It falls to me to organise this. He is very keen to make it to the Hayward Gallery for the 1968 show, as we discussed a while ago, and very keen to have an OFTathon. If possible, these could be combined. Late night opening for the Hayward is on Friday.

Can anyone make that? And is there anyone who can't but would like a drink on another day.

I expect Lyra will.

an OFTathon

An intriguing idea, where we have to make sure that no pub or beer has a monopoly, and we're not giving the Saudis billions of quid in bribes?

Put me down as an enthusiastic 'maybe' (i.e. I'll definitely make it if work allows).

Edit: which Friday are you talking about?

Yes, which Friday are you talking about?

I think he means next Friday.

I like how that Hayward May 1968 exhibition is sponsored by the International Herald Tribune. If there's one publication whose values I'd associate with the extraordinary upheaval and radical ferment of that time, it would be the IHT's hacked out neoconservative bile aimed at bored business travellers in the Club Class lounge.

Well, it wasn't always that uncool . . .



I would love (in a Keeganesque sense) to be able to join you guys for this, but it just ain't happening. Enjoy.

Yeah, me too.

I'm off on holiday for a week beginning tonight, so I'll miss Amor unfortunately, but if anyone fancies a reprise a week or two later I'll be up for it.

It is indeed next Friday.

Ursus has gone to 1,000 posts quicker than Graeme Hick. It's still the middle of May.

QUOTE:
I expect Lyra will.

Are you suggesting I am some kind of sad drunk. Well, I can't really argue.

I'm going to Italy next week though.

Despite my juvenile OFT joke, I'd love to come along to this (assuming I'm not painting or plastering or something, which seems to take up most of my time these days).

Not surprised, the size of that flat you live in.

In fact, I reckon you might have overtaken Twilight Johnny Atom as the OTFer with the best flat. To be fair, I haven't seen his new place yet.

Lyra, you like going out for drinks but you aren't a drunk. If you were, you'd have been in that gay bar with E10, Matt P, Taylor and I, talking to the girl in the Pimlico Plumbers shirt.

I do like going out for drinks. This is very true and I shall be sad to miss this. Are you going to BSL tomorrow Tubbs? I need recommendations for things to do in Florence.

Carissima, there is a useful thread from the old board here. And some art recommendations here (including the next couple of pages).

If you get there by Saturday, you can hear Spangles give a fascinating paper and try to get people to take you to the very fine (but not stuck up) Fiesole restaurant I recommended on her blog.

And it goes without saying that I would be honoured to share your company should you deign to visit Milano.

Grazie mille!

I am actually going on Monday and will only be there till Wednesday, then going on to my friend's parents' house which is nearish to Ancona to stay with her for a bit. What a shame, I'd love to see Spangles. Should I ever be lucky enough to get the chance to visit Milan, that would be wonderful, too, but I guess I can't this time.

Ah, the Marche are beautiful this time of year; I'm quite jealous.

I wouldn't put Milan in top ten Italian cities from a touristic point of view, but it does have its charms and can be a useful base for seeing more interesting places.

In any event, you should definitely go to Fiesole, because it has a very underappreciated Classical museum and the one of the best preserved Roman theatres north of Rome. Some photos here.. The restaurant (I Polpi) is up the road from the entrance to the archeological site on the left. The chef is female, which is quite rare here, and I'm sure that she would be more than happy to make something meatless for you.

Ah, I've got crossed wires with Amor. He won't be around on the Friday either. Plan now for a drinking -thon only on Tuesday night.

Is this better?

Lyra, re Florence, I recommend the Cathedral works museum as a tranquil place with loads of good stuff. Uffizi needs an advanced ticket but don't be put off. They do a good job regulating the crowds in there.

Oh man, I clicked on this thread really hoping it would contain photos of Amor de Cosmos, in all his 60s glory. (Let me explain - I just loved that photo of him from the early 70s that he posted once)