Walk: Crime and Punishment - 16th to 19th Century

Today, I was back with Discover London - History Walks and Events for a walk all about Crime and Punishment: 16th to 19th Century.. afternoon, so I got a rest in the morning. And it was supposed to be warm again!

Warm it was - and this time, I remembered to bring a hat! Had to be a U2 one - I couldn't find anything else. Wow though, I had trouble with the buses.. So, I hate when you're approaching a stop and your bus is already there.. happened today. As I scurried over, the driver seemed to be doing something, not taking off immediately. Phew.. as I went to get on though, she remarked that she might not be going anywhere - the ramp at the centre doors was stuck extended! She got on the phone to HQ, but advised her passengers to get off - which they did. Happily, another bus was right along. Unhappily, it terminated early, leaving us stranded in a bus wasteland.. with the bus ETA from my apps getting later and later, I finally bit the bullet and took Google Maps' alternative suggestion to walk over a bit, to a stop with more life in it, where I got a bus in no time. And made the walk just in time - although, to be fair, she does wait 15 minutes.

In fact, she waited 20 minutes today, obligingly accommodating one member who was delayed on the Tube. Sadly, that person was delayed again, and didn't make it in the end. Well anyway, off we went on a merry jaunt through the criminal justice system - in beautiful weather. Starting in Smithfield - just down from where I used to work - she did cover a lot of ground I'd seen before. One reason that I didn't take so many photos today. But as is her wont, she peppered her explanations with anecdotes.

We stood outside the Holy Sepulchre Church for the story of Jack Sheppard, the prisoner who kept escaping! I was tempted to mention the "most haunted pub in London" - the Viaduct - but kept quiet:

Of course, the imposing building across from it, with the dome, is the Old Bailey. And as well as some gruesome descriptions of punishments of times past, we kind of did a tour of old prisons (not current ones, which are a bit further out anyway). Unfortunately, not terribly photogenic - many of them are now office blocks. (Begs a comparison..?)

One thing that did take me by surprise was the little frieze of Edward VI on the site of the former Bridewell Palace, which he apparently gave to the government - it eventually became a notorious prison!

After all that talk of punishment, we came to talk about a prison reformer:

Appalled by conditions, she did much to improve them in the early 19th Century.

Anyway, another thorough and fascinating talk - and en route to All Bar One, our go-to pub in the area, we stopped for a quick look at 22 Bishopsgate, which one of my former companies was supposed to move to, then didn't! Tallest building in the City:

In the pub, I had my usual fish n chips.. service came with a smile, and a most convivial afternoon was spent chatting with some of my fellow group attendees. Always a good day out with this group, look forward to the next one!

Tomorrow - now that the film list is done - I know I'm going to Non-Aligned. It's a documentary with footage of Tito travelling the world during the Cold War, trying to find a "third way", non-aligned to either of the major powers! Honestly, this is something I never heard of.. Narrated by the cameraman who took the original footage, who describes what it was like. Showing, of course, in the Curzon Bloomsbury - and I had initial trouble booking it on the app, but it's working now.

On Tuesday, back with Buddies on a Budget (BoB) in London for The White Mouse, a play based on the true story of Nancy Wake, a spy for the SOE during the Second World War. Showing at The Theatre on Barnes Pond, who've given us a discount code, lovely! I also accidentally booked with her other group, London Herstory Walks - it's no harm. Anyway, the theatre turns out to be right next door to Cote, so I've booked that as well.

On Wednesday, I was supposed to be back with London Literary Walks for The Camden Walk. Booked for dinner beforehand in The Blues Kitchen Camden, just down the road - well, the Shoreditch branch is excellent, thought I'd try this one! The walking group, however, was to meet in The World's End. Unfortunately, I have to be in the office that day.. meaning I'd be dragging the laptop on a walk! However, now the walk's been cancelled - and much as I enjoy his walks, I'm delighted. Not only do I now not have to drag the laptop on a walk, I get to attend The Horror Book Club's event of the month, where they're discussing Cujo - a book I've always loved. So I've just bought the Kindle edition, and am enjoying a re-read! I've cancelled the dinner reservation, of course - I can eat in the pub the book club is meeting in, the Prince of Wales.

On Thursday, back in Southwark Playhouse - original venue, this time - with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS), for The Bleeding Tree, a drama involving a murder and a conspiracy of silence. Booked on their excellent PAYG system, where a prepaid amount counts for five shows, no time limit. Can represent a good saving! We're eating in Mercato Metropolitano again. And then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend.

On the 10th, back with UITCS again for Kathy & Stella Solve a Murder - a musical comedy about the presenters of a murder podcast, finding themselves in the position of sleuths! Showing at the Ambassadors Theatre, cheapest tickets from the official source, with a promo code! Stupidly, when I was booking it though, I forgot all seats would be the same price - could have got a better one, never mind. And I've booked Bella Italia St. Martin's Lane again.

On the 11th, BoB is off to the Yamato Drummers at the Peacock Theatre. Their tickets were sold out by the time I came to booking this, but it's the best thing on Meetup for the day - so I booked my own ticket. Eating in Cote Covent Garden.

On the 12th, back with UITCS for The Finellis, a musical in Wonderville. I remember the food not being great there - will see what my options are nearby.

And on the 13th, back with CT for a talk on The Peasants' Revolt, at Southwark Cathedral.