After a couple of big days I opted for a lazy Sunday today. I decided to walk to the Highgate Cemetery which took me through Camden Town for a lazy hour and a half. When I got there I discovered not only an admission fee but also a very long line, so I decided to head over to Kingston to check out a cute Indie record store that I’ve bought a few things from online.
Only one problem - I’d left my wallet at home and while I have everything on my phone, I am paranoid of it losing charge and then I’ll be stranded with no money or transport options, so a quick trip past the apartment and then back onto the bus and train to Kingston. Banquet Records was a bit of a bust, as they didn’t have the two albums I was looking for in stock, but still nice to rummage through their stock to see if I could find something to add to my collection.
Tonight’s show is going to be A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the New Globe Theatre, and with a start time of 6.30pm, I didn’t want to have to go home and go back out, so instead I spent my time being something of a tourist in London. Off the train at Waterloo Station and walked the walk to the Houses of Parliament, the Clock Tower and then on to Westminster Abbey. Next stop was the Horse Guard (but there were no horses on guard, which I’ve never seen before) and then through St James’ Park up the Mall to Buckingham Palace. All of the roads are still closed around the palace following the King’s Birthday festivities from the day before. Another bucket list item ticked off as I found Canada Gate, a gift from Canada for one of the Queen’s jubilees (can’t remember which one), and took some quick snaps.
What I saw next will be embedded in my brain for some time to come, and not in a good way. You see, yesterday was Naked Bike Ride day, and as I started back down the Mall towards to Globe, I was stopped at an intersection while over 1000 naked and semi-naked cyclists pedalled past in a large group. Now to each their own, but if you’re going to be in a naked ride, you need to commit! If you’re wearing pants, or nipple pasties, are you really naked?
The walk to the Globe was a lovely amble along the riverside, through markets and stalls, music events and bars and restaurants. Harry Styles is the host of this year’s Meltdown - a week of live music curated by the host and presented on the banks of the Thames. Spent about 30 minutes just sitting and listening to the gig, hoping to spot some celebrities, but they were in the VIP area and I very clearly was not!
Once at the Globe I did a spot of shopping in the gift shop, hired a cushion and made my way to my seat. I’ve never seen this production live, and did not know what to expect. However what was delivered would have been beyond any expectations that I ever would have had. It was an interactive, audience-participation spectacular that was just a joy to behold and has probably ruined any future viewings of the show that I may ever have.
Quick walk to Blackfriars Bridge and I hopped a bus home, entertained by a quick phone call from my girl, who helped me with a whole de-brief of the show I’d just seen. Sometimes it comes in handy having a theatre nerd in the family - she was the one who suggested I see Hadestown, but would never have recommended Shakespeare as I don’t think she’s a fan!
My reflection piece for today was my tolerance of dumb people. When you spend a lot of time in crowds or crowded places, you realise people are just stupid. Point in case - jump on a bus today and there’s a couple with all their luggage on the bus. No problems there, however they stopped in the very front of the bus walkway and proceeded to block anyone else getting through. Was the bus full and this was their only option? No. Did their luggage have nowhere to go and had to be left there? Also no. And of course the funniest part was watching their annoyance every time a passenger got on the bus and asked them to move so they could get by. DUMB!
I am not enjoying my time here as much as I previously have, and that’s based purely on the decisions that people make that piss me off. Stopping right in the middle of footpath to look at something, walking 6 abreast on the footpath and blocking it so no one can pass either way. Standing in line for 20 minutes to order and then having no idea what to order when they get to the front of the line. These are just the tip of the iceberg. But they frustrate me no end, as it’s like they switch their brains off and don’t think of anyone or anything except themselves. I just hope I can get through the rest of this holiday without punching someone!
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