Wednesday, 15th October

Beth and I took the children to see West Side Story at Wimbledon tonight, tonight.  Da da da da da...It was less than a success.  The casting was mostly woeful.  The most entertaining part of the evening being Xanthe having an attack of the Malaprops.  She told Beth that she keeps all her money in an offshore account in the Canine Islands (not true, it's in First Direct and the Halifax).  On the way home, we were discussing the full moon, and Xanthe announced that she had never seen an ellipse.  I said that I thought she probably had, and she said that she meant a total ellipse.

Thursday, 16th October

I had the longest day I've had in years.  I was up and at them at 9.30 this morning at King Eddie's, then off to the Institute of Public Health for a Breastlight seminar.  Heard some great stories, then off to John and Lizzie's (this is actually a hospital, not a dinner party,) for the afternoon session.  A list full of regulars, which is always nice.  Then back home to crack on with the 4 Ways reporting.  By the time I had worked for ten hours straight, I was nearly in tears.  However, I managed to make a chicken soup supper with broad beans, chilli, and courgettes.

Friday, 17th October

I am deeply apprehensive about our grand tour.   I am sure we will miss a connection, or some such disaster will befall us.  So most of the day was consumed by checking, and double checking, our arrangements.  The household ritual is never to cook before a trip, so we went to Manny's for supper.  Funnily enough, we are probably more organised than we ever are at this stage of a trip.