Almost the Weekend - Butterbeer, a Plant That's Plotting & Mountain Dew That Looks Suspicious

This week on Almost the Weekend, the twist we have been teasing is finally revealed — we went full Harry Potter — and a houseplant began plotting our downfall.

Almost Fit has been a week of big steps and honest confessions. Over eighteen thousand steps in a single day — with a sore ankle to show for it — but strength training slipped in a gloriously busy three-day weekend. Mr Almost is also plotting a new London commute, weighing up an e-bike against an e-scooter, and fully expecting to be clinging on for dear life. Helmet on order.

Almost Blooming has taken a sinister turn. Our Monstera, the Swiss cheese plant, has sent long aerial roots creeping down the stairs, along the floor and towards the front door. We are half convinced we are about to be ensnared like Harry in the Devil’s Snare. If anyone knows whether we can trim these tentacles without upsetting the plant, please tell us — before it takes the whole house.

And then, the big one. The twist. We went full Harry Potter. It began with a surprise birthday gift of the Warner Bros. Studio Tour, so we made a whole day of it. A morning in London took in the Kings Cross store and the site on Oxford Street where the largest ever Harry Potter shop opens on the 4th of November across three floors. Then a train to Watford, where the Night Bus shuttle was waiting to whisk us to Leavesden. Giant wizard chess pieces, a wand shop to lose yourself in, the Great Hall doors swinging open, Dumbledore’s office, the Forbidden Forest, platform nine and three quarters with the real Hogwarts Express, butterbeer in souvenir cups, a screaming mandrake, Diagon Alley and a full-size Gringotts that quite literally made our hearts skip a beat. Ten years on from our first visit, it has grown into something truly magical. We cannot recommend it enough.

And because it is the twenty fifth anniversary of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, all the films are back in cinemas — so we saw the Philosopher’s Stone in 4DX, whizzing around on our seats like broomsticks. Pure magic.

On the telly we tried Benidorm is Murder on Channel 5 — a light-hearted crime drama starring John Hannah as a retired British detective turned reluctant consultant for the Spanish police. Cheesy, easy watching, six episodes and we would happily watch a second series. We also caught 72 Hours on Netflix — a madcap Kevin Hart comedy about a forty-year-old advertising exec swept into a chaotic stag weekend. Crazy, funny and, of course, a happy ending.

Almost Edible went to Café Nero — and the bacon roll was a revelation, absolutely loaded with bacon compared to the measly couple of slices you get at another well-known chain. Add a pastel de nata and a pain au raisin, impeccable service and a pup cup for Honey held patiently by the lovely manager, and it was a real treat.

Tipple of the Week is Mountain Dew Citrus, no sugar — refreshing, pleasant and, in Mr Almost’s expert opinion, looking rather like it has something questionable floating in it. We would have it again. On a hot day. If any were left.

Pull up a chair. You’re one of us now. 🎙️