London pleasures

• Shambolica at Barnet Folk Club: Friday evening was the first session of the club to be held in the foyer of the artsdepot, and it has still to come to terms with the shape of the space and to master the sound system; but if you call your band Shambolica, you may be expected to take these things in your stride. The first couple of songs didn't come across as well as they should have: the amplification swallowed some of the instrumental arrangements and vocal harmonies. After that, things fell into place, and a short but enjoyable set peaked with a stunning version of White Rabbit. Strongly recommended.


• Catching up with helenraven for food, talk and exploring new bits of London. This time we had lunch at Hay's Wharf, then sent durham_rambler off to visit HMS Belfast, while we walked through to the Borough market for a little intensive shopping (last minute Christmas presents, raisin rye bread and chocolate misshapes).


• The Fantasy Centre: well, it was on the way home...


• The Bears' Carol Evening: it's become a tradition, and it deserves a post to itself (and certainly won't fit into this one)


• and seeing family and seeing friends, not to mention at long last going to Unity Folk Club, about which I have heard so much (hey, there are pictures of Neil and Jan - and Richard - on their web site!)


• leaving London on a bright frosty morning, when the winter light is so pale and clear that all the white painted buildings and all the windows and the frost on the grass all shines.