Tuesday 2 May 2017

Eclectic tastes, spa dates and a bun race

It's been a busy few weeks recently, with no hint of slowing down in the near future. I've been here, there and everywhere! I've reached that age (which will not be disclosed here) where all my friends are having significant birthdays, getting married, buying homes and joining the parental ranks.

I on the other hand feel relatively grown-up if I go on a night out without falling home in a stupor, and think I'm pretty fabulous for doing a load of washing without flooding my kitchen.

It does mean that there is an inordinate amount of events to attend in the coming months, meaning my diary is reminiscent of a Jackson Pollock effort. I spent last night gluing sequins onto a clothing item I wouldn't usually be caught in in prep for an upcoming hen do. I can't give the details away on the off-chance that the lovely hen reads this post, however I do promise at least one picture of said outfit. Needless to say, time is not something I have in spades at the moment.

But onto recent events. A few weeks back I went to the O2 to see Craig David. I have what would be described as an eclectic taste in music, and whilst I tend to favour rock and indie sounds, there was a time when I could be found doing the sniper pose to the latest Garage release. I still love it when out and the DJ jumps into a Garage set. It brings back great memories, and the music is great to dance to.

Craig David was my first gig at 14, travelling to Birmingham with one of my pals, and it was brilliant. He didn't disappoint all these years later. This time around, he sung for the first hour, old songs and new, playing to his new fans but keeping his older fans (i.e. me) happy. Once he got the crowd in the mood, he proceeded to play an hour-long DJ set, effectively turning the Arena into a giant nightclub. Needless to say my legs were feeling the burn the next day. It was an amazing night, and it's easy to forget just what a great performer he is. If you have the chance to get tickets for any of his upcoming gigs, go, you won't regret it.


A couple of weeks later, I went back into London for not just one, but 2 theatre visits. This weekend was a little more refined than my earlier trip!

I'd managed to get tickets to see Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf at the Harold Pinter, starring the wondrous Imelda Staunton and Conleth Hill, alongside the great Imogen Poots and Luke Treadaway. I've wanted to see Imelda Staunton perform for longer than I can remember and she did not disappoint. All four actors exuded energy, the talent was raw and irrepressible. Imelda Staunton is a force to be reckoned with, and the 2 younger cast members did well to hold their own in the face of her undeniable talent. But it was Conleth Hill who really captured my attention. Quieter, more subtle in his delivery, but nonetheless equally present, he embraced his role, making you simultaneously pity and revile his lot in life. It was an astounding performance, and I'm forever indebted to my friend Chris for the recommendation.

There was barely a pause for breath once the show was over, as I had also secured tickets for Othello at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, a wonderful recapturing of a Jacobean playhouse next to the Globe. Othello is a favourite of mine, and having had these tickets for a year, I couldn't wait to watch. I wasn't disappointed, it was fantastic. Funny and tragic, the production was everything I'd looked forward to. The setting itself did so much in creating drama and atmosphere. Lit entirely by candle-light, the players incorporated the candles themselves into the very fabric of the play, which worked beautifully alongside the acapella music provided on the balcony. It was magical and mysterious, a little like the playwright himself.

Easter weekend followed, with a trip to visit friends and their village's annual beer and bun run. I sampled the beer, I sampled the bun. I did not sample the run. The walk back to the car satisfied my exercise-related desires that day!

Easter Monday was spent in luxury thanks to my rather gorgeous best friend. We visited the Y Spa at Wyboston Lake for on of their sun-down sessions. Utter bliss, I haven't been that relaxed in a long time, and seriously considered taking up residence in their infinity pool, prune fingers be damned. The food was lovely, the surroundings beautiful, and the staff were incredibly friendly and helpful. I'm looking forward to going back!
Heated water beds are now a must in my life. See that face? Happiness personified!
There's so much going on that writing on here has become more difficult, but I'll do my very best to keep you all up-to-date, and let you know what lovely places to visit if you're ever in my neck of the woods :)