Maybe It’s Because I’m A Londoner…
… that I get such a kick out of days like yesterday.
Ken’s Festival, or to give it it’s proper title The Thames Festival has got so much bigger over the 5 or so years that it’s been running. I remember going to the first one with Karen, getting corn-on-the-cob stuck (for days) in our teeth, and having a go on the helter-skelter. There were a few stalls, a couple of busking spots and a few hundred more people than a normal Sunday.
Yesterday the south bank was packed. We arrived to see displays by Morris Dancers (which led to the conversation ‘what makes you think “you know, I think I’ll try Morris Dancing!”?’), then Korean dancers… there were stalls after stalls, after stalls. An area by the NFT had been turned into a giant sand-pit with sand scupltures, and amateur competitions every hour. There was a big carousel, every food you could imagine and the most fantastic atmosphere.
We (Mark, Cath, Hamish and I) had dinner in one of the new places under the Festival Hall, and I haven’t laughed so much in ages. Cath’s Jet-lag, when added to the 5 hits of caffeine she’d had to keep awake, made her a one-woman cabaret act.
The walk along to The Globe was beautiful; the perfect evening for it.
Our London at it’s best…
A Winter’s Tale is one of Shakespeare’s plays that I knew nothing about; no character names, storylines… nothing. It’s not a classic, but was beautifully and brilliantly performed. Reminded me why I became a member and why I go whenever I can.
We stopped off for a drink at The Oxo Tower (mmm… cocktails) before heading home. perfect.
In other news… I have a boyfriend. (yes, yes, yes… quiet at the back please.) To quote Ben Hales, Don’t worry – I’m not going to start going on about how my heart has opened up like a flower or anything. He’s called Mr H and is very nice indeed. And no… that’s not the reason I was so tired this week. Wash your minds out.
Nice post and pic and aren’t you so judging your reading public to jump to conclusions!
They’re not nearly as pure-spirited as you Andy!
x
Yes, but did you spot the rowing on Saturday? It’s the world’s biggest gathering of man/woman-powered boats, and it doesn’t get a second of TV coverage. Every year, several hundered rowing boats of all shapes and sizes row 23 miles from Richmond to Greenwich – not a bit of it on telly. Speaking as someone who did it (ended up in an ambulance one year, that’s how hard it was) it’s a bit of a bummer that it’s not better promoted.
Different subject – happy for you, hon!
Aww, am chuffed for you my dear
yes emma I we did notice the rowing… a motley crew of motley crews… some in what looked like barrels and bath-tubs, dragon boats, high-spec catamaran things. 23 miles! no wonder they all looked knackered at the South Bank!
x
sounds wonderful, and Jude I so like it when someone else admits to knowing absolutely nothing about one of Shalespeares plays…so tell me, what IS it about?!
oh you know… the usual.
King gets pissy. tries to kill best friend, accuses queen of adultery, orders ‘bastard’ child to be killed (snow white moment) then thinks they’re all dead.
15 years later son of best friend falls in love with ‘bastard’ daughter. all reuinted, and whaddyaknow the queen’s still alive too.
Shakespeare/gilbert & sullivan
xx