.....They're a regular event now, so I have forgotten what number we are up to. But they certainly never dissappoint. As we arrived, Ian & Susie's front patio was resplendent in summer bloom, welcoming us in.
This time, Susie began proceedings by whipping up a beautiful summer cocktail: gin, watermelon, root ginger & mint. Strong and delicious.
Ian then presented us with roast belly of pork with vegetables and incredible crackling.
The meal and evening ended with cheese and biscuits and a digestif (or two) at their lovely local The Crown.
....A few of us had bought tickets for this a while ago and excitement was building. Largely because Roxy Music, (oh how I made mum & dad jealous!), were headlining the Saturday night. I had never been to the festival before, but others had, claiming it was good fun. I suppose it is subjective - if you like who's playing, then you're in for a treat.
With my only other festival experience coming at Glasto three years ago in cruel wet, muddy weather, this was a sharp contrast. The sun was out and so was a much more hardened crowd, in that an East London festival brought more locals, lads and over make-upped girls, looking to be seen rather than see the music. I tried not to let this put me off, particularly as I was amongst friends and watching bands I expected those very people not to be. Snobby? Yes probably. But I wanted a good time.
In reality I (really) watched three bands. Starting with the Invisible, who I thought were excellent. They have an underlying rhythm which is infectious, whilst they can hit you with punk, prog, indie...whatever. And it works. We then sat and relaxed in the sun as Wild Beasts played, (very well), in the background, before heading over, very excitedly to Yeasayer. I have wanted to see them live for some time, (and have even booked a gig at the Roundhouse in a few months too), and they didn't disappoint. A danceable, intoxicating mix of tribal, pop and indie songs that had the crowd in a frenzy as the sun set overhead. Brilliant.
Yeasayer
We all then scurried over to the main stage for the main event. Roxy Music. I have albums, but naturally lean toward the more classic songs. Bryan, Phil, Andy & Paul all looked hugely dapper up on stage, but, (for me), were slow to start. Whilst note perfect and Bryan throwing some shapes the old boy should be proud off, the more slow burning songs were failing to ignite the increasingly impatient crowd.
But that soon changed as the band rolled out the classics - Jealous Guy, Virginia Plain and Love is the Drug to close the set, before returning to encore with Bryan's solo effort, Let's Stick Together and finally, the Strand. In the end it was fantastic, danceable, enjoyable - Bryan making the girls swoon and the boys wish they can look and sound that good in 25 years time! LoveBox is a festival I'm pretty sure I would never return too, but I'm glad I got to see and enjoy who I did.
....Andrew & Alice came to London on holiday last week and spent the evening and night with us on Friday. We went to local favouriteStringray Globe on Columbia Road for pizza, meeting Robin & Hannah, before having drinks in the Royal Oak.
Hannah, Robin, Roy, Kelly, Alice, Andrew
The following morning saw us wander over to the Premises Cafe for breakfast al fresco, before Alice & Andrew had to move on. I couldn't help feel there was so much for them to see, even just in my part of London, but that'll have to wait! Lovely to see you both.
....Last Thursday Kelly, Lou, John and I went to see Florence + the Machine outside at Somerset House. I love these outdoor gigs - such a beautiful setting, made more wonderful by the type of act you're seeing.
Tonight was no different and we were lucky the evening stayed dry throughout. If I am totally honest, I have never completely warmed to Florence Welch. I have her album, on which are some good songs, very good in fact, but my problem lies with her voice. On record it's not too over powering, but on the occasions I have seen a live performance, (on the telly box), she sounds much too shrieky.
Lou, John & Kelly
It's almost like the song is beyond her. Tonight, that wasn't (quite) the case. She appeared on stage in an all white, ghostly hooded gown, her red locks flickering from beneath. The set was immaculate, running through the best of their debut album and also a couple of new, unreleased tracks that sounded very good too. As the euphoria built around the encore, that's when, (I felt), the shrieking returned.
But such was the fever of the crowd and the dancing to the beat, you couldn't really hear the misplaced vocals. So in the end it didn't matter, or detract from a great gig. I think the smaller, more intimate venue helped her reign in that projection she may feel she has to belt out at larger venues. The restraint made me like her again. I think.
....I was reliably informed that this innocuous, greasy spoon-looking caff is in fact run 'by the bloke that used to run Bistrotheque'.
Now, I don't know exactly what that means, but when I suggested that we meet there for breakfast, Joss, Kelly, Rich & Lynn agreed.
To be honest, I can't quite see what this 'bloke' has brought to the table, so to speak, because the menu and setting is pretty basic. Joss, though, raved about the brie & bacon sandwich, but it's hardly avant garde.
But then I realised they were making just what I wanted. A slightly better than average breakfast, at slightly better than reasonable prices.
So perhaps it's worth forgetting the Bistrotheque reference and just treating this cafe as it should be - a local, with friendly service, decent food and a good alternative to nearby Mess Cafe, if you're in the area. Pop along.
....Well, actually he is 8 months past his 30th birthday. Nearly 31 then. Still, on Saturday the celebration took place belatedly. And it was a typical Morton spectacular, with a black tie dinner (with a country twist) for 100 people. Roll on the slide show:
....Not just a 'Gentleman's' cycle club, but a fully fledged brand that oozes style and exclusivity whilst somehow managing to steer clear of complete snootiness. Rapha's heart and soul is in cycling - for that is how they began, but now they are so much more.
It seems a brand is nothing nowadays unless you've had a pop up shop. Rapha's Cycle Club is their take on this theme, found on Clerkenwell Road, a huge cycling thoroughfare.
The space acts as a club house, in a way, for riders to use as a pit stop, but it is also a gallery, coffee shop, book shop and a place to watch Le Tour live.
Firstly, I was able to form an opinion of the shop first and foremost - which I loved. I like the clothing, the huge Citroen H Van parked in the middle of the floor and that during this Private View they brought out incredible cheese platters and wine.
It is and feels classy. Yet homely. The film itself was lovely - a 14min abbreviated version of a forthcoming longer feature - the debut film of photographer Ingham. As you'd imagine, therefore, it was beautifully shot and edited, but what came across most is the warmth and passion of Pegoretti. It is a humorous and ultimately endearing piece and to have him standing right alongside us at the premiere made it all the more appealing.
Pegoretti at work
I am going to go back to Rapha Cycle Club as often as I can before it moves on. Sadly it is only temporary, but a good excuse to buy a piece of their lovely clothing, if only to serve as a memory!
....This cycling cafe & workshop has been open for a couple of months now and I have stopped briefly for a drink before, but this time I wanted to make fuller use.
Liam, Richie and I decided to go there after work on Thursday to watch the highlights of Le Tour from that day.
The bar and cafe is fantastic, clad in memorabilia and plenty of French bunting in homage to the big race.
The coffee is good, (reputedly), and the home made goats cheese and broccoli pie that I had was wonderful.
They even have a license to serve alcohol too. We sat back and watched Mark Cavendish live up to his reputation as one of the most fearsome sprinters in the pack and then watched him break down on the podium after quite a tough year.
We stayed there for a few drinks more, then cycled off, but it is definitely worth a visit if you're pedalling in the area.
....On Wednesday night, Kelly and I managed to get tickets to a secret gig at the Empire for the Arcade Fire.
I had never been to the venue before, but it is beautiful and despite our seats high in the upper circle we seemed to still be close to the stage and have a great view.
The gig, it seemed, was a chance for the band to try out tracks from the forthcoming album The Suburbs and with each number, they instantly sounded memorable and likable.
Arcade Fire, gig opener.
Intertwined between these new songs were classics from their two preceding albums, Neon Bible and Funeral.
Neighbourhood No.2 (Laika)
These sent Kel & I and the crowd totally berserk. I last saw them at Glastonbury where I thought they were incredible, but in hindsight something was lost in the open air that night. Tonight they are contained by the grand Empire, the electricity of their songs and the energy of Win Butler and his band, radiating through the audience.
They encored with three tracks and ended the set, as the did that night at Glastonbury, with the euphoric and sing-along inducing 'Wake up'.
A truly brilliant gig that I expect will be tough to match by anyone.
....Kelly and I spent the day together yesterday amidst beautiful sunshine. We ate a belated breakfast at the Corner Deli.
My 'simple' breakfast. (Meaning full English basically!)
I had long since wanted to go here, an organic cafe with Russian owners I think, but was slightly disappointed.
The setting
Kel's poached eggs
While a seat alfresco was enjoyable, the service was poor and the food itself good, but not exceptional. However the prices are reasonable so I would probably give it another chance.
We wandered and cycled around the East End, popping in and out of shops, before stopping for a coffee and cake at Taste of Bitter Love.
This place is tiny - more of a takeaway cafe really, as the seating is minimal, only really used on such a sunny day as today. But it is well worth a visit - your coffee is served in random china, but one thing for sure is that it is really very good.
Strong, dark, slightly bitter. I loved it. The home made cake was excellent too, so we were happy campers. The rest of the day was just relaxing and sun kept on shining. I think we really are in summer now!
....Kelly and I stumbled on this shop today. I then stumbled on and subsequently bought this rather wonderful blanket from the same place. The shop is tiny upstairs, but once downstairs it opens up in to a huge room full of vintage furniture, kitchenware and clothing. Well worth a look.
....The Hayward Gallery reopened after a minor face lift with this exhibition from visual artist Ernesto Neto. I got tickets and took Richie for his birthday treat, which included a dip in the specially constructed pool on one of the terraces.
The terrace pool from afar, (hidden behind the 2 orange changing rooms)
Unfortunately no photos were allowed in that area, but as the sun went down, Richie and I had a paddle in the pool all to ourselves, as London buses and life went by. It was slightly surreal having a dip and a natter in that kind of environment - but then perhaps that is exactly what Neto had intended us to feel.
Richie, soon to be donned in his swim shorts
After the paddle, we set about the rest of the exhibition, which all took on an incredibly organic form. Tunnels made from tight-like Lycra, occasionally weighed down by spices or pebbles and all the while encouraging the visitors to interact.
I found it an incredibly satisfying and some what relaxing exhibition. Walking over green Lycra in your bare feet, walking up constructed wooden towers to look over a sea of space-like material was wonderfully enjoyable.
As per previous Hayward exhibitions, Neto was challenged to produce site specific work for each of the three terraces. Alongside the pool and a tree with a walkway around it, was this Meccano-like interlocking organic structure. It is a lovely use of the space and contrast to it's immediate surroundings.
Whilst it is only a small exhibition, (because on the ground floor, a 'New Decor' show takes place), I think it is definitely worth a visit. It plays up to our senses of smell, touch and sight and if only temporarily has the power to take you to a different, calmer place - in stark contrast to the brutalist architecture of the Hayward in which it sits and the rush & push of the surrounding city.
