Posted on

Birthday! And foiled plans

Tuesday, 6 March, 2018

I had some birthday wishes – nothing fancy!

Buy chocolates – a gift from my Marks and Spencer rewards point plan, so free
Have a cocktail, something delicious, somewhere relaxing
Have dinner out – decided on Shikumen (we had a coupon)
Eat cake

None of my birthday wishes worked properly! First the chocolates couldn’t be bought – trouble with the coupon I had. Then i decided the antihistamine i was taking (for a post viral rash) was making me very groggy so I decided against alcohol of any kind. Then Shikumen didn’t have the one dish on the menu that was my absolute favourite and I was forced to choose something brand new that wasn’t nearly as good. And we didn’t get the cake since the evening went flat at that point.

It wasn’t the happy birthday i’d planned.

I’ll survive and extend the celebrations until the end of the week so i can fit some good things in. But I did take a few photos.

We weren't sure what this tree was all about
We weren’t sure what this tree was all about – on Bishopsgate

Two photos showing the changing face of The City
Two photos showing the changing face of The City. Note the curve on the first
I really like this little closed street off Bishopsgate, with a tiny peek of the Gherkin. Must take a photo from inside
I really like this little closed street off Bishopsgate, with a tiny peek of the Gherkin. Must take a photo from inside
The contrasts around the Gherkin make me smile
The contrasts around the Gherkin make me smile
There's always some odd art around the Gherkin
There’s always some odd art establishment around the Gherkin
Chicken Sha Cha at Shikumen
Chicken Sha Cha at Shikumen – the substitute dish that didn’t come close to my favourite

There are some happy after-notes, though. Marks and Spencer were so sorry I couldn’t get the chocolates on my birthday that they sent me a e-coupon big enough for chocolates and cake. Hawksmoor are extending their half price offer so I’ll go back. Tom wants to take me to dinner on Wednesday. I picked up ingredients to make aperol spritzes today or tomorrow. Juliet bought me a cornflake cake with some tea on Thursday. Yay!