Snap....

....Ben & I coincidentally donned denim shirts yesterday. Our mugshot had some familiarity about it.



That's right.



Artists and lovers, Gilbert & George. Hmmm.

World Cup 2010....

....We have lift off in South Africa. I am more excited than a 29 year old should be. C'mon England!

Andreas' place....

....The warehouse he's lived in for the last 5 years is incredible. You'd think I was used to it now after at least four visits, but I find myself recording it in anyway possible each time. Here it is, in a video edit. Spare five glorious minutes of your time please.

Americana in London....

....Lorenzo missed my birthday, (he wasn't the only one!) and suggested a dinner for him, Madeleine, Kelly and I by way of apology. (Not that I required one).


Madeleine & 'Zo

Having not long returned from New York, I can't help but notice little American traits and styles springing up in my London path. We suddenly have a greater affiliation with brunch for example. And this dinner was a very New York affair, with burgers at Byron.



It is a chain, (not that I knew), with this the latest opening in Islington. The restaurant itself is very style conscious and very deliberate with it - all distressed walls, exposed brick work and chipped paint. In fact, maybe they hadn't finished it after all?!



The burgers we had were good - y'know from grass fed, free roaming cows and all that. But which aren't nowadays? Yes it was good. And decent value too.



After dinner we continued the USA feel with drinks in Slim Jim's Liqour Store. The name alone is clue enough for this deliberate reincarnation of an LA style dive bar. Sure, there was dirty walls, scuzzy rock music playing and dim lights - I liked all that. And I liked the drinks too, a good whiskey sours was my tipple. But when a self styled dive bar exists on Islington's Upper Street and whose clientele are men in suits from local estate agents, you feel the bar is failing at what it is trying so hard to achieve. Fortunately on this night the bar was sparsely populated enough for that not to be a problem. I would probably go back, but early in the week. And never, ever a weekend.

House of wax....

....A 24hr power cut through Tuesday led to a romantic, candle-lit night in for Doug, Liam and I. Out came the cards and black out spirit!

Kabuki, Sadler's Wells....

....Richie took me for a birthday treat, (yes, it rumbles on!), on Monday. We went to see Kabuki at Sadler's Wells and neither of us were entirely sure what to expect, thinking perhaps it was almost a circus-like act. It was in fact far more subtle and gracious than that.



Dating from the early 17th century, Kabuki is a highly stylised Japanese artform that employs flamboyant costumes, elaborate make-up and exaggerated body movements to create a sense of the spectacular. So, whilst beautiful, it was actually a much slower pace than we had anticipated. The complimentary earpiece that provided a translated commentry was invaluable for getting to grips with traditional show.



Richie has written more insightful words on his blog but it was a welcome and insightful introduction to Kabuki, with the make up and costumes alone a sight to behold. A pleasure.

Birthday Breakfast & Birthday Bond....

....To celebrate my 29th birthday with friends, I decided to get everyone to breakfast at Hackney City Farm, on what turned out to be a beautiful morning. I don't think I've ever seen so many fresh faces at 10am on a Saturday morning.....we must be getting old and dull!

Seated out the back, in the sun


Enough people showed to afford me a smile!


Just one fine example


Clem plays hide & seek with her shadow and some water biscuits!


Harrie, back in London and Karen leaving Mark in Rye.


Richie and Aimee, as Clem pilfers out of shot!


Funny bones of Richie and Lynn

We stayed rooted to our al fresco spot for long enough to decide that we should head over to Victoria Park for the afternoon, to carry on the eating and drinking. We got in some food, blankets, drinks and a football. All set. Picnic.


Same sun, new location.


Natalie, Sandra, Simone and Sarah joined us for the picnic.


It was great to see Kev for the first time in a while too.


Ed missed brekkie to get a new tattoo, but made it over for the picnic.


Joss treated me to a sausage roll from the wonderful Ginger Pig

As the clouds gathered and threat of rain appeared greater, we retreated to the Crown pub over the road. By this time, some of us needed to eat again(!) Others just needed to drink.



From the pub it was time to move on to the second birthday celebration of the day. Mr Bond was celebrating at the Charles Lamb pub in Islington that evening. The weather held, more people gathered and it was a great evening. (And we liked the pub more, as unbeknown to Rich, they had bought two of his screenprints and had them proudly framed and hung on the wall).


Bond's birthday blue eyes


Ross cat naps as Harrie, Doug & Aimee lap it up.


Lynn and Jimmy share a joke (in front of a glimpse of Richie's print)

A great daytime celebration for me - thanks all for sharing it - and a fun evening for Bond. A great day all in all.

(The full birthday reel of Boundary Rooftop & Birthday brekkie / picnic):

Boundary rooftop restaurant....

....My birthday has just passed, so to mark the occassion, Kelly and I ate at the newly opened rooftop terrace, on top of Conran's Boundary Hotel. Recently opened, we took advantage of beautiful sunny weather and spent the early evening taking in the views and food.



The system to get on to the roof is slightly frustrating in that you are held in a queue downstairs, with no knowledge of quite how busy it might be up top. (They could indeed be holding you in a queue just to look good), as when we did get on to the roof, it wasn't too busy at all.



The eating area is separated from the seated 'lounge' area, being wedged between the kitchen the north facing edge of the roof. This is a good idea, as it adds a touch more privacy and the opportunity to be waited on exclusively.





The food was impressive. Not having eaten at the affiliated Boundary restaurant in the basement of the hotel, I cannot compare, but we really enjoyed it. We shared asparagus and chicken livers wrapped in bacon to start.





The menu describes the food being cooked on the grill, (from it's own terrace kitchen), and as a result it was well cooked, tasty fare, rather than wildly inventive or avant garde. For main, I went for sea bass and Kelly the lamb cutlets. We also shared a plate of chips and roast vegetables.





Incredibly, we opted out of dessert, (only because I had eaten a glut of birthday cake at work!), and decided to retire to the lounge are for our last drink on the terrace. We settled the bill then and whilst it was fairly expensive, it was worth the quality of the food and the unique dining experience - one that is rare in London.


seating area

The seated area is an altogether different experience. And that is not necessarily a good thing. There is the opportunity to come to the roof terrace just for a drink, (rather than eating too), and this attracts a slightly differing crowd. Most people kept themselves to themselves, but others were very drunk (it was only 8pm at this stage), and obnoxious beyond belief. We didn't let it dampen the night, but made a retreat shortly after.



I would return to Boundary rooftop, but only to the restaurant and maybe earlier on in the week when it might be afflicted by less wallies!

Matt & Tess wedding, New York....

....Matt has finally made an honest woman of Tess. You'll know from a previous post documenting Matt's stag do, that this wedding was due - well, now it has happened. Over the Bank Holiday weekend just passed, guests arrived at Tarrytown House on the Friday evening, before sprucing up to go for drinks in nearby Sleepy Hollow.


Gathered.


Matt and his 'Warwick Boys'.


Crowded bar.

It was a great warm up to the following day, which allowed us to fully utilise what the wonderful Tarrytown House had to offer.





So, following a big breakfast, Kelly and I had a hit at tennis and swam in the outdoor pool.




Oh, and we rolled down a hill!



But, far importantly, there was a wedding. It was the first Greek Orthodox wedding I had ever attended, so it was both fascinating and enjoyable. Held in a beautiful church in nearby Rye, NY, the weather held out for a perfect afternoon.


The Greek Orthodox Church of Our Saviour.


Groomed and ready.


Tess is led down the isle by her father, Petros.

I was asked by Matt to do a reading, which luckily for me was at the beginning of the ceremony, so I rid myself of nerves, (and a dry mouth), early on!




The action unfolding

Following the ceremony, we were whisked by bus to the reception, at the fantastic Kittle House, in Chapaqqua, NY. Awaiting us was a string quartet, canapes and drinks in the lush gardens. And of course, the entrance of the new Mr & Mrs Smith.



Once seated at the themed tables, (I was delighted to be with Kelly at 'Whitley Bay'), the speeches began, with food intermittently served. Phil, the best man provided a fantastic speech, as did the groom himself, but all were trumped by the casual, no-notes approach of Graham, Matt's dad. It was all very fitting and soon the food had vanished and everyone took to the floor for a mix of traditional and plain old embarrassing dancing.





At around midnight, before we all turned in to pumpkins, we returned to Tarrytown on coach and to bed, with only memories of a great, special day.

Raise your glasses, to Mr & Mrs Smith - Matt & Tess.



(Full reel of photos here):