The Blitz, Becks and the West End

Yesterday was an idyllic day, the sort you can't imagine when you are packing your suitcase 16,890 Km's away and it's winter. The sort that finds you standing in the sun, lingering too long to look at a bird or running water, or in our case a lock in the Regent's Canal in Camden. 

Our day was spent with a quick visit to yet another ancestoral church, this was a quick visit because except for the main tower the rest was destroyed in the blitz. Also quick because yesterday was a bank holiday, which must also mean church holiday - odd, we were unaware that churches observed bank holidays. 

After buying tickets to the new London Musical 'Once' we headed for Camden. The markets are full of life, punk rockers are still alive and well, as is a thriving tattoo industry, lots of street food, and treasures  to be bargained for. 

We returned to a pub on the lock we had visited last year, had lunch, drank too much - I've identified the problem, wine is served in a 250ml glass and beer by the pint. It seems there is a volume vs serve problem. After lunch I had nitro ice-cream, made on demand 'coconut with grilled white chocolate crumble'- divine!

Then we took a canal ride to Little Venice, past the London Zoo it was lovely, the boat went through the lock and we were able to watch, (and wait, it's a very slow process) while the valves were released, the water levels adjust, and finally the gates open - such simple technology that has stood the test of time. We floated along beside the pull trails where in history, and before motorised barges, horses led by children, dragged the cargo filled barges along the canals.

By mid afternoon the sun, the wine and the float along the river had taken its toll, I needed a nanna nap*, to prepare for the evening ahead ! 

*one of the true rewards of being on holidays, guilt free naps!

Off to the theatre, divine Irish music - we take our seats, in the dress circle , as the onstage band is limbering up to the tune of 'bound for South Australia'. Fantastic music as promised on the Graham Norton Show earlier this year. The show begins, beautiful ballads, funny one- liners and before you know, I'm hearing snoring - yes Wayne, that's just before I wake myself up with my snoring, so as you see. It was important to mention that we were in the Dress Circle, because quite honestly had we been in the stalls we may have been heard from the stage! 

In all another lovely day in London