Hi all! Hope the week is treating you right. Almost the weekend!
This week has been slightly different for me. It started as normal but then Ben had to go to London for two days for work which left me home alone. Luckily last night I was off out with my friends to the cinema to see Les Mis. I never usually go out in the week just because with finishing work and getting home it’s always so late. So this was a totally new thing for me (sad I know).
I was so worried that I wasn’t going to arrive on time for the 7pm showing as where I work is quite a long way from where the cinema is. I left work at 5pm thinking I would be cutting it fine as I wanted to grab a Subway just before as I wouldn’t get chance for dinner beforehand. Well, I arrived at the cinema a full hour before I was meeting my friends! So I skipped Subway and decided to go to Nando’s instead. There was no way I was sitting in the tiny little Subway for an hour.
I’ve never been out for dinner on my own in a restaurant and I’m sorry to say I was quite embarrassed. The waitress sort of looked sorry for me as she said “Just you?”. I felt I suddenly had to justify why I was alone, assuring her that I was meeting actual friends later.
I’m happy to say though that I found the experience very liberating! It was nice to sit there and just chill. I ordered a double chicken breast pitta with mango and lime sauce (is it a sauce? a marinade? a dressing?) with two sides (I was hungry!).
[Apologies for the bad photo] The sides were corn on the cob and mushy peas. It was so good. There was even a large slice of pineapple in the pitta!
I couldn’t resist getting a couple of pick ‘n’ mix sweets at the cinema either…but I have to say I was a lot more restrained than I usually am at the cinema. Normally when I get sweets it costs a fortune and I feel so sick at the end of the film. So I was quite proud of myself (OK it might have been that I had literally just been out for dinner…shhh).
Now, the film. I have to admit that I really wasn’t looking forward to Les Mis. Like dreading it. All singing? Depressing storyline? French revolution? Sounded like a nightmare. I was going for the social element rather than the film choice (as social as can be going to see a movie).
HOWEVER! As soon as the first song began I was enthralled. It was AMAZING. Goose bump amazing. It was so good that the audience CLAPPED at the end of the film.
I was buzzing at the end of the film. By the time I got home it was around 10.30pm and I just couldn’t get myself into sleeping mode so had to read for a bit. This is old lady Anna who usually goes to bed at 9pm. It’s a once off I’ll admit 
Ben’s back tonight so that’ll be lovely. And then tomorrow we’re driving to North Wales for my granddad’s 80th birthday party. All very exciting. However, there have been several snow warnings which is concerning us a bit as we have a long drive ahead of us. We’ll just have to judge it tomorrow before we leave.
Before we go I have a 5.5mile run planned which will be great considering we then have an over four hour car journey. I get so bored in the car. But luckily I’m one of those people who doesn’t feel sick reading in the car…though I’m guessing Ben might want some company haha.
Have a lovely weekend (I’m sorry I know we’re not quite there yet), I’ll be back on Monday!
Have you seen Les Mis? What did you think?
Cinema snacking – do you buy treats? Do you take snacks with you? (I did take a couple of apples with me as well of course).
Solo restaurant eating…yes or no?
I have never eaten in a restaurant, but I sometimes go to Starbucks on my own- the first time I did that I felt quite self conscious, but of course it was fine and no one bothers looking, so I quite enjoy that time to myself now.
I love the nando’s posh side which is beans in a tomato sauce or something- I tried the sweet potato mash once but that was very rich and creamy.
I don’t tend to snack at the cinema- sometimes we smuggle in a little pack of mnm’s or something to share, but normally we would not take anything/ buy anything (so expensive!).
PS Very exciting about your skiing trip 🙂
I can imagine it’s quite nice to enjoy a coffee on your own with a book and just escape the world bustling around you.
The sweet potato mash was tempting. Originally I wanted the ratatouille but they’d sold out!
Yep so expensive at the cinema. But we rarely go so I’m ALWAYS tempted hehe.
I hate going out to eat by myself!! I always feel self-conscious and do the same thing where I make a big show of waiting for other people to arrive. It’s so silly because I’m sure no one cares! Haha! And I didn’t think I wanted to see Les Mis (not familiar with the story line either and idk how I feel about all that singing) but maybe I’ll give it a try?
Exactly, no one really cared or noticed me to be honest so it was ridiculous being worried.
I haven’t seen the stage production or read the book or anything and I’m really not into musicals so I just thought it was going to be awful. But the storyline was really good and the actors and singing was so good. I definitely recommend it!
I think I’ve only been out for food a few times on my own, mostly when I’m away with work on a course I don’t mind it, and I love going with coffee on my own with a book, but I think I prefer eating out with others.
I think you should be alright going to Llandudno, I think thats the area getting the least amount, just check the news!
Yeah I definitely prefer going out with others to eat as you can talk about the food and most importantly try theirs haha 😉
I cannot wait to see the film. I saw the musical 2 years ago and fell in love, glad you liked it!
It is brilliant, so epic. Enjoy!
Oh yum! That pita looks so good! I can definitely see how it would be nice to just relax:)
Thanks, it was tasty!
Ah, I’m dying to see Les Mes! Glad you liked it. When I ate at a restaurant by myself for the first time a year ago, I was nervous that it was going to be awkward. It actually ended up being pretty liberating, as well! Yay for us overcoming our fears of dining out alone haha
Haha yes it was so liberating and I will definitely do it again!
Wow, that’s so cool that you decided to dine/see a movie alone. I’ve always thought about that, because it sounds fun enough, but I just haven’t really overcome the uncomfortableness yet. Good for you! Your food looks nummy (as well as that waffle picture in your last post- Haha!) I’ve been hearing mixed reviews about the movie, it’s great that you liked it!
Hope you’re having a fabulous weekend!
See I thought I’d be one of those people who really hated the film, but I was pleasantly surprised. Hope your weekend is good too 🙂