Fun

Doing a few jumps, spins, and turns at GLIDE Ice Rink Battersea

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Ellie & I recently visited GLIDE Ice Rink at Battersea Power Station. We immediately decided that this was going to be one of our top London ice rinks, maybe behind Somerset House and Hampton Court. THE SAME TEAM THAT RAN THE NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM ICE RINK IS NOW RUNNING THE GLIDE ICE RINK, BATTERSEA The team that run the ice rink, also used to run another one of our favourite London venues: the Natural History Museum ice rink. Funny, because while that ice rink has now gone to ice rink heaven, I still vividly remember how uncomfortable the ice skating boots there were.    GLIDE’s boots are the same make (possibly the very same boots, I don’t know). That said, as long as you bring two very thick pairs of socks, you’ll be fine.     A WIDE PRICE RANGE FOR TICKETS Depending on the time of the day and […]

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Fun, London

Some fun new tube station signs this summer – check out these temporary TfL Roundels

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Last month Transport for London’s Summer Roundel Campaign kicked off with fun tube station signs, completely unnoticed by the Barbarians. 16 STATIONS, 16 FUN TUBE STATION SIGNS One single tube station sign per station has been changed for 16 central London stations. Many of these stations have more than one line, so earlier today it took me a little while to spot them.   HYDE PARK CORNER – “HERE COMES SUMMER” At Hyde Park Corner I entered the tube station. On the Piccadilly Line platform for trains going to the centre (Destination Cockfoster, Eastbound) you will find a sign that reads “Here Comes Summer.” It is supposed to remind people of nearby Hyde Park and the Serpentine Pond. I then took the Piccadilly Line from that platform and got out at Piccadilly Circus.   PICCADILLY CIRCUS – “GOING OUT OUT” At the Northbound Bakerloo Line platform you’ll find a sign […]

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Art and Culture

Alice Exhibition: Curiouser and Curiouser – Take a Trip Down the Rabbit Hole at the V&A

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Last weekend, Ellie & I ventured to the V&A in South Kensington to see the much talked about immersive experience “Alice: Curiouser and Curiouser.” There were no more than a dozen people queuing at the time we arrived. Two minutes later we were inside the building and walking down the stairs to the reception area. SETTING THE SCENE The first major room is not yet immersive. Instead it features lots of artefacts more like a traditional museum. They are aimed at shedding light on the era when Alice in Wonderland was written, the life of the author. We learn how the books were very much a collaborative effort that was not in any way limited to putting words on paper and then in print. Even this first room is already showing how Alice has changed the world, how huge her impact is.   CHARLES LUTWIDGE DODGSON Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, who […]

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London

London Never Dies at the London Cabaret Club – Great Show!

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Last Friday, after my day of flyboarding and being stuck on South Western trains, I changed into my tux. Then Ms B & I checked out London Never Dies at the London Cabaret Club. The Club had offered us free Gold tickets to this Bond-themed show. Silver, Gold, Diamond, and Royal Gold tickets are the lowest category that include a full meal and they normally go for £90 per person. A rather reasonable price in our view for a three-course dinner and a show on the weekend in central London. Ticket prices range from £50 to £165.   No Slipknot or Slayer Ellie has always loved everything that involves nights out with music and dance, no matter if opera, ballet, musicals, or cabaret, so she was understandably super-excited to get to see this acclaimed show. I on the other hand don’t mind a bit of music, preferably heavy metal.   […]

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Art and Culture

David Hockney at Piccadilly Circus

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For every evening this month, a two and a half minute animated installation by David Hockney will be shown on the Piccadilly Lights screen at 8:21pm (20:21, like the year). To be more precise the piece consists of a 1.25min video shown twice directly one after another. The artist created it on his iPad over a series of early mornings while watching the sun rise from his home in Normandy. He has been based there since 2019. The work is part of an international series created by CIRCA, and which previously had videos of Patti Smith and Ai Weiwei shown on the Piccadilly advertising screens. Hockney said in interviews that he wants to inspire people to welcome spring and stop for a moment to see its beauty. According to CIRCA, “In this worldwide display of unity, Hockney’s animated sunrise seeks to offer a symbol of hope and collaboration as the […]

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