Talk: A History of Britain in 10 Enemies

This evening, back for the first time in ages with TAC, for a talk on A History of Britain in 10 Enemies, at The Conduit. It was an early one - I'd have to eat afterwards. Made it in good time - technically, you have to show up half an hour beforehand, which I did. Happily, she had all our names on the computer - just as well, considering there was zero internet reception, and as I hadn't thought to download the ticket beforehand, I now couldn't display it! Not a problem - except that the house wasn't quite open yet, as she said - give it 10 minutes or so. She assured us she'd remember our faces. No problem with the delay either - the bookshop across the road is a sheer delight to browse. I even, finally, found something to buy - although, sneakily, I bought the Kindle version, later - a collection of short horror stories by Bram Stoker, of all people, called The Burial of the Rats! 

Back to The Conduit, and I'm not sure she did remember my face - she seemed unsure, but decided to give me the benefit of the doubt, as I seemed sure I'd checked in. Up I went, got a glass of wine, and as hardly any seats had been taken yet, I got a place nicely near the front! The talk was actually given by Terry Deary - and if the name isn't familiar to you, perhaps his most famous works should be - he's the author of Horrible Histories! And yes, he does have a terrific sense of humour..

Off he went, telling us a bit about himself, and his take on history - he's always been very big on social history - Mr. and Mrs. Peasant, as he said. And, of course, the undocumented and ignored women of history. Now, this is a man with a wealth of stories - historical or otherwise - and could have gone on forever, I guess. When he checked his watch, he was shocked! Perhaps he meant to spend more time plugging his new book, whose title is the same as the talk title, of course. There followed quite a fascinating Q+A, where sundry people - present and online - asked pertinent questions about his take on history, common perceptions of history, and the teaching of history. Further to what he'd said during the talk, he was utterly scathing, in particular, about the denizens of Whitehall, who, as he put it, in designing the curriculum, refuse to teach kids to rebel, because they just want reproductions of themselves, rather than an independent-minded populace who might actually topple them..

Back to the book, from which he told one anecdote that tickled me so much that - for the first time ever - I bought the book being plugged! (On Kindle, mind - I didn't bother with a signed copy.) And the anecdote? An invading French force, mainly ex-convicts, blown off-course by the weather, who land in an area where there's recently been a shipwreck, discover that among the cargo are barrels of wine. So, you know, not wanting to let it go to waste, they finish that off first.. they subsequently kill a chicken (presumably to go with the wine), and when the woman whose chicken it was threatens them with a pitchfork - they surrender. And so ends the invasion..

Afterwards, off to Seven Dials Market, first time in ages - and headed straight for my fried chicken. The sauce was fantastic - the chicken lovely, but perhaps not quite as good as I remember. Still worth checking out, though..

Tomorrow, 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 - no word yet, and there probably isn't going to be! 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, I was to be back with Laurence Summers and the 45+ Not Grumpies.. this time, for The Wallace Collection. But sadly, he's now postponed it till June. Never mind, it isn't a complete loss - Helen is coming to town! We have a rough plan to have lunch at The Archduke, then follow our noses for the afternoon..

I was leaving the 11th free in case my ex-colleagues could come to a consensus to meet that day! But as it happens, Ivan can't make it that day, and it'll be handier for James if we meet a couple of weeks later, when there's another bank holiday, and he can hang around for longer. So, for that day, I spotted an event from London Museums A-Z: for Gen Xers and Millennials (LoMAZ). I never heard of them before, but they're already up to T - for Tutenkhamun: The Immersive Exhibition, which apparently uses VR to put you right back in Ancient Egypt. Sounds interesting - and I do love VR. No problem in joining straight away, either..

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.