Morning trip to the British Library, chosen for its proximity to the tube station - rain doesn't matter much. The BL has two of the four copies of the Magna Carta in existence, so we focus there. In the afternoon check out the theatre listings from the comfort of Starbucks. It's pretty full. The man next to me has taken off his shoes, leaving grubby feet on the cold floor. Looks like he's here for the duration. But we do find a free plug. Then down to the Soho theatre off Oxford St to get tickets for Chris Mullin's A Walk On Part - The Fall of New Labour. Mullin was a Labour backbencher and we've just finished reading and enjoying one of his political diaries - A View from the Foothills. This play is unique in that it actually played once at the House of Commons, at the invitation of the Speaker.
There's a small bit of comedy as we leave the theatre. We're approached by a cheerful man bearing copies of the Big Issue, the magazine produced and sold by the unemployed. "It's your lucky day," he begins. "Because I'm not selling anything." Naturally we're intrigued. "I'm accepting donations for me to have a beer on my way home." Ear to eear grin. "It's St Alan's Day. We confess that we haven't heard of St Alan but he's sure, and not a bit abashed. I fish in my pocket. "Would 20 p be of any help?" "Yes, indeed." So off he goes, and we're still chuckling a block later.
Finish up with a meal at Roses on Kilburn High Road. Unlike some of the pubs, they are indeed doing food today. And every day. It's a small restaurant with a laarge menu and huge portions. Excellent food and quiet local clientele. We opt for two courses and then begin to question our wisdom. J's chicken and broccoli fettucine is delicious and substantial and my fish and chips enormous. The fish fillet ust be 18 inches long. J says maybe 20. It's also cooked to perfection, which must have involved keeping the tail end out initially. J, who inherits more than half of it, says it's probably the best cooked deep fried fish he's eaten - and he's a very good fish fryer himself. We shouldn't be able to hold the apple pie and custard, but it's good and we do. Total price, with large mugs of tea, £14.50 (€17.69, $22.91). Tax included, and we shouldn't have to eat for days.
There's a small bit of comedy as we leave the theatre. We're approached by a cheerful man bearing copies of the Big Issue, the magazine produced and sold by the unemployed. "It's your lucky day," he begins. "Because I'm not selling anything." Naturally we're intrigued. "I'm accepting donations for me to have a beer on my way home." Ear to eear grin. "It's St Alan's Day. We confess that we haven't heard of St Alan but he's sure, and not a bit abashed. I fish in my pocket. "Would 20 p be of any help?" "Yes, indeed." So off he goes, and we're still chuckling a block later.
Finish up with a meal at Roses on Kilburn High Road. Unlike some of the pubs, they are indeed doing food today. And every day. It's a small restaurant with a laarge menu and huge portions. Excellent food and quiet local clientele. We opt for two courses and then begin to question our wisdom. J's chicken and broccoli fettucine is delicious and substantial and my fish and chips enormous. The fish fillet ust be 18 inches long. J says maybe 20. It's also cooked to perfection, which must have involved keeping the tail end out initially. J, who inherits more than half of it, says it's probably the best cooked deep fried fish he's eaten - and he's a very good fish fryer himself. We shouldn't be able to hold the apple pie and custard, but it's good and we do. Total price, with large mugs of tea, £14.50 (€17.69, $22.91). Tax included, and we shouldn't have to eat for days.