Let me try and remember some of the fun things we've been doing.
I went white water rafting at the Lee Valley White Water centre (where else?). I went with the same friend who took me bobsleighing last year...or was it the year before?! So not content with trying to get me pummelled to death down the bobsleigh track, he wanted to drown me. This wasn't just any white water rafting session, this one was led by Tim Baillee, one of our Olympic Gold Medal Winners. I managed to stay in the raft, which was a relief to me, as the water is terrifying fast and powerful...and we won the race, with Tim's help. Great fun, as the photos show.
I've been chosen as the next President of our Old Bancroftian Association, the 'job' starts next April 1st which may be totally appropriate given how mediocre my school career was. Anyway, I'll get a very nice medal to wear round my neck and attend many functions where I'll be expected to give a speech...this is not to be recommended as my public speaking abilities are minimal...and that's being generous. But I am pleased with the honour!
The Cat has finished her degree and gained a First...a more than well-deserved achievement. Now all she has to do is find a job in her chosen career...theatre - whether that's back stage or on the stage will depend on the opportunities that present themselves. We celebrated at The Woodford, a new restaurant near us that has been given the Evening Standard's restaurant of the year award...which is quite an achievement given that our neighbourhood is notorious for having nothing but KFC to dine in.
There have been a number of firsts other than The Cat's. I took my first steps in 10 Downing Street...thanks to a possible business event I'm organising. This was the Tuesday before the referendum, and even then the beds were being wheeled in ready for a busy night.
Funnily enough, when I went past Downing Street on my other first...being part of a protest march...it was a little different
On the entertainment front, we combined an evening of horse racing with a concert by Will Young. We managed to avoid the rain, won 50 quid and had a brilliant time.
We went to a dinner for supporters of the National Theatre, and I managed to completely demoralise the Director of one of the plays there when I didn't disagree with her when she said it was very flawed. And there was I just trying to avoid an argument.... The National has featured a lot in our lives recently...we went to see the Threepenny Opera, which was fun, I loved it more than The Cat's Mother, even though we agreed it was quite flawed. Connections is the National's youth group national competition. More than 500 entries, with the best twelve performed at the National. Delightfully, the Cat was Assistant Director of 'Spilling my heart out' which was one of those chosen. Such a proud moment to see and realise just how much talent she has.
This week has been far too busy...an evening with Burt Baccarach at the Festival Hall, accompanied by Joss Stone. Fabulous to see, amazing he can still perform at the age of 88, even though he looks desperately frail. An evening at the ENO to the Cat's Mother's brother conduct the orchestra in a performance of Madame Butterfly, followed by a reception at Drapers Hall on Thursday...very grand surroundings indeed...and on Friday Needles and Opium, a play by Robert Lepage at the Barbican. The last one was utterly amazing...way beyond anything I've ever seen on the stage before. Perhaps the overdose of culture will cheer me up.
And to end on a happier note, Mum has a new dog, Dandy
