Rugby is a ruffian's game played by gentlemen

Even if my favourite rugby tournament is the Six Nations as I've been watching with my dad since I was little, I couldn't pass the opportunity to go and see the Internationals, especially considering that it would be watching England vs the All Blacks (New Zealand).

The initial plan was to take my brother who was going to be in town for the occasion - well, because he was here over the week due to work so he was staying for 1 extra night to go to the game - but he had to go back to Madrid so I went with S, as other than my eternal companion for all types of adventures, she's a rugby lover as well.

We arrived in Twickenham with enough time to get some food and some champagne before the game - it was very chic to be drinking some pink bubbles whilst eating some South African stake and sausages in a bun - I had all the instructions and directions thanks to my friend John who is a rugby player and connoisseur of the area. We didn't have enough time to go to all the pubs he mentioned but we went to where all the tents are by the parking lot, the place where everyone gathers before the game.

Then we got into the stadium to see the ending of the warm up, hearing the National anthem (although there were a couple of issues with the microphone), and then enjoying the game. The Aborigine chant from the Kiwis was totally eclipsed by the crowd singing 'Swing low, Sweet Chariot'. England lost the game but it was a really great experience for a Saturday afternoon. I can't wait for the Six Nations now! 

 

 

DETAILS:
Rugby Union - www.rfu.com/‎

Depeche Mode

Silence is not the objective to aim for in a concert, or something to enjoy but it's one of the iconic songs from the iconic Depeche Mode. Considering that it's been a few days since the concert and that I had maybe too many beers when at it, I don't recall fully how it was. I leave you with a series of pictures that I took so you can enjoy the images (in silence or maybe putting some Depeche in the background) even if I took many more but they are no good - I could blame it to the twirls of David along the stage or simply to the movements of my hand whilst trying to take the pictures.

What I recall is that I was able to talk to my friends in a normal tone of voice when they were playing, so the acoustics where not impressive, and that one of my friends mentioned "they sound great, it's like their albums" - my reply back was that if I wanted to listen to the album I'd stayed at home and avoided the commute to Greenwich. But well, this is one of the iconic bands that you need to tell your grandchildren that you saw live.

The crowd was also quite curious as there was a mix between the fans that have been following them since the 80s - so this was the 35+ dress in dark leather - and the younger gay scene that seem to be more in tune - in every sense - with them nowadays.

All in all it was a good night, so let's drink to that (tea now as it's early in the day) and as "words are very unnecessary" I leave you to the images.

DETAILS:
Depeche Mode - www.depechemode.com/ - www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1xrNaTO1bI
(my personal favourite) 

Editors

Suddenly the lights came out, everyone screamed just a few seconds before the lights of the stage came up again, with some fogg generated, and then there he was on top of one of the speakers; I'm in shock. I adore Tom Smith, and I've been adoring him for years. I've enjoyed concerts of his band in different venues, although Brixton Academy will always be my favourite - I have a list of practical and emotional reasons that I can develop further should anyone be interested.

Tom came out bringing a lot of energy and emotion, going from one side to the other of the stage and climbing up the speakers and the stand where the drum was placed. It was quite epic. We sang and screamed for I don't know how long, singing songs from years ago when we were in our early indie years. There was also new material but it was combined with a balanced level. It was such a great concert.

I think I could be writing about them for hours as I even run into Tom Smith on the street once but I think it'll be much better just to leave you with some of his words and the song they use to close this tour...

In the end all you can hope for is the love you felt to equal the pain you've gone through... 
 

DETAILS:
Editors -  www.editorsofficial.com/‎ - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wq4tyDRhU_4
Brixton Academy - www.o2academybrixton.co.uk/‎

Vamos Rafa!

It was quite some months ago when enjoying Easter time under the Sri Lankan sun that we decided to spend some money in developing the sport-cultural aspect of our life, and we got tickets to see the final of the ATP Masters. It played way in our favour as we were able to enjoy 2 finals with Spanish representation, with 1 couple ending up as champions.

Then it turned out that the singles final gathered #1 and #2 of the ranking, so the night couldn't be better. The crowd that surrounds the tennis is quite varied, so you can see a bit of everything - yes, and great tennis too ;-)

What I think I liked the most was the fact that there were a lot of English people supporting Rafa Nadal shouting 'Vamos Rafa'; he's actually magnificent but I had never experience such a support before- even if I know that he's well liked around the world.

So it was quite an amazing experience and I can't say otherwise as I missed one of my friends from uni who was actually in town for a couple of days and she does love tennis. This is to you Boli!

 DETAILS:
ATP Finals London - www.barclaysatpworldtourfinals.com/‎ - www.atpworldtour.com/‎
Rafael Nadal - www.rafaelnadal.com/‎

Bistroteque

The name of this restaurant sounded very appealing when a friend suggested we went there with some friends who were coming over from Spain. Then I looked at the website it looked even better and I started salivating when I read the menu, as it showed onglet and I'm determined to have that dish in as many of the -what I like to call - 'organic' English restaurants that offer it. Did I mention that his restaurant is in Hackney? No, I didn't... so yes, the restaurant is located in the trendy part of town so it was giving me an opportunity to hobnob with the cool people. Exciting!

Before going, I called my brother's friend A who has been living in Hackney for the last 5 or 6 years, to get his insight as he's the proper connoisseur of the area. He gave me good reviews of the restaurant and a place to have a drink before dinner. It all looked like a very good plan for a Saturday night - although might be better to go in the summer when the days are longer so you can linger around a bit more without the worry of getting lost in the incorrect street around the warehouses.

Anyway, back to the restaurant, the food and the drink. Even if we almost missed it, as there is no sign outside, once we managed to get upstairs - we did walk into the private function room on the ground floor (pfr) - we started loving the place. High ceilings, all in white, flowers. a big bar with colourful bottles and our friends having a drink. It was a really nice setting. Then once we were in the table we managed to taste really nice food - just make sure that you confirm with the waiter who actually knows the menu how many dishes actually come with sides - and good cocktails so it was a hipster night with

DETAILS:
Bistroteque - www.bistrotheque.com/‎ -23–27 Wadeson Street. London E2 9DR

Tonteria

This is the actual name of this restaurant/club that could be translated into 'stupidity' or 'stupid thing' and to this date I still believe that is what I did when I went there. This may sound a bit hursh, as I actually (and thanks for the wine and the tequila) had good time but that's probably because I had the chance to catch up with a friend that I hadn't seen in a while and she's amazing (even if I missed most of the 'fun' but I'll get to that in a second).

So this place is in the posh part of town so I knew what I could expect (a lot of fluffy but zero actual good content), although when I saw it was a Mexican restaurant my hopes lifted as I actually thought that I'd have a nice dinner but it turns out that the highlight - maybe in this place called low light because they turn the lights off - happens when a train full of tequila shots is delivered to the table who has placed the order. As I implied, I wasn't impressed with the food at all and the first time the train came I was a little excited but after the 5th time I just wanted it to stop. Then it just gets more surreal - not to call it ridicoulus - when they serve a pyramid of shots or they dress as 'lucha mexicana' fighters and sing along 'happy birthday'.

Eventually they remove the tables and the restaurant turns into a night club where the drinks just increase in price (x3). At this point I was utterly shocked and decided that the tequila will numb me enough to stop seeing the half dressed waiters or bouncers with fighters' masks and hords of posh youngsters paying crazy prices for drinks. The issue was that I went a little too far and I had to leave so I missed the part when people decide to "dance" - basically bodies  merged into some sort of latino move -  and you have to get into a fight to make it to the toilets. The mistery of the 'misplaced' purse will get into another post...

DETAILS:
Tonteria -  www.tonteria.co.uk/ - 7-12 Sloane Square, London SW1W 8EG

Kodaline

I've already talked about this Irish band in a previous post as they were supporting Kasabian in one of the summer festivals. But we went back to see them in a concert that they were actually lining up in one of the best venues in North London: The Forum in Kentish Town.

The concert was really good and I was actually impressed about the voice of the lead singer. Not only when he was using a mic but also when before the encore they went to the stairs to sing one song unplugged. This band have been playing together for a few years now, so they play deliberately as easy as I breathe.

Needless to say this band attracts mainly females and the occasinal boyfriends that patiently enough hold their girlfriends over 1hour (we were actually quite impressed about this fact as well). Overall a really good Tuesday night even if S was unable to see the stage.

DETAILS:
Kodaline - www.kodaline.com/home‎ - www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4povfmX144
The Forum - http://mamacolive.com/theforum/- 9-17 Highgate Rd, London NW5 1JY

Red Church

In a small street that gives the name to this cocktail bar, lays a small venue that I've come to adore in the last few years because I always end up having a great time. My happiness and the happiness of the ones around me (old friends, new friends, and random players of the London night) may -just may- have to do with the alcohol mixed with the sugar that they provide with grace or just because there are always fun people around.

They try to keep the flow of people constrained, as although it looks not busy from the outside -the entrance has a few tables and usually there is no people standing- once you go down the steps to the bar there is always a crowd. If you're patient enough you will get a good spot on the bar or even one of the tables at the end. Regardless the space that you manage to find, get a drink and start flowing to the music.

There was a time when they used to have a DJ, actually a different DJ each night, although now they have taken the space for another table and it would be one of the bar tenders playing the music from an iPad. I won't consider the music especially relevant but it's usually not bad. Because the main uplift of this bar is 'people watching'. Just sit, relax, enjoy your drink and observe. I can guarantee that you will have a great time.
 

One more tip - if you're starving at the end of your night (this bar is open until 4am) you should cross over to Brick Lane and enjoy one of the best bagels ever! These guys open 24hours you will always be served - it would take more or less time depending on the queue - and I'll recommend the salted beef bagel with mustard and pickle.

DETAILS:
Red Church - www.theredchurch.co.uk/‎ - 107 Redchurch St, London E2 7DL

Bagel Bake  - 159 Brick Lane, London E1 6SB