h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

On the 7th of February Ben and I went to London. We had the most magnificent time as we can get on when we're doing things, just not when we're trying to be a normal couple at home together. Okay, there were a few choice rows, but mostly we were... distracted enough to get on. We went to Camden Market where I bought a lovely fake designer handbag and some T-shirts, and a foul disappointing Darkness gig on the first evening. We got there AFTER The Ark, support act, had gone on and I cried. Then on the 8th we went to Covent Garden and hopped onto the internet where we found out The Ark were playing their own gig at the Camden Barfly on the 9th. Paroxysms of delight! Then we went to a graphic design shop and Cybercandy, then Hyde Park and Harrods, where we lunched and gawped. Quick rest, dinner in a pub, and off to Nights At The Circus. An interesting production, though a bit coarse and self-conscious in that way common to nearly all plays. On the 10th I went to the Tate Modern while Ben went to the Royal Academy of Art. A nearly perfect day. It was cold but brightly sunny as I walked along the Thames and across the Millennium Bridge to get to the gallery. Then I saw an exhibition of communist propaganda and generally culturified myself as much as I could stand (or until I couldn't stand up any more) after which sat in a very fancy designer chair in one of the reading rooms and stared out at the Thames, very serene and happy, contemplating life, freedom and relationships. The sun set as I walked back to the tube station and it was utterly beautiful, twinkling on the water. Ben and I met up and we went to a very fancy over the top bar called Annex 3. Briefly back to the hotel then out to Camden and joy. The Ark were stupendously good. Technically they were excellent, but also as funny and flamboyant and magnetic and emotionally satisfying as you could ever hope for. Everyone in the gaspingly packed audience knew every word and we danced and shouted and flung our fierce love at the band as one entity. I emerged covered in sweat, panting and shaking and with feet so sore they felt like tenderised steak. We had almost no sleep then rose on the 10th at 5am to get back into Cardiff for work at nine. We breakfasted on Krispy Kreme and arrived at the station at 8.51 and I ran to get to my desk at 8.59. Amazing!

Back I will go to London in a couple of weeks. This time alone. I'm going to a picnic in Hyde Park with some people I have known for ages off-the-internet. It will be amazing, liberating, scary, thrilling, cultured, and... perfumed. http://www.laboutiquedelartisanparfumeur.com/en/index.php?lang=uk