I headed to Heathrow Terminal 5 at lunchtime on Friday to pick up Alex, Greg Sadie and Carrie from their flight from Seattle. I was greeted by big hugs from Sadie and Carrie. We had to wait for Greg who had brought his golf clubs with him.
We managed to stuff the clubs and all the bags into the Tesla for the journey home, although Greg had to carry a rather large hand baggage on his knees.
We played around and Maggi provided the necessary catering as she always does. I provided the backup cleaning operation.
On Saturday I stepped out for a walk while Alex travelled into Harrow to see HSBC to sort out some issue with the bank. In the afternoon I drove the youngsters over to Black Park, near Fulmer so they could have a go on GoApe. They all took part despite the heavy rain while I went and found a cafe for a cup of tea and failed on the Times soduko.
In the evening Sean, Sheila and Rory from no. 38 came over for a meal with the rest of us. Maggi cooked a delicious fish pie with an apple accompaniment. Sean brought over 2 bottles of wine and a bottle of Bushmills Whiskey. Far too generous.
I felt like an old man as the conversation buzzed between everyone. As I thought of something to say about one topic before I could utter a word the conversation had moved on to another subject. I felt quite out of it and probably how my mother felt when we were all talking together.
On Sunday Greg, Sadie and Carrie all left early. I was eating breakfast and the next thing I knew they had left without saying goodbye. I felt a little bit left out again. What am I doing wrong? I need to become more involved.
At 9:30 Maggi became Alex’s taxi service and took her Heathrow with her and Greg’s bags. I had a walk.
Maggi met me on the way back and then we went to town. We surfaced at Green Park, walked along Piccadilly and then popped into the Royal Academy to see the Summer Exhibition. We didn’t stay long and we’re not particularly impressed by the show. Maybe we have just seen it all before. There were more Norman Akroyd etchings selling for £900 a print. They are so similar to the ones we bought 20 years ago. Don’t artists become fed up with repeating themselves.
We then visited Cotswold outdoor shop for Maggi to buy gear for our holiday in Crete.
We ate at Fishworks. I had a vegetarian spaghetti dish which was ok. Maggi didn’t like her seafood pasta. I am sure we won’t go there again.
We then took the tube onto Covent Garden which heaved with people to visit other outdoor establishments for further purchases for Maggi. When finished we made our final expedition of the day when we arrived at Vue Finchley Road. We had booked for the latest blockbuster, Oppenheimer.
The 3 hour film is too long. It is filled with gratuitous noise and flashing lights to represent his thoughts and misgivings. The story is told by flashing backwards and forwards from his cross examination for un-American conduct (having Communist sympathies) to his youth and his work during the war directing the Manhattan Project. While I didn’t fall asleep I don’t think the film merited the publicity hype.
