This (long) weekend, I…
ADVANCE WARNING: this is a BIG one.
- Sheltered from a sudden downpour in Opera Opera, and accidentally spent rather a lot of money on new pair of frames.
- Had an early lunch in the British Museum’s court restaurant: Pappadelle with grilled sea bass, baby pok choi and lemongrass butter followed by a variation of Italian deserts (passion fruit panna cotta, tiramisu, ice cream profiterole). It really was quite lovely, much better than museum food has any right to be, and the setting — in my favourite space in London — is absolutely wonderful.
- Sampled the ‘Mango Sunrise’ and ‘Japanese Cherry Garden’ teas at Yumchaa in Soho. Delicious.
- Went to see Tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds, review to follow, but I’ll ruin the suspense by telling you now that I fucking loved it.
- Started my birthday with a swim at London Fields lido, not happy enough with my fitness to give anything away regarding performance though.
- Picked up breakfast and lots of food from Broadway Market, where once again the terrific Bonfire Band were entertaining.
- Headed off to the Emirates for the first home game of the season. Naturally, the lads didn’t let me down.
- Had a small soireé with some close friends, where much food and drink were consumed, and much fun was had.
- Up early on Sunday to drive all the way to the Cotswolds to visit Bourton on the Water, a place I’ve not been to for about fourteen years by my reckoning. Full of tourists, but fish and chips and ice-cream by the river in a beautiful Cotswolds town on a balmy late-summer afternoon is hard to beat.
- Was surprised by neon pigeon with a short drive and check-in at Barnsley House. Free upgrade to our room, free Champagne, great staff, a bath the size of a small swimming pool (you could stand up waist-deep in it) really impressive.
- Had a great dinner at The Village Pub, fresh fruit and veg from the Barnsley House allotment, delicious local beef: sustainable, delicious, and great value.
- Devoured a huge hotel breakfast, then spent the rest of the day in the spa: sauna, steam-room, heated outdoor plunge pool (in the rain), and a lot of relaxing and reading.
- Took afternoon tea (gunpowder with fresh mint from the garden), and then began the journey back to London, exhausted!
But most of all, I was reminded (as I am regularly) what an impossibly lucky guy I am to have such an amazing person to share my life with.
