...Go West, in the open air'
Alroight my lovers? Look, 14 days have passed since my last post! How did I let that happen? Big apologies, quite unforgiveable. Life has been moving at a million miles an hour in those fourteen days and I think only one of those fourteen has involved staying in. It's been a whirlwind of dinner, drinking, parties, drinking, catching up with friends, drinking, karaoke and drinking. Whilst it's been tremendous fun and very enjoyable, it's done nothing for my waistline, my bank balance or my sleep patterns. Think this is how George Best started? As fun as life currently is, I'm beginning to look like Dale Winton, so one of those leaves of the new variety needs to be turned over, as I am 50% drunk and 50% knackered at the moment.
However, in spite of the frenetic period, I haven't forgotten my quests. Ladies and Gentlemen, I present Task 29 - Come and vist me in Bath (you bastard) - John.
John is one of my oldest and best friends. He and his wonderful wife, Ellen, rival the Casleys for the title of 'Most Intelligent Couple in the World'. Yet, in spite of having brains the size of small countries, they combine this with a humility, warmth and sheer daft-as-a-brushness which makes them instantly loveable. We've been friends for nearly 30 years and although we only see each other once or twice a year, seeing him is so wonderfully easy and instantly makes me feel 16 again. I always think of our English lessons at Sixth Form, where John would veer between making super-bright points and drawing pictures of our English teacher 'The Balloonatic' with various parts of his body up his bottom - not helped by the fact that for all his many skills and attributes, John (or 'The Cedilla' as I know him) is quite possibly the most piss-poor artist on the planet (sorry Cedilla). I would spend much of my time trying to stifle laughter, normally with a good deal of success (it was the drama classes); sadly this is John's other failing; he seemed to think that biting on his finger or holding an Arden Shakespeare immediately in front of his face would disguise the fact he was shaking uncontrollably and snorting! Unbelievably, that same teacher told my Mum at Parents' Evening, that John was a great influence on me?! Dread to think what would have happened with a bad influence?
So, last weekend, I headed off to Bath for two days and as always, had a thoroughly lovely break. We laughed - a lot - most of it led by total nonsense, just as I like it, and enjoyed great food (Ellen's hospitality is second to none) and lots of wine (surprise!). John and Ellen were, as always, exactly as I left them: amusing, hospitable and generally loveable in their beautiful home which exudes warmth and contentment from every brick. With both being / having been English lecturers (they're both Drs, don't you know!) they also have a veritable library which always fascinates me. I always secretly enjoy thumbing their Penguin Classics in their spare room (one of these days, they're going to catch me!
As anyone who knows me will testify, I regularly and openly champion London as the best city in the world. Granted, there are lots of places I haven't visited - Kabul may be lovely? - but as much as I love New York, Paris and Barcelona, nothing quite compares to what has been my home for the last 13 years and I can never envisage living anywhere else. Yet, whilst I can't reconcile the thought of not having London on my doorstep, I found myself being seduced by Bath's charms. Maybe I need to indulge in some proper human to human seduction, maybe it was being with one of my oldest and bestest friends, or maybe Bath really is that lovely. Whatever the reason, I found myself looking in estate agent windows and considering which area of Bath would suit me best. Not that I'm going anywhere yet, but for a fleeting moment I had a vision of a totally different life that may lie ahead of me. Bath is, quite simply, stunning.
As I headed back on the train to London (seeking flirting opportunities, as per Kate's instructions - none forthcoming, sadly) I realised that whilst generally in life I'm all a bit up in the air and a tad lost, those few hours with close friends were worth a gazillion drunken nights out. Now, if I can just hang on to that thought...
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