Meetup Social

This evening was the Christmas Social for The Hideout and their sister group, Movie Roadhouse London (MRL). At the BFI again. And I always book The Archduke for there - but when I was looking, I couldn't get a booking there for this evening! Until I thought I'd try again today, and lo, they had a few timeslots left, including one that suited me perfectly - so I booked.

Headed off early, needing to do some shopping locally - therefore, headed to The Archduke early too. And, sensibly, I see they've added appropriate signage around the roadworks!


It was amazing to see how many people didn't notice where they couldn't go until the last minute. Anyway, I made it, they gave me a table early - on a kind of mezzanine level I hadn't seen before:


Beef bourgignon, an ice cream sundae, wine. Perfect. Mind you, the carafe - and glass - could have been cleaner. Just saying.

And so, on to the BFI. Where there was some confusion as to whether we were in the Riverfront bar - no, the main one. Anyway, I don't think anyone was fatally lost.. the only problem of the night was that there were so many of us, we all ended up split into different groups. So it was hard to talk to everyone you might have wanted to. But still, a great evening - these groups attract fascinating people, and no mistake! And thanks for the Lindor!

Tomorrow, back with MRL for Conclave, starring Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, and John Lithgow as cardinals involved in the election of a new pope. Isabella Rossellini shows up as a nun. Shenanigans are promised. Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend. And all the films on for the weekend (that aren't Conclave) are either ones I've seen, or don't want to see, or are on too late - so, another quiet weekend for me.

Back in London, two nights of music beckon. On Monday, I'm at a Conductors' Podium student classical concert at the Royal College of Music. 

And on Tuesday, I'm at another Jazz Night at Americana. Courtesy of CT.

Next Wednesday, storyteller Nell Phoenix - who has a newsletter I've signed up to - has just advertised a night of storytelling at Torriano Avenue! Right, that's me sorted..

On the 12th, I'm headed with London Social Detours to a talk on "Painting the Christmas Story" - a history of paintings of the nativity - at the Wallace Collection. Social afterwards, of course. Daytime, yes - but I start my Christmas holidays that day, whee! And Ivan is planning to meet me afterwards, as he could only stay for a little on Saturday, and didn't get much of a chat with me.

On the 13th.. well now, I could hardly skip Laurence Summers and the 45+ Not Grumpies' annual Dickens in the City, could I? No, and I'm not..

On the 14th - the Christmas social with Ivan, James, and Martin, who couldn't make it on Saturday! Unfortunately, The Approach Tavern can't accommodate us indoors in the evening, so I've now booked The Bethnal Green Tavern.. who can only guarantee our table until 8pm. Best I seem to be able to do, though..

And on the 15th, I'm back to Ireland for Christmas, returning on the 5th of January. Have a very merry one!

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