Locked-down we may be but there is still a wealth of things to do and places to go…albeit virtually. Technology comes in to its own and brings everything we need to the comfort of our own home. There’s so much available, it’s hard to find the time to fit it all in! Here’s a selection of happenings for you to choose from:
Culture and art
The National Theatre is screening live performances via its You Tube channel. There’s a new play every Thursday.
The Royal Shakespeare Company has six of his best plays available to view now on BBC iPlayer.
If musicals are more your thing, Andrew Lloyd Webber is offering full length performances every Friday at 7pm on The Shows Must Go on. They will be live for 48 hours.
Take in a virtual exhibition at the Royal Academy. Picasso and Paper is available now.
At the Tate Modern, you can join the curators of the Andy Warhol exhibition to explore his life and iconic work.
For film buffs, Curzon cinema has the most up to date releases available to view at home. Turn down the lights and grab your popcorn!
Travel
If you’re missing the freedom of being able to jump on a plane to recharge, these virtual tours give you the next best thing. Plus they might provide some inspiration to add to your bucket list.
Why not escape to Paris and take a virtual tour of the gardens at Versaille. Or, for something more tropical, head over to the botanical gardens in Hawaii.
My absolute favourite is live webcams taking you all around the world in an instant. I love to head off to a beautiful beach and listen to the sound of the sea – especially at the moment when it’s the only time you get a beach to yourself!
Food and drink
Probably not a site for me to be recommending but it seems like gin is readily available from a variety of sources and all of them local. Check out this guide to the best of them. Should you need any inspiration on what to do with them (as if!), here’s a few recipes to inspire you. You could always try them out at our next virtual cocktail party!
If the pictures on the Me Spot WhatsApp group are anything to go by, baking fever is spreading fast! Breadahead, a baking and cookery school based in London’s Borough Market are offering daily live demonstrations of all sorts of goodies. I even spotted an online doughnut workshop…hmmm, you didn’t hear it from me!
Cafes
As one of the places I would escape to for some down time, on what I now realise was quite a regular basis, I really struggled when everything closed. Being locked in with a loft conversion, a chef, and a LOT of work to do is not an ideal combination.
Imagine my excitement when I discovered a few weeks ago on one of my daily walks, that Birdcage café was open on St John’s Hill. Finally somewhere to treat myself to a coffee and with it, the semblance of normality! Since then I have sourced a number of others that are all open for takeaway:
Bonsai on Bellevue Road.
Ecclectic Collection on Garratt Lane.
The Green Monkey at Tooting Bec
Most of them have fruit, vegetables and other goodies too – even the elusive flour – so it’s worth a visit when you are out walking.
And finally..time for a sing song to lift the spirits
As part of the VE day celebrations, the Salvation Army are organising a national sing-a-long of ‘We’ll meet again’ on Friday 8th May at 9pm. A chance to sing our hearts out while honouring those who gave their lives for us.
Happy browsing and I’d love to hear your recommendations!