How was your day? (Random off topic chat)

Well that's just nonsense. Children shouldn't be let out of the house in the first place. It's bad enough that, apparently, we aren't allowed to use them to pick out weeds from the garden with their little hands anymore so people who have children should be taxed heavily as punishment. That should help towards funding the NHS anyway. I think we should also be allowed to shun people with children in polite society too.

Oh and people with long hair shouldn't be allowed to stand near an open window on the train or tube, particularly when it's busy. I really don't want your nasty split ends brushing up against me and you really don't want to be next to me when I take a pair of scissors out of my bag and pretend I'm a hairdresser. Going anywhere nice on your 'olidays love?

There's LOADS of eateries near the Palladium, it's basically slap-bang in the middle of Oxford Street. Like, I think there's a Five Guys literally right next door? The usual kind of lunchy places are just off in the direction of Carnaby Street, or there's a Vapiano off in the other direction, I'm VERY fond of Vapiano. I don't know how casual/fancy you were thinking though?

Woken this morning by the sound of thunder and rain, never thought I'd be so pleased to be able to write that !

If you're travelling with LNER via Yorkshire, you should probably check your train is still running ASAP. Many are not. Sorry to be the possible bearer of bad news.

A man after my own heart. (Almost) nothing should come between a man and his pint!

Seems you've been lucky. It's complete chaos up here.

In Manchester. Today consisted of a Travelodge breakfast (they were the cheapest! Regretted the decision as soon as I saw the location last night, regretted it even more this morning at breakfast), then a walking tour of Manchester (rather good - though faaar too hot for it). Then food in a place the guide recommended that was not worth the hike to find it (it’s only 8 minutes walk - if you know where you are going) and a tortuous trip from the centre of town to the Lowry. I am not quite sure why I find trams so hard to figure out but this one didn’t stop where it said it should!

But I now have tea, blessed air conditioning, vegan apple pie, and an hour to kill before Dusty starts so I am not moving!

I'm in LA at the moment and went out to breakfast this morning, during which my coffee cup was refilled four times by the waitress. The same would have happened if I'd ordered iced tea or, indeed, a coke. Why is it only in America that these free refills occur? I know that every time I have to pay for a second cup of coffee in London (or anywhere in Europe) I resent it.

I saw a couple in full Pirates of the Caribbean costume while I was walking to the cinema yesterday, clearly Saturday night is peak fancy dress party time...

Having listened to Marianne Elliott on Desert Island Discs earlier, I've just found myself watching her mother talking about her role in Carry in Teacher! Clearly I've had a productive day..

Hamilton last night with my sister, stayed in a hotel where we talked until the early hours. Home midday, The thought was a nice walk with the dog and a kip on the sofa afterwards. Reality, while gleefully picking early blackberries the bitch -because that is what she is - has run off into brambles next to the school for lost tennis balls. I'm alerted to the smell of, well, sh*t .. Check my boots, then check the bitch who has dabbed said substance on and around her ears. Her face ---- and her tail is matted with brambles and nettles. Reluctantly put her in the car, windows open race home, get the hose on her. Can't find rubber gloves, can't find scissors. My 91 year old neighbour lends me scissors so I can get the brambles and nettles cut out while the bitch tries to bite me.
She's still got stuff stuck in her tail, I've come out in a rash from the stinging nettles, and I've got to give the car a proper clean tomorrow when I feel less delicate.

So disappointed! Was hoping this was normal for Manchester.