So yesterday I went off to the Royal Academy with the BF as I have been desperate to see the Anish Kapoor and above anything feel I have been lacking in London’s magnificent artistic culture recently. I love the beautiful RA building that lies behind those wrought-iron gates on Piccadilly and had recently forgotten just what a special place it is. In the ticket queue I was approached by an efficient RA official and asked whether I would like to become a ‘friend’ of the gallery. Normally I am sceptical of these sort of offers and turn away unwillingly, but the BF immediately enquired and very generously decided to give me a ‘gift friend pass’ for one year. Apart from anything else he can now come free with me to all the exhibitions!

But the ‘friend’ pass, if you are under 25 like me, is a real steal. For just £40 you get free access for a year to all shows in the gallery (queue-jumping too, always puts a smile on my face), as well as preview invitations, the quarterly magazine through your door and use of two secret Friends Rooms in Burlington House. Sounds too good to be true really (I promise I’m not an undercover RA promoter either). Especially for the BF as he is over 25…

Anyway, the Anish Kapoor is to die for. Such a unique exhibition that really altered my mood as I went round. Exceptional juxtaposition of contemporary against such traditional space and architecture. I won’t give away too much but it’s a must-see. Now that I am a ‘friend’ I shall be popping in and out on a regular basis, bringing along my free guests and spreading the word about one of London’s loveliest places.