Wow! That was the week that was! Carol and I had planned to get married but the timing was still to be decided, possibly early May 2007 or later due to her sisters planned wedding in late May. We had decided to get married at Chelsea Registry Office with a small gathering of just immediate family members. Carol enquired about the size of rooms and general procedures. We need to get some formal paper work done which requires us both to be in the UK for the preceeding 7 days. With the forth coming away trip to Doha it so happens I will be in the UK for 7 days - just! So we planned to obtain the necessary paper work which is valid for a year. Then on Thurs 28th Sept, CT found out that there this a slot at Chelsea on Saturday 2nd Dec 2006, so we are going for it!!! Spoke to Jack, who was shocked but really happy for us, spoke to Kimmy and then sent emails to nephews, Ben and Jamie. In just 24 hours CT has arranged everything - she is a real wonder! I am a very lucky man.....   more »

The plan was to get the train back to Nice but the times do not work so we hire a car. After having coffee and saying goodbye to Lucinda and husband (who are also driving to Nice to catch a flight to Paris and then on to South Africa) we drive to Nice. We find a nice little restaurant for lunch, then drop the car off and finally Carol and I catch our respective flights to Geneva and London.   more »

Have a late breakfast and then meet up with the Spoofing birthday party in the town square. It is Poynton’s 60th birthday today and he is dressed in Spoofing blazer and panama. The birthday party has been cruising the Med. The party are being ferried off shore to the harbour in a small landing craft – people arrive in dribs and drabs, as the weather has turned with a force 7/8 imminent, people are left on the ship. The party on land are told to immediately return to the ship which is sailing shortly for Monte Carlo. The group decide terra firma is a far better option and stay. The Spoofing Boule competition is played out – with CT partnering Murray (NZ), they exit on the second round. I chat with long lost pals, Ashley and wife (Eng), Lucinda and husband (SA), Schwaz and Helen (NZ), Stan Giles (NZ), Mike Staley (UAE), Bruce Cameron and his wife (NZ), Haughton (Eng) and Joe Flaherty (Scot), Richard Moore (Fr), Bunter (Eng - suffering from Whiskey jet lag and who has left Sankey and Pemble on the ship) Marais and Sue have arrived (travelled by car from Narbonne), Trendy (Eng), Ron and Wendy (Eng), Evert (SA), Campbell and Basil (SA), Miller and wife (Eng), Nelly and wife (Eng) plus pals......... Had lunch with David Durrell (Eng) and his new wife who is from Newcastle and Schwaz and Helen. David is less than sober but as always on good form. The final days play of the Ryder Cup is on the TV and Europe absolutely hammer the USA – great victory and great craic in the bar. We all retreat to a restaurant hosting the birthday dinner. A really good evening with speeches and toasts and finally fond farewells – the birthday party has to hire taxis to drive them to Monte Carlo to catch up with the boat – we walk 10 minutes back to our hotel (smug or what!).   more »

Walk to a small boulangerie and have breakfast overlooking the main square in St Tropez where the Saturday market is on. After a wander through the stalls and around the harbour we return to the square for a couple of beers over which we amicably discuss the pre-nup. Return to the hotel for a sunbathe and swim. Have an early dinner – Lobster Burgers – a first – they are delicious. Top dinner.   more »

I fly from Geneva to Nice and CT flies from London Heathrow. Amazingly the Dulwich next door neighbour, Richard is on the same flight as CT. Pick the car up and head for St. Tropez. It’s dark and the road lighting is poor but it’s motorway so after a 90 minute journey arrive at the hotel La Mistralee around 8.30 pm. Hotel is really great and have a good dinner in a Bedouin tent overlooking the swimming pool. After a night cap in the bar off to bed.   more »

Kim arived on Tuesday, it is the first time she has been away on her own for yonks. Had a really delicious dinner in Ouchy over looking the lake. Weds: met Kim at her hotel at 8.15 am to set off on a surprise (to her) trip. By train to Montreux and then caught the "Chocolate Train". First stop Gruyere where we had a cracking lunch and then a visit to the Nestle Chocolate factory - Kim loves the stuff and enjoyed the free samples! Caught the boat from Montreux to Lausanne and then dinner in Ouchy. Thurs: train to Neuchatel and a couple of hours around the town, then to Yverdon for lunch - excellent! Back in Lausanne went to St Francois to see the centre and dinner in the local curry restaurant. Fri: Met for coffee and then headed for the airport for fond farewells.   more »

Jack sent me a text - "A year ago Dads, we were at the Oval to see England secure the Ashes". One of those memories that stays with you for life - Jack and I hugging and jumping up and down - We were there!   more »

Friday – After drinks in Bugsy’s followed by a lengthy night cap in Brady’s, Carol gets completely hammered and is out of action the whole of Saturday. Saturday – After having my haircut by the lovely but nutty Portugese Sylvie I go to Bugsy’s to watch Australia play South Africa in the tri-nations. Brendan is there and we manage to drink for 10 hours – I am completely hammered and out of action for the rest of the weekend. Sunday – recovering, very slowly Monday – return to Lausanne for a rest   more »

Visited St-Saphorin, a hamlet on the side of the hillside along the lake. It was raining, my search for a coffee was in vain, the recommended restaurant is closed on Wednesday and the only other restaurant was full (at 11.45 am!). A pretty place but ...... Moved on to Vevey for lunch. Pretty large town on the lake; infact where Charlie Chaplin retired and died. Caught the boat back to Lausanne.   more »