Post 168. Girls (and Boys) Just Wanna Have Fun

Looking at my last post over John’s shoulder, I discovered that what I see isn’t necessarily what you see. For example, I had two pictures of the very different Fan museums, while you had only two words, ‘home’ and ‘home’ with nothing of interest encouraging you to click on the links. From now on (if I can) I’ll add the picture I see as a screenshot, apologies if you end up seeing it twice.

We had a busy Christmas, I mentioned our ‘usual’ presents last time but no jigsaw appeared. JD, meanwhile, knew exactly what he was opening when a certain shaped book was handed to him. Christmas Day was just three of us but you can see JD enjoyed it enormously. Polly wasn’t so sure.

Some of you considered my 2025 choice of things to do too tame. We started the year by a cruise along the Thames despite the weather warnings, then, on January 1st, went to see A Christmas Carol, either a bit late or very early for Christmas. Who says I don’t live on the edge?

The cruise was a good way to see the fireworks in London without having to stand around in the cold, and to meet new people. On our table we had two Australians, two Californians and two Chinese. I’m afraid I did not practice my Mandarin on (any of) them.

A Christmas Carol, at the Old Vic, was a feel-good experience, with a warm mince pie on arrival, followed by satsumas thrown into the audience. Lamps all over the theatre created the set. Hand bells were used by the cast to play carols (including John Simm, known to me mainly for playing The Master in Dr Who, although I know he has been in many other tv shows). The whole audience came out smiling.

Although not speaking it well yet, I did get a chance to practice my listening skills in Mandarin a few days later when Yangtze and George had a friend to stay. I managed to pick out a few words, but I need to up my game before we visit them in China. They were lucky enough to see some snow as well, which you can view on the website as this Post’s header.

Having started the year off well, we had a rest for a few days until my actual birthday, which was busy. In the morning, we went to an LPO rehearsal at the Royal Academy of Music (RAM). I’ve never been inside before, it has impressive architecture and rooms. We were the only ones observing the rehearsal, I only hope that for the actual concert they turned the heating on.

We had been invited along as we are sponsoring a percussionist, as mentioned in Post 161 of 17th July 2024. It’s no longer Tom, he’s moved on, but Charlie Hodge. I see he’s not the only musician of that name, he shares it with an American friend of Elvis, who was a singer and voice coach.

The performance (which we didn’t go to) was a week later, with members of the LPO, Foyles Future Firsts and students from the RAM. They were rehearsing two pieces, based on the theme of memory: Ravel’s ‘Le Tombeau de Couperin’, dedicated by the composer to a friend who lost his life in the First World War, and a new piece by Missy Mazzoli, a contemporary American composer. I cannot remember the title and of course there was no programme but we really enjoyed it. Here’s a link to her website (no screenshot, too many photos today) if you want to get a taste of her music.

https://missymazzoli.com/

After that we had lunch at Delamina in Marylebone Lane, with a delicious Mediterranean / Middle Eastern flavoured menu, at which I had my first birthday cake.

Staggering back after lunch, we just had time to recover before going out to dinner with George and Yangtze at Myrtle, an Irish-themed restaurant in Chelsea which celebrates ‘the best of Irish culture, produce and hospitality’. The menu did not consist of potatoes I’m happy to say. We had the tasting menu which was also delicious: vegetable soup, black pudding, sea bass, sirloin, carrageenan chocolate mousse and Milsean (more commonly known as petit fours). I also had my second birthday ‘cake’.

Before I move on, I’ve decided I’m not going to celebrate my birthday any more. Instead, I’m going to embrace World Introvert Day on January 2nd, maybe for the whole month.

Sometime over the last few weeks I came across the revolting term Twixmas. At first I assumed it was advertising a certain chocolate bar, then realised it has been coined to refer to the period between Christmas and the New Year. I propose to you, TwixmasNYday, to describe the period between Christmas and my birthday. Nonstop planning and celebrating for three weeks. I now need the rest of the year to recover, when no doubt it will start all over again.

With that thought, we come to maybe my last birthday party ever, at the Garden Museum. I managed to inveigle around 90 people to come along. The first thing to clear up is that I did not create a cocktail. Sorry but there will be plenty in future Posts, I’m sure.

The hardest part was creating the soundtrack. My first attempt, just listing songs that I like and thought might be suitable, lead to a playlist of eleven hours. For a party of five hours. Play half of each song? I don’t think that would be right.

I was then tempted with the floral theme, but after Percy Grainger’s English Country Garden, the Flower Duet from Lakme (which you’ll recognise as the BA ad) and The Move’s Flowers in the Rain I ran out of inspiration. Green Green Grass of Home? I might yet create one. Ideas welcome.

In the meantime, I managed to create two playlists, one for the pre-dinner drinks and one for the meal itself. If you have Spotify and wish to critique my choices, listen here, first to the Café list (about an hour and a half)

Then to the one in the Nave (just under four hours)

Just bear in mind that, if you think I’ve missed an obvious song, it’s probably in the long original playlist.

I decided the dress code would be floral (allowing for January weather) and most people joined in, even if they only had a tie or scarf. JD said he was wearing floral underpants but thankfully no-one asked for proof. He also had a wonderful waistcoat which I can show you.

We had some ‘surprise’ entertainment when the head waiter told everyone it was his last night working there and he wanted to sing a little ditty as a farewell. He then burst into Nessun Dorma and That’s Amore, swiftly followed by two of the waitresses joining him. Of course, they weren’t really waiters but part of Sing Out Sisters. They had everyone dancing around the tables and singing along. They even created an ABBA tribute band from four of our friends, unfortunately I don’t have a good photo of them. Instead I’ve given you one of me, JD, George and Yangtze enjoying the evening. As you can see from the website below, they have a fantastic choice of offerings and we’d all recommend them. Except maybe the four ABBA ‘volunteers’.

https://www.singoutsisters.co.uk/

There was one last surprise for me. I’d said no birthday cake, too many people and it’s nighttime, who eats cake at the end of a meal? It turns out we all do! It gave JD a few anxious moments though, as it didn’t arrive until we’d sat down for the meal.

This takes us all the way to January 11th but I’ve so many photos here I think the rest of January can form the next Post, very soon. You might have quite a few Posts to read this year if this keeps up. What other exciting things have happened already in 2025?