This morning

I got up before everyone else and got my things packed, before having the usual coffee and fags. It was almost time for me to leave, when my friend Nina's other daughter offered to take me home tomorrow instead of my leaving today. Unusually I accepted and am very happy to have been offered.
Last minute arrangements are most unsettling for me. I feel a bit odd for having stayed, although my hosts are very gracious. There are several people in the house at the moment, so I'm staying in the front room for a minute until I feel able to join in any conversation. I'm glad to be here though.

Sleep

I had more of the menacing travel dreams and woke up lots of times before getting up at half past eight. I suppose the coach trip had been weighing on my mind. I haven't got a hangover, although I feel like I have had a drink or two.

The weather

Yesterday it rained a fair bit and remained chilly all day. Of course the weather forecast was wrong again, for a change. Last night people came in one after the other to put on extra clothes, or to drape themselves in blankets or sheets. The scene reminded me of a disaster movie.
It looks like it's about to rain, although it feels warmer than yesterday.

Yesterday

The wedding was a very happy occasion, and the turnout was good. Afterwards we all re-grouped at the couple's house for the reception. The food, drinks etc were all outside, and most people sat at tables in the huge garden. I stayed in the front room, talking to people as they came and went. It was nice to see people I haven't seen for a long time. Too long if you ask me. I'll have to do something about that from now on. I went to bed delightfully sozzled at a quarter to eleven.

Today

When I got up I could see that it had rained heavily during the night. Heavy grey clouds are rolling in over the hills, but there is warm sunshine, so I expect the clouds will disperse before too long.
I think I'm going for a walk this morning. I do wish people wouldn't fuss though. I don't mean my hosts. It's difficult to settle down when someone is fussing un-necessarily.
Then there's the wedding this afternoon. I'm looking forward to that. I know there will be lots of people, but I'll pace myself. I know some of the guests and am looking forward to seeing them.

Last night

It was really lovely to see people again after such a long time. We had dinner in the garden (actually the garden is almost the size of a park). I turned in quite early, tired after all the travelling. The bed was really comfortable. I had lots of strange dreams about travelling, but don't remember waking up during the night, before getting up about a quarter to seven.

The journey

We set off at about twenty to nine and drove down a roads, so as to avoid all the traffic congestion on the main roads. On the way we stopped at a National Trust property, a beautiful Georgian building built of red sandstone, with a Lancelot 'Capability' Brown garden. We went on the guided tour of the gardens, and that in itself was worth the visit. The interior of the house was a bit disappointing except for the following things; a Kirkmann harpsichord dated 1786, an Erard piano dated 1913 with a quasi-1830s case, a map of Birmingham from the 1730s, and some original eighteenth-century dresses.
The drive itself was very good, as was the weather, and we reached our destination some time after four o'clock.