Old friends at the Marina

Off to see the Sassarini at Brighton Marina today. Plan A was to bus there, but the buses were oddly doomed today, so we had to drive.

We met Mike outside Asda and went on a ramble around the Marina with him, walking through area's I'd never noticed before. Mike in good shape, apart from having had sciatica in his leg, which precipitated a fall on his knee, so he was hobbling about somewhat. Mike recovering from a ghastly period of work difficulties, and people reneging on payments and so on. 

They had a really nice apartment, and it was lovely to see Zina again. Back from Russia after her first visit to see relatives in many years. I asked her about the Russian perspective on Ukrainians, given that her family is partly Ukrainian. She said the Russians think they are cheeky, which made me laugh.

While we were together, Toby called me, and of course he wished he was with us.

Zina laid on an amazing spread of food, and cooked delicious chicken wings, coated in special rubs with exotic spices. Mike on good form. His mother is coming to stay with him, with a view to living nearby. They are coming around to see us soon. 

Nice to see them, but am cursing my low energy. 

Spoke to Toby later, and texted Mark Hartley, whose birthday it is today, and Oskar lad, whose birthday it was recently too. 

Below a splendid view from the Sassarinis apartment.