TUESDAY 13 OCT, 2009

SUBSCRIBE		AUTUMN MAGIC		PARTY PHOTOS:VIC REEES BOOK LAUNCHING		LONDON GUIDE
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Autumn Magic

So, I broke out the woolly hat today. It’s an attractive wooly hat (as wooly hats go) so no complaints on that front. And I have nothing against Autumn in principal – the crisp, blue–skies, the crunch of amber leaves underfoot, sauntering home rosy–cheeked, hand–in–gloved–hand, et cetera.

My complaint is that it’s never really like that (outside of ’70s Robert Redford flicks). The crisp usually translates into reality as overcast and spitting. The amber crunch is more of a brown slosh. And the rosy–cheeked sauntering is more of a soaked dash whilst evading the odd eye–gouging umbrella.

Autumn should be a time of magic and wonder. A time of comfortable revelry and glowing fireplaces – a sentiment we’re going to see in from right here, at the last outpost of pop–up inspiration: a wood–panelled temporary Swiss chalet right by the Thames. With an (admittedly) fake log–fire burning, panoramic views of the ’crisp’ London cityscape (where the rest of you lot will be freezing to death), a large glass of vin chaud in hand … and some authentic antler horns upon which to hang my distinctly dry wooly hat.

INFO
The Swiss Chalet accepts bookings for 35–250 people and is open until Feb 28, 2010.

Swiss Chalet at Swissôtel’s The Howard
12 Temple Place, WC2R 2PR

PARTY PHOTOS: VIC REEVES BOOK LAUNCHING AT PAUL SMITH

He may be best known as one half of the comic duo behind the surreal TV show Shooting Stars, but behind the glasses and beyond the nonsense, Vic Reeves is a bit of a secret artist. UJ popped along to the launch of the comedian’s new illustrated book, ‘Vast Book of World Knowledge’, full of exploding jellyfish and revolving toupees, in association with Paul Smith who is exhibiting the original artwork at his T5 store.

Click here for more information…

ART – The V&A’s Maharaja looks at the magnificent wealth and influence of the great Kings of India. 10am–5:30pm, Cromwell Road, SW7 2RL. £12.60.

DATE – Down with Dating takes hate as the starting point for this speed dating event. 7:30pm – 11pm, The Old Crown 33 New Oxford Street, WC1 1BH. £10.

MEET – If you’re a fan of his designs, head down to Selfridges to meet Alexander Wang in person. 5:30–6:15pm, 400 Oxford Street, W1A 1AB. Free.

THEATRE – Sex, lust and passion rule this modern day version of Shakespeare's Julius Caeser. 8pm, Blue Elephant Theatre, 59a Bethwin Road, SE5 0XT. £12.