London Still Rocks!

I'm finally back on an overdue trip to Ireland for the weekend - first in two months..! (And it's looking likely to be something the same before I'm back again.) One thing I do miss about these trips is the downtime during the flight - no internet, just fluffy clouds out the window for an hour or so.. time to sleep, or on this occasion, to get almost half of my work's book club book read!  Arranged to have lunch with my friend from there today, in   Jade Cottage   as usual.. beat him there this time (only just, as he pointed out), and we had the lunch menu. I decided to try the satay for once, for my main course - I love the General Tso's Chicken, but it always defeats me, and the szechuan is too hot for me. My friend had that, with a satay starter, out of curiosity since I was having it. My starter was the chicken spring rolls, as usual - they're so tender. So, with chicken in each of those dishes, as I remarked, many chickens died in service of this meal.. An...

Currently   back in Ireland for the weekend, because it's been too long. Took yesterday off work (naturally), and with nothing else to do but get ready, of course I was rushing! Did make it, mind - the bus was roughly on time, and after initial slow traffic, absolutely flew, and I made the train I wanted to the airport . I see they have automatic ticket barriers for the lifts now - much more efficient. Queued for security, then spent 25 minutes waiting for them to check my bags.. seemed like more than half the bags were being checked. Thank goodness I was on time.. W. H. Smith in Liverpool Street doesn't seem to do sandwiches any more! I was hungry, so checked the one in the airport - but they no longer do the lovely chicken sandwiches they used to, so I got a smoked salmon one from Pret instead. By that stage, my gate had been announced, and was listed as "boarding".. I panted my way up there, and of course discovered they weren't actually boarding at all. In...

I'm back in Ireland for the weekend, on my last trip this year, my weekends are looking so busy! My flight, I have to say, was one of the most entertaining ever - the attendant doing the announcements had the most amazing sense of humour - he actually managed to get people to take off their headphones, because he was more interesting than whatever they were listening to! So, one of the more pleasant flights.. Today, met an old friend for a bite to eat at  Jade Cottage , arriving a bit later than last time, now that we knew they open later. He went for their lunch menu - I had chicken crispy rolls, which were delicious, and General Tso's chicken, which is sweet and spicy, and which I love (not on the lunch menu, though). Mind you, I can never finish it.. and today, some of the pieces had quite stringy chicken in them.. but gee, my friend was keen to try a bit - and absolutely loved it! Yes, that sauce is gorgeous.. it's just the portions are generous. Wine was served in crys...