MY READING

CURRENTLY READING
OR RE-READING

"If reading is one of the pleasures - and necessities - of youth, rereading is one of the pleasures - and necessities  - of age..." Julian Barnes

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Richard Brome - The Sparagus Garden: A Comedie

Denton Welch - Journals

Stefan Zweig - The Governess and Other Stories

ENGLAND JOURNAL VIII

Yesterday left Ely on the 12:25 to King's Cross. As we could not be at our Heathrow lounge until 3:45 we stoppe3de for a lite bite at Prezzo at the Station. Bit of a rip off as they brought Janet the wrong item at 2sx the cost of what she had ordered.

Let station and I stupidly decided to take a cab to Paddington whereas we should have simply taken the district line. As it was we were in traffic and arrived at Paddington later than we had hoped. On top of this cab ripped us off. Waiting to leave the station and our car was sitting behind another in the cue and our driver started his meter running up a fare of two pounds eighty before we moved an inch. Needless to say I did not tip him at the end.

Airport check in and security fine. Got to our lounge which was very full but managed to finds seats and a table. Had a drink and snack. Boarded with not hassle. Flight was troubled by turbulence for about a third of the time in the air. Service was disrupted and never resumed  to my satisfaction. Never git my brandy or coffee. Main meal was very good but all else sucked as only BA can manage at times. They provide such a hit or miss service. I frankly expect better in WT. Plane was very full indeed.

A we were a late flight arriving at Logan entry was fairly easy - no long queues. Got to our car and driver easily and arrived home tired. Our cat was at the door to greet us. He seemed pleased to see us.

And so ends the England Journal.

NOW BACK TO THE STATES AND THE TRUMP FREEK SHOW!

ENGLAND JOURNAL VII

Up early today. Got a quick coffee at Club then car to Kings Cross. Collected tickets and on the 10:05 to Ely. Had to change at Cambridge but arrived in good time. Lunch and visit with SC and CC. Talked books. Gave CC the RS remarks and the catalogue I did for the "Corrogatio Nugarum " exhibition at COV. Got complement form CC on typography which chuffed me.

Had to sort out meeting up with CH and JG at Cathedral for 1st Advent Sunday service. As it turned they came to us and SC & CC for tea.

We then marched off to Ely Cathedral and settled into our designated seats.

Service was lovely and the music quite good. As part of the service we held candles. Lots of wax spilled on trousers etc.! Towards the end of the service Janet managed to set her candle wax guard on fire. It was a comic scene her frantically trying top blow it out to no end! Finally told her to throw it on the ground and stomp on it. She did and the disaster of burning down Ely Cathedral narrowly avoided.

After service off The Lamb with CH and JG for some supper. Good time and decent food but for CH's steak which he felt was "off". We were not charged  for it so that was OK.

Waked back to SC and CC house where we are staying.

And so to bed.

London tomorrow and flight to Boston.


ADDENDUM-

Ely Cathedral - Last Night

ENGLAND JOURNAL VI

Cloudy bright day. Was to meet godson HR for burger in Hammersmith. However still feeling very punk - cramps all night. This bug, whatever it is still has not passed off. General soreness and fatigue.

Jen off to Fortnum's then to meet NR in Kensington. I am staying in trying to recover. We are off to Ely tomorrow and don't wish to be this unwell. I shall soft peddle food today - eat very light. Last night's meal may have been too much for my system.

I do love the library here - I often work in the "silence library' - quiet, and clam atmosphere.

The Silence Library at O&C LONDON

There is a very elderly and frail gentleman I see around the club at weekends. I first encounter him in the morning bar having a coffee and reading a paper - this morning it was the FT. I also see him in the library and later in the day in the drawing room having an early tea.

I suspect the club is his haunt, particularly on weekends. Likely he has no family or not much family and the club is a life for him. I could think of worse ways to spend my declining years.

So last dinner at Club tonight. Bar populated by some at times typical colonial yobs - Oxford clearly. they can afford the fees but have none of the required poise or sophistication.

In the dining room a mixed crowed - some very polished Italians and then the provincial couple in from the provinces for some shopping and dinner at the club - the slightly overweight and not entirely attractive daughter in tow...

And so ends the visit to the O&C.

ENGLAND JOURNAL V

After a late night at dinner art CH's a late lazy morning sleeping in. Up at 10. Washed and dressed and out to café - St James - on Pall Mall. Had coffee then off to underground to Leicester Sq. This a big waste and mistake. In the time it takes to walk to Green Park Underground could have easily walked to Leicester Sq. Once there to Cecil Court to Patere3 Ellis books to pick up the Prynne book I had purchased in September. A very nice copy of his 1972 poems titled "Into The Day".

Poked about Cecil Court for a bit then walked back along Pall Mall to Club. Stopped here to drop our clobber and get a light lunch in the Bloomfield Room.

Refreshed we headed out to do errands at Fortnum's (tea for home) and Gift for Kat. I headed to Hatchard's whilst leaving Janet in the crush at Fortnum's. We meet up at the bookshop and walked towards Club to Berry Brothers. There I bought a btl. of a 2003 Sauterne as a gift for CC and SC. for when we go up to Ely Sunday.

We have tickets for the Picasso exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery for 6:30. Will have tea here then head to Gallery. Back here for a late dinner.

LATER

Exhibition was good. Not packed out which was the best feature.  I liked the early things but find it difficult to relate to his later portraits. I simply don't have the astatic to appreciate this art,

So walk back to club, change for dinner and dinner in Coffee Room - same menu as Wednesday. Had the duck and a wonderful bottle of Ch, Poujeaux 2000!

Club seems to have lost our laundry - but they promise to have it back by tomorrow morning. We shall see.

ENGLAND IV - SICKNESS STRIKES

BEING ILL


After spending an evening where I became increasingly crampy - got up to use bathroom and had loose BM. Came back to bed but got very nauseous. Threw up a bit. Back to bed but up over next few hours with cramps.  Feeling weak and light headed. Not at all well. Wondering if this due to scallops last evening - possible I suppose...

No Thanksgiving lunch - spent day in bed trying to recover. Finally by 5 felt well enough to go to tea and think about going to CH for dinner in Islington. Got car and went to CH. Survived by eating little and not having too much drink.

JG and RB at dinner. Amusing and fun as usual. Wines as usual also very good.

Mini cab back to club as I could not book Addison Lee -

Tomorrow to Peter Ellis to pick up book and run other errands.

ENGLAND JOURNAL III

PICTURES - London - Club Dinner

PM - Dinner at O&C tonight with SA, who I mentored and her BF JI. Both charming kids. She seems to have settled in at Imperial. Nice chat about past days at Harvard and research she is interested in.

ROH FOR MANON LESCAUT
YESTERDAY EVENING

HAMMERSMITH BRIDGE - LUNCH ALONG RIVER
WITH JR AND PO at The Dove