Browsing the Bookshelves

Yesterday was one of those days which makes me want to upsticks and move out of the city. Having dragged - almost literally - a very unwilling husband out of bed and into the car in good time to reach the riding stables for a mid-morning ride, we proceeded to travel at something less than a mile an hour. A road closure in Streatham caused tailbacks which were in danger of reaching Outer Mongolia.  Just 3.9 miles from our destination we had to concede that we had no chance of getting their on time. So we turned round and came home where consoled myself with the thought that I could at least now have the time to clean my boots. Of course I didn't do it, but it was nice to think that I could.  London is at its very worst when the traffic brings life to a halt.

The England match (England 1, Paraguay 0) almost passed me by, but it was nice to hear that they had won.  And I like to see all the flags fluttering in the breeze, engendering a real sense of engagement which is so often missing from London life.

The evening, and a second attempt to reach Wimbledon for a BBQ at the stables. This time the journey was as smooth as cherry pie. The punch was sweet and kicking and sitting around the stables, chatting to old and new friends and munching hotdogs and whole roasted mushrooms, was a pure delight. Perhaps we won't leave London just yet...