We'd thought about going down to the City to see the golden coach and procession - parade really - for the new lord mayor of London, but we wouldn't have been back in time to see qualifying for tomorrow's Formula 1 Grand Prix, and it's the last race of the season. Besides, we get quite a good view of the parade, commentary included, on TV. And then of course there's qualifying itself - with Vettel on pole for the race tomorrow and the championship up for grabs. We barely see the final result before it's time to leave for Jenny and Doug's.
Out by train to Thames Ditton to visit the extended Clarke family. Emma and Giles and little Jasmine are staying with Jenny and Doug while their house is being remodelled. Doug takes Joe over to see the renovations of their place and also Laura and Nathan's loft conversion. A more than full time job for him, as well as plenty of work on the parts of Giles and Nathan. Jenny's mum is there and Laura and Nathan arrive with the three boys. Cody and Jasmine aren't babies any more. Cody is quite a self-sufficient little nearly two year old with a sweet smile - and a tendency to put things he finds in the bin, including, Nathan fears, his missing wedding ring. Jasmine, a few days younger, is very chatty now, explaining that Daddy is in their "holey" house - uninhabitable as the construction is still in progress. She's missed her afternoon nap and is tired enough that she suggests brushing her teeth - the usual preliminary to bedtime. Jenny brings in fish and chips from the neighbourhood shop and there are thirteen of us round the enormous dining room table and much laughter.
Home by train with a borrowed guide to Tunisia in hand.
JAWORSKI TRAVELS