Tag: review

The Painkiller at The Garrick

Post author By nicknicklambert
Post date April 13, 2016
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This is physical comedy and farce. These are not usually my favourite types of theatre.

On this occasion is it so well done that I have finally realised why it was so successful in the last century – once you begin to laugh, you are carried along on a wave of slapstick and ridiculousness that is quite exhilarating. The whole cast were brilliant, Rob Brydon and Kenneth Branagh looked to be enjoying themselves enormously which added to the entertainment. The whole audience laughed out loud and I recommend this show even to those who do not normally like dropped trousers and double entendres.

Now, who can help me get tickets to the final performance of this show because I think it will be even more amazing!

Tags comedy, drama, farce, garrick, kenneth branagh, London, play, review, rob bryden, show, slapstick, theatre, TOTastemaker, west end

Restaurant review

Brasserie Vacherin, Croydon

Post author By nicknicklambert
Post date April 12, 2016
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A table for two with crisp white linen. An aperitif while reading the menu. A flavourful starter. A main course and side made with good quality ingredients accompanied by a nice bottle of wine. An indulgent dessert. A digestif with coffee. An attentive but unobtrusive waiter. Good conversation with sophisticated soul and jazz playing gently in the background.

A complete night out.

Tags croydon, eat, foodie, London, Restaurant, review, TOTastemaker

Theatre review

X by Alistair McDowall at The Royal Court

Post author By nicknicklambert
Post date April 9, 2016
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x-royal-court X is well written, daring and moving. It tackles big themes; futility, loneliness and emptiness. So, it is not exactly light entertainment although it does have some funny moments.

The acting was great, it needed to be, given the elliptical script. The direction was also really good, making the times when we could not see the stage almost as dramatic as when the lights were on.

I found the ending emotional and the play stayed with me long after I left the theatre.

Love it or hate it, I guarantee that you will not see another play anything like X this year!

Tags Alistair MacDowall, drama, London, off west end, play, review, Royal Court, science fiction, theatre, TOTastemaker

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Reflected in glory

Yesterday we visited the Recoleta Cemetery where for 200 years the great and the good of Buenos Aires have competed to build the most ornate mausoleums in stone and marble.

I loved the way that with a little care it’s possible to capture a brief vignette of the architecture and stained glass reflected in the glass of doorways used by relatives to visit their ancestors.

These are my favourite photos of the day.

Tags architecture, argentina, art, Buenos Aires, cemetery, d3300, Nikon, photo, photography, Recoleta, religion, review, stained glass, TOTastemaker, travel

Hotel review

Hosteria La Estepa, El Calafate, Argentina

Post author By nicknicklambert
Post date March 10, 2016
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This hotel is 1.5k outside town so about a 30 minute walk but also only about £3 in a taxi. It also has the advantage that if you book a tour there’s a good chance that you will be picked up last and dropped off first.The view over the lake is beautiful especially from the upstairs lounge. The staff were wonderful and did everything they could to help.

We actually liked being a little out of town as on a clear night the there was less light noise and the stars appeared brighter.

The room was great and the shower very good, if there was one thing that I missed it was the ability to make tea or coffee in the room.

Having said that Hosteria La Estepa would be my first choice if I returned to El Calafate.

Tags argentina, El Calafate, glacier, hosteria, hotel, Night sky, Perito Moreno, review, TOTastemaker

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Hobbiton, North Island, New Zealand

Post author By nicknicklambert
Post date February 9, 2016
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Unsurprisingly photogenic!

This is a well organised tour, the sets look just as they do in the films. You will leave this day with many great photos. We booked by phone in advance because the site says that it is often difficult to get tickets if they turn up at the shires rest. As it happens there were people managing to get tickets on the day as they arrived while we were there and this was on a bank holiday weekend.

The beer and the cider in the Green Dragon are good too!

Thoroughly recommended.

Tags hobbit, hobbiton, lord of the rings, new zealand, photo, review, travel

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Whale Watch, Kaikoura

This isn’t the cheapest of the many tours in Kaikoura, but we enjoyed it and found it to be good value for money.

We liked the fact that if you don’t see a whale, they will refund 80% of the ticket. We reckoned that meant they must be pretty confident and indeed it turned out be the case.

We saw a sperm whale very close, and many many dolphins, also albatross. The guides were witty and informative. They do warn about seasickness and there were some who were but I recommend this trip heartily.

Tags boat, dolphins, kaikoura, new zealand, photo, photography, review, south island, travel, trip, whales

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Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne

Post author By nicknicklambert
Post date January 28, 2016
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This is a big varied garden just across the road from the river. It has grassy knolls overlooking lotus filled lakes, tree filled areas and nice views over the city.
It is beautifully maintained and it is possible to take a gondola ride around the lake. (They don’t sing opera, though!)

Make sure you walk up the hill to Guilfoyle’s Volcano, which has a fantastic collection of succulents and cacti around it. A nice day out from city sight-seeing.

Tags australia, botanic, cactus, flower, garden, Melbourne, photo, photography, plant, RBG_Victoria, review, TOTastemaker, travel, Victoria

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Chinese garden of friendship, Sydney.

Post author By nicknicklambert
Post date January 28, 2016
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These gardens are right between Chinatown and Darling Harbour. There is a small entry fee but with this you are allowed to enter as many times as you like during the day. It is a lovely, calm garden with, carp, birds, waterfalls and statues. Right in the midst of the the hectic city of Sydney. As such, it add a nice new dimension to this vibrant city. Take a step away and enjoy some moments of calm in the Chinese garden of friendship while visiting Sydney.