Jan 26th

Woke up at about 3 o'clock and didn't get back to sleep. Had to get up as had lesson with A. Felt dire. Loaded D into car and set of to Audrey's, plan being to drop him to footie on way. Car was low on fuel last night and didn't realise H had bee doing so much running around in it. Consequently, about half a mile short of Dan's footie, the car spluttered to a halt. Embarrassing sitting on double yellow lines, blocking the pavement and being thus cursed by passing pedestrians. Fair dues to H though, she arrived in record quick time, and I was on my way.
Glorious day, beautiful sunshine lighting the Aylesbury Vale as A drove us over to Chinnor to practice Crossroads. She is doing very well, and is also good company. Being that much older than the average pupil, she tends to be a bit more in tune, is certainly less deferential, and often very funny.
Drop her off and get home. Still not feeling good. We are due out in the evening with S & P but I have to say I feel very queasy. Think about crying off, but its Chaing Mai and I really love the restaurant. Due to meet them in a cocktail bar, which sounds better than the usual grim pub next door.
Get the park and ride into Oxford and get a call from S. They are not in the cocktail bar, but will meet us in the Grapes. Damm! The cocktail bar had sounded cool. As I understand it P says S doesn't like it:--- too many people. Quellle surprise! She gives me directions which I don't understand. We walk half way across Oxford, pleasant in parts but infested with beggars and filthy with litter, trodden in Macvomits chips and empty kebab wrappers. Get to the pub, a jolly spot, but no S&P. Have a drink then they ring. Apparently it was the Grapes that was too busy for S and we should have met them in the dismal Chequers.
Run the begging/busking gauntlet again and eventually make the rendezvous. Order a Leffe. It's dished up in a warm half pint glass by a dopey, surly waitress. I am not feeling good.
The starters arrive and I don't enjoy them. Not feeling good at all. The mains arrive and look daunting. I pick at my fish but realise I am going to be ill if I eat. at first no one notices and I get a bit miffed. Then the penny drops. I get some sympathy then everyone dives into my food! I perk up a bit, feeling ok to chat but just can't face eating. Very odd.
P drives us home, general complaints about speed limits/ drink driving laws etc. These days of course I have moved to the other side of the fence on such matters, but am not going to start a row (and have no inclination to either. Apart from not being able to eat it's been a nice evening)