A Life More Ordinary

After the last couple of years I don't think we'll ever take doing ordinary things for granted. What used to be a normal Saturday night out, meeting the gang in the pub followed by a curry, had all six of us giddy with excitement. 

We started off in The Black Country Arms on Walsall's High Street, where a pub has stood since 1627 although the current pub, known as The Green Dragon for over two centuries, was only(!) built in 1707.

The pub has been redecorated since I last visited and I'm in love with the wallpaper.

After a few rounds we walked around the corner to Gurkha Bhojan. Known as the Shahi Grill for decades and run by a local Bangladeshi family, it was the place where many of us had our first curry in the 1980s. Under new management, Liz and Adrian had visited a few times and were amazed by the food so, with our wine and beer clanking in our bags we took our seats. 

The head chef, KC Resham, used to work at Dishoom in Birmingham so no surprise that the food was fabulous.

For starters Jon and I had the House Chat whilst the others opted for veg momos. I was thrilled to see my favourite Indo-Chinese dish, Chilli Paneer, on the menu (I loathe Chinese food unless it's Indian-style and full of fresh chillies). Al had the Gurkha Railway Cabin Lamb whilst the others opted for Lasum Mirchi Chicken. 

There were drinks on the house, too! I'm hoping it's open on Xmas day and they can host the Dead Relatives Society annual bash.

We were still stuffed on Sunday morning so we gave breakfast a miss, got dressed and headed off to the clearance chazza to drop off a pile of books and CDs we no longer had use for. 

I wore one of my Dilli Grey maxis and, because the weather was unseasonably mild I didn't bother with a coat.

None of the clothes tickled our fancy but we came home with two more vintage Scandinavian bud vases and a rather lovely mid-century Ottoman which replaces the black 1950s vinyl laundry hamper we've used for years. 

The rest of Sunday was spent listing on eBay and wrapping the weekend's sales. 

As usual Ollie popped around for food and, although he's a feral cat and will probably never be tamed, will now tolerate eating indoors as long as we keep our distance. Jon's made him a shelter in the greenhouse and judging by the fur on the blanket, he's moved in.

We'd planned to meet Tony for an All-Dayer in 'Spoons on Monday but, as it invariably does, his job got in the way and he had to cancel but we went anyway. Jon dug out his £3 1960s overcoat as, although it was bright and sunny, there was a distinct Autumnal nip in the air.

After a six month hiatus, I wore my Anokhi riding jacket (bought from their flagship store in Jaipur back in 2018).

Jon had fish and chips with mushy peas and curry sauce whilst I had a five bean chilli with tomato rice and nachos.

After three pints we walked up to Walsall Light, our town centre cinema, as I'd booked seats for The Woman King.

We were a bit early so messed around until the auditorium was ready for us.

As usual, the usher addresses the audience, asking for all phones to be turned off, litter collected and placed in the bin afterwards and then introduces the film. Monday's usher was Philip, our favourite, and everyone else's it seems, as he got a cheer and a round of applause.

The Woman King was phenomenal, one of those sweeping epics which swallows you up and utterly absorbs you. I left wanting to take up sword fighting and wondering where those last two and a quarter hours had gone, I'd have happily watched it all over again. Don't wait for it to get on the TV, it needs a big screen and surround sound. The performances were mesmerising especially those of Thuso Mbedu, Lashana Lynch and Viola Davis and if she's what 56 years old looks like I can't wait for my birthday in seven weeks time.

Here's Tuesday's outfit - an early 1970s India Imports of Rhode Island maxi skirt worn with a Phool quilted waistcoat of a similar era and a Ayesha Davar shirred cheesecloth blouse. Afghan-style necklace made by me.

This morning we've been swimming, been to 'Spoons (again) and after pegging the washing on the line in the glorious 16°C sunshine, I listed a few more things on eBay.

I've just had a blog catch-up so I'm off to curl up on the chaise with Benjamin Zephaniah.

See you soon!