No photos today, just random thoughts spilling forth from my tired little mind.

Work Shmirk
Just finished the migration of our online learning software to a hosted solution in Amsterdam (which my boss got to visit - I missed out!), as well as the simultaneous upgrade to the most recent version of the (very bug-riddled and possibly should not have been released yet) software. Thier helpdesk knows who I am now. It's been making my working life very challenging. But at least the migration and upgrade are out the way and I can return to my two fulltime jobs (a colleague is on maternity leave and I've landed her work).

Christening
We celebrated little Amelia's christening on Sunday, which was really really lovely. She wore a silk hand made gown that is over 100 years old and has been passed down the Bell family. She is such a good little baby, so easy going and very very smiley! I also got to cuddle and play with Freddie too, who just loves to be whizzed through the air and hung upside down! He's a little love, just gorgeous. Thomas and Arthur were my usual favourite little cherubs too - I sat next to Arthur in church while he drew 'Prince Rabbits' (stick figure rabbits holding a sword!) before he got bored and tried to crawl under Stu's legs to get to Thomas! Hilariously, right at the end, when Steph, Hamish, Amelia and the priest were standing on the steps at the front of the church for final prayers, Thomas legged it in front of the entire congregation to the other side of the church, then back again!! Arthur was a little more canny - he ran all the way down the side aisle to the back then up to the front on the other side aisle! No photos from the day, as I forgot the camera.

Cat & Bird
There is a lovely green finch currently helping himself to the black sunflower seeds I have in my feeders. I know our visiting kitty would love to eat him! It's been warm so we left the balcony door open one night, and woke up to find Cat fast asleep at the foot of the bed! It's just like owning your own cat, but without the responsibility!

We stink!
We've not had any cold water in our shower (the tap is broken) since Monday, and the landlord hasn't sent anyone to repair it yet. NOT impressed. I've turned the hot water system all the way down but it's still too hot to have a proper shower. I don't have any tools to fix the tap myself or I would. Besides, we're paying substantial rent and that's what landlords are supposed to fix! (NB - we have been having baths!)

Young American in London
We had a lovely dinner in China Town last night with Josh from Miami who Stu and I met at a club a few weeks ago. The very very young Josh (I'm getting old)! Studying politics at Florida State University, living life to the absolute full, and likes single malt whisky! A very independent traveller (which surprised me, I have certain biases about Americans and he shattered all of them!), interested in the world and in seeing and experiencing it. Very inspiring.

Polka Purgatory
If I hear any more sodding polka music I think I'm going to commit death by piano accordion. I am sure they play polka in purgatory. Polish people have moved in next door and even though they have a perfectly gorgeous little garden at ground level, they sit on the balcony right next to ours and play sodding, cursed, damned polka! It's now right up there with the bagpipes in my 'music I detest' basket. And please, no defences of the bagpipes. They are not emotive or stirring. They are noisy screeching windbags!

Books I have read and recommend
Reading Lolita in Tehran
The Tipping Point
Three Brunetti novels by Donna Leon (all set in Venice)
Andy McNab's latest (I don't do Mills & Boon, I do SAS fiction!)
Air Babylon (don't p*ss the people off at checkin)
A Tom Clancy
Merde Actually
And some others, which I forget right now...!