Flutes, Food, Friday evening...

Went "up London" today. Yes, I know I actually live in London, but whenever I go to Central London or the West End, I always say I'm going "up London", as that's true London to me....anyway, up I went with husband Andy. The reason for the trip was to look for a flute for him to use on his next album, so we headed for Denmark Street. Unfortunately his fave music shop has now CLOSED DOWN!! Turnkey was all shuttered and had estate agents' boards on the building :o(

We found a shop on Charing Cross Road that sold all types of music gear, and the guy who served us was very helpful. The flute Andy tried was almost £200, and he had trouble getting a sound out of it. Once he got the idea that you blow ACROSS the hole (like when making a 'tune' on beer bottles) and not DOWN into it, he didn't look so confused, and the guy serving us ordered a £99 flute and chucked in a basic starter's flute book with sheet music and tablature. I used to play the flute - about 25 years ago now! - and holding the flute and seeing the music brought something back to me...I MIGHT have a little go myself, and see if anything stirs. I've always wanted to play an instrument (for fun, not money), so maybe this is my chance...

Then we went for a walk around Chinatown, and bought a jar of Hoi Sin sauce. I'm not joking when I say you can't get it ANYWHERE near me, apart from a Chinese restaurant. Then the nearest places are either Chinatown in Soho, or Mitcham (there's a big Chinese supermarket/wholesalers there). And it's one of those MORE-ISH food things that I would keep in the cupboard and eat with almost anything, if only I could buy it regularly. Andy started mumbling about food and being hungry, and after a bit more walking and passing Julian Clary as he went into a shop, we found a pub. There's SO many pretentious food places in that area, with little chairs and tables, designer tablecloths, tiny doorways, and expensive menus, that finding a decent pub serving 'ordinary' food was a relief.

Tonight I'm looking forward to watching the first episode of the new series of "The IT Crowd". I've been a fan pretty much since the first series. Good simple premise, good characters, good actors, good comedy, good episodes, good writers. Graham Linehan (also wrote "Father Ted") just gets better all the time. I envy and admire writers like him. And THEN it's Eddie Izzard, another man I admire... ;o)

"The IT Crowd" is just starting - catch you later! :o)