To London with T, who was working in town. I set off to the West End & lunch at Restaurant Cuban El Posho, Watkins Bookshop, the London Library and eventually Pizza Express on Dean Street. The superb Theo Travis was standing in for Elton Dean in Soft Machine Legacy. Sad news announced from the bandstand: Elton Dean flew away yesterday.
Sitting at the table on my left was a male German Soft Machine enthusiast, of a certain age and with facial hair, in discussion about bands of his youth reforming. He mentioned Gong and then - King Crimson. King Crimson were the best! he told his male friend of same age, sitting opposite. I believe he was unaware of my connection to his youthful fave rave. The GSM enthusiast had the courtesy to ask if his smoking would spoil my eating. Yes! So he went outside to smoke. Anticipating what was coming for the remainder of the evening, I moved from the table to the back of the venue. The developing smoke cloud was less intense, but enough to prevent me breathing & quite enough to spoil the environment. Smoking – in a restaurant?
