Tag Archives: london

December 25, 2012 · 9:45 pm

Merry Christmas

I wish ye all a very Merry Christmas. Or Happy Holidays for the atheists. Or Happy Tuesday for all you of other faiths. What’s it for me? Food and Freebies day. It was good. Hope yours was too, however you like to celebrate it. Or not. I wish everyone well, every day. Mostly. Except for a select few – a very select few – whose absence from planet Earth would be a benefit for mankind. But that’s not an avenue to go down today. Today is all about goodwill, is it not?

This is my second Christmas since returning from Mexico. I grew to like Mexican Christmas’, even though they were far from what I was used to. I loved the food served up in Mexico. I wasn’t so fond of the midnight starting time. I’m not a night owl. By midnight I want to have been asleep for at least half an hour. I also like a traditional British Christmas dinner. Nothing beats pigs in blankets. Christmas lights work better in the UK’s bleak midwinter darkness too.

I have never been to church over Christmas, in either country. My Mexican relatives would have been and said their prayers,made their confessions and otherwise played their part in their local religious communities before I and Mrs P arrived for feast time. I always assumed so, anyway. Perhaps they assumed the same of me. I don’t know. I never really got into religious discussions with the extended members. I expect my agnostic outlook might not have won their approval. At the same time, I don’t think many, if any, would have held it against me.

My Mexican relatives and friends would probably find one of our traditions, the Queen’s Christmas Message, a little peculiar. It is a little peculiar. A little old lady who lives in a palace with servants, countless diamonds on hand for every occasion and a property portfolio that would many any corporation blush, presents herself on television to report on the world this year. What, one wonders, does she know of our world? Still. It has a quaint and charming appeal. It lasts just a few minutes. We’re stuffed full of enough turkey to forgive her for her indulgences. But yes, most Mexicans would find the message peculiar. Perhaps they would prefer my set of photos of London at Christmas – click here.

RIP Jack Klugman. I loved Quincy. A loved all those 70′s and 80′s American shows. Dallas, Cagney and Lacey, Magnum. But Quincy played perhaps the best character of them all.

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November 13, 2012 · 7:40 am

The Lord Mayors Show

London is exhausted. We kicked the year off with the best New Years fireworks display ever. We bumbled through a deep recession. But we got on our glad rags for the Queens Jubilee. The partied with the world at the third London Olympics. Then we sat back and relaxed. But wait. This is an ancient city, built on centuries of tradition. New York may be the city that never sleeps. Perhaps London is the show that must go on. And on, and on.

This weekend was the Lord Mayors Show. A three mile parade, of floats, marching bands, military machines, worship companies of something or other, and finally the new Lord Mayor in a fancy gold coach. So a few hundred thousand Londoners and visitors (which one of these exactly am I?) took to the streets once again, plastic Union Flags in hand, brollies at the ready.

The Lord Mayors parade is only a decade or two away from it’s five hundredth anniversary. It was about time I saw one. Other than the pantomime version, with Dick Whittington. Was it good? Like I said, London is exhausted. The traditional fireworks display was taken off the programme this year. We’ve had out fill of fireworks this year. Some of the participants were fun. Some were interesting.

A few too many were dull and self promoting. Pimlico Plumbers driving in vans with their radio advert blasting over loudspeakers? Really? Enjoy my photo set of the day on Flickr – click here – the vast majority of which I ran through Lightroom presets. Free ones by onOne and a bunch I actually paid of few dollars for on Stuck in Customs. I’m having a lot of fun with my growing collection of presets. Hope you like the effects.

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September 25, 2012 · 9:53 pm

Musicals and Memes

Weren’t the Olympics great? Unless you were a London hotelier, restaurant owner or theatre company. In which case, it seems the Olympics weren’t so great. Empty beds, empty plates and empty seats throughout the grand sporting event. I have to say I didn’t quite get why this happened, even though it is a common trend in recent Olympiads. London’s airports shipped jumbo loads of extra visitors, putting a huge strain on the capitals airports. Where did the all sleep and eat? And surely they must have gone into town when not watching the games? And what sort of London visitor would want to miss out on a West End show?

I love the theatre. Especially musicals. I went to see Thoroughly Modern Millie on Broadway in NY – my favourite show ever. Singing in the Rain is full of cheese and as equally full of fun – I saw that in Bournemouth at the local theatre. And who didn’t love JC Superstar? I saw that on television. It’s now been turned into a live show, which I’d rather like to go and see at the O2 Arena. There’s not long left as it’s ending its run soon, so I guess I’d best get myself some Jesus Christ Superstar tickets fairly soonish.

It’s a good time of year to take in a show too. The evenings are drawing in, and the air is chilly. It’s time to get inside somewhere warm after dark. And even if the theatre companies suffered during the summer, I’m sure they will see a rebound heading into Christmas. By the way, I know Emm in London went to see JCS recently, so I’m sure she’ll have a review up on her blog soon.

Before any trip to London though, I have another musical event to attend. They guys has become this centuries ultimate internet meme. I’ve been sat here for what seems an eternity (about 3 minutes) straining my brain trying to work out how to insert a literary version of this viral video. And I’ve failed you. I’ll have to leave the video to reveal all. Yes, Mrs P and I are going to step back into the 80′s and go see him…

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September 19, 2012 · 10:32 am

A Hollywood Moment

There’s a famous film star in this photo. Mrs P noticed the person strolling by, not I. It made her day. Who is he or she? Typically, in Brit quiz style, you’d be asked to send in your answers on a postcard. But today, you can post your entries in the comments and I’ll send a London postcard to the first person who guesses correctly. You haven’t got the faintest idea? Have a wild stab in the dark anyway. For every wrong answer, I’ll provide a clue. You can keep making guesses, there’s no limit.

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September 16, 2012 · 4:13 pm

The Mexican Winner

I’ve been looking out for Mexican dining options since arriving back in the UK in 2011. Sadly, most of the restaurants I’ve found purporting to be providers of fine Mexican cuisine are non-starters. I won’t even waste my time in walking through the door. The menu displayed on the window or door tells me all I need to know – Tex Mex. Which is not, of course, Mexican. It might be a good Tex Mex restaurant, but it’s not what I’m looking for.

I held out hoped for Wahaca, following the owners TV series. But that turned out to be 99% Tex Mex too. Not real Mexican food. I’ve since discovered Benitos Hat, but the atmosphere was a little dull. And Mestizos, but the staff aren’t the friendliest and the £55 Independence Day charge was extortionate.

That leaves just Lupitas, behind Charing Cross Station on the Strand. Not cheap, but not expensive either – a fair price. Genuine Mexican food. And a Mexican atmosphere. Mexican staff! It’s a real little piece of Mexico in London. We had a booking for last night at 9.30pm, but our plans changed and we had to do dinner earlier. They were heaving, but still managed to smile and find us a table for four. Look no where else for your Mexican experience in London!

Viva Mexico Cabrones! I hope you all had a jolly good time if you were out celebrating Hidalgo’s big night.