Carl returns to his homeland

Friday. Sprang out from bed having slept well and set to work. At lunch sloped off to the gym for the first time in ages, and gingerly did a bit of the hulk legs machine and the treadmill. Utterly hideous job given me this afternoon, to do referencing on material about heart attacks.

Once I'd had enough of this up to the Smoke to meet Carl and Bob. Met Carl with Jayne and Ellie, and the old Mad dog at Euston. Spent a couple of hours chatting with Jayne and Ellie, whose twelfth birthday it was today. I was particularly pleased to find that Ellie is a delightful, funny and intelligent girl. I'd not seen her since she was a little thing.

Then Carl and Bob and I sloped off to have a few beers and shoot the breeze. Carl pacing happily into his childhood turf south of Euston. Really great night, and just like old times. Pleased to see Carl looking well and in good shape, Bob a little frazzled as it was his birthday this week and his workmates had taken him out the night before. As tradition dictates we had a random curry and Bob and I caught a taxi to Victoria station. I wish we could all meet up like this more often.

Cab driven by a fop so we arrived just in time to miss the train and had to wait till 1.00am to catch the next one. Bob and I talking to a lady who worked in HR in a casino on the way home.

Arrived to find Lorriane fast asleep on the sofa at 2.30.

Below Jayne, Carl and Ellie.