spec concepts

AS YOU WERE

Liam Gallagher

Beatles adoration, soulful pop and jabs of raunchy rock guitar on the debut album effort from the rowdier of the Oasis brothers.

LIVE AT THE OLD QUARTER

Townes Van Zandt

Country troubadour Townes Van Zandt's classic 1977 live double album begins with the announcer telling people where they can find the payphones and pool tables. Next up, Van Zandt apologizes for issues with the air conditioning before setting off on a solo masterclass in folk and blues. Honesty, storytelling and an impeccable performance from a hero of the outlaw country era.

Biopic based on the twilight of Judy Garland's life and her unorthodox performances at London's Talk of the Town nightclub.

Renee Zellweger stars in director Rupert Goold's adaptation of Broadway play "End of the Rainbow".

Chipper inhabitants of a small town scramble with the arrival of a monstrous troupe of alien circus performers.

1988 cult classic directed by the Chiodo Brothers, starring Grant Cramer, Suzanne Snyder and John Vernon.

Performance. Technology. Style.

MAZDA3 for you

Ocado Life Guarantee means fresh food always

THE ORANGE

STOMPBOX

WITH THE SINGLE

DIAL

SINCE 1974

YOUR LONDON NEEDS YOU

Behold a city with the visitor at heart

Free Entry to Galleries and Museums

Not only can you visit some of the world's greatest galleries and museums in London but many of them also offer free general admission (though charges may apply for certain exhibitions). Free access friendlies include:

Tate Modern - On the bank of the River Thames presides a modern art mothership.

National Gallery - Steep yourself in the romance and splendor of Europe's master works.

Victoria & Albert Museum - Displays of art and design as appetizing as the grounds and tea rooms.

The British Library - Check the calendar for popular free events.

Natural History Museum - The story of ages of science and nature right before your eyes.

The Food, The Truth

How extensive should the culinary heritage of a global center be? In London, there isn't time to ask. Look out for traditional favorites 'Sunday Roast' and 'Full English Breakfast' on the chalk boards of pubs and cafes; take your pick from an army of Indian Restaurants (a national fav); combine a trip to Theatreland with a stop amid the aromatic streets of nearby Chinatown; walk up the Edgware Road from Marble Arch to a haven of Middle Eastern cuisine; check the food press for the latest ventures from the world's top chefs; and pop into retail chain Marks & Spencer for a delectable prepacked sandwich.

Fare Thee Well by Bus and Train

Buses and trains are a popular mode of transport in London and serve a public transportation system that is divided into 9 fare zones, with Zone 1 representing the core of the city (Central London), and Zone 9 consisting of areas beyond the city outskirts.

The London Underground is the capital's metropolitan train service and is commonly referred to as 'the Tube' or 'the Underground' (note: it runs above and below the ground). Visitors wishing to speed up their commutes should be on the lookout for accommodation located within easy reach of an Underground station. Finding a place to stay within Zones 1-3 will enable the quickest access to Central London where many attractions and places of interest are to be found.

For must-have maps and information on buses and trains visit the Transport for London website.

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short story

CAFE 786

Sofia was an Italian in London ordering a full English breakfast. “I have the, eh, set breakfast number two, with, eh, veggie sausage, and coffee, black, thank you.”

“White toast or brown toast?”

“Eh, brown toast.”

“Ok, please take a seat.”

Sofia placed her shopping in one of the chairs at a table for two and sat in the other, she moved like a seasoned performer, only now there were no cameras, no paparazzi. Some said the only reason Sofia had a career was because her mother was Italy's biggest film star in the 1960s. Others said she was a talented actress and no-one could take that away from her.

An elderly lady with a cappuccino and a stylish haircut, who was sitting at the table next to Sofia's, turned to give the new arrival a welcoming gaze. The lady had been keeping an eye on Sofia (and concealing her surprise) from the moment the actress appeared outside the glass-fronted business. “You are very beautiful, my dear,” said the lady, with a quality Sofia was not used to.

“Grazie, Signora. You know, I, eh, I hear this so much it means nothing, but when you say, it is like, eh, hearing for the first time. It is very special when you say.”

The lady could not stop her heart from pouring out across her face in the form of a smile. Sofia had no recollection of the lady, she was just a baby the last time they were together, in Milan. Some said the lady was the only person Sofia's father ever truly loved.