Frizz

Although this seems to me like I should have been at the beech, it’s actually outside someone’s house. I went to a couple more houses with Anna and the goddaughter. We stuck to Richmond and went to BOT House and another nearby. I liked the latter because they’d mixed old and new, so it was softer and more homely, and I would have been quite happy to hang around until they chucked us out.

And then it was time for something completly different. A newly converted Mews house with an 8 metre long glass roof.

Described by Nikolaus Pevsner as “the finest terrace house of London” with “the grandest staircase and the grandest drawing room of any 18th century private house”.

This is where I hung out this morning. It’s as stunning as you might expect and it’s only a ‘one bedroom’ house - I couldn’t get over that. The top three windows are fake allowing for a high second floor ceiling, but there are actually two more floors at the back. It was built by William Kent for Lady Isabella Finch in 1745 and cost £6,453. In the 1960’s it was bought by John Aspinall and turned into a casino - no slot machines here, James Bond would fit in perfectly.

Ali came down south for the evening and we went for a lovely walk - Sandy had been begging to be taken out all day so was ecstatic when she realized the park was actually going to happen. I was a little worse for ware after trying to file over 2000 emails, only 711 to go - don’t ask.

Listening to Charlotte Gainsbourg 5-55

Recommending Curtis Sittenfeld Prep and Edwin Wintle Breakfast with Tiffany - gay uncle takes on ‘going off the rails’ niece.

I just have to say that I’m working at my desk and using my books and I’m online and it’s great. The only strange thing is that a builder is watching me. I was watching him before, but now he’s taking a rest and watching me, although he could just be asleep.

Just a reminder that Open House London is this weekend.

Just came back from seeing The Niece get an award for academic progress - so proud. Hence the Einstein quote from earlier; I was looking up quotes for a card for her, (she wouldn’t actually have appreciated the veggie one).

It was a whole evening; speeches, awards, music etc. The head teacher spoke so enthusiastically about the school and the students I was really impressed and all with fab ‘animal print’ heals on.

The guest speaker was Dame Judith Mayhew and a good part of what she said was on the importance and worth of taking up voluntary opportunities. I have been thinking about whether or not to go for such an opportunity that’s come up recently, so it was as if she was talking to me, strange how sometimes that happens and things seem to point in a certain direction.

Booker short list announced.

Nothing will benefit human health and increase the chances for survival of life on Earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet. (Einstein)