Saturday, 24 March 2012

Picking Blackcurrants out of the Sandwich ...



Just returned from a short, late concert at the South Bank (above). It was a masterclass with Martin Feinstein on the flute and Robin Bigwood on the harpsichord, doing Bach's Sonata in B Minor. It was very good.



On the way back we admired the fine view from the footpath across Hungerford Bridge (below). The views from Hungerford Bridge and Waterloo Bridge must be among the best in London.
The pointy thing like a red church steeple towards the left of the picture is in fact a pop up hotel, with just one room, built like a ship, with commanding views of the river. The "spire" is in fact the mast, with rigging up to the top.

What a fantastic place to stay! no wonder it's booked solid. There were people out on the "deck" surveying the scene with drinks, but you can't see them in the photo.



On the train we sat opposite this peaceful trio, the guy consulting his phone while his lady friends sleep, one on each shoulder.



And now I have to sort out S's sandwiches. We're going to the International Festival of Railway Modelling tomorrow, at Alexandra Palace. It looks as if I will have to pick the blackcurrants out before I wrap them up, because I sure don't want him doing it tomorrow lunchtime at the festival - I can just imagine the stickiness.



Sigh, I could do without picking blackcurrants out of sandwiches tonight. So I'd better finish posting this blog and go and do it. By the way, I will be pretty busy for the next little while. I hope it will be interesting but I may not have time to visit everyone's blogs for a week or so, though I should be able to post at least once in that time.

42 comments:

  1. It sounds like such a lovely evening . . . black currents and all . .

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  2. The street lights high up look blue, are they solar power?
    I've never had currant jelly/jam before, guessing the skins are just a little too chew or tart :o/
    Enjoy whatever adventure you are on next week!

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  3. you can send the black currants to me!
    Your crocuises are out also??? we have an early spring here

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  4. Reading your posts makes me homesick. Have a great week :-)

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  5. Don't work yourself to hard. Take care.

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  6. Bach sounds perfect with flute and harpsichord. The word “blackcurrant” is first to me, and I’ve learned it’s “cassis”. French word “cassis” is used in Japan and Cassis orange is a popular drink.
    Will you be busy for spring cleaning or another short trip? Whatever the reason, have happy days ahead.

    Yoko

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  7. I'd never heard of a pop up hotel so googled it - what a fun thing it would be to stay in it! Enjoy your model railways:)

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  8. Never heard of a pop up hotel, either. I wonder how it can be profitable for the owners with just one room.
    Instead of picking out the blackcurrants, why not simply use a different jam for the sandwich?

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  9. Mmmmmm that look good are these currants, a good ending to a pleasant day. A big greeting and great weekend.

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  10. No worries Stephen I am having a short blog break partly because of this. Bonnie they are little currant sized fruits with fairly hard skins but S likes fillings smooth! Yes Yoko it's cassis - a fruit that is wonderful in pies puddings and ice-cream , i recommend anyone to try Alder Carr blackcurrant ice-cream if obtainable..

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  11. Blackcurrant is the only sort of jam i have - we are right out of apple jelly which is totally smooth. We don't eat much jam but he needs something sustaining for this huge exhibition. I don't like buying snacks - at least this is wholemeal roll and good quality jam.

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  12. It sounds like a good evening and I love the photo of the man and his sleeping friends! Can't you buy some kind of smooth jam? Just a thought!

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  13. Oh-I see your jam dilemma now!

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  14. Beautiful photos of nighttime London.
    I can't imagine what was in the sandwich with the blackcurrants, or was it just a jam sandwich? anyway, enjoy the festival.

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  15. Picking blackcurrants out of sandwiches? Goodness, that must be as exciting as watching paint dry!

    A pop up hotel? That's a new one on me. I don't think we'll be getting one here for the Titanic Centenary....

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  16. If it's jam, it sounds like you could put it through a small wire mesh strainer of some sort.

    The concert sounds like it was lovely and i hope you have a great time wherever you are going and you make me want to come back to England, it's been way too long.

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    1. I was going to suggest a strainer too. Love your photos Jenny.

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  17. Night photography is very good. I can take the blackcurrents if he doesn't want them!

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  18. Hello Jenny:
    It is just such events as the masterclass which really make us miss London with all that it offers by way of cultural activity with all minority and multicultural interests well catered for.

    Your night photographs are so evocative of time and place, they really capture the moment. And, the pop-up hotel, yes we have heard of it , and it must have one of the best views in town!

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  19. Lovely evening out, love the photo of the man and his sleeping friends but I would love blackcurrents jam on my fruit.
    Now must check out the pop up hotel !

    cheers, parsnip

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  20. Hello Jenny,
    That hotel is interesting. I will look it up now.
    Take care.
    Kay

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  21. Hi Jenny Im following you, love your pics and love your blog, My grandfather was an English man lol
    He came from Southampton!

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  22. I am so glad you explained the pop-up hotel. Sounds like an adventure. Your shots are wonderful. I, too, like the photo of the fellow and two girls. I hope you are off doing something wonderfully fun. Bonnie

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  23. The pop up hotel sounds wonderful. :)

    Picking up blackcurrants? I'd be lazy and just eat them all. ;p

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  24. What a lovely piece of writing that is. And wouldn't "Picking Blackcurrants out of the Sandwich ..." make a perfect title for a Blog.

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    1. I was just thinking the same thing about the title.

      Great post as always Frau Woolf, and that is one lucky gent sat opposite you on the tube.
      *Note to self* Grow atrocious facial hair and women will equate it with security!

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  25. Wandered over to say thank you for your yarn on Bizarre Scribble and i hope to hear from you in the future. Bonza photos as well :-).

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  26. You have just made me realize that I have never heard a harpsichord being played other than in recordings. That HAS to be rectified. You have a lovely blog!

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  27. Great title for this post - and I enjoyed my evening out in London with you. I've never dared take a photo of anyone on the tube - been tempted many times!

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  28. Trains are great places for people watching. The photo made me smile.

    Now I'm off to find out more on pop up hotels...obviously, my first thought of, "what - a tent in the middle of London?" is a bit off.

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  29. ha...i love riding the train...always something to see...nice night shots too...

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  30. Hi Jenny,
    Incredible. The way you capture the ambience with your photos is just breathtaking. In fact, your photos have given me the urge to come down to London and visit all my adoring fans in fashionable Chelsea. For that is where I was born and a few photos of the King's Road would be very satisfying.
    Take good care and thank you so much for your thoughtful comment on my latest posting.
    With respect and admiration, Gary

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  31. Thrilling to visit your great city! Thank You-


    Aloha from Honolulu
    Comfort Spiral

    >< } } ( ° >

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  32. The sandwich looks good so I hope you made one for yourself too. A pop up hotel with one room? Does this mean only it can have 1 set of guests or everyone shares one big room?

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  33. Nice photography! It looks really pretty there.

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  34. Jenny,
    thank you for visiting my blog. Your photos of wonderful London reminded me the great time I spent there!

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  35. Thanks to everyone for the comments! Nick, it is such a pity they didn't do a pop up hotel for the Titanic, Belfast waterfront would be a great place. It's an art project, essentially, I think. I have an idea they take it around to various places . Mimi, I probably should sieve it but that would take even longer than picking them out. And buying some smooth jam would be even quicker, just one of those late night things!!! Alan, I hadn't thought of it as a blog title, would indeed be a good one. I might offer it to Dave King as a poem prompt, that guy is amaazing with what he comes up with. Tattytiara, I LOVE your pen name (is that what they call it? Blogger ID? Anyway, wish I had thought of it,makes me think mine is pretty unimaginative both in blog name and my ID). Gary, your comment reminded me it is ages since I have been to Chelsea. It's very much the haunt of the rich although there is still some real life to be seen around Worlds End not as much as there used to be though! AVCre8teur, it is just one room. The price isn't cheap but it is booked solid and I think sold out within a very short time of booking opening.

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  36. Pop up hotel? Is that like a grown up version of the pop up play things everyone here now seems to rent for their child's birthday these days?

    I'm with your son, I like seedless jam. A Mom's gotta do what a Mom's gotta do.

    Darla

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  37. Oh those sandwiches look DELICIOUS with the black currants IN THEM!!

    Your concert sounds wonderful!

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  38. I'm more the doting grandma, Darla! :)

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  39. Send the blackcurrants my way; I love them!

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  40. If I hadn't read the comments I would have said exactly what Meike (Librarian) said. At least I know the blackcurrant answer but I'm still (even after Googleing it) a little unsure as to the true nature of a pop up hotel.

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