Hi....this blog is out of date sequence. The blogs underneath are more current as we are presently in the Dordogne in France. However I wanted to give you quick run down on the hi-lights of our last week or so in Lomdon before hitting the continent.
WELLCOME COLLECTION : Henry Wellcome's museum full of things relating to our universal interest in health and the body. They presently have an exhibition on 'Brains- The Mind as Matter' with some rather startling pieces. You can watch a clip of someone receiving 'electric shock treatment' or a petrified Inca Indian with aside order of Japanese sex gizmos. Henry Wellcome must have been a riot at dinner parties.
ORBITAL CONCERT: Well this was one of those ' stab in the dark' events. We really weren't sure what this techno, funk band was all about but the write-up intrigued us. Held at the Royal Albert Hall this show had the most amazing laser light show ever,in the perfect venue for a full -on effect.
Of course as a novice for this type of music I just couldn't my head around the two weird guys with search lights attached to their goggles who look like Sci-fi creatures pushing buttons & dials on stage, all under the guise of music. The event was a real eye-opener when the audience took off with crazy dancing, arms waggling over head & I thought for a moment that we had been teleported to a disco in Ibiza. We're pleased to say we have recovered our hearing and even more pleased to announce to the world at large that that was our first and last techno funk experience.
THURSDAY PUB NIGHT. As we had started this day sedately with a wander though the Portrait Gallery we decided to crank things up a bit in the evening. So we set off to slip into the historic pub Ye Olde Watling in Holborn. Designed and built by Christopher Wren in 1668 using ship timbers this pub's top floor was Wren's office whilst designing and building St Paul's Cathedral. The workmen from the cathedral worksite drank downstairs with Wren at the end of the day.
Our second watering hole was a surprise. A wine bar located in the inner courtyard of the old Royal Exchange Building in Bank. Fabulous venue.
Third stop at The Golden Fleece for light refreshments, a completely forgettable place.
Then, John pulled one out of the hat....The Blackfriar next to the newly reopened Blackfriars tube station. The Art Nouveau interior dating back to 1905 alone, is worth a visit. A little Gothic but unique.
WESTMINSTER CATHEDRAL. We just had to check this one out as we had passed by it so many times. Located near Victoria Station with a tower and viewing gallery 64metres up. We were escorted up in the elevator by a delightful Irish priest who raved on about the 360 degree view. Unfortunately the view wasn't that good due to ordinary town planing. Lots of cranes which made me of think of Chch, road works around Victoria, but very little to catch my breath.
CATE BLANCHETT in a Barbican Play ' Gross und Klein'. This rates right up there with the best experience so far. Sitting only two rows from the front we were blown away by her sheer brilliant acting talents and this surreal play. With Alice in Wonderland overtones where Cate's character Lote is either too big or too small for her situation or surroundings. Half-time interval brought us closer the glitterati and a few famous faces from the acting world, all decked out for the after show soirée. Recognised Richard Grant standing next to us while we licked our over-priced ice creams.
NARROWBOAT restaurant is located on Regents Canal and for our Sunday outing what better place to wander down the tow path and perch yourself beside the canal. Returning to Islington is always a rush for us and restomping our old haunts is comforting.
SAINT GEORGES. An unusual experience. John had read that the 15th floor of this hotel had a magical view of the city. The hotel, located next to the BBC in Langham Place and described as tired & dated but frequented by reporters & journalists sounded like it needed investigating. It was exactly as described but with a twist and it was also a dump. Things happen in this bar. It doubled as a meeting place and pick-up joint for alternative life-stylers, if you get my drift.
Now we are settled in Pechboutier near St Cyprien in the Dordogne. We are staying at Le Chevrefeuille in a gorgeous apartment which is a converted barn on what was a walnut farm. Very scenic area of France with beautiful villages.
Now I'm in French mode....tomorrow I will be throwing myself into a one day cook school and heading off to the local market first thing to buy the ingredients. So we buy, we prepare, we cook and then tomorrow night we eat. Sounds like good French fun! Bon appetite!
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