Old Memories and New Places

Wednesday evening found me escorting my friend from years ago (The Minx) to see the Gothic Exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Nooo, not that kind of Gothic, silly!

Victoria and Albert Museum

The exhibition is entitled "Art for England 1400-1547" This period covers the reigns of amongst others, Richard III and Henry VIII and I recommend you visit. There are some wondrous things to behold, most of which you would never think still existed, or at least if you did you would probably assume that your eyes would never see them. Richard III 's crown for instance or Our Henry's swords, handgun (no really) and a full set of jousting armour for both him and his horse. There are some wonderful manuscripts and numerous ephemera.

The one thing that is truly worth seeing even if you insist of being led blindfold through the exhibition to it, is the life-size painting of Henry VIII by Holbein (the younger) which was painted sometime after 1537.

See it here

Its the image that everyone recognises. Henry standing imposingly looking you straight in the eyes with hands on hips and shoulders wide.

Having seen it on postcards, tea-towels and in magazines a number of times, to see it for real is extraordinary. You can't appreciate how powerful it is from any reproduction. You really wouldn't want to go to sleep in a room with it staring at you.

I implore you to see it. And its not often I implore anyone.

The Exhibition is running until January the 18th.

The Collection

Gosh! After all that culture we needed sustenance. Dinner was at The Collection on Brompton Road. This is a very large, flash and lively bar and restaurant that if my memory serves me right was once a public transport depot. If you know what it was please email me as many years ago I used to live next door (no really!) and it certainly wasn't a swish, rammed, hanger like place full of the Chelsea / Knightsbridge set flicking their hair and jangling their jewellery then.

Definitely a place to go for impressions. Once you have navigated security you enter the place by walking down an 80 foot lit catwalk.

Strike a pose, there's nothing to it.

Take a fat wallet, toss your head back, look richish and book in advance. Not a place for a quiet meal as its very loud and ra-ra. Was that Kylie I saw?. I wish!..The sea bass was excellent by the way.

Funky Buddha

Being a Wednesday We went on to Funky Buddha's in Berkeley St. Nearby, a song once purported, that a Nightingale sang. (I'm checking with Max Clifford)

Having not been here before I had heard a lot and expected much. This place failed to deliver on a number of counts. Now don't think I'm over critical! As you know I'll drink a Martini, or even a Mai Tai anywhere.

Company 10/10 (The Minx is, well, a Minx)
Surroundings 7/10 (not bad, flash as expected but the leather sofa we sat on was ripped)
Drinks 6/10 (would expect better at top notch prices)
Bar Staff 6/10 (This would be higher as they were friendly and attentive, just undermanned)
Crowd 4/10 (C List and rich kids. I've seen more character at a school disco)
Atmos 4/10 (see above : Crowd)
Music 4/10 (Thats not a taste thing, it was just watered down all over)
Security 0/10 (Overbearing, aggressive, rude and generally disdainful, in fact this deserves further comment)

I've experienced more polite riot police (honest!) clearing a party than at sweeping out time here. As those of you that know me will vouch I'm hardly a troublemaker but being forced to carry your drink to the cloakroom queue at 3.09 AM when you've just spent more than Liberia's national debt does not leave this Gardener with a good taste in his mouth (other than the nightcap Amaretto of course). Attempts to politely complain about the rudeness of the BA Baracas modelled lump were simply met with a so what air, a verbal, "do you want some trouble?" and a final "now get lost"

Sadly (some might say) I didn't actually get punched.

God knows why they need goons like that? After all its hardly a Portsmouth bar after a task force has just docked?!

Don't visit, it's not worth it.

The evening airs out

Old friends can have a moving effect. It seems there might have been much left unsaid all those years ago and much water has since passed under the bridge. Some things though, never quite pass.

If you have any old friends with unfinished business I recommend you seek them out and confront it. What you may find could pleasantly surprise you and indeed, give you pause for reflection.

Smiths of Smithfield.

After a night like that the soul may be happy but the synapses need feeding. Myself and Mr H went to Smiths for brunch. He was necessary in case I collapsed. As usual they supplied the best breakfast related food in London and even though they lost our food order I forgive them, especially as they insisted (by way of apology) that I had a very large and sublimely spicy Bloody Mary to accompany my poached eggs, mushrooms and bacon on toast.

I've just had an afternoon nap and feel much better. I was sort of hoping that someone might give me a full body transplant whilst I was under though..

This one almost "canna take the pace Captain Kirk". Its going to blow a rod at this rate!

Till next time children.

thegardener1969@msn.com