Tag: #sheilasimmonds

My day started with a lovely breakfast made by my airbnb host, to sustain me for my next train trip with my luggage. The host kindly dropped me off at Bushey Station thinking it had a lift. I felt so daunted by the stairs I was to lug my luggage up by hand, I took an Uber to the next station which had a lift. I had to psyche myself up for the train changes at Euston which doesn’t have a lift but an escalator, and a staff member insisted on helping me. On the way so many people asked advice and he was so very patient and assisted everyone. I then got to Green Park station changed for the Picadilly line to Park Royal station. All those trains were very easy getting on at the accessibility carriage. The trains are so good that they provide step free access and was very helpful for me with “too much” luggage. Except when I got to Park Royal and there were stairs I nearly cried. There was a lovely Jamaican woman who came straight up to me and took one of my bags up the stairs. I have found nothing but helpful people in London. The train system is complex but so far everything is working fine. I am staying at the Park Plaza hotel. Very trendy, in an industrial area but easy to get around.
After a rest I found a Meet Up group going to a comedy show at the Vauxhall Winter Gardens. I tried to contact them but decided I would try and take my chance and just turn up.

I had dinner in the winter garden and spoke with the comedy organiser who said the event was free but if you pay £5 for a ticket it would get you a free drink. I wasn’t drinking alcohol so I decided to just enjoy the show. I found the Meet Up group organiser and she stated that I could not join the Meet Up group attending the comedy as I didn’t pay the £10 fee. I was quite confused as I didn’t understand what the fee was for if entry was £5 for a drink. Well I found my first inhospitable person in London. She told me I couldn’t sit with the group as I didn’t pay £10. I realised later that she had made money from all 12 people attending. Needless to say I won’t be attending any of those group events.
But, things happen for a reason. As I was feeling a little sorry for myself, I made my way to the comedy show and someone came up to me and asked if I wanted to go to a drag bingo show. I love drag bingo and go often in Sydney. I was given a free ticket and the host was an Australian, Sheila Simmonds and she is a friend of my Sydney drag friend Miss Prada Clutch. What a fabulous night!!

Sheila sent a message to Prada which was a hoot.

I was at table with a lovely couple Victoria and Simon and I am trying to work out a way to gatecrash their wedding in Wales in June. I love attending gay areas around the world and didn’t realise that London’s is Vauxhall. Another unexpected spontaneous fun night in London.