A long weekend

 Enjoyable, but rather tiring.

Saturday, was out - -out! - in London, for Andrew's birthday, at a pub in Clerkenwell Green. Going to London feels almost novel, now - after so many years when frankly, I'd have been horrified to have been doing anything else. With the advent of kids, one's social life changes, for sure - and being back in the centre of town filled me with a tangible sense of longing and nostalgia. I loved feeling the pulse of the city streets, the possibility, the romance, the frenzy and the silence. 

Got on to the 10.48 from Victoria, so I was not massively late. A relatively easy journey, if I'm honest. But the night was sufficiently late. to make the following day the more tiring of the two weekend days. 

My family was over for Christmas, basically. Somehow, we'd engineered a situation where Xmas just didn't fit into anyone's schedule, and the jaunt to Mull completely blew a hole in all of the previous plans. So, festivities were postponed until a suitable time. Factor in my little jaunt to the Caribbean, and it meant we got together for a festive bash - in February. Ah well, it was still lovely. And I'd not seen mum for a few weeks, so that reunion was especially lovely. Some hearty soup, cheeses with chilli jam, chocolate cake, presents, laughter, reminiscing. 

Thus, the start to the half-term week has been rather gradual. I've not done a lot today, but feel much better for being rested. I've done a supermarket run, cleaned both dishwashers. Helped Marnie exchange a birthday present, in Epsom, as well as paying Xmas money into her bank account (which she fully expects to spend this week, at Westfield). Milo has a Birthday Party to attend, and I've got a house to tidy. It almost feels like I should be telling you about a day of drift, were it not for all this...stuff, that seems to have filled it up.