London Weekend with Mum

Never mind that a weekend in London with my Mum cost the same as a long weekend in Europe - it's kind of what you expect anyway - and besides, we had a great time enjoying the marathon vibe and St Georges celebrations last weekend.

Lovely hotel in Kensington with a pool, so I even managed an early Sunday morning swim, excellent seats at Jersey Boys with snacks  and drinks delivered to us during the interval and fab food at the Churchill Arms, said to be Churchill's Grandfather's local pub. I don't believe in doing things by halves!

Celebrating the Great in Great Britain

From perfected, consistently brilliant talent to... you blow my mind fresh, new talent...

And they are best friends - which makes it even better.

I am a massive fan of BGT and this dance act (below) blew me away. Ingeniously put together - music and dance nostalgia!

 

 

National Treasures

Before we lose anymore of our National Treasures this year, I would like to dedicate this blog post to the ones that have passed. For some reason, Victoria Wood's death hit me particularly hard. She was amazing. They were all amazing. These are the icons I grew up with, who have influenced me in so many ways.

For a lover of words, this is pure genius! Spot a very young Patricia Hodge and Julie Walters ☺️

Iconic "will have you in stitches" sketch

 

And bringing it up-to-date, sadly minus our other funny Ronnie, but still brilliant comedy

 

 

I just had to share this!

Mixology masterclass

So the great thing about working in London is... all the cool things you get to do after a hard day in the office. On Thursday I went to a cocktail masterclass at the Mixology Studio in Shoreditch. We made (and drank) several (Expresso Martini, Singapore Sling, Sex on the Beach and Tequila Sunrise) whilst nibbling on antipasti, before making the ultimate - the Zombie - and having a go at a team effort in the final challenge. All good fun with a little history to boot!

Pictured below is the Zombie cocktail said to have more rum in it than a pirate ship. The best bit is when you light the lime and sprinkle cinnamon on it. The sparks are amazing!

The fruity taste smooths over the high alcoholic content, making it deadly. And now, having made (and sampled) it myself, I know what Billy Connolly is talking about, when he advised his audience during his An Audience With... show back in the 80s, to try the Zombie because it's "an extraordinary concept; (the consumer gets) drunk from the bottom-up" !!!

Oh Circle Circle

Following on from last week's post - Poems on the Underground - here's my very own poem about the Underground.

Oh Circle Circle
You're rubbish Circle Circle
You go in a blimin' Circle
What's the problem Circle Circle

You're always delayed
You always let me down
You might be yellow and sunny
But you always make me frown

Your signal failure excuses
just won't wash with me
You've got the newest carriages
But you're rubbish constantly

Oh Circle Circle

If you were a man
Three strikes and you're out
But how else would I get
to the end of my route (say route in the American way so it rhymes)

Leaving me stranded
At Waterloo every night
Does nothing for your brownie points
You're definitely crap, alright!

Oh Circle Circle

You make me miss my connection
By minutes, sometimes only seconds
Sort it out Circle Circle
A new attitude and approach defo beckons

I'm getting madder Circle Circle
You stand me up all the time
How would you like it Circle Circle
If shoddy service became a crime?

Oh Circle Circle

When I smell the grub at Waterloo
My stomach growls with food envy
Knowing that I'm 30 mins further
Away from an eating frenzy

You tear into my evenings
As you rumble from station to station
You make me rush for nothing
You're a poor excuse for a tube creation

Oh Circle Circle

Last night you were...
Supposed to be severely delayed
So I got on good old District
Only to have the nightmare replayed

I guess we'll never get on
I'll never hold you dear
And when I have to recommend
I will totally steer clear

Oh Circle Circle
It could have been beautiful
You started off so promising
Now you're barely dutiful

I'd love to kick you where it hurts
To cheer myself no end
But then I might just break my foot
And you ain't worth it my friend

Written whilst waiting for the Circle Line, as I do every night *sigh*