For some reason, the ticket hall at Epsom was busy when we arrived, with one ticket window down (out of two) and one ticket machine down (out of five). While we waited, a lady entertained with tales of skirmishing and police underneath her bedroom window the night before. Something which only happens very rarely in our road, and then without the police.
Vauxhall was busy when we arrive there. We learned later that this was something to do with India at the Oval.
Tube also busy, including a tall young man offering us a view of his steadily masticating jaw. At least it was chewing gum rather than large and messy sandwich. Plus, two young men offered us their seats, an offer which, on this occasion, we both accepted.
Oxford Circus making preparation for the arrival of a bicycle race, preparations which included various barriers across roads.
The change of railway timetables meant that we were a little later, which meant that All-Bar-one was a little more crowded. We almost gave up, but we hung in there and got served. But no smarties on this occasion, peanut flavoured from Mr. Reese or otherwise, despite the supply jar being visible behind the counter. Given that it was a little more crowded, we thought it a bit mean to complain.
Into a crowded hall, where the Dorics were in very fine form, with a light Haydn plus a heavy Beethoven making a very good hour's worth.
Viola and cello both quite physical about it, the two violins more restrained. On the other hand, there was a slight breeze, which cost the first violin his score at one point. And also resulted in a smell of dinner at another point.
Out to inspect the shirt scene at the House of Fraser, with the sort of white shirt which was normal in my days at work there being called 'formal business wear'. Most of it seemed to be sold by fancy brand names in concessions and most of it was either the wrong size or the wrong fit. And some of it was very expensive. An older shop walker, a touch scruffy for such a prestige shop, explained that normally shaped people (like himself and myself) went to John Lewis for their shirts. Although my recollection was that we did not do that well there last time we tried it. Perhaps the answer is for BH to do it solo, without bad tempered appendage.
Onto Ponti's, which we have not visited for a while, not being very happy with the amount of musak on the last visit. Meal fine, except I was a but unsure about the tiramisu: flavour good, but involving a great deal of whipping cream or some such. Tables not fine, being quite old and there was something wrong with the varnish which made them feel oddly sticky despite being reasonably carefully wiped.
We admired the portrait of the founder of the restaurant, sadly now deceased. We admired the way that the décor of the bar downstairs retained some features from the car park it once was, illustrated above. While the only people we have ever seen in the bar were staff on a break, the place was smart enough with no musty smell, so it must do business when we are not there. State of the art basins in the washrooms, all very smart.
Back at Oxford Circus, we decided not to wait for the cycles, due in about half an hour, so proceeded to Vauxhall where we came across the first and only Muslim lady in full dress.
Paused at Raynes Park to pick up a nicely illustrated little guide to the Escorial, published in Madrid in 1966, Editorial 'Patrimonio Nacional'. Printed in Barcelona rather than China. Binding falling apart but the book is still quite usable at home. A monastery-palace which appears to be roughly the same size as our Hampton Court Palace, but of rather more severe appearance and containing vastly deal more premier division art. Perhaps more Buckingham Palace as far as that goes. Perhaps we will get there on a coach when we are old enough to do coach holidays.
Reference 1: https://psmv3.blogspot.com/2018/02/more-haydn.html. It seems that we last heard this quartet about six months ago. Haydn only on that occasion.
Reference 2: https://psmv3.blogspot.com/2017/03/rodney-graham.html. While the last visit to Ponti's appears to have been near eighteen months ago. No mention of noise, despite the foregoing.
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