Hotel Leonardo, Film: X, & Restaurant: Jade Cottage

Last night, for the first time in a couple of months, I was heading back to Ireland for the weekend. And after months of having nothing to do for one of my teams at work, it would be yesterday that they decided to release, and realised they needed documentation. As the team lead said, it was on him - he forgot all about it - and if it didn't get done, it didn't. Well, I figured I could get it done - and I did.

I was waiting to hear about my car before I booked my trip - it was in for repairs - so I booked my flights rather late. Ryanair, for some reason, would take none of my cards.. probably a website issue. However, that turned out lucky, because when I checked, as long as I checked in a bag (which is the default), Aer Lingus was cheaper! (Decided to bring a bigger bag, as a result - there are a lot of clothes I want to bring back to London.) Didn't fancy the dangerously overcrowded Elizabeth Line though.. I figured I should have time to get the Tube. 

I would have left earlier, if not for that last-minute work.. I should still have made it on time, though. Except that there were severe delays on the Piccadilly Line - signal problems. On a severely crowded train, we kept stopping between stations, delaying at stations.. as time went on, it became apparent that I was going to be late for bag drop. By the time we arrived at the airport, it was five minutes past the bag drop deadline, and I was booking a flight for this morning.

Aer Lingus was cheaper again, and so I was flying from the same place - I cut my losses, and decided to book an airport hotel. The closest was Aerotel, but when I read it didn't have an onsite restaurant, that was out. Next closest was the Hilton Garden Inn, which was more expensive than most.. so I looked a bit further, and found the Leonardo. Price ok - cheapest on a site called super.com - breakfast included. I booked. Now, it's not that far away - but unfortunately, walking isn't an option. Hate that. AI said the bus was free, so I didn't bother tapping, and the driver didn't ask.. not entirely sure about that, but it was ok on this occasion. Perhaps it is, if you're only going nearby. Google Maps, mind you, showed me the bus going right past the hotel.. no, it doesn't. I got off when it got to Bath Road, and I saw it was going in the wrong direction - then had a long trek to somewhere I could cross safely.. to be fair, it wasn't far past where I had to walk to anyway. I wasn't in the mood to jaywalk, like all those who got off with me.

I did find the hotel entrance without trouble, checked in.. I'd prepaid, so that was quick. I was on the first floor, so took the lift. Peculiar thing - it was on my floor, but wouldn't open the door if I pressed the "up" button, only if I pushed the "down" one.. Made it to my room eventually, and oohhh the aircon was gorgeous. Dumped my case and went straight back down to the restaurant.

Where I had steak frites.. and wine.

The wine was nice. The steak.. I couldn't recommend. They do more expensive steak, which might be better.

When I was done, and went back upstairs, I fancied more wine.. called room service, and they said I could order it to my room, or go down and collect it myself and avoid the £6 service charge. That's what I did, and they charged me the £6 anyway. Oh, and the ice bucket leaked all over the table in my room. But the wine was lovely.

Meantime, browsing the tv channels, I found X, which I'd never seen, and stars Mia Goth in a slasher about a group of youngsters trying to make an x-rated film in the countryside, and attracting the ire of their elderly neighbours.. Honestly, I couldn't get into it, but I was tired. Have to say, the bed was comfy, the triple glazing completely blocked out the noise. Highly recommend the hotel.

This morning, I rose early, had a lovely (included) breakfast, and splurged on the Hoppa bus to the airport (£7). Goes every half hour from the hotel entrance - I took the 8.06am. Stops at the Radisson before heading to the airport, where the conductor lifted my bag off for me. And I got into a very nice chat on the plane with the lady beside me, from South Carolina, who was travelling with the Road Scholars, on what sounded like a comprehensive tour of Ireland! Made it back in time for lunch with my lunch buddy in Jade Cottage - where I had General Tso's Chicken, as always. Unfortunately, a lot of it was tough, and incapable of being cut. Lovely crystal glass again for the wine though, and I fancied chocolate for dessert, which was provided by profiteroles. And it was great to catch up with my friend.

Back to London tomorrow. On Monday, I'm back with CT for I'm Not Myself Today - A Villainous Cabaret. Showing at the Bread & Roses, it sounds interesting, with a soundtrack composed entirely of songs about, or by, villains.

On Tuesday, headed to the Proms - specifically, Also Sprach Zarathustra - at the Royal Albert Hall, and my sometime companion is coming too - it was actually her suggestion. Well, that's assuming she's recovered from her recent accident. I'm eating at the Elgar Room beforehand - it's an early show, and an early dinner, so I'm taking a half-day from work - I certainly have them to spare. She doesn't fancy that - but I want more than they have in the cafe.

And the next two days seem likely to be films. On Wednesday, I'm delighted to be seeing Coup '53 finally - it's a documentary about the joint CIA/MI6 operation in 1953 to overthrow the Iranian Prime Minister, who had just nationalised the Iranian oil industry, which had previously operated under the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company (now BP). The operation was Churchill's idea (always far too interested in meddling in other countries, that man). Showings are limited, so I missed it before.. it's now showing in the Arthouse Crouch End, and was mostly sold out when I looked, so I booked.

And on Thursday, I'm thinking of The Last Viking, which I'd intended to see on Sunday, but didn't - it's a crime comedy with Mads Mikkelson, who plays a man under the delusion that he's John Lennon. Evening showing is in the Ritzy.