Seeing a Study in Scarlet tonight; Sherlock Holmes at the outset of his career meets a war-ravaged, disenchanted Watson – discharged from the army after the horrors of the Afghan war – floating aimlessly around London and fast running out of money. Always excited to go to the theatre; with a very good friend tonight.
It's a sunny afternoon, there's a World tournament on; the IPL20 in my folks' beautiful country Bangladesh. The first match ebbed and flowed as life should, caution that gets you into trouble followed by calm arrogance.
Yesterday i took the first train i could from Marylebone to Birmingham. A bus to Edgware Road just before Paddington and then a short walk; made it in good time to the station. I was still seeing tubes up the journey; can we just get out of town? On the other side nice skies over the Bullring received me. There's a confidence to the place in spite of underemployment; a lost generation of unused skills in Northern cities like Manchester and Sheffield. The Woodman was a great place to start off; where history, tradition and rebirth cross. Woods Wonderful is from Shropshire, Oracle from Nottingham, Piffle (what a load of) Snonker is by Froth Blowers. The Old Joint Stock is a lovely building; does homity pie..very traditional. In the Wellington you have a tv screen of what's on; had a Dana. Pure opened yesterday; looked all nice and spangly..a tasting room downstairs. Sierra Nevada porter was on. Convivial centre table. An exciting vision. In the Post Office Vaults had a go at Rat Against The Machine. Macloving in Brewdog. The Old Fox was a contrasting divey place in the Chinatown there open till 2am Thurs-Sat.
I like the hotels, Gentings Casino, Ming Moon, karaoke places. Should've gone to the Craven Arms; more conversation there from staff than snootiness. This was well worth the 25p each way; got told off in a quiet carriage..he just didn't like the look of my face. A Lebanese take away In Edgware Road purported to sell livers and hearts and then smiler goes we don't do them. Then why say that you do? I missed a bus for that. Slept just after midnight.
Mon was St Patrick's Day; a lively start to the week. Beckenham only 23 mins on the train; O Neills adjacent to Patricks. The former was already busy at 3.30; families, fair Irish lasses. I love fiddle music; electric atmosphere. 2 blonde ladies gave me a tarot reading as you do. Interesting observations; got to remain positive. A friend from Norwich in town tomorrow.