Unrelated to anything specific in the past few days, but thinking over the years, just how lacking in compassion the English upper middle classes can be. I am thinking, particularly of things like the huffing and puffing when someone kills themselves by throwing themselves in front of a train. I find it really distasteful how […]
In the clubroom
This morning everyone left, thank heavens, and the house is quiet again. The Gentleman Friend and I went to see a matinee of Blank at the Donmar Warehouse, first stopping at one of these newfangled food courts that seem to have erupted everywhere. Similar to Hutong at Lot 10, or a Singaporean hawker centre, I […]
Eyes
And so, in London. It is strange to return, as I’ve said a few times already. This house is soon to be sold, so when I leave I won’t return to it and, uncomfortable as it is, it is a beautiful house, one that I’ll miss. I was quite zonked all day, though luckily the […]
End of the road
Yesterday I spent the day working in a cafe near the house and didn’t stray far, getting increasingly worried about finishing (I didn’t manage to finish). Then off to the airport, where I couldn’t work on the plane either as the seats were far too cramped for a laptop. We arrived in the UK at […]
Cold, wet
I stayed in to work as I was running rather behind and the Gentleman Friend went off for what seems to have been a very muddy stroll as it was cold, grey, raining, miserable. In the evening we went out for dinner to a mediocre pizza, sitting at the bar where American football was playing. […]
Desperately sad
I am feeling really cast down about Brexit, really genuinely sad. Not that I have much affection for the country, but the dream of integration, open borders, cooperation, is one that I can care for. The other country which I care far more for, Pakistan, stabs me in the heart so often that I can […]
Journey’s end
My last day in latinoamerica (well actually tomorrow, but it will be entirely in latinoamerica’s airports) and it feels like the end of a journey. From tomorrow night till early February I’ll be in places I’ve called home at one time or another. Yesterday I met a family connection who had settled in Costa Rica […]
Old hat
The poor Gentleman Friend landed in Montreal to learn, at immigration, that someone with his passport has to have applied for travel authorisation before entering the country. All the countries seem to be doing this now, following the US lead, and while it’s pleasing that those breezed through immigration while the rest watched them, clutching […]
A bit of a surprise
Yesteday morning we left Puerto Viejo. At around 10 minutes after 8 a very large man arrived with a small 4×4. He was a jolly, friendly fellow albeit one gregarious enough that he kept whatsapping all the way to San Jose. At about two thirds of the way we stopped for a coffee, largely because […]
Shock, horror, terror
Much to our horror, the seller has almost accepted our offer – he’s given a strong indication that he’ll accept something only slightly above our offer, whereas previously he’d refused to even consider budging. This has put us in a tizzy and we’ve been talking about it all day, veering between a yes and a […]