But not because we weren't talking.
My apprehension about attending had been eased somewhat when some of the men decided it would be fun to cycle, and I eagerly joined them. It was a fabulous day, and the the rain held off for the whole journey which was a relief. It was also a great opportunity to get to know my travelling companions better than I did...nothing like a bit of arduous exercise to get some male bonding going. No, bonding, not bondage.
The dinner itself was fine, eased by plenty of alcohol, and we all stumbled back to the hotel in the hope of finding the bar open. Fortunately it was shut, which probably meant that a few heads were in better shape the following morning than they would have been otherwise. We went punting on Sunday morning.
In July I'm doing a night ride to Brighton in aid of the British Heart Foundation. If you would like to support me, here's the JustGiving page.
But don't feel obliged at all...there's an awful lot of people asking for charity donations these days.
I'm a little sad about Bob Hoskins, but perhaps a little envious too. He retired a couple of years ago following a diagnosis of Parkinsons Disease. My father suffered and we watched him deteriorate over the course of a decade from a clever, determined man to being the merest shadow of himself with the mind of a five-year old child, manipulated by a woman who probably illegally married him and stole half my and my brother's inheritance whilst ripping the family asunder. Ever since I too have lived in fear of Parkinson's...for no logical reason, but it's always there lingering in the background. So it's a shame for Bob Hoskins t have become a sufferer, but I think a relatively swift death is a real blessing in disguise.
Tomorrow is The Boy's birthday. He's still in Austria, so this will be the first birthday we've been apart. I guess it was going to happen sooner or later. I guess also that he will have a great celebration with his friends. We may even raise a glass to him at him at home!