Off the road again

Gorgeous day: catching up with Baltimore friends (just back from a Yurpean tour) from the wee hours, then lazy breakfast, sneak preview of their new album, goodbyes and off to work. Sheer loveliness.

And right now - after work and more charity work - it's time to flump the great flump. Dubh is eating leftover smoked salmon, and is looking very pleased with herself. Despite the oily whiskers.

Absolut Pleasure

Lovely evening with friends - we met at Waxy O'Connor's (quirky Irish bar), then on to Satsuma for a beautiful Japanese meal.



And then it was time for the Absolut Ice Bar. In a Ronseal kinda way, it's a bar, carved entirely from ice. And not simply carved, but artistically sculpted - within the ice are octopi and fisshies and coral. Even the drinks glasses are carved. Visitors are given a thermal cape and get 40 minutes to explore the place and sample the delights.



Emerging from the Ice Bar, life felt very warm indeed. Garlands of lights draped the street, giving Mayfair a positively Madeiran feel. We sat out in the sultry evening, chatting and laughing, savouring a zingy cosmopolitan. Then home, for it was a school night after all.

Lovely birthday. Thanks to my family and friends for the oodles of good wishes; you made the day supertreaty.

All my love XXX

Farewell Photos

After much trawling, here's a selection from Monday night's bash. Arrival at the Glebe was marked with me going 'Awww that's so sweeeeeeeet....'





Bubbley flowed; friends caught up, or were introduced...



And we feasted :-)



And then the Queen of the Dance walked amongst us...



...and the night progressed, with some goodbyes, and yet more friends arriving, and the dancing going to a whole new level :-)



And finally, all goodbyes. On the way home we stopped in to say goodnight to the ever lovely Sharon Rose (who had to leave Cinderella-Early), and so to rest.

Have a lovely weekend, folks X

She's Leaving Home...

Best quote of last night, amid much laughter and dancing: "You should leave more often!" Oh, Tessa...

First then: my heartfelt thanks to the ever-fabulous Perrys for their outstanding hospitality last night. It was a gorgeous send-off. We met in Jacobs Bar, headed over to Bushes, and made our way up the hill from Algiers to Caseys (bolstered by the Fabulous Baking Lady's double espresso and cappuccino cupcakes - thank you Sarah). Obviously there weren't enough establishments en route, and prosecco appeared from a home along the way (thank you, Petra). And then to the Glebe.

I'm certain that I can't do justice to the myriad elements: the Glebe courtyard by candlelight, delicious food, DJ Dev keeping us on the floor for the night... Sharon Rose's serious skirt action; John M holding court by the bar; Allie revising so many lyrics "Cheveley's off to London... Big Mistake..."; Paula leading us in a reprise of All the Single Ladies; me reuniting with the Shakespeare ladies for one last moment together in the garden; and throughout the night, friends old and new dropping in to chat, and dance, and laugh.

And cry a little.

Thank to everyone for the support and cards and advice and gifts and good wishes - and super-special thanks to Tom G for all the help with the move - but most of all, and most simply, thank you for sharing last night, and so many other soulful and sparkling and treasured days and nights. I found more than I ever dreamed of in this precious community, and to paraphrase e e cummings, I will carry your heart with me.

Onwards.