south

I have returned from the 2010 leg of my sort-of-annual tours of the south! Very comforting to see so many people who I love and to have such jolly times.

Sunday and Monday were Smartie days, involving a delicious Sunday lunch, an amazing fry up of bacon grill and sausages and spaghetti from a tin, Black Books, Monsters Inc, Hercules, walks round parks, radio 2 lie-ins, and JOHN BARROWMAN at the Albert Hall. He was stunning. Songs included 'The Doctor and I' (adapted from Wicked's 'The Wizard and I'), a version of the Spiderman theme tune including Wonder Woman, Copa Cabana, Memory (M and I screaming NOOOOO from the balcony, then ringing Nikki to allow her to experience the horror live), a song dedicated to his parents who came and danced on stage then made some inappropriate remarks, an Owl City cover, and a duet with Jodie off of the Nancy program who was also fabulous. Tuesday and Wednesday were Harri days, involving SNOG frozen yogurt, delicious thai lunch and slightly tipsy Nando's dinner after an afternoon of pubs and different beers and wine with Emi, Mistresses and radio 4 stories ('it's definitely Jenny Agutter!'), Les squared, cocktails in the village, waking up to cake, Mr Crusty's burgers and St Peter, giggling and pork scratchings.

Thursday was K-dawg day, involving Hamish, Charlie and new friend Harvey, Bicester village and clothing bargains, edging round a very expensive bike in Henry's room, Nigella and River Cottage and Law & Order (yum to all three), Commonwealth games, walkies and tea.

Friday was Jones, Salter and Butler day, involving dinosaurs and left luggage, Pret sandwiches, Natural History and V&A love, famous actor spottings, dressing up at the thesp exhibition, Harri's arrival with a cake. Life is a laugh. Friday evening to Monday morning were Trots days, involving Sainsbury's cola and vodka ('no fancy packaging. just vodka'), DJ Pat, got me Clarks, presents, birthday love, reservoir walks, twitching and sneezing dalmations, dressing up, Brighton dinner in a ship's dining room, surly waiters and other people's parties with scones, walking in heels, train home with school children at midnight, kitchen lash and introductions to grappa, spaz pipes and Mr Smiley, Sunday brunch with Nikki's muffins (dirty) and Helen's lemon curd, sunshiney walks in the fields, pub and girl pork scratchings, banter from Hadi and Irish, goodbyes, Eat Pray Love, and early trains home. Lots of piggy love. Happy.