Spoilt for choice!

After scrabbling about for an EB yesterday, I have dozens today!!!

An early start to drop Amber off at her doggy hotel to have fun with friends, before heading to Newark for the train to London.

We are here for an event tomorrow, but fitted in a visit to the National Theatre on the South Bank to see a free exhibition of costumes, as recommended by fellow blipper Madhatter.

I’ve walked past the theatre numerous times, but had never been in. The concrete exterior didn’t appeal when heading off to more exciting places. But this time I had checked on line for opening times etc and discovered that they do backstage tours for a nominal cost (less than a tenner for oldies like us).

I booked up for 5pm and our group of 5 plus the guide had a fascinating experience. The guide was full of enthusiasm and was certainly unscripted. She answered all sorts of questions that we put to her as well as what she had to share.

Before the tour we saw the exhibition of costumes, again amazing. The quality of sewing/planning/creating (not necessarily in that order) is first class. Garments that could have originated in Saville Row!!! I’ve put a picture of a jacket in extras as an illustration.

They say that as you get older you spend more time looking back than looking forward.....well I agree with that. I spent time explaining to B about the tailoring course that I did at Elgin Technical College in 1974 when I was pregnant with R and had to leave work .... mandatory (another era), and made him a suit from very posh suiting material from Johnstone’s mills in Elgin.

We stay at the Union Jack Club when visiting London, so the theatre is only a 10 minute walk away. We will visit again to do other things and even just have a coffee and cake.

Having been dismissive about the concrete, it is worth just wandering in to the building and looking round. The interior walls have wood plank appearance / feeling. Not sure how to explain this but I’ve seen it on Grand Designs on the TV. Very effective!!!

Back to the UJ Club for dinner and an early night....I’m happily tired.