<a href="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/laser-printerDec19.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-5936" src="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/laser-printerDec19-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a>I started the week, after much deliberation, with the purchase of a new laser printer. My Epson inkjet was proving to be troublesome and had stopped printing in colour despite dismantling the printer heads and cleaning them with a special fluid. I've had a couple of laser printers and they've always given good service despite the toner cartridges being expensive. This time I've bought a Brother mainly because the reviews on Amazon were good and where a few people had complained Brother had responded with advice and asked the reviewer to contact them for support. It is a beast of a machine and it took all my strength to lift it onto the desk.

<a href="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/knives-outDec19.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-5940" src="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/knives-outDec19-150x200.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="200" /></a>I spent three days in London staying with Jane's brother, Richard. We went to see Knives Out at the local cinema shortly after I arrived. A superb cast and a very quirky film in the style of an old "who dunnit".  Daniel Craig made the film very watchable but I wouldn't necessarily recommend it as a "must see" film.

One of the "joys" of staying in London is that Richard and Nicola use the buses a lot so they know all the routes and timings. We travelled the city hopping from one bus to another. On my first journey I realised that my bus pass was out of date and so every time I showed my pass I kept my finger over the date - it worked.

<a href="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/nhm-wildlife-photographerDec19.jpg"><img class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-5938" src="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/nhm-wildlife-photographerDec19-134x200.jpg" alt="" width="134" height="200" /></a>We started our busy schedule with a visit to the Natural History Museum to see the <a href="https://www.nhm.ac.uk/visit/exhibitions/wildlife-photographer-of-the-year.html?gclid=CjwKCAiAuK3vBRBOEiwA1IMhuoxOqRDeVHMVUKAW7rBtVsd-k574Qbi3fnw2-E5T7SlQD8TD_i3eQRoC1MsQAvD_BwE" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Wildlife Photographer of the Year</a> exhibition. One could argue that setting up a camera trap and then sifting through thousands of images is hardly photography however the images are truly superb. The photograph here wasn't a finalist but featured in the people's choice and I think it is an excellent example of the work on display. The photographers demonstrate skill, dedication, patience and knowledge of the habits of their subjects.

<a href="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/concept-car-at-VADec19.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-5939" src="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/concept-car-at-VADec19-200x150.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="150" /></a>After lunch in the V&amp;A we then toured another exhibition - <a href="https://www.vam.ac.uk/?gclid=CjwKCAiAuK3vBRBOEiwA1IMhutJya0wMH4Jgbhrp_vl3lXqOI6iFGGytY-GZ6XclRD1Vn9BA0SJ49BoCWhsQAvD_BwE" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Cars: Accelerating the Modern World</a>. It was interesting to see the concept cars from the past and how very few them had actually predicted how our current cars would look. The final exhibit was a  prediction of how cars of the future would look. This was a collaboration between Audi and Airbus Industries so this small car could be fitted with a set of 4 helicopter blades like a drone and fly. I don't think this concept will ever become a reality because a lot of drivers have a problem keeping their vehicles on the roads where there are only two dimensions to worry about. What would they be like if there were three dimensions to contend with?

<a href="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/as-you-like-itDec19.jpg"><img class="alignright  wp-image-5937" src="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/as-you-like-itDec19-300x285.jpg" alt="" width="282" height="268" /></a>And for me the highlight of my time in London was the <a href="https://www.rsc.org.uk/as-you-like-it/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">RSC production of As You Like It</a> at the Barbican. Pre theatre dinner at <a href="https://www.cote.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Cote Brasserie</a> which is over the road from the Barbican Theatre.

The production was superb as expected - lively, funny and dramatic. The large puppet character that came on for the final scene was incredible. A great night followed by a multiple bus ride home...

<a href="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/azumaDec19.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-5941" src="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/azumaDec19-300x169.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="169" /></a>The following day after a coffee on Islington High Road I made my way to Kings Cross and an uneventful journey back to Market Rasen via Lincoln on a new Azuma train. There's been some excitement about these new trains amongst train buffs however I must say, it's just a train. A little more leg room but quite hard seats.