Tuesday to Thursday 29 to 31 July

Into London again to collect the dinner suit and cocktail frock from Jamie Cubitt and buy him lunch at a surprisingly good and reasonably priced restaurant. Some spicy tacos and a decent glass of red. Then straight back home on train and tram.

Wednesday and we are again off to London to Fleet Street and the Old Bank of England building which is now a half decent pub. Here we catch up with Warren, Tammy and Miykala and Alyssia as well, for a celebratory lunch coinciding with the family dinner at Gimlet, Melbourne for Joanne’s 40th birthday. Despite a dodgy internet connection and loud noise from the Gimlet crowd, we managed to touch base and toast the birthday girl.

Thursday is a home day and the weather has turned cool and some light drizzle. Lady P takes Bruno for a long walk to his favourite café, where he gets doggy treats. We are currently sitting on 70% free accommodation since leaving Melbourne. However, the cost of living in NZ is astronomical; the US is OK except you add 20% to all bills for tips then, like France, you get about fifty cents to your dollar. The pound is even stronger. Prices are roughly the same as Australia – in pounds. Best not to convert!

I don't think my barber's name was Arthur.
Lunch with Jamie.

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