Walk: Cold War Russia

Last night, London Literary Walks (LLW) headed off on a walk entitled Cold War Russia. Meeting in The Champion beforehand, right across from the Russian Embassy - and they do food, but don't take bookings for just one person. So I'd have to wing it.

Far enough out for Tube - and ironically, apart from a frighteningly huge crowd coming off the Jubilee Line as I approached, this was a much less traumatic journey than yesterday! I mean, I was travelling at almost exactly the same time.. what the difference is between Tuesday and Wednesday baffles me. Anyway, there were no major crowds - I got on the first train, and even got a seat after a couple of stops! And even the dreaded Central Line behaved - I didn't get a seat, but it was actually running, for once..

Now, you might wonder about the name of the pub. I mean, there's a horse on the sign:

But inside, it's all about Queen!

Anyway, a lot of tables were booked- but I spotted one in the corner. And then damn near lost the table as I was ordering, having forgotten to leave my coat to reserve it! But no, the ladies who were thinking of sitting there decided against it, as there were only stools, and they obviously wanted chairs. And so I got seated - and quite quickly served with what was a very tasty chicken schnitzel and chips! Decent wine, too.. a good eatery to know about.

Anyway, I was nearly finished when our guide, and one of the others, arrived - and of course, I'd forgotten, but we were actually to meet in the downstairs bar. Which does have a counter, but by the way, it isn't generally staffed. I could have eaten downstairs - they have a dumb waiter to carry the food down. Which is what this is - I wasn't sure at first:

Yep, Queen again - they're a bit obsessed:

Yeah - I'm not entirely sure about the claim that the song is named for the pub - inspired by the pub name, perhaps, but naming it for the pub seems unlikely.. to be fair, we couldn't find a definitive answer online. It does seem to be a place they frequented, though:

Anyway, it was a good idea to come downstairs - there's more space. Plus there's an outside seating area - although it was a bit chilly for that, yesterday evening. We had a decent turnout in the end - and our guide was good enough to bring us treats - which were very tasty. And what's more, fitted the Russian theme:

As did the Lenin medal, sported by one of the group with Russian connections:

When we duly left, it was to find lots of Russian-themed street names:

Fittingly for the walk's theme, we did have quite a bit about spying. Which always makes for an interesting tale - Oleg Penkovsky featured prominently, as did the Cuban Missile Crisis. Unfortunately, there wasn't anything photographable in that section. In fact, the darkness of the hour also meant there wasn't much to see when we stopped outside the (very discreet) headquarters of Opus Dei. (Crikey, interesting combination of doings around this part of town.) As our guide pointed out, this is a good reason for him to call a halt to his walks soon, for the winter months.. in fact, I think this is his last month of walks for the year.

Meantime, we came to St. Sophia's Greek Cathedral:

More Russian influence, in some of the shops, mixed with Greek, and indeed a plethora of nationalities were in evidence as we traipsed around the area:

The attractive Park Restaurant is a handy pitstop (I take it these are swanky apartments, rather than actually part of the restaurant):

You'd have to zoom in - but take my word for it, this plaque marks the site of the Czechoslovak government-in-exile, during the Second World War. And specifically, their Military Intelligence Unit. And details of an SS official they assassinated..

Amidst more exotic streetnames - well gee, something closer to home!

And here, a plaque that we could barely see - to J.M. Barrie..

So, on a chilly night, we got to see the secrets of yet another part of town. Another interesting evening! I didn't have time to blog last night though - I'm in the office again today and had to be up early. And just made the bus perfectly, yay!

Tonight, the last Meetup of the week - The Hideout (and Movie Roadhouse London) have their late summer social! Delighted the vote was for this day - it's the only one I could make. In the BFI Riverfront Bar (Balcony), as usual. I've booked Black & Blue again.

Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend. Film is looking like Speak No Evil - now, I remember seeing the trailer for this ages ago! I guess it's one of those that got delayed in production.. anyway, it's the story of an American family that make friends with another family on holiday. James McAvoy is the patriarch, and invites them to stay if they're ever around where they live, in the countryside. When they arrive, however, they start to realise something is seriously wrong.. Showing in the Omniplex, and I would have booked, but the site doesn't seem to be working properly. Never mind, it doesn't seem to have any bookings yet - I'm sure it'll be fine.

On Monday, TAC is offering free tickets to a Baroque/classical mandolin concert at Cadogan Hall! They do ask for a donation to a cancer hospital of at least what you would have paid - apparently the concert is in aid of that - mind you, they don't say which hospital! Seeing a GOSH appeal during the ads before the film on Sunday, I assume it's them. I've booked for Cote Sloane Square beforehand - they, at least, fixed their service issues! Unlike the one at Hay's Galleria..

Then, three more Meetups in a row. On Tuesday, I'm with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) at The Old Vic for The Real Thing, by Tom Stoppard. Eating beforehand in The Duke of Sussex - which does sell out, so it's better to book.

On Wednesday, back with LLW for The Magic Toyshop. Meeting in The Alexandra, Clapham, which only does pizza - but I'll manage.

Next Thursday, back with UITCS for a play called The Lightest Element, at Hampstead Theatre - and there's a terrific deal with Time Out!

On the 20th, I'm back with CT for the Backyard Comedy Club, first time in ages!

And on the 21st - yay, he's back! Laurence Summers is taking the 45+ Not Grumpies on a walk around Shoreditch & Spitalfields..