Never trust a man with egg on his face.....

I'm writing this weeks' blog from deepest, darkest Wiltshire, where the only life outside is ramblers with umbrellas, who have most probably got lost.

Last weekend saw a trip out East - East London that is, not Essex.  I'm not THAT brave.  I don't know Hackney well but from what I've seen, I like it.  My only past experience of that area is being stuck in Murder Mile at silly o'clock, trying to find a bus driver that would accept a £10 note.

Whilst waiting for folk, I had a coffee in a particularly nice cafe' called This Bright Field in Cambridge Heath Road (http://www.thisbrightfield.com/).  Such scrumminess on the menu included sourdough bread, avocado & banana on black rye, and Brixham whole mackerel.  Just my cup of tea - mental note to return.

Over the road next to the Viktor Wynd gallery (or The Last Tuesday Society as it's otherwise known) for the Sebastian Horsley exhibition.  Only £2 to visit this bizarre but fascinating place on a Saturday and well worth the money, if only to laugh at the totally random books they have on show.  One room was dedicated to Sebastian Horsley and a word of warning, it's not for the fainthearted.  Luckily I was expecting the worst and loved it.   Sebastian Horsley, famous for carrying out his own crucifixion in the name of art, was a fascinating character, who died way too young.  The exhibition, as well as showing explicit images of his "art", includes personal effects (his door keys, diary etc.) giving a real insight into his life.  We'll probably never really understand exactly how his mind worked - he was indeed a one-off.  RIP sir.

From one dandy to another....Thursday saw another trip to see Adam Ant, this time in the unlikely setting of The Wyvern Theatre in Swindon.  I can only think Mr Goddard stuck a pin in a map and it landed on Swindon by mistake.  Having said that, out of all the gigs I've been to over the last year or so, I think this last one was by far the best.  By chance, we got seats really close to the front so even my short friend had a good view.  A fantastic first set including Plastic Surgery, Beat my Guest and Never Trust a Man (hence the title of todays blog) followed by an equally great encore.  Mr Ant, you are most certainly worth the ticket money.  As the overly excited dancing man in front of us said after the gig "Now THAT's how you do it".  To top off the Swindon Ant experience, I coincidentally saw the man himself the next morning, having a sneaky fag outside his hotel - now what are the chances of that?

Back to the silence of the countryside now but before I leave you, here are two totally random pictures, because I felt like posting them - Mr Goddard (my restraining order will be taken off soon, honestly!!!) and a book that made me smile in Viktor Wynd.  That is all.......

Back in the Summer of 69.....

it was probably a darn sight better Summer than it is in 2012!  You can blame my lack of blog updates on the weather...still.  My flowery mac has become my best friend and I've spent more time in the flat than is healthy. 

On one of the very few dry days we had, myself and a visiting swedish friend went on a "Back in the Day" Walk.  These are walks around different areas of London, which concentrate on music, culture etc. in Soho, Brixton or Lambeth.  We chose the "Soho - Roots of the Swinging 60s" walk (strangely enough!).  Barrie Evans who runs the walks was a teenager in Soho in the 60s, frequented the "hip" clubs back then and met his now wife (if I remember rightly) at The Flamingo Club in Wardour Street.  The walk takes in sites of once great clubs, coffee bars, comedy venues....along streets you'll know well but down others you might not even know exist....like Ham Yard, behind a dodgy restaurant!  It was a great afternoon and I'd recommend spending a couple of hours with Barrie and his stories.  www.backinthedaywalks.co.uk.

We checked out a restaurant that I'd heard about but not eaten in after we'd walked round Soho that afternoon - the mexican Wahaca on Wardour Street - www.wahaca.co.uk.  This could well be one of my "new favourite places to eat".  Really interesting food, huge portions, and good prices.  I had a burrito filled with feta, courgette and cactus, followed by caramel salted ice-cream.  It's a huge place so you shouldn't have any problem getting a table.  Aside from the food - the toilets are bizarre!  Just check them out and you'll see what I mean.  I'll be back for Mojitos next time.

Today, another rare sunny day in London, we went to Soho Festival.  As last year, a strange but fun afternoon consisting of jugs of Pimms, a spaghetti eating competition, puppet shows and random Soho characters.  Proceeds help Soho's elderly residents apparently.  One day, perhaps I'll be an elderly Soho resident but without the stories that probably come with being one.  The French House followed where we watched the world go by over a bottle of Meteor white beer, and finishing off at Pollo for way too much food that is sensible for ladies trying to watch their weight.

So lovely Frock Fans...unfortunately that's the best I can muster up until the weather improves.  Next weekend - the Sebastian Horsley exhibition a Viktor Wynd, and a barbecue.