`I think I should understand that better,' Alice said very politely, `if I had it written down: but I can't quite follow it as you say it.'

Fortnum and Mason, Piccadilly, London
Originally uploaded by Geraldine Curtis.

The weather was not helpful in my photographic quest for another London subject, so without proper lighting, I had to decide on 'today's angle'. Hit upon shop fronts with the vague excuse that Lucy might be able to use them in her research into fashion buying, or something! Anyway, put together on Flickr, I am reasonably pleased with results. Unfortunately, by the time we got to the end of New Bond Street, Lucy's new umbrella was proving indispensable and it was clear that a winning photograph was not to be. It was at this point that I decided that we would head straight to the theatre and spend any time left over in a near-by coffee bar sampling the delights of a home-made muffin. Having split from 'the boys' earlier, I had kept the map of London, but not, as it was to prove, a clear idea of where the theatre was situated. Charing Cross Road, in my head had been misinterpreted as Charing Cross station, so those of you with a better geographic knowledge than me, will know I leading Lucy up (down?) he road to disaster. In the rain we passed Piccadilly, turned down Regent Street and across at Pall Mall and found ourselves at Trafalgar Square where preparations for the New Year's Eve celebrations were in progress. On to Charing Cross station and time for a quick call to see exactly which theatre we were due at. Now we would have been OK if it hadn't been for O2 messing up our mobile phone accounts last week - to cut a long story short, my bill had remained unpaid and as it turned out my phone was now barred. By the time I got through to Graham, using Lucy's phone it was well passed 3.30pm and a few expletives were exchanged when we realised where we were and where we should have been. Somehow, we managed to arrive at the theatre with about 6 minutes to spare, so that was early for me, eek!! The show, 'Blood Brothers' was thoroughly enjoyed by all, although I have to say I wish someone had warned me how emotional it becomes at the end and how I would be sure to need a handkie!!

Got soaked running for the train, but made up for it by having a superb meal at 'Frankie and Benny's' once we were back in Derby.