And now for something a bit different......

I haven't just been sitting around in the evenings ( or daytime either!)

doing nothing. After cancelling my Bell T.V. contract a few years ago

( poor service and programming), I really haven't missed it all. I did have

Netflix for a while which got a bit boring and now stream with Acorn TV

which I really like, all British TV and more importantly NO SPORTS or

imported American crap. OK, not ALL of it is crap but a lot of it is.

But, when I can, I do love me a good movie or "going to the flicks" as 

they say over here. There's something about watching a movie on the

big screen that just can't be replicated at home.It's really about the 

whole experience. I also like catching up on British films as I can't get

to see a lot of them back home.

So what did I go to see:

             

   Actually this movie is Australian and is just brilliant. It's 

set in the Australian Outback in the 50's and is about a

dressmaker who returns to her tiny hometown to right 

wrongs from her past and look after her ailing mother.

That's all I'm saying but I loved it and especially the 50's

vintage clothing. Well worth watching. A feel good movie!

And lots of eye candy in the shape of Liam Helmsworth!!

This is where I saw it:

The next one I watched was:

           

 

This was listed as a comedy- drama and was written by 

Alan Bennett, a famous Brit playwright. It tells the true 

story of an elderly woman who lived in a dilapidated van

on Bennet's driveway for 15 years. Actually I didn't find it

at all funny,in fact it was depressing although it got rave 

reviews and my friends loved it.! No accounting for tastes!!!

         

I saw this movie at the Savoy Cinema in Nottingham, a lovely

Art-Deco theatre that still has the original double seats- for date

nights!!!

 

And finally, wait for it.........

Which I saw here at the Cornerhouse cinema in Nottingham. I've just 

realised that each cinema has its own unique personality - I like that,

no massive big box theatres although they are here too!

But, I digress. I was sort of looking forward to this movie. I actually

enjoy James Bond movies and always look forward to what new

gadgets he has. I really liked the previous movie, SkyFall, but this

one was boooooring! I actually fell asleep! Nuff said but isn't it great

we have such a great choice of movies to view.

And, of course, as its Christmas and panto season, I had to see this:

Dick Whittington at the Nottingham Playhouse.They always put on a

great panto and this year was no exception. I've written about the

concept of a pantomime before. This one is based on English folklore

surrounding the real-life Richard Whittington, wealthy merchant and

later Lord Mayor of London, who supposedly escaped his poverty

stricken childhood and made his fortune thanks to the ratting abilities 

of his cat. I still remember the childhood nursery rhyme: " Turn again

Dick Whittington, Lord Mayor of London" which the church bells had

supposedly pealed out and prompted his return to London.

I saw this at one of my favourite haunts, the Nottingham Playhouse!

And continuing with live theatre...... we went to see this great production:

           

Piaf, at the Charing Cross Theatre. The play celebrates the

centenary of the birth of Edith Piaf, France's most loved

cultural icon:

and tells the story of her rise from the gutters of Paris to become a world

renowned chanteuse, addicted to alcohol and drugs, and, to her early

demise at the age of 48. Her songs were often autobiographical with

her songs reflecting her life, often about love, loss and sorrow.

She was nicknamed "the little sparrow" as she was very petite, always

wore black on stage but could belt out a song with such feeling and intensity.

The play was brilliant and the actress who portrayed Piaf had a strong and

powerful voice.

PS I MUST remember to tell my kids to play 'Non, je ne regrette rien' at full

blast at my funeral!!!

The play was held at the Charing Cross Theatre which is conveniently

located under the railway arches of Charing Cross:

 

and occasionally we could hear the sounds of overhead trains thundering above

our heads but it didn't detract from the performance!!!

And, seeing as we've covered movies and live theatre, let's move onto another 

genre: television!

Last week we were fortunate to receive freebies to view the taping of this TV series:

               

             

 

The recording was held at the ITV studios at the South Bank. It was a 

different experience! 'Vicious' is a sitcom about two elderly gay men

who have lived in a flat in Covent Garden for 50 years. The main stars

are Sir Derek Jacobi, Sir Ian McLellan and Frances de la Tour, all

well-known and respected actors. I never realised or appreciated how

much work and effort went into filming even one scene! The actors

looked totally exhausted by the end of the taping but I give them credit

for being totally professional throughout.

           

    

                                   The rest of the crew!!

              And on the train home I picked up the Metro paper:

           

It's quite sad really, it's all become a big shopping- fest.

 So to cheer myself up, this what I'm going to see tomorrow:

                           

And no, I'm not really extravagant. I don't do this in Canada and all

the money NOT spent on Bell, goes towards my theatre addiction

while I'm over here!!

                             Merry Christmas!

          

                                Talk soon

                                   Zoe

                                 

      

                                

Spend Christmas in London!!

I

Apologies for the sporadic and messy posts, I'm still getting the hang of doing this on my iPad. I do miss my laptop, so much easier to type and organise posts but beggars can't be choosers. I guess I'll 

never be texting on my non existent iPhone!! I think I must be the only person in the universe who doesn't have one!! And I really don't plan to ever have one. Today, on the bus, a Mum of three was sitting in front of me. A baby in a stroller behind her, a toddler next to her and an older child in the seat in front. She spent a lengthy bus trip talking on her cell phone, never once checking on the toddler behind her and only acknowledging the other kids by slapping the toddler on her butt for bouncing up and down on the seat! Duh! Is it me or are people becoming stupider by the moment?

A few days ago I headed to Blackfriar's. Outside the train station:

The Black Friar's Pub. I love the shape of this building,

it looks like a mini flatiron building.

There's the Black Friar looking down at all who enter:

A quick walk down to the Millenium Bridge, there's 

St.Paul's Cathedral in the distance.

And now close up!

Past this statue to commemorate World War1

It wasn't cold but the wind has been horrendous!

Past the College of Heralds on Queen Victoria  Street.

This building has been in this location since1555 and

is the official heraldic authority for England,Wales

N.Ireland and much of the Commonwealth.

It is responsible for creating and maintaining the

official registry of coats of arms and pedigrees.

I wonder if I'm registered there ??

And just across the road, the entrance to the Millenium Bridge:

One of our destinations today : the Tate Modern Art Gallery.

The Millenium Bridge was opened in 2000 as a pedestrian bridge over 

the River Thames and linking the City of London to Bankside. It was 

closed after several days due to severe lateral vibration and reopened

in 2002. 

The River Thames with Blackfriar's Bridge in the distance.

A view of the south side with the Shard in the distance (one day I'll climb up there!!)

And just to prove I REALLY was there! I don't get off on this selfie thing!! I'm not really 

scowling - just squinting!

Outside the gallery, another Christmas Market. There's always lots of food stalls:

But this is what caught my eye, I have no class!

Yummy and very LCHF compliant!

The entrance to the Tate Modern. The Tate Modern is Britain's national gallery of 

modern and contemporary British and international art and is located in the old

Bankside Power Station. It's an amazing setting for an art gallery. Inside are works by

Picasso, Dali and Matisse ( they're the ones I've heard of!!)

 

This is one of the few paintings/ collages I actually liked!

I sometimes wonder if someone is taking the piss

out of us:

This is a video of an artist with this contraption on her head:

If you look closely there are pencils attached to this 

headgear and the artist draws by making head 

movements while wearing this contraption! Am I missing

something????

This soft sculpture didn't turn my crank either!!

And in the main gallery where the giant turbines once stood.... a series of triangular

garden planters! 

Phew, I was glad to escape!

Outside, modern blocks of apartments. I didn't like these at first but they grew on me.

A view of the Millenium Bridge from the South Bank.

Strolling down the South Bank. I love these homes!

She was REALLY good! The weird looking building to the right of the skyline is the 

Walkie-Talkie building and the dome peeking out is the Gherkin!

Walking past the Anchor pub and past the Clink Prison Museum:

This museum is on the site of the original Clink Prison

built in the 12th century and probably the oldest 

prison in England. The name "clink" was derived from

the sound of either chains clinking or the sound as

the keys were turned in the cells. To this day it's quite

common slang to say " he's in the clink" as in someone 

is in jail.

What I love about London and, in fact, most parts of

England, is that around every corner, a bit of history comes 

to life:

The Golden HInd ll - a replica of the original that 

Sir Francis Drake circumnavigated the globe in

between 1577 and 1580. The original rotted away!

Southwark Cathedral - the mother church of the

Anglican diocese of Southwark. A church has stood

on this spot for 1000 years.

This is where we were heading to:

 Borough Market, London's most renowned food market and beloved by foodies and celebrity

chefs alike. Lots of lovely food stalls:

With lots of lovely prices:

Turkey breast at £30/kg or $60/kg!!! For some reason turkey crowns

(the top part of a turkey) are popular over here. I wonder what happens 

to the rest of the turkey?

Brussels sprouts are often sold like this.

Lots of street food and.........

Lots of neatly packaged garbage!

Another great day out! And guess what's around the corner?

                                Hope everyone had a great Christmas,

                                           Talk soon

                                              Zoe