I totally overslept Body Pump again this morning... I really need to get my act together about getting to the gym!
Still I managed to make it out to the Angelsea pub in Kensington, where one of the Inter-Club regulars had arranged for us all to meet up for a relaxed Sunday afternoon pub lunch. It was funny when I arrived, as nearly everyone there had been a part of the crowd last Friday, so we all joked about "long time, no see!"
Jerrold (chap I'd spent so much time talking to on Friday) and Justin (American chap) were both there, but when we went in to sit down, I found myself down at the end of the table in front of the fireplace, inbetween Gordon and Leeza. All things considered, I could have done worse, so I was happy enough with the seating arrangement, but such a pity as I didn't end up getting to talk to Jerrold at all. Next time, I guess...
Overall, just an absolutely lovely afternoon. As usual, I just enjoy the company of these folks. We were all pretty hungry by the time food arrived, but really enjoyed the roast and chatted about all of the upcoming parties to go to.
At one point late in the afternoon, the conversation strayed onto the topic of one of Gordon's flatmates, a guy who has been in a long-term relationship for years. Unfortunately, a little over a year ago, I did not know that, but only knew the flatmate as this random drunken guy who was obviously up for some fun and was keen on me, on a night when I was feeling frisky. Now of course I lay all the blame at the feet of the flatmate, as I was single while he was not. Yet, no matter how you slice it, it does rather look bad that I hooked up with a guy in a long-term committed relationship (even if I didn't know it at the time). I always sort of wonder how much Gordon knows or remembers about that crazy drunken night, as he was there when the flatmate and I were making fools of ourselves. I still secretly hope that most of it went unnoticed, and that hopefully people were too drunk to remember anything, but when Gordon starts mentioning his flatmate and his flatmate's long-term girlfriend, I wonder if he knows. All I can say is, the whole experience reminds me of why with this crowd you need to follow 19th-century codes of behaviour, for my one foray into really letting loose almost ended disastrously. Perhaps he mentions it simply as a quiet admonishment, reminding me to behave myself...
I'd invited my friend Sara to come along, but she'd preferred to spend the day getting errands done. (I could say a few things about how she complains she doesn't meet enough new single men, but then turns down my invitations to come meet new people. But I'll let that one slide for now). She said she'd meet me at the pub at 5 PM, but at around that time everyone was wrapping up to go home or onto the Builder's Arms, another pub nearby. So I ushered them all on, assuring them I'd follow once my friend had arrived. Although apparently Sara got hugely delayed in traffic on the bus, but I didn't know it since I'd raced out of the house without my phone in the morning.
No matter, she arrived around 45 min late, but we managed to find a table at the pub and grab some quick dinner, and I figure I'll e-mail the rest of the group later explaining why I didn't show up at the Builder's Arms.
We then made our way onto the concert, which was held in the Chelsea Town Hall, a really beautiful venue. I always love how the town halls here are these grand buildings with chandeliers and great halls, much unlike the municipal buildings I grew up with just very dull town meeting rooms!
The concert was beautiful, and featured a young Spanish guitarist who was exceptionally talented. The orchestra was simply an amateur show, which you could tell sometimes when they attacked the notes (not quite as crisp as the pros would have done it), but it was still a nice enough evening out. I really should go to classic concerts more.
At the end of the evening, went out to catch a bus with Sara, but then realised that I'd get one that took me straight to my flat if I went just around the corner. Imagine my luck when the bus I needed was right there as I rounded the corner, but how unlucky that I didn't have enough money on my Oyster card! I had to pay the £2 fare in cash, and swore to myself that I would finally sign up for Auto Top-Up when I got home!!
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