OMA in Borough Market. Posh Greek/ Middle Eastern fare on three levels. Very busy, young and noisy, not what you would imagine would suit 3 old geezers, but after a dodgy start - insufficiently chilled bottle of white - really good, great food and service. Not cheap but not outrageous.
Enjoyed that piece, shades of Hannibal Lector, making me quite hungry at 5:30am, getting up soon for our early morning swim where I complete 40 laps at the local university swimming pool (UNB), 1 km. This is a beautiful old pool, donated by Lord Beaverbrook, with a dive tank, 25 metres on way, 25 yards the other (into the dive tank) that certain authorities have wanted to demolish since 2017 when benefactor, Richard Currie built a brand new nearby recreational centre (less a pool) and Mr. Currie didn't want to see Lord Beaverbrook's 1940 structure, ugly (in his opinion) gymnasium in front of his beautiful new offering, and demanded it be demolished. Hopefully it can receive much needed renovations now that Mr. Currie has passed on. The major issue is the building "air handler system" on the flat roof above the pool that controls humidity, air flow and residual Chlorine gas in the building. Just curious, what was the "commission"? Update: Out for lunch myself at West Hills Golf Course, St. James Gate Restaurant and having an "Old Fashioned" myself. ,
Think you were at the wrong gig - O2 Academy in Glasgow last night was BOUNCING! Great evening. The Academy isn't my favourite venue in town, holds about 2500. It's an old cinema that's been refurbed into a venue, with an upstairs seating area and a large standing area downstairs over three levels. Pete was in a very jovial mood. He came on to the stage early and introduced the support act, Warmduscher. Saw them a couple of years ago so was looking forward to this...sound was a bit rough to start with, but they tweaked it after the first song and it was so much better...they're from London, although the singer is from NY, and have a grungey bass sound. Once support was done, the stage crew moved in to get set up for Babyshambles - good tunes from the interval DJ, with more appearances from Pete on stage, accompanied by his daughter. They sat at a small table playing games and she occasionally flashed the crowd a cheeky grin and a wave which went down well... Finally, on the band came. I've seen Babyshambles many times - Pete sober, Pete smacked up, Pete drunk, Pete in rehab, sometimes no Pete as he was in jail - and we've seen him solo, with The Putre Madres, and with The Libertines, and this gig was up there with them. Not quite as riotous as the early years, but then most of the crowd were 20 years younger then too! Smashed out all the favourites, interspersed with some interludes of Stone Roses, The Las and The Beatles, a rendition of Flower of Scotland and a collection of stories and annecdotes from Pete. Finished it all off with a bit of **** Forever Last gig of the year for me, and a good way to bow out. Not really any let downs, and a few belters. Already have some lined up for next year including Mogwai, Gypsy Kings, Gorillaz and Neil Young - bring it on
