To Hampstead

To Hampstead this morning. A smooth journey, did a little writing on the train, and read a couple of entertaining chapters of Headlong Hall by Thomas Love Peacock.

A star spot: Romy Madley Croft (of the group The XX) getting up from a seat near me as the train pulled into St Pancras. 

Walked up from West Hampstead tube to to meet Toby and Mum in the cafe in Waterstones in Hampstead proper. After a coffee we decided to hop up the hill to The Holly Bush, a pub I've not been to since deep in the twentieth century. We had some lunch there and a drink, and it was all very pleasant. First time we three had been together since August 23. Toby bought us lunch there which was kind of him. We walked back to Hampstead Station, but the trains were kaput, so we had to bus to Swiss Cottage where Mum went north to Stanmore, and Toby went south to see Mike Sassarini. I had a smooth journey from West Hampstead to Seaford -- with no wait between trains longer than five minutes.

Home and Lorraine's old pals Andrew and Rachel -- pals from her Essex days -- were here having spent the afternoon with Lorraine. Beth was just leaving as I arrived. Lorraine rustled up a cheeky stir fry for the rest of us before Andrew and Rachel made off promising to return, and I boofed contentedly onto the gold sofa.