Reports From The Front Line

This correspondant replendant in the invisible hard hat that London life requires has been quite busy.

Phuk That!

As the captivating Slinx and I met early on Wednesday with a view to film going we thought a quick drink before an early meal would be in order. We chanced across a bar that looked promising on Shaftsbury Avenue. You can't miss this place as its on the North Side of the avenue about 100 yards from Piccadilly. It looked promising. The decor and seats were very welcoming in a pink and wood fusion. We decided to follow the ancient rule of 'When in Rome' So a 'Mai Thai' and a 'Pleasure Punch' was ordered from the waitress. The promise ended there...

These were the worst so called cocktails I have ever had the misfortune to be served. Did they come in a can? The supposed Mai Thai' semed to consist entirely of Sunny Delight, which would be fine had you ordered that, whilst the 'PLeasure Punch' was anything but. On the cocktail menu it stated that it (obviously) contained "Lime Juices" The whole glass seemed to contain undiluted 'Roses Lime Cordial' Which again would be cool if you suddenly felt a need for acidic sugar and had a bout of scurvey coming on.

After a sip or two, an argument and a polite frown they went back.

We left and did not pay.. Do not ever, ever go here.

The Gardener has spake.

Things got better

We skipped elsewere for a quick snifter and then went to the Thai Pavilion for nice food. If you go here expect reasanable prices, good service and pretty authentic food. Also either book or arrive early and ask for the top floor. This is only applicable if you are stretchy of limb as it is traditional Thai seating. eg you sit on the floor with low tables. Not being a girl and hence not being manufactured from sweet flavoured rubber bands I didnt find this quite as easy as perhaps I would have liked but I perservered and enjoyed it.

A Movement of Air

The film we went to see was 'The Mighty Wind' which is a send up Folk Music from the late sixties from the same team that years ago brought us the classic 'Spinal Tap'

I was expecting a cruel and hilarious piss take of everything folk. Instead what I found was a very sweet film in which the team had obviously really fallen in love with the the idea and coudnt bear to tear at it to much. I watched our fellow film watchers. For the first 30 minutes or so every sweet (and sometimes effective amusing observation) was met with laughter and expectation. Then the audience was slowly drawn in untill I noticed that the characters had won everyone over so no one wanted to believe that this was a spoof. The end spoilt the illusion by trying too hard to remind you that this was all make believe. I wasnt dissapointed by what I found, but would have been happy to pay to see it? THis means to me at least that it works as a fantasy.

I wonder though if this film would have got anywhere had it not have been preceded by the great 'Spinal' comedy.

Hmmm. Its up to you.

As this was obviously at The Rex the evening was finished off with a couple of excellent Vodka Martinis. Civilised cinema is a beauiful thing.

The Possible Return Of The Great

I appear to have rediscovererd some of my verve. I have projects in mind. Watch out small world.


thegardener1969@msn.com