Only kidding; of course, like all Londoners I’m getting very excited about the approaching London 2012 Olympics. All that extra traffic. All those extra tourists clogging up the Tube trains. All those bars and restaurants who decide to cash in and raise their prices for the month of July. It’s going to be such fun! I’d probably be less bitter if I had managed to get tickets for one of the sporting events I applied for. Then again, I was a bit ambitious with my application.

I only asked for athletics tickets and even then I specified that I wanted the men’s 100 metres final; like everyone else in the world! Let’s face it, Usain Bolt is the only reason to get excited about the Olympics. Unless you know that there are actually dozens of cultural events going in tandem with the sporting spectacular. Not only are there still plenty of tickets left for the innovative musical and theatrical performances, but they are a hell of a lot cheaper to get into than the sporting events…

I’m particularly looking forward to a modern take on Romeo and Juliet, as part of the World Shakespeare Festival. I have already booked my tickets for that as well as the accompanying exhibition on the Bard’s life at the British Museum. I’m not sure how modern we’re talking, but I love watching unusual and creative adaptations of Shakespeare’s plays; perhaps the balcony scene won’t be a balcony scene at all but will be conducted through the most middle class sash windows Surrey has to offer?

Whether you too enjoy avant garde Shakespearian plays, opera or live music, book readings or art galleries there is bound to be something for you in amongst the events at the Cultural Olympiad. And seeing as all the tourists will be thronging to the sports stadia, you might even get a bit of peace and quiet there!

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There is an alternative side to London that is so far removed from the tourist trail it is almost impossible to believe it is located from one of the busiest areas in the whole capital. Thousands descend on the city looking for something away from the chaos of the crowds and the best they can usually come up with is one of the equally busy and chaotic parks, but for those intent on seeing London through the eyes of those who know the most prime of spots the very best, you really have to think about heading north.

A seemingly million miles away (though more like 8 or 9 in fact) from the elbows and volume of the masses lies the quaint areas or Belsize Park, Primrose Hill and Hampstead – known as prime star-stalking territory but offering infinitely more than the odd celeb-snap here and there. These leafy boulevards, quaint cobbled streets and idyllic parklands offer a side of London that seems impossible to have been kept such a secret for so long.

Beginning with a stroll from London Zoo over the park at Primrose Hill, visitors can take in one of the best panoramas of the capital as the country’s elite walk their dogs and generally frolic in this mini-Eden. The stroll through the village and Belsize Park toward Hampstead can be punctuated with stops in ‘real'local pubs the likes of the Haverstock Tavern, Sir Richard Steels or maybe The Hill for those looking for something of a rather upper-class affair.

Hampstead itself is world-renowned for its historic narrow streets, cozy shops and of course the rather epic Heath, therefore how the village as a whole retains its secluded, rather ‘off the beaten track'feel remains a mystery to say the least.

Either way, if on a leisurely break ditch the tour guide, or even if on a rather dull business trip looking for the best dry lining Surrey has to offer, spare an afternoon for this quite staggeringly charming wander around the alternative side of London and see first-hand how the other half really live.

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As a Londoner I quite often get entangled in hen parties. It sometimes feels like you can’t cross a road after 9pm in Zone 1 without falling over a gaggle of women wearing pink tiaras, matching t-shirts and deeley boppers.

As a London-based lady I also often get entangled in organising hen parties for my out of town friends. Now, I’ll be quick to admit, this is both an honour and a privilege. I adore organising, I love my friends and I really heart hunting out great new bars and places for us to go.

But I have a confession.

I hate traditional hen parties. With a passion.

I can’t think of anything worse than wearing the same t-shirt as one of my friends, let alone four of my friends, some acquaintances, random office mates and the brides mum. And that’s without covering the horror of the pink sparkly veils, L-plates and flashing neon headbands. The shame of which may lead to drinking so many terrible novelty cocktails that you pass out in the club toilet and have to rescued by the hen ’mother’. This might be the brides real mother, but since she’ll probably have had the sense to leave after the meal, it’s more likely to be the one poor girl who’s driving so she’s had to abstain.

And the thing is, London has so much more to offer than just drinking until you fall over. Particuarly for hen parties. You just have to think… differently. In fact, you have to start thinking like a twelve year old girl. You remember when you got too old for birthday parties, and your mum would arrange for you and a few friends to go on a birthday day out instead? What sort of things did you want to do?

Think about it.

Really think about it. Ignore boring adult responsibilities for a second, like gas bills, caravan insurance and getting your roots done.

What would your twelve year old self like to do best?

And in the meantime, here are my inner twelve year old suggestions:

• Horse riding at Hyde Park stables
• If its the winter, ice skating outside at Somerset House or Kew Gardens
• Afternoon tea and embroidering knickers at the lovely Drink Shop Do
• A group class in Bollywood dancing at Bollywood Dance London
• An afternoon Circus Skills workshop at Circus Space
• Any kind of Spa afternoon with a pool and a pedicure

And then comes the time for drinking, so it’s off to somewhere fabulous for food and cocktails (and maybe a little more dancing)

But right now you’ll have to wait, as the evening section of your London hen do is all to come in another post…

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Russian arts have always been exhibited in London. They include many masterpieces from the 19^th century, which are sold for millions in auction houses, along with many funky studios in the suburbs. This fall there is going to be no exception on this. Many exhibitions are going to be on display both in September and October, showcasing the various aspects of the Russian culture, starting with the opening of a brand new gallery in Mayfair and a major exhibition at the Royal Academy.

The world, at least till late had become a much better place after the end of the cold war. The reason I say ‘till late'is due to the crisis brewing in the Middle East. However, it does not diminish the benefits that we have reaped due to the end of the cold war. Therefore, I think it makes perfect sense for the London Print Studio to gather a display of photographs, films and installation entitled as the “Memoirs from a Cold Utopia” to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of the end of the cold war. This will be on exhibition until the 18^th of November.

My favorite among all the exhibition of the fall is Antiques Fair in Battersea, the one that displays the artifacts of the Russian culture. This exhibition happens only once in three years and is extended until October 2^nd. You can also view the restored poster of the international car festival in Russia, from the year 1913.

I have dedicated my weekends to these wonderful exhibitions. All I needed was to get an R4i card for my son’s gaming device. I am sure you are wondering why I would need a game device in the exhibition. Well, I don’t need a gaming device for the exhibition, but I need my digital camera and my son is currently using the SD card from my camera for gaming. So either I can buy another SD card or get mine back and get him a proper gaming memory device. These exhibitions make me a happier person in the fall.

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The Croissant Neuf Summer Party is easily one of the most intimate festivals to be held in all of the United Kingdom. The party was held on August 12-14, 2011, and the venue was interestingly near an old hill fort, dating back to the Iron Age, close to the town of Usk, Monmouthshire.

The organizers of the Summer Party should take some pride of place with the sustainability credentials they have built up for this festival. All aspects of the event revolved around green issues, from the Big Top which was powered by solar panels, to the organic tipples and nibble that were available at the stagger Inn, and including the recycling team.

The event was made a haven for children to come to as it is run with families at the heart of the thought process. So families could have simply filled up with red diesel Cardiff and have a good weekend out. The community togetherness was more than evident at the festival over the three days.

The festival was truly highlighted by the return of the well missed Masquerade Ball and also the elegant Lantern Procession, together with all sorts of exciting and new features that provided something for everyone. There was also some really great live music from performers such as Maya.

All food in the festival was as expected totally organic, fresh and came from a number of local suppliers, well according to the organisers. Pub nibbles, cider and organic beer were served by the licensed bar. The tent used for the dining area included a much bigger furnished space and a stage for cabaret performers.

It is certain that all who attended had themselves a whale of a time.

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The revival of the 1942 play “Flare Path” by Terence Rattigan at the Theatre Royal in London as truly a remarkable achievement. The performance of Sienna Miller as the conflicted actress-heroine of Flare Path tugs hearts in an ingenious way as she portrays this young woman’s battle between extra-marital desire and patriotic duty. As a matter of fact, it makes such terms sound altogether too exposed.

This is just one of the many wonders in Trevor Nunn’s greatly entertaining and amazingly judged revival of this theatrical exception. His production is a very significant contribution to the recent Terence Rattigan centenary celebrations.

Flare Path was penned in 1941, played on stage in 1942 and apparently inspired by its author’s RAF tail-gunner experience in the Second World War, a time when a red diesel supplier as hard to find. The play was a solid proof that Rattigan was not more than a good writer.

The action took place Bomber Command airbase nearby hotel in Lincolnshire. Miller plays an appealing figure as Patricia who was involved into a hasty wartime romance and tied to the boyish Flight Lieutenant Teddy who possesses the trait of an upper-middle-class goof. On a certain weekend, Patricia has been planning to tell Teddy to leave him for her former sweetheart Peter Kyle. Her determination is languished, though, and the woman sets her awful dilemma in the context of other complex wartime affairs. Sheridan Smith has been awesome in her entertaining role as Doris, a barmaid who is inclined to foreign aristocracy by her vow to Count Skriczevinsky.

The play showed a funny and happy ending, a situation into which Patricia lets herself to be absorbed by life-like degrees after her lonely breakup with her Hollywood lover.

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Dolly is performing evening gigs in London’s O2 Arena on the 7^th and 8^th of September 2011 as part of her Better Day world tour. Tickets to Dolly’s gigs get sold out months in advance, so it is a good idea to purchase tickets well in advance. Seats are priced at £55, £65 and £75. These prices are exclusive of booking charges, which are incurred if you buy the tickets on some ticketing websites.

You can expect Dolly to sing some of her hit songs such as Jolene, 9 to 5, and I Will Always Love You in the gig. Dolly has gone on record to say that she is very excited to be back on tour and meet her fans. She also has some fun things lined up for the gig. Apart from her songs from previous albums, she is also going to sing tracks from her latest album, Better Day. These songs include In the Meantime, Missing You and Get Out.

Apart from Dolly’s achievement of 25 chart topping singles mentioned earlier, she also has 42 top-10 albums. Her fans transcend across countries and generations. At an age when many singers contemplate retirement i.e. 65, Dolly is still going strong, and has lost none of her enthusiasm. One of her more memorable awards, apart from winning 8 Grammy Awards, is the National Medal of Arts. This medal is the highest American honour for excellence in the field of the arts, and was awarded to her in 2005.

With Dolly’s excellent track record, you can be sure that her gigs in London will be memorable indeed! So, get yourself a ticket even if it means forgetting about the designer homeware that you were eyeing to buy - a Dolly Parton concert does not take place in London everyday.

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One of the tricks to surviving and thriving as a Londoner is turning your daily tasks into an adventure. If London is your adopted home, you likely had a lot of energy for exploring when you first moved here right? And then as the daily hassles started to get to you, you tend to give up exploring in order to clean your house and do the marketing? One way to get back to your old self is to turn your shopping into more of a treasure hunt. My flat mate and I recently did this to great success. We traded our shopping lists with each other, handed over the suggested amount of cash, bought a day pass for the buses and went off. When I looked at my list, I was a little surprised to find the first item was Protein powder, My room mate is originally from Beijing, so I thought the best way forward was to head to China town. London’s main China town may not be the best place to bag a bargain, but if you look beneath the surface, you will find a plethora of authentic and cheap shops and restaurants. One of my favourites is the Kowloon Bakery at 21-22 Gerard Street. Sitting at the plastic tables in the back and tucking into a moon cake or an egg custard tart while drinking a cup of coffee is one of the greatest pleasures that London has to offer. You know you are some place authentic when you can’t hear any English at all.

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We all had personal ideas of the best pub to visit. There were five pubs together and we wanted to stopover at just two. Usually when we have issues like this we vote; that was what we did that night. Two pubs down, half-drunken ladies and gentlemen, who later went on to have the nights of their lives at a very popular club in the city of London. One thing is that you should not plan a night out with boring people. Everyone in the crew does not necessarily have to be hippy; you can have a mix but make sure you hav e those guys and babes who make things entertaining. We all had a nice time. The hangover of the next morning made me feel like I have been hit by a sharp hairdressing scissors on the head. Besides this, I had an awesome time and really looking forward to having a repeat.

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