1984

Saturday started with a house tidy and trip to the tip - it is satisfying to get rid of stuff. I'm sure we could be even more ruthless but at least a boot full went this time. I can't bring myself to get rid of bed sheets and duvet covers - but honestly I've counted them up and we have 11 double sets - with mostly non-matching pillow cases galore - we have 4 beds and 2 sofa beds. Will we ever actually need 11, let alone the couple of single ones knocking about too? 

Then A (who did an early shift) and I headed to The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama for an open day. It was very interesting and she really likes it. I did my PGCE there and so it was nice to go back and see the place, which I didn't ever really do much of because you don't really spend much time at university when doing teacher training. We headed home to a very well decorated house and to get the last bits ready for the party. There was a real mix of people - loads of teenagers - frisbee people and a smattering of people I know. It was lovely though, it was really fab to see some people I really love getting on so well too. Friend matchmaking. The night was a mix of talking and a bit of singing too. 

I didn't sleep brilliantly, so I got up much earlier than I would have liked, and after a rather epic cleanup and tidy, an attempt at another sleep and then more tidying, MandD arrived. We headed out for lunch at The Hub and saw A in action, coping well with a busy day as the sun was shining, and I'm sure she got even less sleep than me. It's a very pleasant spot on days like that. The visit was of course to see us but also to get the garden a bit sorted. It's still looking very colorful, the autumn not yet hitting too hard. We also went out for dinner with them and Dan to the Polish place near turnpike Lane. I had a delicious lamb dish, swimming in a creamy sauce. I'd learnt from last time and didn't go for a starter and I still couldn't finish the plate. We all very much enjoyed it, a different type of food from anything we might make at home, and nourishing too. Monday was a little more grey and we had pastries at the Portuguese Cafe round the corner before a simple lunch and bidding our goodbyes. 

The girls are spending time away from too much study and M has been seeing her dad and other family too this week. They are both benefiting from actually properly studying in year 12. They are not doing what the vast majority of A-level students have to do, which is to catch up on everything from that year as well as the learning from this one. Both have their UCAS forms in and both, I'm sure will do really well. Although neither want to talk about that right now, the reality of it is a little intimidating I think. 

I reached out to a friend of a friend we met at our house party. He plays guitar and in a drunken moment I played the recordings of and sang along to some of mine and Daren's songs. It still feels so strange to acknowledge that we won't ever be able to do it again, I don't quite know how I feel about the tribute night at the end of November, I listen to the songs I'm supposed to be singing for it - not my kind of music really, but that's not what the night is about. 

BigA and I went to a late evening immersive production of 1984 on Wednesday. I've seen better versions but it was good to see some live theatre. We then went for a drink together and had some delicious tacos. Turned out to be a bit of a date night which was really lovely. We talked about life and have agreed to hold off on a few things while we find out what BigAs work situation will be over the next few months, because the contract runs out soon. 

I'm enjoying this extended half term - A and I are doing something each day to get us out of the house. Wood Green on Wednesday, and art gallery on Thursday, Friday was the big shop and A finished off coursework and BigA did more DIY.