Boyzone Brother Tour in the O2 Arena

Boyzone last toured in 2009, but their current Brother Tour is proving a wonderful success.  The group have so many loyal fans who are delighted to have the chance to see the boys live again at various venues in the UK and Ireland.  New tracks from their recent album and many of the the old favourites make up a great evening's entertainment.  They also promise some surprises along the way, and I think that has already happened.  The Cardiff gig is reported to have been a blast.
 

Tickets are still available for their upcoming concert in the O2 Arena on Tuesday, 8th of March, 2011.  Fans looking for convenient hotels near the the O2 Arena London should check London's Best Hotels website for the updated offers available.  These show promotion rates and can save on accommodation costs. 

If you can make it, enjoy. 

The Langham London - an exceptional hotel

I had reason to visit The Langham London today

and really it is one fine hotel. I have to say, I don't care where you are staying  -  if you are in the area, make a point of dropping in to see this exceptional hotel. It's the atmosphere, I think .... or  perhaps it's the historic associations that make this place special. When you consider some of the famous names that stayed here:  Mark Twain, Dvorak the composer, Oscar Wilde, Haile Selassie, Charles De Gaulle and Winston Churchill from a long list of luminaries. 

The Langham also featured in some of the Sherlock Holmes stories by Arthur Conan Doyle and in the James Bond movie 'Golden Eye'.

It has that tangible sense of the old Victorian Grand hotel with it's calm period splendour and air of fine elegance. This should be no surprise, I suppose.  The Langham is the genuine article.  It dates from 1865.
Its renowned Palm Court tea rooms is reputed to be the place of origin for the tradition of afternoon tea. And as far as that tradition goes, it still excels.  A fact acknowledged indeed by The Tea Guild which awarded the Palm Court the accolade of Top London Afternoon Tea 2010.

I have had tea here, and it was certainly special.  But I don't always come for tea.  It is hard to describe what draws me.  I just like hotels in general, I guess.  But this hotel in particular ......... ?

Ah well.  I just love the place.  I come here quite often, but not often enough.  Which is sad.

Really, you will have to see for yourself. Make a point if you are around Regent's Street, and drop in.  It's not just the tea that's good.  It's the experience.

The King's Speech - Oscar is listening and will be convinced

Well, the question is will Colin Firth land an Oscar for his triumphant performance in The King's Speech.  He missed out before for A Single Man, but prospects seem brighter for his superb, outstanding portrayal of the temperamental King George VI and his struggle in overcoming a crushing speech impediment.

The reluctant monarch has to endure the oppressive demands of his position to speak publicly to a country at war, and to do so with the handicap of a dreadful stammer.  Lionel Logue played by Geoffrey Rush is the speech therapist engaged to address the problem.  He uses his unorthodox techniques with the initially unimpressed royal and the film hinges on  the incredible relationship between these two men working intensely together towards what was ultimately a successful goal.  Through Logue's persistence and innate ability, the King found his courage and eventually his voice.

I went to see this film on a great night out in Bloomsbury, and it was clear from the audience response that everyone was totally enthralled with this magnificent movie and the individual performances.

If there is any justice, Colin Firth will get that deserved Oscar: the movie likewise.  Much admired  -  to put it mildly  -  after his stunning performance as Mr. Darcy in the most wonderful version ever of Pride and Prejudice, it would only be right that he achieves the ultimate recognition. 

It was the role that made the nation, or the female part of it more precisely, to fall in love with him. Like Elizabeth Bennett did eventually, there were many thousands of female admirers who dreamed that they too  would come under his powerful magnetism, would succumb at the well of his animal attraction, desired that they too would rest content for everymore under a man who would always be in a position of thrust over them  -  dominant, desiring, demanding ......     God!  Where am I going with this?

Anyhow.  He has got the BAFTA.   Now Oscar is glancing perceptibly in his direction.  As indeed he should. Now let's keep our fingers crossed.

Nearby -
A nice pub: Princess Louise, 208 High Holborn, WC1V 7EP
A good restaurant: Ciao Bella, 86-90 Lambs Conduit St, WC1N 3LZ
A quality hotel: The Montague Hotel, 15 Montague Street, Bloomsbury, WC1B 5BJ.
Underground: Russel Square

Shielded from care in Kensington

So our dear Prime Minister David Cameron has bit the bullet on the controversial issue of multiculturalism, calling it a failure that has had disastrous results.  He said  it was forcing people to live separate lives, apart from each other and apart from the mainstream.  In the  public services, it meant all information had to be translated into numerous languages to cater for numerous people who go about their daily lives without ever having to learn English.

Speaking about forced marriages, Cameron said that in Bradford, schoolgirls under the age of sixteen have simply disappeared from school. Nobody knows where they are; and with little investigation – despite the fact that it is likely that they may have been drugged, imprisoned, kidnapped and forced into an unwanted marriage on the other side of the world.

Sorry. One moment.  Just paying for a pint here .....

He said the threat of terrorism must be confronted by taking on the ideology of Islamist extremism at home.  He also cautioned that a clear distinction must be made between the religion of Islam and the political ideology of Islamist extremism.

Well, I am thinking  -  this is going to get a fairly strong reaction.  That last point, of course, is very valid.  The distinction must be made between the religion and the extremist elements within Islam who want to send suicide bomber out into UK cities to kill innocent people.  Much  the same, I suppose, as we would draw a distinction between the Roman Catholic church and the Church of England,  and extreme elements within these churches who would  similarly want to send suicide bombers out to blow themselves up and kill innocent people here in the UK.  Except, of course, neither the Catholics nor the Protestants have shown any interest up to now in fostering a belief among their followers that they should  'go forth, and detonate.'

Actually, should we draw another distinction there.  You know, the fact that no other church in Britain except Islam has amongst its adherents mad religious fanatics who cheer on suicide bombers in their pursuit of martyrdom,  who want to kill themselves and whoever is around them within the defined context of efficient public transport.

Is there a difference there?  Enough to make a distinction between Islam and other religions? Actually, I hadn't thought of this question before now. 

While I'm trying to figure it out, one other thought crosses my mind on the issue of multiculturalism. One point of controversy that keeps raising its head at periodic intervals is the question of the burqa.  France and Belgium have instituted bans against the wearing of the burqa in public, and similar moves are afoot in other countries.

Here in Britain, I think the general feeling is one of accommodating differences.  Do we really want government intervention into every small aspect of our lives?

Sorry again.  No .... you have to go outside to smoke.  Yes, just outside the door.  They changed the law quite some time back.  (I thought everybody knew this by now, even our tourists).

As I was saying, do we need it  -  government intervention, or government interference as some would call it into the petty affairs of everyday life. If I go into a government office and get to talk to an official who happens to be wearing a black bag over his head, is that going to raise my hackles. Not on your life.  It's his choice. His point of view (if he is able to see out of it).  And anyway, I don't mind talking to an old bag  --  I've been talking to one at home for years.

Many Muslim women in Britain will say that they should have the freedom to choose what they wear.  Women who are converts to Islam are particularly vociferous.  They will assert that it is up to women themselves to decide as a right on their own attire without being dictated to by the state.  These Muslim women, I am sure, would be the first to speak out and  defend the right of western women to choose what they would wear if they were visiting Saudi Arabia or Iran.  Yep.  Short tops, low-rise jeans, uncovered heads and midriff exposure.  Maybe even some navel piercing. The Muslim states may object, but isn't it good to know that there are Muslim women here in the UK who would speak out loudly for the rights of western women to choose what they would want to wear.  You see.  It works both ways.

Well, what does any of this matter? I suppose not for me at the moment.  I am cosseted here in the comfort of the bar in the Regency Hotel in South Kensington.  Iraq had the human shield.  The US had the missile shield.  I on the other hand feel safe behind my shield of robust beer glasses  -  a veritable bulwark against the cares and troubles of the world.  Reality is firmly repulsed on one side, and rational thinking reduced on the other.

In which case,  I will contentedly leave the awkward issues surrounding multiculturalism for David Cameron to sort out.   He will be the one to lead us out from under the darkness of the burqa, and a fascinating spectrum of related multicultural problems, to the light of a new unicultural Britain.  I am at one with that.

Nearby -
A nice pub: Duke of Clarence, 148 Old Brompton Road, London, SW5 0BE
A good restaurant: Maggie Jones's, 6 Old Court Place, London W8 4PL
A quality hotel: The Milestone Hotel, 1 Kensington Court, W8 5DL
Underground: South Kensington

Eating Out in Knightsbridge

I visited a truly excellent restaurant last night in what some might say are the swank surroundings of Knightsbridge.  I hadn't time to notice.  It was a case of late in, late out, and preoccupation drove the elegance of the area out of my head.  Normally, my pace would be more sedate and I would take time to appreciate the environment, the people and the happenings around me.

Last night, I was meeting up with someone for dinner  -   the wife was left at home  - and I only cared about getting a good table and hopefully a better meal.  Eating out in London is one of the great pleasures of living in this city, as much for the diversity as for the mostly  -  but not always  -  divine food.

For the London visitor, I would recommend some culinary exploring.  It is something of a journey of discovery finding your way around a big city through its spread of eateries and multivarious offerings of good dining.  I would say it is as much part of a London visit as going to see 'The Mousetrap' or Madame Tussauds ... and every bit as pleasurable.  The only thing: be selective, but at the same time adventurous.  Remember, you are exploring.

The friend I was meeting was there before me, and I was conscious and more than a little apologetic for my tardiness. But he has a good heart and is forgiving.  Although, mind you, his looks somewhat belie his good nature.  He is tall, imposing looking  - military almost  -  mercenary almost  - and one of these unfortunate guys who looks distant and unfriendly, but is, in fact, infinitely kind.  At times too, he takes on a look of lethargy  -  maybe its my company  -  but he is on the contrary, alert and mentally astute.