December 2009 Archives

We've returned very bouncy from the Barbican's 2009 "panto" offering: Pied Piper - A Hip-Hop Dance Revolution. No speech, all the narrative was provided via dance, music and mime. The programme revealed the inspired and inspiring development and casting behind the performance.

"Build your own tortillas" proved a popular decision on the pre panto food front with TJBR and Sue, and we just about had room for seven around the dining table.

Phil and I treated ourselves to a weekend away in Southwold, staying at the Sutherland House Hotel and Restaurant, and eating and drinking our way around the town, the beach, the pier and the harbour.

We selected Sutherland House partly on The Telegraph's Where to stay Southwold article and partly due to the Pepys connection, as according to the Sutherland House website our room is:

"Named after the Duke of York (later James II), this room was the Dukes' bedroom over a ten year period when he was high admiral of the English Navy during the Anglo Dutch war (1665-1674). The fact that royalty stayed here is demonstrated by the fabulous pargetted plasterwork ceiling that exists to this day. The ceiling dominates the room, and has the Stuart Fleur de Lys, the rose of the Earl of Sandwich and a seahorse to signify the naval connection within the decoration."

Not many photos, due to the inclement weather. Still, that did provide the perfect excuse to retire to our deluxe room with the papers and a Pieminster pie each on Saturday, and to hole up in The Harbour Inn with a pint or two of Adnams beer on Sunday.