Walk: From Muck to Money

Today, back with Laurence Summers and the 45+ Not Grumpies! This walk was From Muck to Money. Made it in good time - time, in fact, to mosey to the nearest shop and grab a Mars Bar. By the time I moseyed back, the crowd had gathered - and it was a larger crowd than usual, today! Must've been the spring-like weather.. I regretted not bringing my sunglasses.

Well, we started with the tale of that brewery flood - which I had heard before, on his Soho Walk. Today's walk, however, covered quite different ground - for example, I didn't know that Queen Matilda founded St. Giles' Church! At the time, it was attached to a monastery and leper hospital.. and around the side is a wonderfully detailed panel, depicting Christ in the centre, with the Saved to His right, and - of course - the Damned to his left:

Over the side stands what used to be a storehouse.. and apparently, the very tall door would be useful to pass very tall scenery backdrops through!

Today, the church was providing outreach services to those who needed them - showers, food, hot drinks, haircuts, counselling.. and the taking of photos by our group was, I'm afraid, rather frowned upon. I managed to snap off these before we were told off:

Not far away, we came across the site of the Endell Street Military Hospital, used during the First World War - and distinguishable by the fact that it was staffed entirely by women! The slogan "Deeds Not Words" was that of the Women's Social and Political Union - the one founded by the Pankhursts, whose members had eventually become known as Suffragettes..

And we were ably informed about this by one of the group, who herself is preparing to be a guide! 

Moving on to Seven Dials, opposite the Market, we stopped for a while in front of the water clock - which I don't recall noticing before..

No longer working, mind - customers passing underneath obviously wouldn't appreciate a dousing.. Oh, and I'm sure I've heard about this one before, but had forgotten:

The present pillar at the centre of Seven Dials was unveiled by (now-abdicated) Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands - which seems odd, until you realise it was erected in 1989, which was the 300th anniversary of the accession of William of Orange to the English, Scottish,and Irish thrones!

(It's actually a replica of the original, which was removed, and subsequently erected as a memorial to Frederica, Duchess of York, wife of Frederick, Duke of York, second son of George III..)

Aww, this bit was nostalgic for me - this (now-closed) cinema was right beside my favourite office ever (at #125 Shaftesbury Avenue). Jeez, first they close the office building, now the cinema..

Speaking of addresses, we duly found ourselves at #84 Charing Cross Road - which gave its name to a book, then a film:

All in all, just a lovely day for a stroll around the leafy surrounds of Seven Dials - one of the most pleasant walks I've been on. And so, on to lunch upstairs at The Porcupine, in a room dedicated to Noel Coward:

Laurence and I both had the chicken schnitzel - which had the distinction of arriving last! Described on the menu as being "smothered" in garlic butter, nonetheless the teeny drop of it we had, as I remarked, would have had trouble smothering anything. Still, it was fine - and very welcome, by that stage. I wasn't mad about the chips, mind.

Finally, some of us moved on to Baaria for coffee and cake (for the others), wine (for me):

There just wasn't anything chocolatey enough for me! (Sorry, Nutella does NOT count.) And sorry to report, although they do whiskey, and they do coffee.. they do not combine them as Irish coffee.. as our server explained, "We're Italian!".. Cool decor though.

On the way home, I could take a bus to catch the bus that would take me most of the way.. the buses for the first leg took so long to come, however, that I fitted in a walk, not one stop away but two! before one caught up with me..

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

On Monday, 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 and the 45+s.. this time, for The Wallace Collection. And Helen is coming to town! And on the walk, natch.

I'm leaving the 11th free in case the aforementioned ex-colleagues can come to a consensus to meet that day!

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.