Pardon? I didn’t quite catch that

That is what I have been having to say all week since waking up on Tuesday with my right ear blocked! Took myself off to the doctor and turns out it is all inflamed and swollen – hence the lack of hearing. Sympathise with all of those old dears out there that live with this on a daily basis, it really is annoying and wish I had a hearing aid I could turn up to 11! Hopefully the antibiotics they prescribed kick in soon – they are certainly knocking my system around but not fixing what they are intended for! Feel like the nerdy kid at school with ear medicine...ew.

Enough whinging. What have I been up to I hear the fans asking? Well it has been a funny couple of weeks – a few comings and goings but I have stayed put, merely a spectator to others exciting lives. Goodness I’ve turned into John Peel – I lie! I did have a weekend away last week – but more on that later.

Since I last wrote we had a flat warming for our new flat on Friday 22 September, combined with Jaden’s farewell who is now safe and sound back in the arms of Australia. We miss you Jaden!!!! The party was meant to start at The Woodbine, lovely little pub near the flat, and then move on to the flat as numbers dwindled (the flat is quite small so we couldn’t fit everyone). We ended up staying at the pub until close and starting the festivities around midnight! Was wonderful as we had the remaining Aussie contingency in force – Carmel, Pointi, Robbie, Jaden, Sian and myself. Had a lovely day following with the crew but was very sad when it finally came time to wave Jaden off in the cab… We really do miss you ya great big lanky lad!

Unfortunately James one was unwell and couldn’t make it but I carried him through the weekend in my thoughts. Spent the Sunday wandering aimlessly alone in the sun down Blackstock Rd and then got the bus to Angel to do the same. Was quite lovely actually.

The weekend that has just passed I went to Rugby in the Midlands to visit the sick one. The journey there was something else! Firstly there were no buses going up my road due to someone being shot! Nice. So I walked almost all the way to Highbury station and then got a bus to Angel (due to the tube being down at Highbury all weekend) and got the tube to Euston. From Euston you can normally get an express Virgin train all the way to Rugby – however due to engineering works you need to get a SilverLink train from Euston to Harrow & Wealsdon (sp??) and then a Virgin train the rest of the way. This was fine – except lighting had struck the track somewhere along the way and there were huge delays in the SilverLinks trains!

Somehow I made it there in one piece and enjoyed the peaceful surrounds of Rugby and the company of James. We watched TV (bit of a novelty as I don’t have one!) and went out for a few drinks at one of the local Rugby bars. The next day we had a great roast lunch at a pub formally owned by an Australian! It was absolutely lovely and I enjoyed the peace and quiet very much. Did not want to head back to the big smoke at all. But I did – got on a train back at around 6pm on Sunday after briefly meeting James’ parents, they are really lovely! Unfortunately the train was full to the rim and the only patch of ground I found to sit on was outside the toilet… I buried my head in NME and somehow got through the journey without crying.

The next night, Monday 2 October, was our Royal World Premiere of The History Boys. I have already bigged up this film in a previous post so I won’t bore you again with the details. But I was involved in helping put together the guest list for the event, writing the invitation and managing the RSVPs – quite a stressful but rewarding job! Prince Charles and Camilla attended the event – hence the Royal title. And it was AMAZING. I had another job to do on the night – before the film I had to sit in a little CCTV booth and point out all the Fox Execs and cast to the presenter who was reading a blurb over the airwaves while Princes Charles shook hands with them all. We were baffled about one stray in Royal Line-Up – the next day we found out he was dared £100,000 to sneak into the premiere and meet Princes Charles! It’s all over the news here 'Royal Security Scare' blah blah blah gee The Sun know how to write a good tale…

After I completed my task I was ushered down the stage by security right past the entire cast of the film (including Richard Griffiths & Frances De La Tour) and the director Nic Hytner and the writer – Alan Bennett!!!!! I nearly keeled over with joy as I think they are all so talented. I then sat down for the presentation and introduction of the cast etc., watched the film and then headed to the after party at Floridita. Didn’t stay too long but I did manage to squeeze through the crowd next to Alan Bennett *faint*. Please do me a favour and watch this film when it’s released in Australia.

So that brings us up to date, I’m leaving work in about half an hour to start the weekend quietly – heading home to an early night in bed with a good book! Currently reading London Belongs to Me, The History Boys play script and On Beauty. Not a bad combination but On Beauty is annoying me a little.

James is popping to London tomorrow and we are going to check out a new moving art exhibition called Kinetica and have a relaxing weekend.

One week till Scotland!!!!

Bye for now xxx