A Silly Saturday with Fred

Let me introduce you to Fred, my perfect date for my Birthday Weekend.

The photo above shows him getting ready for the Frida Kahlo party.

Do you all remember or know about Homepride Fred?

My sister has a thing for Fred! She has been collecting Homepride Freds in all their many and various forms for years. Earlier in the year she started photographing him at events she went to – I just loved the silliness of this, it obviously runs in the family. She took him to Chelsea Flower Show, The Dorchester Hotel, Royal Ascot …. and others – they had a fun summer together! But Fred had been back on the shelf for far too long, so I invited him to join me as we pranced around London in flowery headdresses.

Our first date: dinner on Friday night …

Then the next morning  … looking to me like the Milk Tray ad ….. “and all because the lady loves ……..” (another one) arriving on his horse, he presented me with a birthday cake.

The gorgeous horse was made by ceramicist Jane Muir.

Then off we went to the Battersea Arts Centre to meet up with my daughter and niece.

My daughter had made me this fab card with a perfect quote she had found, written inside

After an afternoon nap, whilst we had fun spreading smiles and sunshine meandering along the Northcote Road, Fred was ready for a bit of drum practice before hitting London’s Jazz Scene

Each November London holds a Jazz Festival right across the city. 

We were off to the 606 Club, what a place – it is like stepping back in time. As you let yourself in through the black metal grill and scaled the steep bare wooden steps down to the tunnel corridor below, you could be entering an illicit 1950’s/60’s crime den, it felt like being in a film.

After a fabulous meal and an evening of virtuoso jazz performances Fred met Trisha Clowes, acclaimed saxophonist, at the bar.I don’t think she had a clue who Fred was but she played along and joined in the fun!

Fred had a great night

 

and as you can see the partying continued as we danced to old 60s and 70s cool and groovy hits playing on the Juke Box.

 

 

Fred was a bit the worse for wear the next morning

But after a couple of Paracetemol he was ready to go to Covent Garden where they seem to be taking inspiration from the Tate Modern and suspending large shiny spheres overhead

and then time for a walk in the park before meeting up with friends for tea

more of Fred’s deliciously arty tea on another Silly Saturday …….

Are you doing anything silly this weekend?