Please Sir More Patatas Bravas !

Eleanor and I outside the Storyhouse


 “ Darling John I’ve missed you so!” 
Chic Eleanor was on lovely form when I saw her this afternoon 
We met for a lovely late lunch in a rather swank tapas bar in Chester. 
And she shirked her a Christmas pashmina with suitable joie de vivre before we clinked Sherry glasses. and ordered.
It’s ages since I’ve sampled traditional tapas, 
It was lovely.
We ate delicate croquets filled with black pudding, delightful patatas bravas, sweet zamburiñas scallops in their shells and tiny bowls of chorizo infused lentils with garlic and we both agreed it was fantastic to feel cosmopolitan again. 
“ Darling John” Eleanor crooned , holding my arm “ I’m so happy “
And so was I.
Eleanor exudes happiness

We went to see the so so, abridged and sanitised version of Oliver Twist at the Storyhouse which was almost fun. 
Eleanor , as usual got into the spirit of the adaptation but without Bill Sykes’ death and Nancy’s abuse it wasn’t the same for me, though I did like the black African version of Fagan played with some talent by Cynthia Emeagi 

We talked and talked and talked the afternoon away into evening and I left her by the Church , back at home thankful That I had ever met her.

37 comments:

  1. I believe Chic Eleanor is beautiful inside and out xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. She is flis….I’m not exaggerating

      Delete
  2. Chic Eleanor seems to light up your world! What a wonderful friend to have. xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Her ability to see things through the eyes of a child sometimes , lightens me

      Delete
  3. Oh my, you lucky,lucky man. Who needs ghosted dates when you have Chic Ekeanor on your arm (am profoundly jealous!).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I talked about you to her P
      So so wants to meet u xx

      Delete
  4. You two would surely make a lovely husband and wife, if only...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If she looked like Russel Crowe and if I did ..we could have lol

      Delete
  5. She is a real tonic for you every time you meet John.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. She is, and believe it or not I’m not exaggerating

      Delete
  6. Sanitized version? Was Bill Sykes a caring and sympathetic social worker, then?

    ReplyDelete
  7. I went to Chester to see this last week. Some of the friends I was with weren't keen on the production. I liked it but couldn't remember the original (parkinsons)I said to my friend, " Well I can't remember the original" The guy in front turned round and said drily, " Consider yourself lucky, you don't know what it should be like. Come back next week, Motorhead are doing Swan Lake"

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lol….I wasn’t a real fan lynn
      There was an awful lot of shouting

      Delete
  8. So glad to read you had a happy time. xx

    ReplyDelete
  9. Barbara Anne11:31 pm

    What fun! Chic Eleanor is everyone's favorite kind of BFF as she's carefree, cheerful, and just wonderful. Lucky you to get to enjoy her company and lucky Eleanor to get to enjoy your company.
    Your description of the food has made me hungry. Sigh!
    What a great day you both have had!

    Hugs!

    ReplyDelete
  10. She is the best BFF you could ask for. You always seem to enjoy each others company.

    ReplyDelete
  11. It is rare to find a friend that is positive and lovely and, well, chic. Those are the kind that need holding on to.

    ReplyDelete
  12. So long since I have known someone unrelentingly pleasant.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Do you feel all floaty , head in the clouds. Great for you ,wonderful.

    ReplyDelete
  14. What a great friend indeed.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Fagan was a black female? Was Oliver played by an elderly Chinese pensioner?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bullseye was a black lab
      Nancy survived and bill sykes went to Prison
      Oh and all the orphans were adopted

      Delete
  16. I struggle with such basic changes to a classic story, even when really well done. Just doesn't work for me.
    What a happy, lovely photo! Tapas and good company. Your friend Eleanor is simply the best.

    ReplyDelete
  17. What a friendship. A blessing to have Chic Eleanor in your life, darling John.

    ReplyDelete
  18. May we all be so lucky to have an Eleanor in our lives (or to be an Eleanor to someone else). ♥

    ReplyDelete
  19. Sounds like a divine night out,

    ReplyDelete
  20. Anonymous2:34 pm

    Too many "Darlings" and crooning. Pretentious people just don't hit the mark with me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Please not again x

      Delete
    2. Obviously anon, you have no one who has ever said darling to you
      When it it meant
      It’s delightful

      Delete
    3. Flis - butt out. Absolutely nothing to do with you.

      Delete
  21. Just the sort of friend that's needed, Eleanor is lovely!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Well that's certainly an interesting twist on Fagan! I love the freedom casting directors have these days when deciding who should play a part. Glad you had fun with Eleanor and her ever-present pashmina.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I could live with fagin’s change but Nancy surviving ? Nawww

      Delete
  23. Chic Eleanor sounds like the best kind of friend one who lifts you up and brings out the best in those around her. I love the word darling not used enough these days.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Ooooh, Were you at Porta, on Northgate Street?
    We love going there, the food is great, especially their Portuguese Custard Tarts! X

    ReplyDelete

I love all comments Except abusive ones from arseholes