The weather on Wednesday morning was inclement, nevertheless sixteen Friends of Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens gathered under the bandstand in Hyde Park. There was a high attrition level in my party.
Nearly twenty years ago I went to Quintin Hogg’s memorial service in Westminster Abbey. At the time I was working in the City but Ian arrived in good time to get front row seats, that is as front row as permitted for nobodies. We were placed behind the section reserved for the House of Lords.
An ornithological highlight in Ukraine was seeing cranes nesting beside the road. My Polish and German election observer partners weren’t impressed as they see plenty at home. I said I’d only seen one pair nesting in England and they are made of stainless steel.
I met Bali yesterday morning and we clicked. His owner has a problem with her Achilles‘ tendon and cannot take him for walks. As she lives only a few doors away I stepped into the breach.
Flew to Toulouse yesterday; the thirteenth ‘plane I’ve been on so far this year. The trip is a belated birthday weekend staying with friends in the Gers.
I mentioned two local restaurants and have subsequently been back to both; it’s what professional reviewers do. The River Café was just as good on a second visit. Because they weren’t too busy we were allowed to arrive at 1.30 and have the set lunch menu; £28 for two courses.
Doreen Fletcher has been recording the architectural history of the East End since the mid 1980s. She did this for her own pleasure and has only recently been “discovered”.