spoons and socks

 

BigA got me an appt and funny card along with gifts I really wanted. Actual soup spoons and socks. Might not sound terribly romantic but I really wanted both. He wondered if we should spend the whole day together but I sent him off to his frisbee, he is often happier after some sport. As the sun was shining for what felt like the first time in months I got out in the garden for some weeding and muck spreading. The primroses are coming through and there was one happy daffodil, I sat with the sun on my face for a bit and breathed in the (kinda) fresh air. I made soup. I enjoyed the satisfaction of chores done and then got ready for our valentine night out. We went for a lovely meal at an Italian place neither of us had been to before. We suspect the waitress had been recently employed as she really didn't have a clue about the menu and got several things wrong, but we were too in love, just enjoying our 25th year of dating so it didn't matter and she was very sweet and apologetic and we got an extra portion of aranchini, one of my must favourite Italian dishes. We then hiked up to Ali Pally for my perfect gift to BigA - seeing Stewart Lee. We laughed out loud almost constantly. BigA was very impressed. Poor Stewart had fallen victim to a valentine curse because it seemed the majority of female partners who had come along didn't find him very funny and the atmosphere was perhaps a little flat, well he kept mentioning where he normally gets bigger laughs. He sounded spookily like I do when faced with a uncomprehending class of year 9s. He literally said, I'm the same and I've done this for over a year. I wonder what's changed? You it's you. Ha. He sounded so like us exacerbated teachers and so I guffawed liberally at that bit. After we trotted down the hill for a final drink before getting home at very respectable time. 

At several points during the days leading up to Sunday I got a jolt of joy when I remembered that A would home. I just love having her around. I've made her food she loves but doesn't cook for herself, she's become quite accomplished at good nutritious food at uni but of course there's some things it's not quite worth bothering with, like roast potatoes and toad in the hole. M came over for pancake day and it was lovely to see them together again. My mate joined too and it was a lovely spread. I'd requested BigA do the pancake cooking so they turned out well. We tackled a jigsaw A and I had picked up at a charity shop when we dropped off some bags. 

All too soon A headed back to her other home and BigA and I took the cats to the vets for vaccinations and check over. All is well. 

At just mid week, we had a visitor staying over. We met at the Wagner's for their anniversary party. Katie didn't seem put off by me talking endlessly about myself that night and requested a catch up when she passed through London this week. So we headed out in the freezing rain to a favourite local pub, good value food - her request when I asked what things she misses living in Berlin. We talked and I did a very good job of doing some listening too. 

M has officially moved out and I gently asked about some of her stuff. There's now an empty draw for guests. I know she'll want all her stuff eventually - but for now it still feels very much her space. So it really is just the 2 of us and the cats. 

The end of the week was also quite pub based, I'm of course off the wagon but haven't yet let it run over me. 

And so ends the half term break and begins a very short term. For me just 20 days until I leave. 

Not long until Paris, I've been practicing my accent - it's terrible. 

Au revoir