Spirited and Blown Away

As part of his Christmas present last year, I bought Adam tickets for us to go to watch Spirited Away in London. He loves Studio Ghibli and while I don’t really get it, I can appreciate a good stage production. We decided to get the train and stay for a couple of nights and have a little touristy adventure.

We got the train on Monday morning from Manchester. We managed to secure a table spot so was quite comfortable. There was no shop on board due to a flood which was announced at the beginning of the journey. I did then feel for the family of a young boy that got on at Stockport that kept telling him they would take him to the shop when it opened and it would be open at the next stop repeatedly. He really wanted to go to that shop. I think everyone on the train was cringing and thinking ‘no you won’t mate’ and ‘how you going to explain this one?’ Well when the announcement came and we all heard ‘now unfortunately the man has said the shop isn’t open so we can’t go’ all of our hearts broke for the little boy. Poor thing. There was no air-con in our carriage and everyone was melting by the end of the two hours.

Pretty seamless journey through Euston to Tower Hill where the hotel was literally at the exit of the tube station. I always find the tube so fascinating. It must have taken a lot of engineering to build that nearly 200 years ago.

We got into the hotel room and it was simple but high tech. Massive bed, telly and EVERYTHING controlled via an iPad- the curtains, the lights, the colours, the temperature, the TV. I know we came to London to be in London but honestly I could have just stayed in the room! My only complaint was that the toilet roll holder fell off the wall when I rested my hand on it slightly. I hope I don’t get billed for that.

Nice bar with a nice view upstairs too. Don’t think you can ask for more than this.

We had a walk along the river front to a place called Grind. Looked good on the internet. Did not taste good. The cow was still mooing and the fish batter was chewy. They knocked off the cow. Shame they didn’t do that and cook it properly before they served it.

We had a walk through Borough Market. I had an interesting interaction with a ballsy squirrel. I swear he was squaring up to me. He kept running towards me quite menacingly and giving me the eye. He was cute though so I wasn’t going to punch him.

Then we thought we would go to another rooftop bar to take in some more sights and sounds. Found one just close by. No lift. No joke. It was about 15 storeys up. I swear Kilimanjaro was easier to climb.

Had a couple of cocktails and headed back to play with the iPad.

Started off day two with a Tower of London visit. I have to admit, before this trip, I didn’t really know what the Tower of London was. I think I was partly thinking of Big Ben and partly of a single tower. Like what Rapunzel was in. So when I realised it’s a big bloody castle in the middle of London I was very impressed. The Beefeater men were cool. I didn’t realise they lived there. Apparently you have to be in the armed services for 22 years before you can apply to be one. Imagine 22 years and then they stick you in that uniform. They obviously hold it as a huge honour but they could have given them a better costume. They were very engaging with the crowds. And the other guys with the fluffy hats didn’t disappoint either.

The central attraction is The Crown Jewels. When you first go in it shows you things that say ‘replica’ this and ‘replica’ that. I was so annoyed. I was like I’ve come all this way to see fake diamonds. But then further along is where they keep the real bling. Mad though. You see it by standing on a travelator and you just glide by it all so you can’t stop to look, or steal I suppose. You can’t take pics in there so I have no pics other than this. But I’m sure you can imagine what a crown looks like. There were a few of them.

Now to the best bit. The ravens. I ain’t never seen a raven before. I thought it was a crow. It’s not, they are bloody massive. I didn’t know about the ravens of the tower but apparently they have to keep six in there at all times. I think we saw three. Loud too. And feisty. I saw one bite a child. The kid tried to hide how much it hurt but I could see him rubbing his hand. Don’t shove your hand near a big bird, buddy. It will get you with its big old beak.

We headed towards Spitalfields and had a little look around there. Settled on Greek food for lunch. Had some hot honey halloumi. Would recommend. Then we saw The Ten Bells pub over the road and given how famous it is thought we really should go in. Just one drink though as it tasted like bath water.

Back to the hotel to have a quick nap, shower and change then back out. Went to Blame Gloria, a new cocktail bar I think near Soho. Probably the most extravagant cocktail I’ve ever been given.

Time to head to the theatre for the show. All the riots are currently happening and there were lots and lots of police and riot vans around and I was starting to get a bit nervous. That combined with the fact we couldn’t find the entrance to the theatre meant that I was a little stressed. When I say a lot of riot vans, I mean like 7-8. Anyway, turns out we were just stood outside a police station so yeah, nothing to worry about. They were just parked there.

Found the theatre and took our seats. Front row. Seats A1 and A2 to be exact. The email had said it was in Japanese but with English surtitles. I thought it was a joke or it would be spoken over. Nope it was Japanese with the English translation on little screens above the stage. Hence the sur and not sub (above not below). Did it matter? No! I enjoyed every minute. I’ve never actually seen the film all the way through but it didn’t matter, it was a fantastic production. The stage design was out of this world as were the costumes and the score. Honestly not a bad word to say. I even did a little cry at the end.

Walked up the road to find anything with food that was open and ended up at a little Italian, ate then made our way back on the tube again.

Not much to report from today. Made our way back to Euston for our return journey. I’m currently on the train writing this which I decided to do mostly because I have no signal, the WiFi is crap and so I can’t spend my time scrolling Instagram. Ah well. At least you lot get some entertainment.

Until we meet again!