We strolled once more through Cricklewood on our way westwards towards Willesden, there to have dinner with a couple of our acquaintance and their children. It was not the most enlivening meal, as one of the children was recently diagnosed with a congenital condition that will require major surgery, as well as a less major condition that may need years of treatment. Moreover, both parents were recently bereaved and were struggling with subsequent tensions within their families. The children were very sweet and put on a truly terrible performance of a Beatles song, and then conducted an extended dinnertable conversation about Lancaster bombers. Meanwhile one parent barely said a word and looked like they might crumble at a touch, while the other looked exhausted and barely able to endure the meal.
Our travel plans are more or less firmed up now, at least in broad outline. From next month we will be in Lebanon, starting in Beirut which has to be one of the great romantic cities of the world.