Goodbye: part 1

Hmm... The national rounds of goodbyes are over. It's time for London business.

The last few weekends have been eventful, fun, and have involved lewdness, crudeness and with-alcohol-imbued-ness. First trip to Manchester involved Friday night (protested-against) table dancing at a leaving do in a Turkish restaurant with Sara for support. Wide ranging experiences on Saturday included Emma's baby shower, heckling waiters in Taurus on Canal Street (and harrassing the public outside the window) with Lyndsey and Susan, the former joining me to simulate sex on stage behind the singing performer (impressed she wasn't, fat she was) at H*llyw**d Showbar before dancing to 'All I Want For Christmas Is You' even though it was June. Only 6 months shopping left for the big day! Dinner on Sunday with Susan and Lyndsey happened after about 2 hours of hungover arguing, pecking and leg-dragging and prior to eating we switched venues (twice) and changed seats in our chosen venue (three times). Having eaten more in 2 hours than the third world eats in 2 months, I ventured back to London to prepare for my final full week at work (and a painfully drunken leaving do on the Thursday- ta to all).

The next Saturday saw a return to Manchester for Dipan and Chan's wedding in Tatton Park. Such a lovely day, and such a romantic setting. Apart from the an unfortunate incident involving a 2 year old child pulling away curtains to reveal leopard skins, moose heads and boar nailed to the wall (never appropriate at a Hindu ceremony), it all went marvellously. Highlights included (for me) the return of John Shubaker, the Leeds dancing club (Jenny and Lesley), Bhangra lady (never has bhangra dancing looked so stylish) and, oh yes, 2 of my favourite people getting wed.

Finished work on Tuesday (bye bye and ta again for cuff links and messages of love and adoration). JET induction on Wed and Thurs, where I met nice new people (hello Matt and Marisa amongst others) and surprisingly met old friends' sisters. Well, one anyway. Amitee! I shall see you in Himeji!

On Friday all paths led to Edinburgh. Well, that big train-track-like path from Kings Cross station did. Arrived in Edinburgh at 4:45. Arrived at the pub at 5. Hello Cathy, Lindsay, Mark, Terese, Jo, Ali, man in nice jumper and his boss with Taliban-esque beard stylings. Here's the science bit:

Wine+ Cathy + man in nice jumper= Shenanigans (me x man in nice jumper) / Joe's bed

Wine + shenanigans + 6 hours= me vomiting and not being able to eat or drink until 3pm

Thank God for Cathy's patented Buffy the Vampire Slayer/ Les Cadbury's Fingerez hangover cure. A marvel! We were all back in the Waverley by 9pm, where we were irritated by underage noisy Spaniards and where we went on to recount who we'd be if we could be anyone for a day. Terese (T-Liddy) and me (Prince) have an alliance should the occassion ever arise.

Lancaster on Sunday with Suzanne and Claire, and Blackpool pleasure beach on Monday. Despite working in Mental health for 5 years, Claire refused to go in Passaje del Terror. Which was actually a bit crap this time (and I was at the bloody front). Getting soaked on Valhalla, injured on Avalanche, and whiplashed (my new trademarked verb) on Steeplechase, we had a day of family type fun. Without kids (which is the only way family fun should be had). The evening featured more drink by the canal, and me slagging off nursing (now there's a change).

Back home now, and preparing for the London elimination rounds...