Social

Yesterday, squeezed in a meeting with Ivan - the only weekend day he and I could both make, this month! We tried out Brown's on Butler's Wharf, near me - the posh side of the road! James is off to Taiwan. Martin thought he might make it, but had stuff to do for work and said he'd only be worrying about it, he wanted to make a start on it. So he didn't come, in the end.

Of course, I had a much shorter journey than Ivan.. strolled out with half an hour to go. Was threatened by a menacing chihuahua, stopped to help a delivery cyclist with directions (and failed - my estate is a warren), jaywalked merrily across the road - and the search for Brown's began. I'd never been before, but dutifully followed Google Maps.

I dunno that I'd like to live over this way, actually - it's a bit dead. Mind you, they are a hop, skip and jump from the river, which is lovely.. Now, a major problem with Google Maps is, while it'll find you the building, it then tends to assume that there's an exit on every side. Which, it transpires, there isn't for Brown's. When I saw that, according to the map, I'd passed it, I figured I must have come around the back, and took the only exit I could see to the river.

I retraced my steps along the river, and sure enough, there it was. Took a couple of minutes to get anyone's attention - but I was early anyway. It had taken longer than I thought to walk there - 20 minutes - but well, there was the crazy chihuahua and the confused cyclist. Still, as I say, Google maps did expect me to walk through walls. I arrived 10 minutes early, and he gave me a different table to the one booked, which was still occupied. Honestly, the restaurant section was almost empty - most people were on the terrace, where there was a profusion of kids, it being Father's Day.

I started proceedings by ordering a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc while I waited - the cheapest one: their markup on wine is steep. Food is a more reasonable price. When Ivan arrived, he had rosé - we decided to stay there all evening, so had rather a lot of wine! The restaurant stayed empty, and as the afternoon wore on, the terrace emptied as well - I pointed out that Brown's doesn't have a TV, so it's great for match days when you don't want to watch the match, and as he pointed out, that's why everyone vanished..!

I wasn't pushed about a starter. Ivan, who informed me that he's always been one to taste the whole menu, ordered four.. I ended up having the mushroom one, which was lovely. For mains, he had Cesar salad - I fancied the schnitzel, but it wasn't a great option. The coating was a bit burnt, but flavoured with lemon, so tasty, and the chicken was tender. However, it was just too bulky! and I found I couldn't finish it. Ivan, again, ordered several desserts.. I fell in love with one of the digestifs - the After Eight, with mint and chocolate flavours - and had that!

It was terrific to catch up with him. Afterwards, upon discussion, we headed to the studio for a few hours to round off the night. Got an Uber home - who got flummoxed when he hit a dead end, one street over from me! I said the place was a warren.. Fantastic evening.. naturally, I didn't even get enough sleep, never mind have time to blog! 

Tonight, back with CT - to learn to sing showtunes with Ensemble at the Prince of Wales Drury Lane! Eating there beforehand. Think the throat is OK after last night..

On Tuesday, back with TAC for another talk at The Conduit - this one is Survival and Sisterhood in the Age of the Taliban, and is the story of the captain of the Afghan ladies' football team. It'll be really interesting to hear from an Afghan woman personally. And I've booked for Bella Italia St. Martin's Lane again.

On Wednesday, back with London Literary Walks for The Chaucer Walk. Meeting at The Bell, and I'm eating there beforehand again.

On Thursday, back with CT for an LSO concert at the Barbican. Which gives me an excuse to head back to my old stomping ground of the local Cote! Except I'm not.. I hadn't realised I'd double-booked! I'm actually off to a talk called In Defence of Human Rights - part of the How-To Academy, at the Francis Crick Institute, thus fulfilling my year's requirement with TAC. So I've had to cancel the concert. Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend.

And next Monday, back with Up in the Cheap Seats - this time, for an interesting-sounding play called Visit from an Unknown Woman, in Hampstead Theatre..