London Still Rocks!

Tonight, I was with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) for a reggae musical called The Harder They Come at the Theatre Royal Stratford East - the story of a young musician trying to make it in the business. Should have been easy to get to - if not by bus, then straight there by the Jubilee Line .. if I were travelling from home. Even with today's Tube strike , which didn't affect that line. Except, of course, I wasn't coming from home, but from the office.. Never fear, Google Maps reassured me that I could get the Elizabeth Line (which isn't a Tube line) from Tottenham Court Road , straight there. Really easy, really quick - less than 30 minutes altogether. Now, I've been on that line when it was really crowded, so I was a bit dubious.. but I went down there after work, only to find all but one entrance to the station closed, and a flashing "Do Not Enter" sign overhead, accompanied by a repeating announcement saying the same thing, and citing overcrowd...

Last night, we had our work summer party, at the  Rotunda in King's Place , of all places! Gee, took me ages to make that connection.. I should have gone into the office first, especially as they had drinks, games, and prizes before the evening event - but I was afraid of there being too much competition for desks, so I didn't, setting out by bus from home instead. And wow, was it hot.. I could have got a bus closer, but in the end was glad it was delayed, and I didn't - it was lovely to have a bit of a walk to cool down a bit. As I approached the building, whom did I meet but two women who work with me, and had come together - at least one of them was wearing sunglasses, and I wouldn't have recognised them at all if they hadn't spotted me first! Just as well I met them, too - they were about to get horribly lost, heading around the side of the building, saying they'd seen a sign pointing them that way. I redirected them - to be fair, why would you expect to ha...

Tonight, I headed with  Up in the Cheap Seats  (UITCS) again, for  Tambo & Bones , at the  Theatre Royal Stratford East . And damnit, I would be in the office, which is in the other direction. In the event, it worked out just as handy - for the same price as the Tube , I could take the Elizabeth Line , which is quicker. And was crowded, but doable. Now, it's over two years since I was last here! but some things you don't forget. Such as, take any direction that is not Westfield ! Nothing against the place, but if you go there, you're in Westfield shopping centre - for anything else, take the other option. Which was how I came out to the smaller shopping centre - which you can take a shortcut through to the theatre. And, indeed, to the Sichuan Grand , where I'd agreed to meet a member of the group for dinner. I arrived first, and took a table - had a glass of wine, but waited to order food until he arrived. I think they must have had a different menu before - I ...