Seven Went to Lunch

Storm Dylan blew us all the way to Merchiston for lunch with two of the school friends I have had since I was nine a husband a partner and a brother
We had a wonderful afternoon of conviviality such as is possible in the company of lifelong friends. The food excited the tastebuds and the wine loosened the tongues.

By the time we left after 5pm.Dylan had exhausted himself and a bus appeared before we got hypothermia.
The city is wide awake, crowded and on target for a busy Hogmanay. His Lordship and I are expecting David and Luca to pop in soon for some warming soup and mince pies before they join the throng bringing on New Year. We may or may not last until the bells, but I’m expecting the house to reverberate to the fireworks whether we are in the lounge or the bedroom.

My happiness on this last day of 2017 was marred by the news sent to me by Magpie that Blipper ASG has died at far too young an age. I have followed his journal during the years he spent with security in Afghanistan and later when he returned home and fought to get access to his beloved daughter Poppy. He was such a lovely young man and I enjoyed seeing his blips of Poppy growing up and the life they carved out for themselves. I feel devastated for that wee girl, left without such a wonderful father. Life is so cruel at times.