28-1-17
Arrived last night. Flight full in Premium Economy. Generally quick and quiet flight. Passport control at Heathrow empty and quick. Baggage collected easily.
So Heathrow express to Paddington and taxi to Oxford/Cambridge Club. Quickly into room and down for sandwich and glass of club Claret in Business room. Then up to Morning Bar for cognac.
Back to room and spoke with Janet. Then set up dinner arrangements with Sarah for later in the week. It was now late and so to bed. Slept well but stayed in bed and finally up at nine to wash and dress.
Did not do breckers but went down for a coffee which I had in the Morning Bar whilst reading the paper. Paper full of dreadful stuff about May's visit to the US and trump meeting. He is mentally deficient and she is a sad spectacle in her unseemly rush to flatter etc.
29-1-17
Dinner at CH's last night very satisfying. There was crab and salmon mouse to begin, duck leg confit for main course and cheese to follow. Wines as usual superb. For the cheese course there was a 2001 Ch., Pape-Clement. Wonderful colour and nose.
Then off by car (Addlee) to concert. At hall first disaster - I stupidly paid the fare in cash when it was going to my credit card as part of my account with Addlee.
Concert interesting but soloist's voice in first half not really compelling. Better in second half. However, the band was very good indeed with very spirited playing. So overall an enjoyable evening.
Walked to Oxford Circus tube and took Vitoria line to Green Park and from there walk to club.
When I reached club - stopped for a cognac then up to room. This is where second disaster struck. I realised I did not have my bag in which I had my passport, Heathrow Express ticket, my phone charger, some money etc.
Tried reach CH to no avail and then JG. When I finally connected with JG he said he thought he saw someone collecting the bag. In a panic at this point. Madly tried to contact the Hall and finally sent an email with my contact info. PANIC!!! Spoke to JS at home. Much later I checked my phone and found message on it saying that my bag had been found and was being held at the box office. Great relief - assuming contents are intact. Will collect later today after service this AM.
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| St Paul's |
Choral service at St Paul's today - Mozart Mass setting (Missa in C K259). Very nice service for Patronal feast of the church. Champers reception following service. Saw several Caians I've not seen in some time.
CH and JG coming for dinner this evening.
After reception caught cab to Wigmore Hall to collect bag. Got it and all was there as should be. Had taxi wait and traveled back to Club.
30-1-17
JG came to tea yesterday afternoon and then CH, I and JG in for drinks in Morning Bar. Dinner in the coffee room which this Sunday was just about empty but for our party. Nice dinner. CH choose a Spanish wine ( a Priorat 2009) I've never had and he insisted we must try. My preference is always for French but went along with the suggestion and it was very good indeed a big big chunky wine. Dinner went late and as CH and JG were traveling to SA today they did not linger for strong brown waters. After saying good bye I indulged in a cognac before bed.
Off to Hammersmith today to meet JR for lunch at the Dove.
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| Hammersmith Bridge |
I need to drop off the pens N wanted the last of what were purchased for her. So that will be out of the way. After lunch will take myself to Boots to buy soap and shaving cream of which I stupidly do not bring enough of.
POLITICAL COMMENT:
Have been following the deplorable political news and the travesty of Trump and his actions and now defiance of the courts. I am acutely angry and embarrassed but the PM here has not distinguished herself in this affair or by her visit to Turkey, But enough of this.
Took underground to Hammersmith. Met JR at Station and we walked towards Hammersmith bridge then along river. Pub Dove was as cozy as I remembered - two open fires in the bar. Had decent pub lunch and much talk of Children and how to age well.
On way back stopped at Boots to pick up soap for home and saving gel for here.
Quiet night tonight - drink in Morning Bar then likely sandwich. Off early tomorrow to do some shopping then lunch here with AD and evening concert at Wigmore Hall.
31-1-17
Coffee at Club then walk through Green Park to Piccadilly. Went to Boots for tissues. Back toward Piccadilly to Hatchard's. Browsed books and bought paper back copy of Maugham's "The Razor's Edge" in new "Vintage Classics". Then down Bury St and stopped at porcelain shop to inquire about small snuff box. Nice and said I'd think about it. But likely I'll purchase for J for her collection.
Back here and spent some time sorting purchase. AD arrived at 1:45. Drink in Morning Bar then Lunch in Coffee Room. We were some last to arrive as I booked for 2:15. Had pork and AD Veal. All washed down with nice 2005 Claret. Pudding and coffee followed.
Then we parted and AD went back to Q's but returned for tea about 5:10. I screwed up the time thinking it was later then it was so Tea rushed. Then realized car was coming much later. So adjusted tame on Car. At Wigmore earlier than we needed to be but I had a coffee.
Concert of Schubert trios superb. Re-awakened my love of his music. AD went by tube after concert. Was raining a bit but I managed a taxi fairly quickly. To bar for a cognac. Was just finishing when ran into fellow member I know so he and his chum insisted on buying me another cognac.
And so to bed,
1-2-17
Spent morning at Club. Up washed and dressed by 9. Had coffee in Library. Pottered on computer and texted with JS. Decided to order car for BL. As it happened got tome wrong and was at BL half hour early. Sat in lobby waiting for CC. Met at 12:30. Went to members room. Quite a pleasant venue. Ordered lunch of soup and cheese and wine for me.
Pleasant convo about daughter, wife, books and manuscripts. After lunch took tube back to Green Park. Walked back to Club and stopped at shop, Albert Amor, on Bury St and purchased small round enamel box for JS's collection. Chap at shop very pleasant.
Then back to club. Sorted clobber. Texted with JS for a bit. Then crashed,
Went to supper at Club table. Had "Huntsman Chicken" as my main. Never had it prior to this nor have I seen it on the menu here before. Nice small group gathered close to when I was finishing as I went in early. Lingered over my wine. Convo mostly political but not too fraught. Overall nice group. Confirmed what a nice experience Club Table is.
Had cognac after in bar. Wrote this up and so to bed. Busy day tomorrow. Need to pack as leaving for airport Friday early. Need to pick up jam for JS at Fortnum's. To Q's for two PM. In PM meeting SA here for drinks then on to dinner at 47 Jeremyn.
Will read and sleep now...
2-2-17
Last day in London. Gong to Q's to deliver books BS lent me and to collect two I purchased form the Hogwood catalogue. Also taking SA to dinner this evening. Spent good deal of time at club in AM pre-packing etc. as I am leaving early for Heathrow. Did go out to get Jam from Fortnum's for JS. Did not see what she wanted on shelf so had to ask and of course was right in front of me.
As the day was wet and raw took a cab to Q's in South Audley St. for 2 as arranged to meet BS and return books. However when I arrived BS was still out at a lunch meeting. So spent time with MJ about the Hogwood catalogue and collected the two books I bought. BS never made it back for out =r meeting so left books with her assistant J. Left a cheque with HG against what I owed Q's and walked back to club.
Used time before meeting SA for dinner to do some more packing. We were to meet for a drink at the club prior to going to 47 Jermyn for dinner. But she was 30 mins late so when she arrived we set out for the restaurant. Only a few min walk so arrived in good time. Very nice dinner indeed and our conversation caught us up on what we had both been up to since we last saw each other.
After dinner we walked back to the club and had post prandial drinks in the Morning bar. The bartender made SA some exotic concoction with gin and elder flower. She seemed to like it.
Finally put her in a cab and gave her the fare. Nice visit and enjoyed her company. She seems to be enjoying the medical course at Imperial. It happened that when we had gotten back to the Club there was apparently am medical emergency going on as there was an ambulance out front. Several EMTs were about. SA was keen to observe all. From where we sat in the Morning bar we observed the gentleme3n who was ill being taken out on a stretcher. SA asked if he was intubated. I said yes. She was keen she said because she want to do emergency medicine. This surprised me some as I thought she might do something in Neurology.
Went up to room after I saw her off in the cab and did some last min packing and so to bed as I was leaving the next morning at half seven and needed to be up by 5:30.
Slept but woke very early then drifted off again after setting the alarm on my phone to be safe.
3-2-17
Woke early - far too early so tried to sleep again. Managed to doze on and off until alarm went off at 5. Up, washed and dressed. Pulled last things together into suitcase and locked them. Went down just after 7 and waited in from hall. Car was a bit early and with no traffic to speak of was at Paddington in about 15 mins. Once in station had to wait for a train to come in. Once in got on stowed bag. and relaxed as best I could. Got to Heathrow in good time and checked bag. Went through Fast Track to security. No hassle unlike Logan. But had to wait for my shoulder bag and coat to come through x-ray. Thought there may have been problem but none - were just pushing bags through first. Once I collected my clobber went to lounge nearest security. Lounge was very full indeed but finally managed to find comfortable seat. Made myself a redeye and settled in. Finally wandered off to get some breckers. Found rolls with bacon and others with egg. Not healthiest meal but satisfying and tasty. By 10 was able to text with JS. We text for while but just before 11 headed to the gate once it was posted. It was an A gate which I don't recall ever using on prior flights. It had the merit of being close not transport needed. Gate was packed but figured I be ok with a business seat. However when we should have begun boarding they announced plane was late in and still needed to be serviced etc. so out flight would be delayed. Thought Id stick it put at the gate. But very soon after they announced that the delay would be two hours or more as some problem with the plane had been discovered. At that point I decamped and headed back to lounge.
Got a seat, lounge still crowded, and decided to get a drink. Did so and again texted JS. Finally to gate close to 1 now. Finally boarded at 1:30 so a two hour delay. Flight was OK and arrived Boston just before 4. Passport control as always - but machine would not take my picture. Spoke top agent who said simply go through with my landing card. Well I asked myself if this was the case what is the point of the silly machine exercise. Clearly there is none. Like all else a stupid exercise.
Car was waiting for me so a quick trip back to Cambridge and home again to face the idiocy of trump etc.
