I was cheerfully walking home from my friend D`s just up the lane when I tripped, and landed flat on my face. I always think there are three things that cause any accident and in this case they were: firstly, I am OLD. Secondly, I had my hands in my pockets, and lastly, it was dark (no street lamps in country lanes) My face was a terrible sight to behold for a week but it has miraculously more or less healed itself, or perhaps I have just got used to my battered appearance. I was also bruised all over and groaned at every step but that is getting better too and I am thankful that I broke no bones.
I am very sad about Simon Hoggart`s death. He was only sixty seven. For years I have always turned first to his political comment in the Guardian and also his funny column in the Saturday paper which was often about round robin letters, srtudents` letters home from disastrous gap years and silly labelling on things you buy. He also used to be on the News Quiz and he was part and parcel of my life. I will miss him.
I am thankful that the Brighton family have returned safely from Goa where they opted out of Christmas,with not a stocking nor a turkey in sight, They stayed in a sort of beach hut and it was all beautiful and they fell in love with India as people so often do.
I am utterly engrossed in one of my Christmas present books; The Pure Gold Baby by Margaret Drabble. Every word in it is pure gold too, her writing is superb, I just marvel at it as I read. Also it is set in my bit of North London and that always endears one to a book. I really don`t want to finish it as I am loving it so much. Other good new books: Quiet London, full of places to visit and eat and look at libraries and art galleries that no one knows about. Trouble is they will now, if they all read the book! Also a good new poetry book: The Crumb Road by Maitrey Abandhu He`s one to watch.