Iiiiittttt'sssss Christmas!!!!!!!

Okay so Noddy hasn't actually said that yet but I saw the Coke ad on Saturday so close enough.  I was in the City Centre at the weekend and it is quite frightening how quickly it fills up once the Frankfurt Market (to give it its correct title) opens.  The main market was the usual design although I didn't get right up to Victoria Square.  But what surprised me was that the craft market, formerly Chamberlain Square and then Centenary Square, is actually now in Pigeon Park (the Cathedral Square to non-locals).  They have covered the grass with interlocking plastic hexagon panels so at least it won't get muddy.  At lot of it was the usual Isle of Sicily Fudge, Cheese, Pork scratchings, handmade jumper and jackets that are so beautiful but weigh a ton and the Baileys bar under the Christmas Tree.  There were some new delights though including a loaded chips vendor 😵Grilled Chicken stand and a guy with a something that looked like a Sitar playing Christmas songs.  You gotta love the diversity.

The reason I was in the city was to have afternoon tea at The Ivy for my friends 50th Birthday.  It amuses me that I am eating meals at The Ivy in order.  First visit Brunch with Mom, second trip lunch with a friend and now third trip Afternoon Tea.  So I really need to get there for dinner asap.  Anyway back to the tea, it was gorgeous sandwiches, creme brulee doughnut, raspberry tart, a little plant pot with chocolate mousse and of course scones with cream and jam.  As it was a special occasion we had the glass of champagne as well as tea, how decadent!  One of my friends has MS and she was having a bad day so came in her wheelchair, the staff were really nice and helpful, chirpy and fun.  That was the main thing I've noticed on all my visits, this place could be very intimidating but it's not it genuinely is casual and fun.

I had been to a Champagne Afternoon Tea at Marco Pierre Whites at the Cube a couple of months ago as a treat for my Mom.  She wanted to see Mamma Mia 2 so I booked the Everyman Cinema at the Mailbox, (who doesn't love a cinema where you can get a bottle of wine delivered to your seat?) and then afternoon tea.  I thought the actual afternoon tea was reasonably priced but as Mom does not like any sparkling wines we ordered wine separately, the 2 glasses of wine came to more than the tea for two.  It was nice, I have no actual complaint and we got a window table so nice location but somehow just not a special as The Ivy, can't put my finger on it.

 

Back at The Ivy I got there before the rest of the crew and was sitting at the bar, resting my feet people watching. An older guy came up beside me and barked at the bartender "A large whiskey and it has to be Glenfiddich!" The bartender said "Well the only Glenfiddich we have is 21" I genuinely think that the guy did not know what Glenfiddich 21 actually was, as he paused and look puzzled.  The bartender gently point out that a double Glenfiddich 21 would be £33.  The look of shock on the guys face was hilarious, I was watching through the mirror behind the bar so hopefully he didn't notice me.  But the bartender caught my eye and we smirked at each other.  He finally checked the drinks menu and selected something more in his price range with 2 Virgin Marys, a drink incidentally I can't get on board with tomato juice is just so nasty anyway but if it's not even going to get you drunk why bother Urgh!!

So what exciting delights does the greatest city in the country have for me this week?  Well I have physio on my shoulder, I fell over walking the dog back in February and torn a tendon it still gives me pain 10 months later 😬.  But on a brighter note it is the Seasonal Market at the Bond next Saturday (1st December) this season's theme is Chilli and Spice, looking forward to that.  So if anyone else is coming I'll see you there.