Christmas Eve at Namaaste Kitchen

We tend to eat together as a family on Christmas Eve whether at home or out, wherever we are. Maintaining a Bangladeshi spirit while preparing to fly out for the forthcoming election in Dhaka, the boys and I came together for a Christmas Eve Indo- fusion special at Namaaste Kitchen in Camden, owned by Sabbir Karim. The restaurant, one of two he runs, has won plaudits from the Guardian and other newspapers, for its wonderfully - presented unique recipes, all served at a very reasonable price.

The service was excellent so we had the staff sit down with us and tell us all about themselves. Young Imran, who works a few nights a week,  is doing double masters degrees; in Refugee Studies as well as an MBA, and played in the junior Bangladesh national cricket team.

The fact that Sabbir is a BA cabin crew purser is reflected in his eaterie - the style is light and sophisticated with more than a touch of the business class end of aviation.

Sabbir himself has won lots of awards over the years in the catering industry. I will be watching his progress with interest.

Shunga at the British Museum

With just a few days left to visit,  My Qi Gong tutor and I took a look round this fascinating exhibition of Japanese art. I was struck  throughout by the humour.

Most of the pieces on display were highly valuable and rarely seen, and some of my favourites were tiny figurines just a few centimetres high.

The art was laid out in eras and so even the way in which faces and forms appeared varied from period to period; with foreigners always larger than life.

I found the exhibition curiously restful and relaxing; the subject matter is not often placed in such a traditional arena and opened up for all members of the public to view.

I also liked the fact that there was a cross - section of ages and nationalities among the viewing public, with a high proportion, of course, of Japanese.