am in luck with food these days - it was terrific! I sat outside, it was such a lovely, warm day - baking hot that side of town, in fact. They have a large amount of outdoor seating - covered, with heaters for when necessary. Service is really friendly. Choosing wine was easy, they only have three whites available by the glass. Food was trickier - I finally went for calamari for a starter, and really considered deeply whether I'd like a steak, finally deciding the day was too hot. Instead, I had the beef milanese, an escalope. He asked whether I'd like it Napolitan, and I had to ask what that was - topped with cheese and tomato. I passed. FYI, I don't think they have a single vegetarian dish - a couple left because of that.

The calamari smelled lovely, but was a bit rubbery. The beef, however, was delicious - the more so when I squeezed the accompanying lemon slice over it! And the fries that come with it were obviously home-made (as is the bread, according to the menu, but I didn't have that). They come skin-on, and in irregular shapes - and they're absolutely divine. Yep, I can happily recommend this as an eatery!

Later this afternoon, London Classical Music and Theatre Group (LCMTG) had a late-advertised event, at the Barbican: the BBC Symphony Orchestra was playing Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 6. Oh man, it has been so long since I last met this group! Something has just always gotten in the way.. Anyway, because I was taking the bus there, I had to forego dessert, making my apologies to the lovely waiter. And had a desperately hot wait, in the baking sun, for the first of the two buses I had to take. It arrived early in Aldwych - where there was a nice breeze, and shade from the trees. Just as well, considering my second bus was late!

15 minutes I was there, watching the LED predict it'd arrive later and later.. I was on the bus (finally) when our organiser, Didi, messaged the group to say she was at the concert, if anyone wanted to meet.. well, when I eventually got off (minutes to spare) I hurried down as fast as I could. Made it in, and down the steps to my seat as they were tuning up. Except.. I didn't go to my seat! I was in G4, you see (G was the front row on this occasion) - but as it happened, that turned out to be the seat on the end! whereas I sat in the fourth seat along, which was G7. They'd started by the time I realised my mistake.

My mistake was a happy one, as the first half was a set of Brahms choral works, displayed on a surtitle screen that I probably couldn't have seen from the seat I'd actually booked! What the hey, the actual owners of this seat and G8 never arrived, and for the second half I moved to G8 to give the guy beside me more room - like many others, the guy in G9 didn't come back after the interval, so I had lots of space. Could have moved more centrally, except that I was so low down that the performers would probably have blocked my view of the screen.

Ah, this was exactly what I needed! It's months since I was last at a classical concert, and this music was sublime. The Brahms was solemn and powerful, the Tchaikovsky equally powerful, and moving. And what a change from the rapid pace of my life these days, just to slow down and listen to this. The draw for our organiser, though, was the conductor, who was apparently very charismatic - I couldn't really tell, although I could see her head bobbing over the various members of the orchestra. Anyway, we had a lovely time, and met for a drink afterwards in the Barbican Kitchen - with all the other bars closed, this one was severely understaffed, but once we were finally served, it was lovely to sit outside in the courtyard and have a chat - quite a long one, as it transpired, in the lovely sunshine! Great to chat to people again.. it's been the better part of a week since I last sat down with folks!

Tomorrow, I have yet another viewing. Now, this is an interesting one - I'd asked to see the room ages ago, he didn't get back to me - then got back to me the other day and said the room was available again, and did I want to view?! Ooh, yes please - and unless something unexpected crops up during the viewing, I'm taking it on the spot - it's big enough, I think, it has a good big wardrobe, it's walking distance to work. The only one of those on the horizon. And it has its own, private balcony! Watch this space.. 

That evening, I'm at an online talk - Anglo-Saxon Surrey - with the Surrey History Meetup.

On Tuesday, woo! back at Shakespeare's Globe - for Henry VIII, which I've never seen. And it's years since I was last here..

On Wednesday, back with Up in the Cheap Seats for Bonnie and Clyde, at the Arts Theatre. Now, most of the group going booked this ages ago - I just booked recently. And I noticed that all the cheapest seats were bench seating, which didn't sound terribly comfortable. But for under £2 more, so £25, I managed to get a ticket in the next band up - in the rear stalls - from Todaytix! See, they have this great £25 ticket offer until next Sunday. Whatever about the show, the offer is highly recommended!

On Thursday, back with LCMTG - this time, we're at the Royal Festival Hall, where the Philharmonia is playing Mozart and Bruckner. Which makes this my best week for Meetup since lockdown, the only non-Meetup day being Tuesday!

And then back to Ireland for the weekend.

Play: Marys Seacole & Roman London Walk

Yesterday, headed to Marys Seacole, at Donmar Warehouse. Based on a true story. I'd heard mixed reviews. They were good enough to email me a link to my account, where I could access my ticket.

Where to eat beforehand..? Friday night in the West End isn't easy. I had a look at nearby restaurants, and figured I'd have a go with Mon Plaisir - French, naturellement (apparently the oldest French restaurant in London), and right around the corner from the theatre. I booked, for safety, although I think I'd have been OK - careful though, they charge a £20 cancellation fee for no-shows or cancellations within 24 hours of the reservation, or a £10 charge per person for a last-minute change of numbers! They have a 20-minute grace period in which you can arrive after your allotted time, which I think is quite generous. Anyway, duly warned, I made sure to leave in time, and arrived early, Found the restaurant without much difficulty - I'd specified I wanted to eat inside, although there were people at the outdoor tables.

And.. then I couldn't open the door! So, it turns out there are two doors, but only the one on the right can be used for entry! This isn't indicated. The other is (usually) locked. Made my way to the entrance, where a couple were enquiring whether there was a free table.. a little consultation, and there was no problem. When I gave my name and explained I had a reservation, the lady asked whether I was going to a show, and what time I needed to leave. V pragmatic. And then I was led down the back.. through the kitchen (mind the step, and your head on the low doorway!), past the bar, and back into the section of the restaurant with the locked door! Well I never.. anyway, seating is on chairs and comfortable banquettes, plenty of cushions.

I was sat at a table with two settings, and the lady in charge - who sounded French - thought I was waiting for someone. I had to alert her that I was ready to order - whereupon the extra setting was removed, and I did. I enjoyed browsing the menu, with dishes listed in French with English translations - I didn't fancy a starter, just asked for a bread basket. For main, I had seen coq au vin on the menu online when choosing this place, but when I saw duck with honey sauce on the specials, I just couldn't resist. It comes with sauteed potatoes. And of course, a glass of wine - they're all French.

It was fun, listening to the banter of the girls working at the bar - they're definitely English. The bread basket is nothing special, just a sliced white baguette with a little pot of butter: but I was hungry, and it filled a spot. Food arrives in a dumb waiter, and I was halfway though the basket when my duck came. Mesdames et Messieurs, that is definitely a honey sauce! And plenty of it - I was in heaven, scoffing the lot in no time. Dessert after, and they had what in some places is called a Coupe Colonel, and here Le Colonel - lemon sorbet in vodka. So that is what I had too. It comes in two sizes.. and being well early for my play, I had the larger. Which was lovely - but I might go smaller in future, vodka in large quantities doesn't agree with me..

When I was ready to leave, I asked the waiter which way I should go, and he said it didn't matter: in which case, I said, I'll take that door! which he unlocked for me. Well, it was closer.

My phone had no reception in the restaurant, so I was glad to have it restored outside. And so to the theatre, where I was in the Circle - and they advertise a bar on each level, but the Circle bar was closed. Mind you, for once I passed - I was feeling a little the worse for wear after the vodka. Nice, central seat - I did have to lean forward from time to time, to see the action at the front of the stage:

The show starts to tribal drumming, and we are introduced to Mary Seacole herself, in Victorian garb, telling us how she grew up in Jamaica and learned to be a healer. And then - she steps out of the dress, to reveal a modern nurse's uniform, and we are treated to a modern hospital scene, an old lady with dementia being visited by her daughter and granddaughter, until she soils herself, they exit stage left, and the nurses are left to clean it up!

?

So, I guess this is meant to hammer home to us the caring nature of the nurse's profession. And before we know it, we're catapulted back into Mary Seacole's life, and then back into modern times, everyone wondering what is going on. This next bit seems to be to emphasise how annoying Americans can be (she lived in Central America for a while). And then back to Mary, now helping out in the Crimean war, and at loggerheads with Florence Nightingale. And lo, we're back to the present day, for a bewildering segment about people acting injured, so trainee nurses can learn triage. And then it all sort of gets mashed together..

Now, the modern segments are quite funny. But what you could not call this play is coherent, and by the end, when they're all gathered on stage, yelling apparently random bits of dialogue from different parts of the play, it's just chaos. Might suit some, didn't suit me - and I have a high tolerance for weirdness. Had I been at the end of the row, I'd have walked out. Anyway, should you be curious, it's on until the 4th.

Didn't have time to blog last night, because - well Lordy, I booked for the Roman London Walk, with Walk About London (also advertised on Walks, Talks & Treasure Hunts - both linked to London Guided Walks). Which was on early. Now, I missed the last two I was booked on with this company - third time lucky? Got reminders a few days beforehand.

Under 15 minutes to walk there from where I currently live. Handy.. but when I got to the exit of Tower Hill Station, there were a couple of groups in the plaza outside. I couldn't see any obvious signs of where I was to go - I checked, and yes, I was in the right place. I was looking for a guide wearing an orange lanyard, and a sign - nope, couldn't see them. I did see a large orange umbrella - turned out to belong to a Spanish tour group. Finally narrowing it down to that group and another, I peered at the various members of the group, and finally spotted the most discreet guide I've ever seen, lanyard mostly hidden by his jacket, sign securely tucked under his elbow. I joined the circle, and when a couple of Americans asked me whether this was the group, I said, "I think so!" whereupon we all queued to check in.

He had a mic - just as well, given our proximity to the others, at least at this point. And over the next 90 minutes+, he was like a walking history textbook. We knew we were in the presence of someone with an in-depth knowledge of the subject, and there were some serious history buffs in the group who were delighted. We started, of course, with that large section of Roman wall just near the station:

Can you see the horizontal lines of red running through the wall, on the lower half? That's brick, and it was used by the Romans to strengthen walls. The reason the bit above it doesn't have this feature is because it dates from mediaeval times! Also, ignore that statue - although, as he says, tour guides always cheat and use it in their promotional photos.. this is Trajan, and he had absolutely nothing to do with Londinium.

The clock was made to stick out like this so that it could be seen from Fish Street Hill! This was originally a Roman road, leading north from the original London Bridge.

Round by other Roman sites, such as the bathhouse, and the Temple of Mithras. As we wound our way through the City, we came ever closer to my home - and so into Leadenhall Market, which I've hardly ever been into. Used to be the Roman forum - and housed the largest basilica north of the Alps, which stretched from the centre of Leadenhall Market.. to Moorgate! Crikey, that's nearly 3/4 of a mile!

And so, eventually, with the poor guide losing his voice (apparently he's allergic to plane trees), to the Guildhall, where the tour finished, looking at the outline of the Roman amphitheatre. And a round of applause was well-earned. Definitely the tour to go on if you really want to learn about Roman London. As ever, £3 off with the code MEETUP3 - which covers the booking fee.

Me, I wanted food - and the nearest place (open at weekends) turned out to be The Globe: which turned out to be a pub I have passed so often! but never gone into. I headed in and asked for a white wine - gave the poor guy a headache by asking whether they had anything from New Zealand. He thought they didn't - then pulled out a bottle of Oyster Bay! which I love. And had to go to the cellar for another bottle to top it up, since I wanted a large. For food, I had the garlic chicken schnitzel - which was gorgeous, with a scrumptious garlic mayo dip. Oh man, another heavenly meal, and with friendly service too.. I sure am eating well these days! And a lovely, summery day it's been..

And so home. For a while, because I had an appointment with City Rooms, later in the afternoon. Now, he didn't have anything that enthused me - but that doesn't really bother me right now. Because he did assure me that, should I choose something that's not quite right, they have a relocation service whereby I can change to another room in their portfolio! Jeez, I'd forgotten that. And more to the point (not that I told him), I have a viewing tomorrow, for something at least as good as what he was showing me..

Later tomorrow, London Classical Music and Theatre Group (LCMTG) have a late-advertised event, at the Barbican: the BBC Symphony Orchestra is playing Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 6. Oh man, it is so long since I last met this group! Something has just always gotten in the way..

On Monday, I have yet another viewing. Now, this is an interesting one - I'd asked to see the room ages ago, he didn't get back to me - then got back to me yesterday and said the room was available again, and did I want to view?! Ooh, yes please - and unless something unexpected crops up during the viewing, I'm taking it on the spot - it's big enough, I think, it has a good big wardrobe, it's walking distance to work. The only one of those on the horizon. And it has its own balcony! Watch this space.. so I'll be leaving tomorrow's landlady dangling until this viewing..

That evening, I'm at an online talk - Anglo-Saxon Surrey - with the Surrey History Meetup.

On Tuesday, woo! back at Shakespeare's Globe - for Henry VIII, which I've never seen. And it's years since I was last here..

On Wednesday, back with Up in the Cheap Seats for Bonnie and Clyde, at the Arts Theatre. Now, most of the group going booked this ages ago - I just booked recently. And I noticed that all the cheapest seats were bench seating, which didn't sound terribly comfortable. But for under £2 more, so £25, I managed to get a ticket in the next band up - in the rear stalls - from Todaytix! See, they have this great £25 ticket offer until the 29th. Whatever about the show, the offer is highly recommended!

On Thursday, back with LCMTG - this time, we're at the Royal Festival Hall, where the Philharmonia is playing Mozart and Bruckner. Which makes this my best week for Meetup since lockdown, the only non-Meetup day being Tuesday!

And then back to Ireland for the weekend.

Storytelling: Astray

Tonight, I headed to the Crick Crack Club (CCC) again, for Astray, at Rich Mix. A storytelling double bill, both Irish ladies telling Irish myths! I can walk there, of course, from my current place - thought I'd try The Astronomer for food en route, although after last time, I wasn't optimistic about getting a table.

There was a huge crowd outside, in the warm weather - I wasn't optimistic, but lo, as I looked in the door - was that a free, small table?! I grabbed it. Sure enough, it was a bone fide table, complete with number. Thank goodness for the ordering from the table - I'd never have dared to leave this table, having found it, and it would have taken me ages to queue and order at the bar! As it was, it can't have taken more than five minutes after my order before my wine arrived - a nice Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc.

Not long more before my main arrived. I was a bit dubious about this - I'd ordered the chicken, but wasn't at all sure what exactly I'd ordered. It's a complicated dish (although not expensive) - chicken stuffed with tarragon and mushroom, accompanied by carrot, onion puree, and potato cake. Is what it was. And TBH, when it did arrive, I wasn't at all sure what was what! The potato cake looked like a slice of pie, cut in a triangular shape, and was a little salty - but the rest was seriously delicious. I think they use chicken thighs - tricky, but tastier. Man, it was gorgeous - highly recommended. I gushed about it to the lady who cleared the table. Some chocolate ice cream for dessert - not the best, but after that chicken, I wasn't complaining. Seriously, if you get the chance of a table here, have that. Done and dusted, with plenty of time to stroll the rest of the way.

At Rich Mix, I was waved upstairs without anyone checking my credentials - upstairs, they checked my name off a list. I got another glass of wine at the bar. Lovely, relaxed atmosphere, Martin Shaw and Ben Haggarty mooching around - and I was talking to him, briefly! We went in early, and I got my usual front and centre seat. No rush on people coming in - indeed, I had time to get a refill, although it was already showtime!

Both Northern Islanders, it turned out - one retaining her original accent, despite - as she said - living here for most of her life! The theme of the evening - "astray" - comes from the Irish, "ar strae" - translated as "lost". First up was Cath Heinemeyer, breathing new life - and much energy - into the old tale of Sweeney, the Irish king who went mad and grew feathers! Ah, that's what you get if you diss the clergy.. Now, as it happened, I do believe I was seated beside Laura Sampson, a longtime CCC afficionada, who spent some time taking notes during this talk. Lord knows what, she was most careful to hide what she was doing! But I don't blame her for note-taking - this was a most original performance, the storyteller challenging us to step into the mind of the lead character. Suitably mad, as Ben remarked at the interval..

The second half saw Lara McClure tell us the tale of Barry Lyndon, an 18th-century rogue who flitted from pillar to post, never quite becoming what you might call settled. Her method was more conventional - less hopping about, and a more defined style. It's one of the more entertaining accounts I've heard of that fellow - and she managed to squeeze a fair bit of Anglo-Irish politics in there, including a bit about exporting "Irishness", which seems a theme of hers, from the conversation I overheard her having before the show. Most entertaining, all the same. And the whole was over nice and early! Always good for getting home.

Tomorrow, headed to Marys Seacole, at Donmar Warehouse. Based on a true story. I've heard mixed reviews - we shall see. They were good enough to email me a link to my ticket.

And on Saturday - 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? Got reminders yesterday.

Pub: The Folly

Needed something to eat after the webinar this evening, but I was tired of my regular places. So I trawled around for something new, and came on The Folly. It seemed to have plenty of availability, so I didn't book, just headed down there - it's about a 10-minute walk.

I had to navigate a bouncer to get in! He asked whether I had a reservation, I said no, I was looking for a table. He directed me to the front desk. Well, duh. A highly uninterested-looking young lady said "Of course we have a table!", led me to a nearby one, slapped a menu down at the nearest seat, and stalked off. The din was deafening! I'd hate to hear it when it's full.. anyway, another young lady with an unflappable smile asked what I'd like to drink, but I hadn't had a chance to look yet. When she came back, I was ready with both a food, and a drinks order. Decided, ironically, to try the minute steak that I'm so sick of at Cote, and yay, they have onion rings as an optional side! It's so long since I had them..

Wow, that's what I call a steak knife.. Well, it was hardly any time in coming, and it was gorgeous. The chips were nice and chunky, although they could have done with some salt, and there was none at the table. The steak was perfect, like Cote's used to be, and the onion rings were so good.. The din never did abate, mind, and I had to think that this is not the place to come with someone you want to have a conversation with! It is, apparently, the place to source booze though - two office types arrived, spoke to someone, and left with multiple crates of beer.

And then things went downhill. I had a look at the dessert menu, but what appealed most was the hot chocolate, which came with optional hazelnut syrup - so I ordered that. And waited and waited and waited.. must have been over half an hour before she arrived with it, apologising for the delay. What, did they have to source a cow?! Not that great shakes either - it comes with a small brownie square, which I highly recommend dissolving in it; it needs some flavour! I'd been drinking for a while before I remembered it was supposed to have syrup in it - well, there was a faint taste, but not worth the 40p extra! I was sorry I'd ordered anything extra. Finished, got out my card, and timed her - it was 20 minutes, during which she passed my table several times, before I managed to catch her eye and ask for the bill - and by now, I was pissed off enough that I got up and put on my coat, waiting for her to come back with the card machine. Have to hand it to her, her smile was 100 Watt, right to the end! I won't be back, though.

On the walk home, shared the pavement for a while with a guy, leading his (girlfriend?) by the hand as she made her way along on a skateboard beside him. What, was her walking pace too slow for him..? Tomorrow, I'm headed to the Crick Crack Club again, for Astray, at Rich Mix. A storytelling double bill, both Irish ladies telling Irish myths!

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

And on Saturday - 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? Got reminders today.

Webinar: Web Scraping with Python

This evening - well, I saw on Meetup that a group called Get a Tech Developer Job had 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. I signed up, but it was just as well he sent a registration reminder today, I hadn't paid attention and didn't realise we had to register! The event was available on Eventbrite.

Well, the first seven minutes or so were just advertising his own company - a recruiter for tech developers, as you might expect. Most of the talk centred around a YouTube video, with someone else explaining the subject of this talk. Which was just as well, as he had a much more comprehensible accent. Now, I don't really need to know how to web scrape, and the Python used is quite specific to that, but I did pick up an idea of how it works. Which is all I was really going for. When people began to realise that the YouTube video was the most valuable aspect of the webinar, they signed off in droves. Interestingly, the webinar also worked as a recruitment session, as they're looking for a team of developers to scrape job websites..

(Of course, if I can access a YouTube video on web scraping with Python, I can also access videos on Python specifically. But this did at least give me a direction to start with.)

Tomorrow, I'm headed to the Crick Crack Club again, for Astray, at Rich Mix. A storytelling double bill, both Irish ladies telling Irish myths!

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

And on Saturday - 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? Got reminders today.