Restaurant: Terra Rossa

Last night, back with Civilised London for an Italian meal - this was in Terra Rossa, meeting beforehand in The Crown, as usual. Picked up the keys to my new place beforehand. :-) Oh, it is incredible to have found one at last.. and it'll be lovely to have more space, not to mention a balcony - with the sun streaming in the window, the room was roasting, so I spent my time with the balcony door open (I spent a couple of hours there, getting set up to WiFi and reading the paper).

And I can walk from there to the pub! So I did, and with the glorious sunshine, predictably, when I got there, the others who were meeting there were sat outside in the sun, drinking beer. So I informed them of my good news, then trotted inside for my own cold drink - their excellent house Sauvignon Blanc. Anyway, the chat outside was good, and one of the group, who hadn't been to that pub before, raved about it as we left. True, it's excellent - good food, good wine, friendly staff, and a lovely outdoor seating area, fenced off from the pavement.

And so to the restaurant - and would you believe, I had been there before, and with this group too! despite having absolutely no memory of it. Mind you, on that occasion it seems we were sat down the back, and last night we were at the front of the room.

Red-bound menus, appropriately. As there was an odd number of us - one pulled out, feeling ill - our organiser thoughtfully rearranged the seating so one person wouldn't be stuck on the end. Anyway, I was hungrier than on that last occasion, and managed a starter - some interesting croquettes, with potato and just a hint of mint. For main, the spaghetti with truffle again - which was excellent, as before. They thoughtfully dropped us down dessert menus without us having to ask. And a few of us fancied dessert, so I asked for the lemon sorbet. Interestingly, the waiter (pictured) came to explain to me that the sorbet wasn't quite frozen, and would I mind getting it in liquid form! Eh - ok, and it turned up, fetchingly presented in a champagne flute! and was delicious. So, if you ever get the option, I recommend it.. For once, someone else was on white, so I got to share a bottle - and it was v nice.

So yes, recommended - although they were rushed off their feet, service was pretty quick and unfailingly friendly and helpful. And the food is good. As always, I was in great company - although we didn't head to the pub afterwards. And so, back to my old place for the night - just as well, as it happens, because the cleaner was due at the new place early this morning! When I got home, I checked, and saw that the new film list was out - so started trawling that, got too tired in the middle, and went to bed. Had to get that done before I blogged, hence the delay.

Today, I finally get my postponed meeting with two of my ex-coworkers (one suddenly can't make it, he's dog-sitting) - and after my glowing reports of Bill's on Clink Street, we're heading there! Optional drinks beforehand, I've suggested The Old Thameside Inn. No word from Ivan yet as to when he wants to meet, I'll have to chase him.

Tomorrow - taking advantage of the bank holiday, I booked something that's been heavily advertised. At £60, it's not cheap, but I really fancied it, so I'm headed to The Gunpowder Plot, an immersive, combined VR and real-life experience at the Tower. You can get a themed lunch with that, but I passed. Earliest date now available is the 8th, at a minimum price of £50 (last few available) - the price increases as you get closer to the date. And ironic how these two events are closer to my old place.. So I'm staying there until after this.

And on Saturday, booked with Walks, Talks and Treasure Hunts again for A Nosey Around Soho. In association with London Guided Walks as usual, a £3 discount for using the code MEETUP3, which at least covers the booking fee. Looks like Hazel herself is running this one - if so, it'll be the first time I'll have seen her in years. Assuming I'm not a couple of minutes late, and miss her. Well, if I do get to go, I hope she doesn't spam me, like she still is after the last one, with constant ads for her podcast and requests for reviews! Of course, if you go on her site, there seems to be no way to leave a review.. AND I see she advertises these on TAC now, with a £3 cash charge on the day to the guide - still, this would be the cheaper option. (and ACLUB also gets you a £3 discount on the full price..)

Reading: Across the Bridge

This evening, headed for The Astronomer again for dinner. Google Maps said it was busier than usual, and bookings weren't available, but hey, I was lucky before! Sure enough, what with all the rain today, the courtyard was empty - inside wasn't really crowded, but all the tables were occupied. Except for one ledge, complete with high chair, which I noticed had a table number. Which meant I could order from it! So I sat, and ordered the chicken again, and that delectable New Zealand white. The chicken was good, although perhaps not of the spectacular quality of before - they hadn't really made an effort with the puree, and the chicken itself was a little tough. No, carrots - which tasted honey-roasted - were, would you believe, the highlight of the piece! Checking my blog, I discovered I hadn't been terribly impressed with the ice cream, so I had another glass of wine instead. All delivered with impressive promptness. And meantime, booked my movers for Sunday..

Was back in plenty of time for an online talk by Guided Walking Tours in Brighton and Sussex. They're starting a Short Story Tuesdays series, where the host reads a short story by a selected author (fee £3) - and this week's author is Graham Greene. We weren't sent the link until yesterday evening. Curiously, he greeted each of us as we signed in, but refused to unmute us, so we couldn't respond.. Anyway, most who had booked showed up (at the last minute), and the story turned out to be Across the Bridge. Predictably, a combination of the wine and the narrator's soothing voice served to send me rapidly to sleep.. I was woken by silence, half an hour later, when he ended the session! Ah well, at least it was recorded, so doubtless the link is to be distributed later..

Tomorrow, back with Civilised London for an Italian meal - this is in Terra Rossa, meeting beforehand in The Crown, as usual. Picking up the keys to my new place beforehand. :-) And I can walk from there to the pub!

On Thursday, I finally get my postponed meeting with two of my ex-coworkers (one suddenly can't make it, he's dog-sitting) - and after my glowing reports of Bill's on Clink Street, we're heading there! Optional drinks beforehand, I've suggested The Old Thameside Inn.

On Friday - taking advantage of the bank holiday, I booked something that's been heavily advertised. At £60, it's not cheap, but I really fancied it, so I'm headed to The Gunpowder Plot, an immersive, combined VR and real-life experience at the Tower. You can get a themed lunch with that, but I passed. Earliest date now available is the 8th, at a minimum price of £50 (last few available) - the price increases as you get closer to the date. And ironic how these two events are closer to my old place.. So I'll stay there until after this.

And on Saturday, booked with Walks, Talks and Treasure Hunts again for A Nosey Around Soho. In association with London Guided Walks as usual, a £3 discount for using the code MEETUP3, which at least covers the booking fee. Looks like Hazel herself is running this one - if so, it'll be the first time I'll have seen her in years. Assuming I'm not a couple of minutes late, and miss her. Well, if I do get to go, I hope she doesn't spam me, like she still is after the last one, with constant ads for her podcast and requests for reviews! Of course, if you go on her site, there seems to be no way to leave a review.. AND I see she advertises these on TAC now, with a £3 cash charge on the day to the guide - still, this would be the cheaper option. (and ACLUB also gets you a £3 discount on the full price..)

Film: An Cailín Ciúin (The Quiet Girl)

I felt like film again today. What came top of the list was The Quiet Girl, ironically - an Irish film, mostly in the Irish language, in which a little girl from a dysfunctional family is fostered out to another (Carrie Crowley, famous to us in Ireland from years of TV work, plays the foster mother, cousin of the girl's actual mother; Michael Patric plays her father). Was supposed to be really good - the little girl is played by Catherine Clinch, whose first film it is, and who won an IFTA for her performance. First feature film for the writer / director, too. Closest showing to me was in the Curzon Bloomsbury.

Got the bus there - had a good choice of them - and remarked to myself, as we came into Holborn, how much nicer it's going to be to live there - leafier, more restaurants, people a bit more relaxed. My new place is under 10 minutes' walk from the cinema I was in tonight - which might make it my closest, but I'll have to check. Meantime, I got absolutely soaked on the walk from the bus to the cinema! Dripped into the lobby, where the guy asked whether I had membership (it entitles you to some free films). No, but you know what, it might be an idea.. I'll have to see whether it's worth my while. For this evening, I went on something of a shopping spree - a ticket for the film (which was nearly sold out, I was lucky!), a tub of what turned out to be very moreish (chocolate-covered) honeycomb bites, and a lovely glass of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. The screen was open already, so I went straight in - and wouldn't you know it, the only two people there were at the edge of my row, and I had to disturb them to get in. That done, I tucked into my stash - and that decently large tub lasted most of the film!

So, for those of us who grew up in rural Ireland, this is a real nostalgia-fest. It looks very 70s or early 80s - and if the clothes don't completely confirm that, the cars definitely should.. or you can wait for the dead giveaway, when they're shown watching Quicksilver on the telly! (That ended in 1981.) A chamber-pot under the bed, no mobiles, no electronic gadgets, and by and large the loudest thing in a room is the ticking clock.

Young Cáit is growing up in this world. Unfortunately, her large family isn't the most supportive, and she turns into a troubled young girl, always running off. Her beleagured mother is constantly pregnant, too busy to be bothered with her; and with never enough to make ends meet, and another baby on the way, packs Cáit off for the summer to her cousins - a middle-aged couple who live in a large farmhouse on their own. You'd be amazed at the difference a little care and attention makes..

So, no wonder she's quiet. They do say that 90% of communication is non-verbal, and I can see why she won an award for this - she has a terrifically communicative face. I love films that can do without dialogue - for all that most of the dialogue here is in Irish, there's precious little dialogue anyway, so much being told in images. Visually striking, and unexpectedly moving: highly recommended. And the rain had stopped when I got out! The bus back took an interesting detour, for entertainment..

Tomorrow, attending an online talk by Guided Walking Tours in Brighton and Sussex. They're starting a Short Story Tuesdays series, where the host reads a short story by a selected author (fee £3) - and this week's author is Graham Greene. We weren't sent the link until this evening.

On Wednesday, back with Civilised London for an Italian meal - this is in Terra Rossa, meeting beforehand in The Crown, as usual. Picking up the keys to my new place beforehand. :-) And I can walk from there to the pub!

On Thursday, I finally get my postponed meeting with my ex-coworkers - and after my glowing reports of Bill's on Clink Street, we're heading there! Optional drinks beforehand, I've suggested The Old Thameside Inn.

On Friday - taking advantage of the bank holiday, I booked something that's been heavily advertised. At £60, it's not cheap, but I really fancied it, so I'm headed to The Gunpowder Plot, an immersive, combined VR and real-life experience at the Tower. You can get a themed lunch with that, but I passed. Earliest date now available is the 8th, at a minimum price of £50 (last few available) - the price increases as you get closer to the date. And ironic how these two events are closer to my old place.. So I'll stay there until after this.

And on Saturday, booked with Walks, Talks and Treasure Hunts again for A Nosey Around Soho. In association with London Guided Walks as usual, a £3 discount for using the code MEETUP3, which at least covers the booking fee. Looks like Hazel herself is running this one - if so, it'll be the first time I'll have seen her in years. Assuming I'm not a couple of minutes late, and miss her. Well, if I do get to go, I hope she doesn't spam me, like she did after the last one, with constant ads for her podcast and requests for reviews! Of course, if you go on her site, there seems to be no way to leave a review.. AND I see she advertises these on TAC now, with a £3 cash charge on the day to the guide - still, this would be the cheaper option. (and ACLUB also gets you a £3 discount on the full price..)

Restaurant: Cote Barbican

So, back to London today - and was hungry, and the nearest sensible option was Cote. Well, they had no problem seating me, and I had some lovely calamari to start. For main, I'd chosen the chicken. And I had my usual chardonnay, which is very nice.

Which is just as well, considering it was all I had to occupy me for a VERY LONG TIME! Had that glass finished, and was on my second by the time the chicken eventually appeared. My sarcastic remark was lost on the waiter. Anyway, also just as well I'd paid extra for mushroom sauce, it needs something. But it was nice and moist. Mainly. As usual, the ice cream was the best part of the meal. I won't be sorry when this is no longer local to me, imminently.

I feel like film again tomorrow. What's coming up is The Quiet Girl, ironically - an Irish film, partly in the Irish language, in which a little girl from a dysfunctional family is fostered out to another (Carrie Crowley, famous to us in Ireland from years of TV work, plays the foster mother). Supposed to be really good - the little girl is played by Catherine Clinch, whose first film it is, and who won an IFTA for her performance. Closest showing to me is in the Curzon Bloomsbury.

On Tuesday, attending an online talk by Guided Walking Tours in Brighton and Sussex. They're starting a Short Story Tuesdays series, where the host reads a short story by a selected author (fee £3) - and this week's author is Graham Greene. No link yet, I notice.

On Wednesday, back with Civilised London for an Italian meal - this is in Terra Rossa, meeting beforehand in The Crown, as usual. Should be able to pick up the keys to my new place beforehand. :-)

On Thursday, I finally get my postponed meeting with my ex-coworkers - and after my glowing reports of Bill's on Clink Street, we're heading there! Optional drinks beforehand, I've suggested The Old Thameside Inn.

On Friday - taking advantage of the bank holiday, I booked something that's been heavily advertised. At £60, it's not cheap, but I really fancied it, so I'm headed to The Gunpowder Plot, an immersive, combined VR and real-life experience at the Tower. You can get a themed lunch with that, but I passed. Earliest date now available is the 8th, at a minimum price of £50 (last few available) - the price increases as you get closer to the date. And ironic how these two events are closer to my old place..

And on Saturday, booked with Walks, Talks and Treasure Hunts again for A Nosey Around Soho. In association with London Guided Walks as usual, a £3 discount for using the code MEETUP3, which at least covers the booking fee. Looks like Hazel herself is running this one - if so, it'll be the first time I'll have seen her in years. Assuming I'm not a couple of minutes late, and miss her. Well, if I do get to go, I hope she doesn't spam me, like she did after the last one, with constant ads for her podcast and requests for reviews! Of course, if you go on her site, there seems to be no way to leave a review.. AND I see she advertises these on TAC now, with a £3 cash charge on the day to the guide - still, this would be the cheaper option. (and ACLUB also gets you a £3 discount..)

Film: Top Gun - Maverick

The film for the weekend - was Top Gun: Maverick! in which Tom Cruise reprises his fighter-pilot role of so many years ago. Also stars Jennifer Connelly as his love interest, who owns the local bar (how else could they meet? as the US Navy disapproves of work relationships), Val Kilmer back as Iceman, now an admiral - a significant decision, given that throat cancer has left him unable to speak, and his lines are read by an AI program. Ed Harris is the rear admiral. Love song by Lady Gaga. Now, I couldn't really miss this. And indeed, a flattering review in yesterday's paper was written by someone who hadn't expected much from it at all.. as she says, "The bastards. They got me."

With plenty of time to spare, of course I ended up tight for time. Got myself an ice cream on the way in, it being so warm and sunny outside. The trailers were on when I got to the screen - Screen 1, the largest, although at this matinée there were only maybe half a dozen of us. And I discovered that it's a little complicated to eat ice cream in the dark, when you can't see whether it's fallen off the spoon..

And so to the main attraction - and oh YES, they start with Danger Zone. Perfect - and combine that with lots of shots of fighter jets taking off, and it's a real nostalgia-fest. Which is exactly what fans of the original want. So, the basic story is that Maverick (Tom Cruise's callsign) pissed off the wrong people, and got kicked out of Top Gun, the elite fighter pilot school. He's now a test pilot, still pushing the envelope - until he gets recalled to Top Gun, courtesy of his now-VIP friend Iceman, to teach a group of students to fly a desperately difficult mission.

The Top Gun films work with the Navy, you know - they need to, to get access to these incredibly expensive pieces of equipment. And despite the side stories to get us interested in the characters, it's really the flying that we're there for. Which is spectacular - no lesser word will do. I spent much of the film with my hands to my mouth - this is exciting, thrilling to watch: and when they get to do the mission for real at the end of the film, you get spectacular scenery to match. Speaking of the side stories, they have someone playing the son of Goose, who was killed in the first film - and did a good job of finding someone who quite resembles him! Anyway, look, you know what this film is about - you'll be interested or not. Let me just reassure you, if this is your thing - this is exactly what you'd hoped for, and more. And if this is your thing - get out there and see it!

Afterwards, to Jade Cottage again, and consulted my blog to find out what was good to eat. She remembered me, and correctly predicted what I'd have to drink! For main, I had the kung po chicken. Now, it has the advantage of not filling me up - but it's a pity, because I really didn't feel like it, and would have preferred General Tso's chicken. Which does fill me up. So I can't win.. Might be rethinking where I eat, next time.

Was too tired to blog last night. So, back to London today - and I feel like film again tomorrow. What's coming up is The Quiet Girl, ironically - an Irish film, partly in the Irish language, in which a little girl from a dysfunctional family is fostered out to another (Carrie Crowley, famous to us in Ireland from years of TV work, plays the foster mother). Supposed to be really good - the little girl is played by Catherine Clinch, whose first film it is, and who won an IFTA for her performance. Closest showing to me is in the Curzon Bloomsbury.

On Tuesday, attending an online talk by Guided Walking Tours in Brighton and Sussex. They're starting a Short Story Tuesdays series, where the host reads a short story by a selected author (fee £3) - and this week's author is Graham Greene. No link yet, I notice.

On Wednesday, back with Civilised London for an Italian meal - this is in Terra Rossa, meeting beforehand in The Crown, as usual. Should be able to pick up the keys to my new place beforehand. :-)

On Thursday, I finally get my postponed meeting with my ex-coworkers - and after my glowing reports of Bill's on Clink Street, we're heading there! Optional drinks beforehand, I've suggested The Old Thameside Inn.

On Friday - taking advantage of the bank holiday, I booked something that's been heavily advertised. At £60, it's not cheap, but I really fancied it, so I'm headed to The Gunpowder Plot, an immersive, combined VR and real-life experience at the Tower. You can get a themed lunch with that, but I passed. Earliest date now available is the 8th, at a minimum price of £50 (last few available) - the price increases as you get closer to the date. And ironic how these two events are closer to my old place..

And on Saturday, booked with Walks, Talks and Treasure Hunts again for A Nosey Around Soho. In association with London Guided Walks as usual, a £3 discount for using the code MEETUP3, which at least covers the booking fee. Looks like Hazel herself is running this one - if so, it'll be the first time I'll have seen her in years. Assuming I'm not a couple of minutes late, and miss her. Well, if I do get to go, I hope she doesn't spam me, like she did after the last one, with constant ads for her podcast and requests for reviews! Of course, if you go on her site, there seems to be no way to leave a review..

Concert: London Philharmonia

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

So. Here, the best choice for food has to be The Archduke, and off I went. I didn't need a reservation before, and chanced my arm again, walking in and asking whether they had a table for one. "We do," he said, "but I need it back by 7/7.10." No problem, I had to meet the group by 7.15 anyway! So he showed me to a table right at the end of the conservatory, round the back.

Lovely, friendly servers.. and this time I decided that, being that it's a steakhouse, I should finally have a steak! Now, they ain't cheap here, but I don't make a habit of it. Went for the fillet - which isn't quite the most expensive, they also have some massive concoction that they suggest be shared! They have quite a range of sauces - I fancied some kind of butter, of which they have three; I chose the garlic and herb. And a carafe of New Zealand wine - which it turned out they didn't have, but she suggested an alternative.

Yeeah. Guess what? I was underimpressed with the steak! It was ok, but honestly, back in the day when I cooked steak, I did it better. And I am no cook, although I could cook a mean fillet. And the mushrooms I ordered as a side were not worth the £4 charged. I'll say this though - the garlic and herb butter was spectacular! I mentioned it to the waiter, and she got me a second pot (it comes in a separate pot, and I also got a couple of extra pots, one with ketchup, one mustard, for the fries - which are supposed to be bottomless, with steak). Gee, I'd nearly have another steak, just to have that garlic and herb butter! Cheapest is the steak frites.. might consider it next time. I could order dessert straight away - I know the ice cream sundae is gorgeous, and I had plenty of time for it.

Headed up to the hall early - and it was great to see people! Not everyone gathers for a chat, of course - interestingly, Didi passes this group's events on to the Classical Music for Those in their 20s and 30s group, and someone from that group happened along. And was suitably confused - but hey, I think we're just as interesting! And we chatted away until it was time to head upstairs.

I had so many free seats in front of me, I should definitely have moved down - but I didn't. The royal box was occupied, I noticed - couldn't recognise any of them, though. And so to the music. First up was Mozart - and I always love Mozart, thought it was gorgeous.

After a blissful half hour or so, down to meet the others again at the interval, then back up for some Bruckner - a surprisingly modern-sounding piece. Happily, the house never was fully darkened, and I had enough light to read the free programme I'd picked up on the way in (when I wasn't busy imbibing the lovely paper smell, so unfamiliar to me these days)! So, in summary, a lovely programme, and an excellent way to spend an evening.

Afterwards, most of us who met stayed on in the bar for a drink, and much of the chat related to the advanced age of both the conductor and the piano soloist! Truly, 90 seems to be the new 60.. Anyway, we had a lovely time, and I was delighted to meet the group again at last. Sometimes it just happens that I don't see people for a while..

Speaking of what happened to our group member on Wednesday, I saw an interesting WhatsOnStage article about it today! OMG, he's become famous..

Today, back to Ireland for the weekend - finally, with a delayed flight. And an English couple in front of me in the queue to board wondered why we had been sent to a locked door - as I explained to them, this was the door into the corridor where the disembarking passengers would pass, and we had to wait for them to do that before we went out the same way. And that's why they block off the escalator - it's too dangerous to have people coming down that, facing a locked door. Ah, I've become such an expert.. On board at last, it was lovely to see the first flight where we weren't obliged to wear masks! I saw all of one passenger that did. And in Shannon, I know the customs guys are unusually friendly - but really, the guard I got this evening outdid himself in chatting to everyone!

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 as his love interest, Val Kilmer back as Iceman, now an admiral - a significant decision, given that throat cancer has left him unable to speak, and his lines are apparently read by an AI program. Ed Harris is the rear admiral. Theme song by Lady Gaga. Now, I can't really miss this. And indeed, a flattering review in today's paper was written by someone who hadn't expected much from it at all.. as she says, "The bastards. They got me."

Musical: Bonnie and Clyde

Tonight, 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. This offer is highly recommended!

Took myself off in time to eat, optimistic of getting a table somewhere about. Well, my option last time - P. F. Chang's Asian Table - was full: but hey, right across the street was Sartori, and they had no trouble seating me! Now, this isn't the place to come for quiet conversation - or contemplation - but what it is, is a buzzing joint, packed to the gills, run by an Italian, and on the ball when it comes to dealing with crowds. I have to say, they managed very well - the manager, in particular, is on top of everything.

I didn't fancy a starter, so had to wait a while to get fed - had an excellent sauvignon blanc to keep me company, mind. And I had no phone reception, so that was a bit tiresome. But it actually wasn't so long before my food arrived - a scrumptious chicken with mushroom, and a very long Italian name! Yum. I was served, and ate, fast enough to have dessert.. and then I was asked whether I wouldn't mind having my dessert in the window! Eh.. OK. I was offered a limoncello to ease my discomfort. Eh.. OK.

So, I was now sat in sight of the theatre, with phone reception. Gee, such hardship. Sure enough, it transpired that they needed my table to push together with others for a large group. Meantime, for dessert, I ordered a lemon cake.. a light concoction, with, apparently, the flavour of the zest of lemons from the Amalfi coast. Hmm.

I am seriously impressed with their ability to produce high quality food with such a press of people! Also impressed that I got a second free limoncello.. following which, I took myself all the way across the street again, ordered a drink at the theatre bar, grabbed a table, and awaited the others. And we had a great old chat, trying to remember who was in that film we all saw about Bonnie and Clyde, and wondering how they could make such a dark story into a musical. And when we headed down to the stalls, someone had to make an announcement so we didn't all join the queue for the ladies' toilets, whose door is right beside the stalls entrance!

The set is riddled with bullet holes, previewing the story. But oh man, what a show! We had asked how they'd pull it off - we found out! After all, this was a terrific era for music - jazz, ragtime, gospel: and if that isn't enough, we got some hard rock for the hard-hitting prison scenes. Terrific performances, show-stopping songs. We were all completely carried along - just like the entire house, proven by the sound of the enthusiastic applause throughout!

At the interval, those of us with drinks couldn't go outside, where most of the group had congregated. Ah well. The second half started dramatically, when part of the set seemed to collapse, and some hit one of our members, in the front row! (I tell you, the perils of sitting in the front row..) The show stopped, the fellow playing Clyde popped over to ask whether he was OK. He had to be led out, sadly, and missed the second half - happily, he doesn't seem to have been too badly injured, and they gave him a complimentary ticket to come again: and a ride home, I believe! Well, I sure hope he does get to see the rest - it's a fantastic show! just maybe don't sit in the front row..

Highly recommended! Booking until the 10th of July.

Tomorrow, 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 yesterday! 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!