Shepherd's Delight

It has been noted that GP and I have a similar relationship to Albert and Harold in 'Steptoe and Son'. Harold had social aspirations and was forever wanting to leave the rag and bone trade behind at Oil Drum Lane, in Shepherd's Bush, while I just want to get away for a holiday! Each time Harold mentioned that he was finally leaving, Albert would clutch his chest and whimper '..Aaaaarold! Me 'aaart!'.....

The past couple of days have been busy and I haven't really seen GP - in fact, I've just left shopping inside her front door and yelled upstairs that it was there. I was horrified when she telephoned and informed me that she'd tried out her car to go and buy fags, considering I was wheeling her around Tesco 2 days ago!

At lunchtime Ian left to catch the second half of the Morton match at Cappielow. I telephoned GP and invited her to join me for a cup of tea. I could hardly believe my eyes when I arrived at her home. She appeared at the top of her garden steps without so much as a stick and practically somersaulted down to my car! This made me wonder if the break had done us both her good.

J came over this afternoon to spend some time with H. She is so pretty that I couldn't resist taking a couple of pics. While they were watching the new Twilight film, I noticed that the sky had turned pink. I regret not jumping in the car and whizzing down to Riverside Drive to get a clear view. This will have to do. It was taken from the terrace, looking through the tree tops.

I received an email from Russ who's now in Beijing. He writes 'After a quick turnaround in the hotel, I am about to depart with a colleague to the opening ceremony of the workshop. Flying business class with Emirates was sci-fi luxury. There was even a bar to sit at and the seat reclined flat as a bed!'. I think I appreciated this for him as much as he did, as he rarely relaxes.

Russ carried out research on Chongming Island, Shanghai, for several months, a few years ago. Ian and Hamish visited and they travelled extensively. At one stage they were kept on-board a delayed flight for over ten hours due to a raging storm. Russ decided to arrange a sweepstake. He asked a packed cabin to write down when they predicted the flight would take off. There were many enthusiastic hands waving banknotes aloft. It replaced the frustration with a bit of fun and anticipation. Funnily enough, Russell won!!