in cahoots with others

Have had such a lovely couple of weeks with my mum. Been pootling round London, interspersing trips to the Globe with days in the kitchen, experimenting with cupcakes (My mum pictured here learning to swirl), exchanging recipes and generally enjoying ourselves.

On the cultural side, the main purpose of this trip was "doing" the Globe. Hamlet, Much Ado about Nothing and As you Like it. Of them all, I think the Hamlet production was the best. Thought the dynamic of the small cast sharing roles really worked well here. In particular the play within the play. Fabulous concept. As you Like it was certainly better than the production at The Old Vic last year, but it's really not my favourite play and having seen it twice recently I could have quite happily missed this one. Much Ado was delightful but not quite as slick as the Hamlet.

To add spice to the whole endeavour also took in The Comedy Store Players. This is the second time I've seen them at The Globe and have to say that I will happily return again and again for as long as they're doing it. As with the last time came out with aching sides and stomach from laughing continually for the entire duration of the show.

Of course it hasn't all been highbrow culture. We had a couple of fabulous meals at Le Pain Quotidien. I really love their menu, especially as a pre-theatre offering, and the new branch at Borough is so well placed. Also took in The Real Greek on bankside. I didn't like this franchise when they first opened up but I think they've upped their game considerably, and of course the introduction of vouchers doesn't harm the cause at all. And not forgetting my favourite restaurant of them all: Carluccios. I have been eating and drinking in Carluccios Market Place since they opened in 1999 and I never pass up an opportunity to introduce people to this marvellous cafe.

Very sad to see her return home, but launching straight into planning for the next visit.

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