Category Archives: Living

Wah! Wah! Girls

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As you know from previous posts Sadlers Wells’ have produced a fabulous array of different dance shows this year as part of a World season.  Tonight we were back again to the Peacock Theatre to see the Wah! Wah! Girls, billed as ‘A British Bollywood Musical’.

When I chose this addition to ‘our season’ I was hoping for a colourful performance of bollywood dancing and indian music and a contrast between the traditional and modern  in London.  Sadly the performance we received was short of everything.  Short of bollywood dancing, short of story and short of indian music!

My feeling was that they had produced something that appeared more like an amateur dramatic version of Bollywood Glee!

That said, the stage set was creatively put together with each house, street front or bedroom wall pictured on curtains that were then pulled on and off with a trainer.  A wonderful set change in seconds and it meant that we, as the audience, was taken from the inside of a house, to the street, to a club etc in seconds and could easily move with the storyline.  I loved the London bus that was created from a metal frame and material.  Many of the costumes were colourful and flowing however perhaps too many others were bedecked in ‘British’ outfits that had been rescued from a charity shop in the East End of London.

Tonight was the final performance of the show in London but I don’t think you missed anything that your hard earned £££ wouldn’t have been better spent elsewhere.  I’d been looking forward to this show and really feel that they missed a great opportunity to showcase the Bollywood dance style.

Guardian review – 1 June 2012
Telegraph review – 1 June 2012

Precious people

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You know from previous posts that I’ve a dear friend going through chemo at the moment.  Some days are tougher than others and some days are just plain exhausting for her.  However true to her enormous courage and strength she tries to do so much and mostly for others.

 Yesterday she was at the House of Commons with Target Ovarian charity for a reception with guest MPs, Lords and Trustees together with doctors and researchers who are working to improve the lives of women diagnosed with ovarian cancer.  It is also an opportunity to speak with politicians and other guests about this rare cancer and raise awareness.  Particularly poignant as last year Letitia attended this event with Kerry, who sadly is no longer with us.

Today however was a treat day.  She was attending the new cancer centre at UCLH for a session with the team about meditation.  There has been over the years quite a bit written about meditation helping people cope with long term illnesses and, of course, the reduction of stress.  Recently there has been a few articles written about the definate benefit for cancer patients and indeed Penn University in the US have a course of mindful meditation specifically for their patients (see my notes from the workshop at the YSC Atlanta Conference in 2010).

We had arranged to meet for lunch, headed into Covent Garden and found ourselves at Brasserie Blanc.  OK so it was a little deliciously naughty but hey, we deserve it!

We were tucked neatly into an alcove which looked into the middle of Covent Garden but from where we could dine and chat without being overheard or interrupted.  It really was a super spot and it was only at 3.45pm that we realised the time!

And doesn’t Tish look fantastic.

Noises Off – Must see!

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After a very lovely lunch in the country with my Aunt and Uncle, I raced back to town to join a friend at the Theatre.

For once the trains worked to timetable and I made it to The Aldwych with an hour in hand.  What’s a girl to do, eh?  Yes you guessed it… well almost!  No I didn’t go for a glass of bubbles somewhere, I rather stumbled across The Counter at The Delaunay.

A fabulously old-fashioned parlour decked out with dark wood and a countertop laden with cakes, pastries and sweet treats. I couldn’t resist a mouthwatering strawberry tart (with the most exquisitely light pate sucre case I’ve tasted outside France) and, of course, a pot of Earl Grey tea.  I took a window seat and could watch the world hurry past on their way home or out for the evening.

At 7pm we met at the theatre collected our tickets, headed to the Stalls bar (which if you’ve not been to the Novello is right inside the theatre at the back of the Stalls.   A really beautifully restored theatre and in itself worth a look.  It wasn’t long after we got our Pimms (hey it is summer, right?) and found our seats when the curtain went up.

I won’t tell you the storyline except to say that it is a play about a play!  The script is fast moving and hilariously funny as you see into the behind the scenes goings on of an already farcical story.  We found ourselves howling with laughter and as the play went on, we laughed louder and more often.  A definate must see!  How could you not when it stars the incredible Celia Imrie AND the Telegraph gave it 5.5 stars out of 5!  Telegraph Review

Bubbles

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“I only drink Champagne when I’m happy, and when I’m sad. sometimes I drink it when I’m alone. when I have company, I consider it obligatory. I trifle with it if I am not hungry and drink it when I am. otherwise I never touch it – unless I’m thirsty”
Lily Bollinger (and me!)
Why?  See post 16/08/2011

Olympic tickets have arrived

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I am very very excited about the 2012 Olympics being in London.  Woah, I can hear the sharp intake of breath from the readers here… or perhaps the confusion?  No really, I am.  If you believe everything you read and see in the media, I’m the only person who IS excited however.

Despite what’s in the press about the cost, about the transport, about the _____ (fill in the gap), I truly truly believe that hosting the Olympics will be fantastic for the UK.  I also believe it will be (or should be) an inspiration to this and future generations to know that no matter what, you can achieve your dreams.  You can do it.  You do have the confidence and capability to do ANYTHING you put your heart and soul into.

I’m not sporty (or not these days) nor do I watch a great deal of sport or know all the rules. What I do love about sport though is the ability to work as a team or in solo sports the determination and drive.

In 2000 I was fortunate enough to be living in Sydney Australia and attend their Olympics.  Even there (where they are soooo much more positive) there was negative press and media before the Olympics started.  However as we all know now the Sydney Olympics were simply awesome.  The Olympic village and facilities that remain are used by schools, sports clubs and adults.  There’s a legacy of youngsters coming up through the ranks knowing what it means to be a part of the Olympics and I’m quite sure in London this year, we will feel their drive and enthusiasm as the Aussies reach for gold.

In Sydney, despite only getting a couple of tickets via their ballot, I was able to attend 8 events in the end as guests of others or buying tickets from friends who didn’t want or couldn’t then go.  I didn’t mind.  I was happy to go to as many events as I possibly could.  Each of them were amazing for so many different reasons.  The location.  The sport.  The laughter.  The inspiration.

So, it was a no-brainer that I was to apply for tickets to the London Olympics.  I was fortunate enough in the ballot to receive tickets to 3 of the 7 events I applied for.  The tickets arrived today.  Yippeeee

Now I just need to work out the logistics in picking up and dropping off my nephew and niece who will be joining me for two of the three events.

If you’ve got the chance to get to the Olympics or Paralympics, whether it be at the event itself or watching it on a big screen with others, please please please do it.

PS  Oh and if there’s anyone reading this that has a spare ticket to ANYTHING, I’m your gal!

Danza Contemporanea de Cuba

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Our world season of dance continues with a trip to Sadler’s Wells for Danza Contemporanea de Cuba.  Tonight’s show promised an exciting performance set to a Cuban beat, a frisson of suggestive movement to connect the story to the dance and music and an energetic modern finish to the run at Sadler’s Wells.

Certainly the energy was truly visible as the dancers twisted, turned, jumped and were thrown into the air.  The music was there but somehow missing the crescendo entirely and the show ended with more of a fizz than a bang… you could tell by the delay in the audience applaud whilst we worked out whether it was indeed over!

The evening’s show was split into three parts, each part with their own style and interpretation.  I can’t confess to understanding the storyline of each or perhaps there wasn’t one.  Why were they all wearing boxing gloves for one part?  But how could they do the jumps and catches to cleverly whilst wearing them?  At times I wondered if I’d wandered into a gymnasium rather than the esteemed Sadler’s Wells theatre.

I think I would summarise the show by saying it was ‘interesting’.  There were parts that left us wanting more and there were parts that left us simply, wanting.

Telegraph review – 8 June 2012
Guardian review – 1 June 2012

Thank heavens for the Director of Fun

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I can’t tell you how close I was to tears following my assignation with the consultant at St Helier Hospital.  Fortunately I had no time to come home and hide under the duvet, I had an appointment with the Director of Fun!

Those of you who know me, will know that I can’t resist a little mischief and fun when it’s on offer.  Some of you refer to me as the ‘yes girl’ because given an invitation to do something, I’m there with a big YES.  True form tonight was due to my ‘yes girl’ behaviour.  I was chatting to a friend about what she was doing to celebrate her birthday and also take some time on holiday.  She had planned to go to Italy for a couple of weeks – one studying art history in Florence and the second R&R elsewhere in Italy.  She suggested that I could join her and we started plotting where and how it would happen.  Sadly the crazy cost of flights and accommodation over the weeks that we wanted put paid to overseas mischief (and as it turned out, enabled us to avoid the earthquakes on those particular weeks).

However, a call to her at the end of last week established that she was going to enjoy the UK, more particularly the Oxford area.  She suggested I join her at a fabulous little hotel for one night, prosecco and beautiful dining…. hmmm ‘YES’ was my very quick answer.  Thank heavens as I needed some mischief after the hospital appointment… so quick change and in the car.

Sadly the car was playing up and I was starting inclines at 70mph and ending them at 20mph with my foot on the floor.  Anyway I finally limped my way into the hotel just in time for a bath before dinner.

Shame I only had 30 minutes to enjoy the fabulously deep bubbly bath!

Oooh and then on to my favourite sort of bubbles… and the sun was shining!   I almost forgot the afternoon that I’d had and that my car was somewhat ‘dumped’ in the car park.

We had a fabulous dinner and caught up on all sorts of gossip (the car and hospital long forgotten).  After a nightcap we both headed off for a good night’s sleep.

The next day, I managed to get my car checked into a VW garage for the ‘damaged’ valve to be replaced.  They however weren’t going to be able to get it fixed until Friday which would mean my scooting back to London by train and coming back down to Oxford on Friday to collect – but hey they could fix it!

There was another added surprise bonus to my car problems.  The garage was at the end of the street of friends who had just come home with their first baby boy, Gorgeous George, a few days earlier.  Any excuse for an Auntie Anna cuddle!

Car booked in; baby cuddled; it must surely be time for lunch?  

I thought I’d introduce MC to a favourite place of mine, The Crazy Bear at Stadhampton.  The sun was shining and we were able to dine alfresco before a wander round the farm shop.  I then introduced MC to another fabulous place, Waterperry Gardens.  Worth an amble and particularly fun during Art in Action.  We then headed off in search for all the ‘Bartons’ (have a look at Oxfordshire on your map and see how many there are!), we realised that it was already late and the ‘Yes girl’ was going to stay another night!  Oooh bubbles, dinner and bed (sound familiar).

Our final day we decided that we should really go for a walk along the Thames and found a fabulous spot starting from The Trout, Wolvercote, which you may recognise from the series, Inspector Morse.  A spot of lunch and then I picked up my fixed car.  Bless them they’d finished it a day early.  Quick dash back to London to take up my Auntie Anna duties for Alex and Naomi.  Fortunately bathtime and bedtime went fabulously – only 5 bedtime books read and then they were out for the count.

Oooh I’d best explain the Director of Fun.  MC is the Director of Fun and leads me astray.  I however am now the Director of Mischief and ___________ _________ __________* (I shall leave you to complete!)

New and good friends

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You may remember that last year I went to Spain on a Walkactive walking holiday for a few days.

This weekend was a long overdue catch up with my holiday roomie, Elizabeth ooop north and another walker, Maria.  I was very good and first attended a WalkFit session in the City before racing across town to meet Maria and the train.  A few hours later we were at our destination and settled outside a tearoom with a pot of tea and cake!  An hour or so later we paused for breath and quickly made it back to Elizabeth’s house where her hubby was waiting  for us with the bubbles already chilled.  Perfect way to spend the rest of the afternoon, chatting some more, drinking bubbles and enjoying some sunshine.

The rest of the weekend was in similar vein with the addition of a Malaysian steamboat dinner on Saturday night and our moving to a restaurant on the canal for Sunday lunch.  (sshhhh we did manage to a long walk along the canal on Sunday morning too but I don’t want you thinking I spend too much time away from bubbles, so shhhh!).

Truly fabulous weekend.  Always great to meet new people who become new and good friends.

Who was John F Duggan

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The bench next to mine in Berkeley Square arrived a few weeks afterward and we sat side by side on the left hand side of the pathway.  I often wonder who John F Duggan was and have tried to find out.  I’d love to know who else loved Berkeley Square as much as I still do.

Today however I noticed there was a poem stuck to the back of his bench.

TOGETHERNESS

I have only slipped away into the next room.
Whatever we were to each other that we still are.
Call me by my old familiar name.
Speak to me in the easy way which you always did.
Laugh as we always laughed together.
Play, smile, think of me, pray for me.
Let my name be the household word it always was.
Let it be spoken without effort.
Life means all that it ever meant.
It is the same as it ever was;
There is absolutely unbroken continuity.
Why should I be out of your mind because I am out of your sight?
I am but waiting for you, for an interval,
Somewhere very near just around the corner.
All is well.  Nothing is past, nothing is lost.
One brief moment and all will be as it was before,
Better infinitely happier and forever we will all be together with God.

I would love to know who he was.  Anyone?