London. There is a very nice train which leaves just after 10 and gets me to the Capital in time for a late lunch.
Arrived sufficiently early Station Cafe to breakfast today and the refrigerated section contained 2 of my very favourite things. – Coronation Chicken sandwich and an Apple Tango. There is a God.
Much later at Paddington while waiting for the 2103 hrs after intense Memorial service experience discovered fabulous bar/ pub called “Cabin’ where they sell Taittinger by glass. Damned expensive but so very worth it.
The memory of the daughter of the Deceased, starting her address composed and self assured then dissolving into shaking sobs while delivering her wonderful tribute, will stay with me for a long time. The woman Rabbi had to get up and comfort her at the Lectern.
Determined not to cry but felt tears trickling down despite best efforts. There can be few more distressing sights than a young person facing an untimely bereavement.
On a lighter, or perhaps paler note, it was a reunion of many old University Muckers and a chance to compare notes, or perhaps more realistically, outfits and figures.
Shocked to see one of the Class of…….. (date to be guesed at dear Reader) who was the greatest beauty of our year has allowed herself to go…gulp…. completely grey.
Her hair is still thick and well cut, her face still lovely and smiley but oh! The terrible grizzled helmet, cross between Teresa May and Christine Lagard.
Not sure what was most shocking about this – the terrible suspicion that I would possibly be as grey as her if cast away on a desert island or the realisation that one can never, ever give up on hair dyeing. It just is never a good look.
Lets face it, the last person in public life ever to be allowed to go grey was Barbara Bush.
The River Files 