We set off with whiskey and flowers in hand to visit Lynda and Dave in Southsea. Maggi drove in her car and we arrived just about midday.
On arrival we saw the state of Dave’s knee and the bruising on his leg following the operation a week earlier. In the space of a couple of months Dave has had both knees replaced. He can stand and walk about with crutches. The crutches prevent him walking far which suits him. He has never liked going for a walk. We had the full story of the operation and how the NHS compared to his private experience. We seem to forever talking about illness with our friends and family these days.
We had a nice salad for lunch with a bottle of wine or two. I would have been happy to had a few moments of shut eye but the girls insisted we go out. Dave and I lagged behind and he explained to me all the new building works the council are undertaking on the seafront. I didn’t realise but he is heavily into the affairs of the local council, and that he writes to them from time to time.
Back to Stanley St for a short time and then out again to a fairly newly opened wine bar. Here we met their friends Jo and Jason and we consumed a lot more alcohol. Jo remained quiet throughout the two hours at the place. The same couldn’t be said for Jason.
Both couples visit the establishment regularly and as big drinkers the owner is always pleased to see them. In the 90 minutes we spent there we drank at least 3 bottles of wine and the other boys had a couple of beers. Jason a top dog at IBM has lived all his life in Southsea, but the couple are off to USA for 18 months for work.
We parted company from the two Js and headed back for our evening meal and more to drink and the Olympics on the telly.
On the Sunday morning Lynda took a fairly early morning swim accompanied by Maggi while Dave and I sat in the house talking mostly about digital technology until we set off for the rendezvous on the new promenade. Lynda had arranged to meet Beckie Fisher with Matt and Bex at The Bryny an upmarket cafe. We all arrived roughly at the same time for our breakfast.
Bex always seems aloof and not involved to me and she appeared the same today. Beckie on the other hand had plenty to say, much consisted of direct or implied criticism of Lynda. I had the full English Breakfast which fulfilled its promise. To our surprise Lynda surreptitiously paid for everyones meal which was exceedingly generous of her.
The two Beckies left to go for a chat while Matt came back to the house where we all had another drink and a chin wag in the garden before we sauntered off home just about 1 pm.