That's life in the big city

The weekend before last was a fine example of why we love being back in the big city. Fancying an evening of live music we went to see Brian Auger's Oblivion Express at Ronnie Scott's.

The early show was standing room only so we went for the late show which meant time for a leisurely meal beforehand. Courtesy of Top Table Trader Vic's were doing a deal: three courses and a cocktail for £25 from a Hawaiian menu. For a restaurant in a hotel - mind you it is the Hilton Park Lane - the food was excellent and the staff genuinely friendly.

At Ronnie Scott's the doors opened at 10:30 and the support act, The Yazz Ahmed Quintet, came on and did a fine set. Brian Auger's Oblivion Express came on at 11:30 and finished around 01:30 Sunday morning.


Ronnie Scott's

Brian did plenty of banter including mentioning that Keith Emerson, no less, was in the audience. And so it proved as we passed by the two of them standing chatting as we left.

Getting home? No problem in London! The N87 night bus goes from Trafalgar Square to Wandsworth and beyond (all the way to Kingston in fact). It was packed even at 2 in the morning, standing room only, with a very subdued bunch of fellow passengers many of whom seemed ready for bed.

Such night owls us, eh what?