London Still Rocks!

Tonight , more storytelling - seems to be the popular day of the week for it at the moment! This was The Goddess of Spreadsheets, by  Tim Ralphs , at  Torriano Avenue . This far away, it had to be Tube - the Northern Line , to be specific: and isn't it ironic that, with it closing early on weeknights, I, who usually don't take the Tube at all, ended up on this very line two nights in a row.. Anyway, this evening, a bus heading by the station was due as I passed, so I took the sensible option and waited for it. And so I arrived early at Nando's . The tables by the window, where I usually sit, were full - I ended up beside the door to the toilets. Handily, it's also beside the cutlery etc. And that's where I was when he came with my wine, looking all confused to see an empty table.. I wonder what the issue is. Quite possibly they're supposed to check that the person receiving it isn't underage, which means they're in a bit of a quandary if no-one is the...

I was having terrible trouble finding anything for tonight - and then  Nell Phoenix  came to my rescue, with another storytelling evening at  Torriano Avenue ! (I see she's still advertising it as £7 on the website, but it's actually £10.) Anyway, this evening, it was Yamamba, with  Laura Sampson ! Far enough out that I had to take the Tube - Northern Line it was. And a bus came along handily to take me to the station , so I treated myself to that. The train, luckily, wasn't at all busy. Spotted one of the storytellers (not previously mentioned, and I can't remember her name) sitting across from me. When I got off, a short walk brought me to my usual Nando's , which wasn't busy, and where I got a window seat. I tell you though, neither the app nor the website was working - first time I've had to order at the counter since I was in the Frith Street branch and the WiFi didn't work! At least it meant I got my wine straight away - not that it was that co...

Tonight, finally back with  storytelling at Torriano ! It's months since I was last there. Had to be Tube , this far out - Northern Line on its own was going to be faster than taking the Jubilee Line , followed by the Northern - and with timings being a bit tight, as usual, as I was in perfect time to catch a bus to the station , that's what I did. Wouldn't you know it though, force of habit took me on the Jubilee Line. Never mind, I'd saved time with the bus. I planned to eat at Nando's - just as well I knew where it was, considering it was completely obscured by scaffolding! It was open though - and I'd timed it perfectly, as a whole stream of people left as I was about to go in. So I got to sit near where they'd been, and it was lovely and quiet. Ooh, and I was due a free meal from my loyalty points! Goodee.. I didn't really have time for dessert, sadly, but I had a second glass of wine. Walked over there. These things are usually hosted by  Nell P...

Wednesday saw me back, at last, for storytelling at  Torriano ! Hosted, as ever, by  Nell Phoenix , this one wa s  The Shahnameh  -  Persian , delivered by Xanthe Gresham-Knight . I headed off in good time - Northern Line , as it was far.. so much less crowded then the Jubilee Line I'm used to! I even got a seat - was still glad to get off though, it was stuffy. Ate in Nando's , as ever, which is an excellent branch. Skipped dessert - not only did I have a bit of a walk ahead, but I was stuffed.. Made the meeting house just in time, got some fruit punch (with a shot), which comes free, and took a seat near the front. First up, Nell got someone in front of me to "volunteer" - her story was about trees. Funnily enough, so was the first scheduled storyteller's, Amelia Armande , who gave us a rather excellent story about why the yew tree looks the way it does. Funny, she looks much younger in person than in her official headshot online.. I had a direct view of her ...

Tonight, a break from  Meetup  and from films - I was back with  Storytelling at Torriano Avenue ! This one was "Queens of Albion".. and, as usual, it's far enough away that Tube was required. The best selection of eateries near Torriano Avenue is, happily, near Kentish Town Tube Station , where I alighted this time - so it didn't take me long to get fed. Nando's , like last time I was here - and delicious wasn't the word. I always say these places are better out of the centre.. I'd have had a dessert, but didn't quite have time. I did stump up for a second glass of wine, though! A reasonable walk to the venue, then - and look for the orange door. Wow, I was glad I arrived in time - we didn't start until 15 minutes after the scheduled start time, because Nell Phoenix , the host, was trying to seat everybody! At that, I'm not sure everyone did get a seat - I managed it, but I'm sure some of the last arrivals were standing by the door throu...

Tonight, storyteller  Nell Phoenix  - who has a newsletter I've signed up to - advertised a  night of storytelling at Torriano Avenue ! Right, that was me sorted.. except the work I said I'd get done on this, my last day of work before the holidays, didn't get finished. So I stayed a little later than I otherwise would've - but when I saw that the person who had asked me to let her know how far I'd got before I left had logged off without chasing me, I decided to head off, do it later. It's waiting for me when I finish the blog.. uhh.. This turned out to be far enough away that I needed the Tube . I could have walked to London Bridge - but when I saw that a bus going that way was due, I took that instead. Not actually sure that it wouldn't have been faster to walk.. anyway, I'd had a look at where to eat, and the winner was Nando's Kentish Town . T here's a direct line to Camden Town  - again, pleasantly uncrowded, and Google Maps was good eno...