So hot!

One way to keep cool. This was this morning. By the afternoon the fountains were full of children and they were no longer dodging the water, but getting very, very wet.

This time last year we went with our daughter and her husband to find the Lavender in Provence. Today we went to the Southbank Centre to listen to various authors during the Man Booker 50 Festival. An excellent, very entertaining, discussion involving Peter Carey and Julian Barnes. Then a fascinating one between Kazuo Ishiguro and Michael Ondaatje.

Football yesterday, books today - we like to ring the changes to suit everyone. And we always eat well - superb Italian restaurant last night. It certainly helps being with people who know London so well. And they’re great company as well.

They have now returned home to rescue the dog. We are still here, with more book stuff to come.

It doesn’t get any cooler.