Algoma Community Band

Today, headed to the Embankment bandstand at lunchtime to hear the Algoma Community Band - free tickets from Eventbrite. No problem with the bus this time - made it just in time. And with the hot and sunny weather, I made sure to wear a hat! I didn't know where the bandstand itself was - just made for the gardens and walked through. Turns out it's at the Villiers Street end. Now, I dunno why they bothered distributing tickets, considering they were encouraging all and sundry to come and listen.

And, of course, all the deckchairs were taken - whereupon I had the inspired idea to plonk myself at the adjacent cafe, which has outdoor seating. I hadn't had time to eat, anyway - so I ordered a ham and cheese panini, which they toasted for me, and a glass (small bottle, actually) of pinot grigio. They checked I'd be sitting there, and said they'd bring it out - which they did. And it was simply lovely, sat on a comfortable chair, eating, drinking, and listening to the music - a repertoire of popular tunes. I couldn't hear anything the conductor was saying, mind - he wasn't miced up. But otherwise, it was a pleasant hour, sun beating down, people-watching. No photos from that angle, sorry.

Afterwards, I sat for a bit - had an unproductive call with a recruiter: job sounded good, apart from having to commute to Reigate weekly! And he was trying to persuade me I'd be there in half an hour from London Bridge - hah! More like 45 minutes from Victoria.. Anyway, after all that, I decided the sensible thing would be to get something to eat before heading home - I had more choice. Ended up in The Chandos, which I've liked before. It was nice and quiet, sun streaming in the stained glass windows.. unfortunately, the upstairs was out of white wine (!) so I had a (large) lemonade. I had my usual roast chicken - unfortunately, it was kind of.. meh today. Not dry, but not really tasty - a bit heavy going. And the thick-cut chips that accompanied it were a step too far on such a hot day! I ate maybe half. To top it all, it turns out to be a communications blackspot - I could hardly use my phone..

A hot wait for the buses back - I was glad to get into the cool, having left a window open..

Tomorrow, booked with CT to hear Laurence Juber in concert at Piano Smithfield. Evening, yay!

On Thursday, finally back with Meetup - and Up in the Cheap Seats - for Word Play, at the Royal Court.

On Friday, I'm succumbing to the pressure, and joining The Hideout: Horror SciFi Club London for the Frightfest at Cineworld Leicester Square, where we're seeing It Lives Inside, an Indian possession horror, with lunch after at Clubhouse 5. Frightfest, mind you, continues till Monday - I'll have to see how I feel about going to other films that evening.

On Saturday - back at last with Laurence Summers and the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners! This walk is called Filthy River.. and I'm now paying him by bank transfer, at his suggestion - much handier than having to find change all the time. Then I'm racing across town for another Hideout social at Clubhouse 5.

On Sunday, meeting Ivan and James again, for our monthly get-together - this time, moving closer to where I'm now living, we'll be in the Dean Swift.

On Monday, back at Clubhouse 5 with the Hideout - social, plus we're heading to a retrospective of It Follows, at the Cineworld. So, a very sociable long weekend! They're also heading to the extended cut of The Exorcist that evening, introduced by Mark Kermode - sadly, by the time I thought of going, it was sold out.. but I have seen that cut before anyway.

Next Tuesday, I tried to book a place on a walk with Mandy and London Herstory Walks - this one is Fleet Street Femmes. But she's disabled the PayPal link on her Meetup page because Meetup takes a hefty chunk of it - instead, I've booked through her own website. Where the walk turned out to be on sale anyway!

On the 30th, heading to La Bamba - a musical at the Peacock. The matinee, since I have the choice - cheaper tickets that way.

On the 31st, back on another of Barrie's walks with the 45+s - this time, it's Mile End. Mind you, so far I seem to be the only attendee.. 

On the 1st, back with Laurence and the 45+s, yet again - couldn't resist a walk around Glorious and Grimy Gray's Inn Road! Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend again.

On the 4th, I've signed with London Socials again - I wouldn't count on me going, mind. Still, you never know.. this time, they're off to listen to some music in the Archway Tavern.

And on the 5th, I've finally booked to see Dr. Semmelweiss, at the Harold Pinter. Cheapest tickets I found were with What's on Stage, who sent me off to Love Theatre..

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