Saturday

The weekend has arrived, and we can enjoy a sleep in. We wandered up to Westfield and found a good spot for breakfast, our first one out.

We had a brief walk around the shops after breakfast, but it is nothing special, just another shopping centre. So, it was home for a few domestic things, mainly washing.

It is a stinking hot and humid day today, about 34 celsius, so what else would we choose to do other than play tennis at 1pm. Dani and John had issued the challenge for a tennis match which was agreed well before we left Aus and well before this heatwave. To add to the heat, the court was concrete and in the direct sunshine.

Now, who would be my partner ? Kirsty had a bit of a hit up and it became clear that Kate and Maggie were not moving from their picnic blanket in the shade. So, Kirsty it was, and didn’t she perform well. It must be 20 years since she set foot on a court, and her form was great. As she said, “body memory “.

After a close battle we went down 4-6, but it was epic. Dani and John were very happy to represent the UK and finally have a win over Aus.

After tennis we found a pub close by for a recovery beverage and lunch. It was then home for a rest before our Saturday night out. My rest involved being stretched out of the couch watching Australia defeat Georgia in the Rugby World Cup. It was even hotter in Paris, about 36 degrees, not great for Rugby.

Tonight it is James’s 60th birthday party. He is Kirsty’s cousin, and it was good fortune that we were in London for his birthday bash. A James Bond theme at their place.

The traffic to get there was terrible, so we were late, but not the only ones. It was fantastic to again catch up with John, Maggie, Dani and Jane and to see for the first time Pete and Ally, Tash and Freddie and of course James and Hilly. Quite a reunion. We are going to Pete and Ally’s on Sunday for a recovery !!

It was a fun party, plenty of cocktails and dancing…..in bed just before 2 am. A Sunday recovery is definitely in order. Happy Birthday James.