under another sun

Off to London this morning to meet Bob, as he put it 'under the usual lion' in Trafalgar Square. On the train I spoke to Mum, and very sadly she had to have Felix put down, as he was very ill. Wynford went with Mum to the vet, and was really helpful. I sent him a text to thank him. Mum obviously very sad. Bob and I had a lovely day. We lurked near the National Gallery, and a coffee, and then after going through the market that has sprung up on the edge of Trafalgar Square,  we went into the National to see a small exhibition by Joseph Wright of Derby. It was an example of Tenebrism, paintings showing people lit only by the light of candles, or in one case the light of a white hot poker, and everything falling back into darkness. A thin exhibition to be honest, and Bob and I knew one of the main exhibits which is in the permanent exhibition. But still fascinating and thought provoking. Then back into the Trafalgar Square where we bought two bratwurst hot dogs from a German sausa...

Up to Edgware today. Fairly untroubled drive, and arrived early. A quick conference about where to eat with Mum and Mas, and we decided on The Waggon and Horses, which is almost due North of Mum's house, on Watling Street as the Roman marches. A decent Sunday roast there and a couple of pints. Mum and Mas paid for me as an early birthday present, and got me a pudding of apple pie (one of the allowable puddings, a pudding that is not a bourgeois frippery of a dessert, but a decent upstanding thing). An enjoyable meal Mum saying that she doesn't like it when Felix one of the cats sleeps on her face because she doesn't like to share her air with a cat. It had been a week of medical tests for Mum, and Mas still awaiting a date for his consolation and by-pass. Mason up and making friends with the new owners. Lorraine and I left at teatime, after Lorraine had helped join up the video player with the new TV so that both videotape and DVDs would play. We arrived home in time to...