Another Trip to Essex

It's been a busy, fun and extra-sociable weekend for me. After a wonderful get-together with several of my old school-friends yesterday in Old Leigh on the Essex coast, today I travelled to the far north-east of the Central Line near to Epping Forest for an at-home gathering hosted by my lovely work-mate Cheryl and her partner D. They laid on a fabulous lunch for us all, including a delicious trifle which may have had more than a little extra dash of sherry in it... <hic>

After lunch, Cheryl gave us a tour of the house, which they've only recently moved into. The biggest laugh of the afternoon was prompted by the sight of a chunky Sony Radio Academy Award trophy propping open a door (Cheryl is an award-winning radio producer). Much cooler and more nonchalant than displaying your BAFTA trophy in the downstairs loo, I feel.

And then we met Harry, Cheryl's newly acquired Bengal cat, who had been enjoying some quiet time in his very own attic room. He followed us downstairs and promptly settled himself on the back of the sofa, looking very fetching against the deep red wallpaper. Here he is scanning the out-of-reach patio outside for interesting things to investigate.

Thank you so much Cheryl, D and Harry for a hugely enjoyable afternoon x