'Last Friday'

This is my favourite museum- but I have not been there for ages- not sure why. The last Friday in the month always has something special and it is open till nearly 10pm. I went this month because the theme was recollection. We saw a superb film about an Indian doctor who had come to the UK in the fifties and tried to return..

He had shot the film himself- in India and UK and it was wonderful. He had longed to return home but within a year he was back in the UK- He had left the India of his childhood behind. It was very bittersweet but why the museum had to put in footage of the NF rallies of the seventies and the ugly aspects of British life. I always feel there has to be a 'payback'' somehow and the doctor had not intended this.

There was also a free blogging workshop which made me think about where my blog was going and what the hell was it all about and what for and for who. So I may be making some changes but want to keep blogging.

Of course we went to the cafe there- lovely food but pricey. My advice if you are short of cash is to take your own and buy some tea- there are lots of unobtrusive places to east discreetly

Jan's new passion- fad?

I have lately been very interested in craft work of all kinds. Deemed hopeless at school where I was the only one (with my sister) not to be able to complete the cookery apron. I never managed to thread the machine and dreaded the lessons. I can still remember double craft on Tuesdays and little else about my school

But so many of my friends love needlework and making things- Anne, Una ,Geena, Susan, Joan, Fay, Fiona- and surely it's not too late to learn. So I bought this lovely machine and it stands proudly in the living room- posing proudly on the table next to my computer. Waiting... for friends to come and help.

Spitalfields What's On Guide

Spitalfields What's On Guide

Tomb of Elizabeth 1st

In keeping with our budget conscious ways, we borrowed a church pass and went in for free. Otherwise it can be as much as £15. I begrudge it- money taken from bewildered tourists by a grumpy cashier with a huge cross round her neck. Once inside the place feels like a giant antique store- over stuffed with huge statues and tombs. The high altar I found not so impressive- what was amazing for me was the tomb of the queen, somehow I felt her to be our queen- in some way connected personally with me. The crowds were packed in but there was a hush there. The face is said to be the death mask of the queen. Very difficult to see in the Abbey for a short arse like me.

'Poppies Fish and Chips'

http://http//www.poppiesfishandchips.co.uk/

We decided to try this place - two weeks after it opened. The place was packed with loads of people filling the 4 or so tables and a queue waiting for fish and chips. I really recommend this place. By chance I met the owner before it opened and he said his aim was quality but not to rip people off. I think he has achieved this. The prices are cheaper than Goulston Street nearby and I think the service was superb. The staff are dressed in kitsch Edwardian style and although it was busy, they were still very friendly and patient. We had a take away - one medium cod and large chips and a pickle- £8.50 and we couldn't eat all the chips. I would say 10/10 but go on a weekday to get a good seat.

Hoop and Grapes

This is the gorgeous interior of this very old pub. Right near Aldgate bus station and over the road from Aldgate East and Aldgate tubes, the food was lovely- The speciality are sausages and we shared a plate of sausage sandwich and chips for around £6. The Times are doing an offer of a meal for £5 at the moment. The day we went (Friday) it was packed yet still offering a bottle of wine for £10

Rigby and Peller

This is the most packed sale of bras, knickers, swimsuits and held every year in this theatre. We did arrive on the first day and it was so busy with queues for the cash tills and changing room. Prices were mostly bras £15, swimsuits £15 and loads of oddments at £1 They were very expensive items and so very cheap but do we really need all this stuff. In the end we did not buy anything at all

Free exhibition of crafts

A few of us visited this lovely small exhibition at the Women's Library. It was great to see this usually quiet place full of people. The local WI were 'selling' cakes for donations and there were many groups demonstrating crafts- including one that highlights female genital mutilation and they were sewing vagina- representations of I mean, rather than the horrible practice of mutilating them. I met the leader of the East End WI who was pretty amazing and welcoming and I may join?