Ex-Colleagues Social

Today, our monthly ex-colleagues' meeting.. this time, just Ivan and James, and we were trying The Phoenix, which we thought of before but didn't go for.

James and I were perplexed, not having heard from Ivan in a while.. but what the hey, we set off to meet anyway. Buses were diverted from around me, and as I set off on foot for the Tube, it became obvious why!

Yeah - see where that crowd is..? That's where my bus should be! The London Marathon, that is - as James remarked, we perhaps shouldn't have picked today - never mind. They certainly picked a smashing day for it - temperatures 20 and over in the afternoon, brilliant sunshine.. Me, I arrived at London Bridge to catch the Tube - awful crowds. I've never before seen a queueing system implemented there. Both Jubilee, which was my aim, and Northern, Lines crowds were directed through the same entrance - when I saw the hordes heading for the Jubilee, I decided to see whether I could make it on the Northern - and when I saw the crowds waiting for the Northern Northbound, I investigated the Southbound platform. Just as well - I'd have had to change to the District or Circle from the Jubilee Line, and as an announcement informed me, they were severely delayed because of a trespasser on the track! As it was, I discovered I could change to the Victoria Line at Stockwell, south on the Northern Line, and that's what I did - in a delightful absence of crowds. Goes to show, always avoid the crowds if you can. I arrived in Victoria roughly when I was supposed to..

As I was exiting the station, lo, I heard from Ivan at last! Phew - at least he was ok. Relatively - turns out he was literally just returning from Amsterdam, having left his phone in London, and was wrecked - he said he'd have a kip and join us later. Actually, he never did - when I let him know, later, what time James had decided to leave, Ivan decided, after a nap, he was still wrecked, so he just left it.

James met me at the exit, and we had some fun navigating the maze of streets around Victoria, but made it to the pub in the end. Where, as it happened, most of the tables had been reserved - we hadn't been able to reserve, and this was obviously why; they left the centre tables for walk-ins. Thank heavens we were there early - a couple of hours later, the place was rammed with medal-bearing marathon finishers and their families! 

Anyway, we ordered food - a burger for me, fish n chips for him, these being the only two options. I asked for my burger without tomato, to which I'm intolerant, and pickle, which I just don't like.. they agreed, but it still came with both. I had to get it replaced. Not to mention, although it says on the menu that it comes with fries, it didn't.. the first guy I asked said no, you have to order them separately; when I was taking the burger back, I said it again, and someone gave me a complicated spiel about how you get them on the main menu but not on the "ready to go", which was all they had today. Well, they thought better of it - it did say on the "ready to go" menu that fries were included. And someone did eventually drop a bowl of fries around. In fact, someone else was all ready to give me another, until he saw it was already done.. Anyway, after all that palaver, the food was very good, and we were well fed.

We had a great afternoon, and the soundtrack was excellent - all old classic rock tunes. I tell you though, when the crowds started to return from the marathon, it was deafening - and the crowds for bar and toilet were horrendous. So, later on, we decamped to The Beer House, in the station, for the proverbial "one for the road" - I must remember I owe him for that. Great to see him - just a shame the others couldn't make it! Oh, and I could get buses home - despite diversions.

Tomorrow, back for the first time in ages with TAC, for a talk on A History of Britain in 10 Enemies, at The Conduit. 

On Tuesday, back with The Hideout.. Until Dawn does sound appealing, particularly with the time loop feature. With a choice of two Odeons in Leicester Square, both showing it, we're heading to the Odeon Luxe West End.. of course, I'm eating beforehand in Bella Italia.

On Wednesday, back with the much-neglected London Literary Walks (LLW)! Well, if he will hold walks on a Wednesday.. This one is The Westminster Walk, meeting in St. Stephen's Tavern. 

On Thursday, heading with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) again, for Tambo & Bones, at the Theatre Royal Stratford East. Then off to Ireland for the bank holiday weekend. 

On the 6th, back - after too long - with North London Friends! We're headed to House of Games, in Hampstead Theatre. And what a tragedy it is that Ye Olde Swiss Cottage seems to have closed..! It was my go-to, there, and they served excellent food..

On the 7th, back with LLW for the 101 Dalmatians walk! We're meeting in The Globe - I've booked to eat there beforehand. 

On the 8th.. flamenco!! Which I love. Found a group, Flamenco Events in London, and have requested to join - anyway, have booked for this concert in St. John's Church Hoxton. Tickets from Eventbrite - free after-show party, but I'm passing- have work next day, of course. Have booked with Schnitzel Heaven for beforehand. 

On the 9th, back at Sadler's Wells with UITCS again, for Oona Doherty-Specky Clark. Which sounds.. curious, being an interpretation in dance of a family history involving a family of butchers and, on the other side, working in an abattoir.. Anyway, eating at The Wilmington again.

On the 10th, back with Laurence Summers and the 45+ Not Grumpies.. this time, for The Wallace Collection. And Helen is coming to town! And on this event, natch.

I'm leaving the 11th free in case the aforementioned ex-colleagues can come to a consensus to meet that day! I don't dare ask just yet, after today's palaver..

And on the 12th, heading with my companion from the Swiss trip to a classical concert in St. John's Waterloo - booked with Eventbrite. We're eating at The Archduke beforehand.