Prince Charles Cinema: Arnie All Nighter

Saturday November 9, 2013.

Finally, the weeks of waiting were over. The Arnie All Nighter was finally here. This would be mine and Jason's first trip to the Prince Charles Cinema, for an all nighter. Predator is Jason's favourite film and he had always wanted to see it on the big screen. Plus, it came out in 1987, which is the same year in which Jason was born. Go figure. So, when the Prince Charles Cinema announced an Arnie All Nighter which would include Predator, the tickets were booked, immediately. 

The Prince Charles Cinema was built in the early 1960s, operating as a theatre, then a cinema of ill repute before becoming a repertory cinema. Quentin Tarantino once said, "The Prince Charles Cinema is everything an independent movie theatre should be. For lovers of quality films, this is Mecca." adding "The day Kill Bill plays the Prince Charles is the day Kill Bill truly comes home." Unlike most cinemas, the Prince Charles Cinema doesn't use the canopy to just advertise upcoming movies. Sometimes it will add a quote from a movie or just put a random message out for everyone to see.

We arrived at Baker Street and began our slow walk to Leicester Square. Marylebone Road, Park Crescent, Portland Place, Great Portland Street on to Carnaby Street before ending up at Old Compton Street to show Jason Gerry's Wine & Spirits. A place that I have visited on many an occasion, that stocks a wide variety of rare and expensive spirits. After a good nose around, we headed towards Leicester Square, where we ate at KFC. From here we headed to the cinema, where we collected our tickets, before heading for a drink. As most of the bars and pubs were rammed full of revellers, I decided it would be best to head away from the usual spots and so, we headed down the Charing Cross Road to The Chandos on St. Martin's Lane. A nice Samuel Smith pub that, although busy, was had friendly and efficient staff. After two pints each, we headed back to the Prince Charles Cinema, where we joined a queue that had begun to form. We waited for what seemed like an eternity, but was in fact barely twenty minutes, for the doors to open and then we all piled in. The Prince Charles Cinema has two screens, upstairs (screen 2) with 104 high back purple leather recliner chairs and downstairs (screen 1) with 285 high back red leather chairs. We were downstairs so there were 285 of us, Arnie fans, all up for a marathon movie night. The upper auditorium was also sold out, as they were showing six Wes Anderson movies; Bottle Rocket, Rushmore, The Royal Tenenbaums, The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou, The Darjeeling Limited and Moonrise Kingdom. Our marathon was due to begin at 20:45 but, due to this being their first sell-out in a while, it started nearer 21:15.

The Arnie All nighter began with some trailers for movies that didn't make it into the all nighter. The first was for Pumping Iron (1977) and the second was This Is America (1977). Both of these were documentaries about body building and showed the Austrian Oak at his body building best. These were followed by the trailer for Hercules in New York (1969). 

Once the laughter had subsided the marathon truly began with Conan the Barbarian (1982). This was followed by Terminator (1984). We were then treated to some adverts that Arnie had filmed for the Japanese, promoting what I can only assume to be some sort of energy/vitamin drink. 

Follow this link to see what I mean; CrAzY aRnIe AdS  

The marathon then continued with Commando (1986) after which we went outside for some fresh air and to stretch our legs. We then headed back in for the main event: Predator (1987), on the big screen. Amazingly, they followed this with Predator: The Musical. Brilliant! 

At this point some people started to leave, obviously having commitments for the tomorrow, or today. What day was it anyway? This meant that the auditorium was only two-thirds full when the fifth film Total Recall (1990), began. With the delay in the start of the marathon, Total Recall didn't finish until 07:00, at which point Jason and I left the building. (We weren't really keen on seeing T2: Judgement Day, as what is the point of a Terminator that is not allowed to kill?)

From Leicester Square we headed straight up Regent Street, where I managed to get a photo of the lights, before stopping at McDonald's so that Jason could get an egg mcmuffin and I could grab a coffee. We then continued on our way to Baker Street, where our train was pretty much waiting for us. We filled the journey home with talk of the films and other chit-chat as we tried to keep each other awake.

All in all it was great, if long, evening out.

Until next time, May It Be Well With You.

Len's 53rd birthday: Baker Street to Borough Market... and beyond

Saturday September 7, 2013.

As has become customary, Len, Steve and myself headed off to London to celebrate Len’s birthday. Arriving at Baker Street, we took a slow walk along the Marylebone Road, turning in to Park Crescent and onto Portland Place. 

As we passed the BBC Broadcasting House, I pointed out the Dalek guarding the BBC Canteen. Seeing as both Steve and Len had never been inside, we headed in. The BBC Shop, which was due to open on September 1st still wasn’t open, so Steve settled for having his picture taken with the Dalek. We then continued our stroll by turning from Regent Street on to Margaret Street, so that we could grab a drink at the ‘Cock Tavern’ (1).

After our refreshment, we headed down Great Portland Street, crossed Oxford Street, headed along Argyll Street, crossed Great Marlborough Street and entered Carnaby Street, which is where we spotted the comedian, Sean Walsh. Still keeping a leisurely pace, we sauntered down Carnaby Street until we reached Beak Street. It was then that we noticed that many of the bars, that both Steve and I knew, were gone. Sacrilege! So, we turned on to Great Pulteney Street and headed for the ‘Vintage Magazine Shop’ on Brewer Street. 

After a damn good look around, I thought I would show Len and Steve my favourite Wine and Spirit shop. As we headed down Brewer Street to turn onto Rupert Street, we were passed by Simon ‘Scotty’ Pegg and his family. Unfortunately, due to the surprise of seeing him, I didn’t get a chance to say anything to him, so we continued on our way by turning on to Winnett Street and finally on to Old Compton Street, where ‘Gerry’s Wines & Spirits’ is situated. This was a place that my Dad had taken me to, many years ago, when he was looking for a special Vodka. Being a speciality shop, the prices on some items are truly astonishing, but it is still worth a visit.

Guinness' Trust Buildings

In Guinness We Trust.

Saturday September 7, 2013.

It was during one of my 'let's do a left, then a right, then a left', wanders around the Unfinished City, when I came across these buildings. 

These tenement blocks were the seventh such buildings to be built by the Guinness Trust, in London.

The Shard

Reflections on a Shard of Glass.

Saturday September 7, 2013.

It was while on another walk around Southwark and the surrounding area, that I found myself on St Thomas Street. As I walked eastward towards The Horseshoe Inn, I looked up and realised that I was directly below The shard.

Having only really seen it from the north bank, and from afar, I couldn't help but snap this shot from this odd angle, with the clouds reflected in the thousands of glass panels.

Gallery

Iron Maiden: Maiden England Tour, 2013

Highlights of Iron Maiden's Maiden England Tour, 2013, at the O2 Arena.

Saturday August 3, 2013.

Back in 1982, when I was 10, I bought my first 7-inch single; 'Run to the Hills' by Iron Maiden. Ever since I have been a huge fan, seeing them in various venues across the country.

However, it had been quite a while since I had seen them live, due to a growing family, work and the like.

Thankfully, an old work colleague, David, put on social media that he had a spare ticket to the concert and was looking for someone to go with. I jumped at the chance.

We arranged to meet in London, near Kings Cross, and make a day of it.

Considering that we hadn't seen each other in around 15 years, it was like we had never been apart. Meandering our way down to the River Thames, via a few pubs, we headed for the Thames Clipper and made our way to Greenwich Peninsula.

After a few drinks of Trooper inside the dome, we made our way in to the Arena proper.

We had deliberately missed the support act, but that was of no real concern as they were not who we, or any of the other Maiden fans, had paid to see.

Suffice to say, Iron Maiden were on top form and were absolutely amazing.

Roll on the next tour.

Up the IRONS!

Iron Maiden

Walking with family: Borough Market to St Paul's Cathedral... and beyond

Friday June 28, 2013

After dropping Erin at 'Busy Bees Nursery', Emma, Keilyn and I headed to London’s 'Borough Market', for lunch. Keilyn slept for pretty much the entire journey on the Metropolitan line, but woke as we changed to the Jubilee line. After a ‘toilet’ stop at London Bridge Station, we headed into Borough Market. 

The Market area, and Market itself, have gone through some major changes in the last few decades and finally the work is complete. The Market seems more spacious and appears to be a bit bigger. After a good look around, I settled on a ‘Boston’ double burger with red onion and rocket for lunch, while Emma had a hot Bap. 

With the crowds growing and the temperature rising, we decided to head over to the North side of the River Thames, which is something we rarely do as we prefer to stay on the South Bank, where it is a lot more pedestrian friendly.

Once we had crossed London Bridge, we headed along Cannon Street towards St. Paul’s Cathedral, popping in to the odd shop here-and-there. One of the best shops we went into was ‘Hardy’s Sweet Shop’, on Ludgate Hill. The shop has a myriad of jars full of ‘quarter’ sweets and lots of other hard-to-find sweets and candies. I bought some chewy nut caramels and Emma bought some Root Beer, amongst other things. 

We then continued on our merry way along Fleet Street and on to The Strand, heading for Trafalgar Square. The Square itself was surprisingly quiet, considering how nice the weather was and that this is where many of the tourists end up. So, after a brief stop, we decided to walk up Haymarket and then turned on to Regent Street.

Walking with my mum: HM Queen Elizabeth II, The BBC and Angels

Broadcasting House entrance.

Thursday June 27, 2013

Having travelled to Baker Street, via the Metropolitan line, mum and I decided to walk to BBC Broadcasting House, where we could grab a coffee and look at the new building. Having walked along the Marylebone Road, we turned on to Portland Crescent where we noticed a black Bentley pulled up at the junction. We both took a quick glance in the back. Looked at each other. Then looked back at the lady with white hair in the rear of the Bentley. It was none other than Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Too soon the car pulled away, so we were unable to get any photographs. Still shocked to have seen Her Majesty, we continued on with our journey. 

Arriving at BBC Broadcasting House, we went in to the World Piazza and grabbed a coffee at the Caffé Nero. Sitting by the window we could see the hustle and bustle of the people coming and going, many of them BBC workers. Others were there for tours or, like us, just there to see this magnificent building. 

Me with a Dalek.

After our coffee we headed into the Broadcasting House via the main thoroughfare, which brings you into the main foyer. To our right was a BBC News studio mock-up, where you could read the news or present the weather to the public, who stood around awaiting their turn. To our left was the entrance to the Radio Theatre and the Media Café, which was guarded by a Dalek. After the obligatory photograph, with said Dalek, we were scanned by Security and headed into the Media Café. The café has a glass wall, behind which is the heart of BBC News. 

Looks like a clear day ahead.

To the left is the BBC weather set and the various meteorologists. In the centre (read basement) is the hub of news journalists and the BBC news studio. As the weather bulletin was being broadcast, make-up technicians were ‘touching-up’ Matthew Amroliwala and Jane Hill. 

BBC News... live.

After a good look around and plenty of photographs had been taken (WITHOUT the FLASH), we headed back outside to get some photographs of the building itself. The World Piazza is covered in over 750 flagstones, each carrying the name of a city or place from around the World. From Tombstone to Gibraltar and all places in-between.

HMS Illustrious at Greenwich

HMS Illustrious at Greenwich.

Monday May 13, 2013.

Recently, HMS Illustrious arrived in Greenwich to mark the 70th Anniversary of the ‘Battle of the Atlantic’. She was berthed at Greenwich, just to the West of the Cutty Sark and the old Royal Naval College. Not having been to London, for a while, I thought it would be nice to see her off and get some photographs. HMS Illustrious was due to depart Greenwich at 15:30 and head around the Greenwich Peninsula and on through the Thames Barrier, so I headed to the O2 Arena to see her. 

HMS Illustrious.

I arrived at North Greenwich just after 15:15 and made my way to the River Thames, just East of the Emirates Cable Car, where I had a great view of the O2 and the Thames Barrier. Patiently, I waited. And waited. Deciding that I had either missed her, or that she was running late, I took a cable car across to the Royal Victoria Docks, so that I could look westward to see if I could spot her. Sure enough, there she was. 

HMS Illustrious.

After getting another cable car back to North Greenwich, I took a Thames Clipper to Greenwich. As we approached I managed to snap a quick shot of HMS Illustrious’ Port side, before disembarking from the Thames Clipper. I strolled along the embankment, stopping every now and again to take a photo. I then took a detour, due to a new housing complex, which brought me out behind HMS Illustrious, giving me a great view of the ship and the Old Royal Naval College. 

Security aboard HMS Illustrious.

With time getting on I decided to walk to Canada Water, where I could catch a train back to Baker Street and from there a Metropolitan train to Watford.

On arriving at Baker Street, I realised that there was quite a wait for my next train, so I wandered up to street level and visited one of the tourist shops, to buy Erin a present. After a quick look around I settled on a plastic pink glass with a curly straw. I then headed into the ‘Metropolitan Bar’ for a quick drink, before catching my train home.

Even though I never got to see HMS Illustrious sailing out to sea, she was still a marvel to behold.

'Peter the Great'

A gift from the Russian People.

Monday May 13, 2013.

It was during one of my Greenwich walks that I stumbled across this rather odd, and creepy looking, statue of Peter the Great. 

I had started at the Thames Barrier before heading westward, to see HMS Ocean, which was moored at the Old Royal Naval College. After taking a few photos I continued on my journey towards Tower Bridge, happy that I had got the photos I had hoped for. 

But, as I turned the corner, on to Glaisher Street, I noticed this rather peculiar, odd and creepy statue. So, once again, I took some photos.

Commonwealth Day, 2013

Celebrating the Commonwealth.

On the morning of Monday March 11, 2013, my eldest daughter, Alysha, had the honour of performing a dance at Westminster Abbey, in front of Royalty, for Commonwealth Day.

As I wasn't permitted inside, I spent the morning soaking up the atmosphere, and plenty of coffee, as the temperature was hovering just above freezing. Suffice to say that I while I struggled to keep warm, my daughter was inside Westminster Abbey, dancing in front of royalty, dignitaries and celebrities.