Vikram’s birthday

Finally the day dawns!   We had tea in the room and V opened his presents and then we went over to the Columbia Road Flower market for a walk around.  It was absolutely glorious weather, the flowers filled the air, the cute little shops abounded.  We bought coffee and croissants, good peanut butter and a basket and then walked back in the sunlight to see our friends Jane and Tim for lunch at St John’s Bread & Wine, lovely spin off from the original Nose to Tail restaurant.  It was all absolutely delicious and it was good to see them both.  

We then made our way to the Tate Modern to see the Expressionism exhibition which put Kandinsky and WOMEN in his circle back into context. Particularly that they were part of a group called The Blue Rider chronicled by his wife Gabriele Munter.  The story and the narrative was more interesting than the paintings although some were fabulous.   Stand out for me was Franz Marc’s Tiger 

Walked across the Millenium bridge, looking at the tiny paintings on the metal that the artist Mr Wilson paints on discarded chewing gum.  

Met Beetle for dinner at Brat at Climpson’s arch in a railway arch in London Fields.  An extension of the original Brat, very casual but the food was just as good as always. Smoked roast potatoes and roast place with grilled peas were especially yummy.    Gorgeous seeing B and lots to chat about.  Finished the meal not with a desert wine but with an ice cider.  Which was absolutely lovely.  Uber back to Batty Langley’s.