I have had a delightful few days in London, one notable exception being an apocryphal story best reserved for relating in private, if for no reason other than that I have so enjoyed the expressions of those I have told (ranging from disbelieving and incredulous to completely and totally appalled) that I reserve the right to get a little more mileage out of it yet. My visit concluded with an all-too-rare spag bol and gossip evening with a lady friend (and ex-confederate) hitherto lost to civvy street, but fortunately this has not affected her energy, charm and sense of humour as much as one might expect, and an unashamedly girly do was had, leading me to miss the last tube and necessitating a taxi ride back from Kensington High Street to Pimlico at a cost of £15, but we don’t sweat the small stuff and anyway, hailing a black cab in the street is yet another on my long list of my secret favourite things.

Leaving this aside, I have enjoyed not only the usual sublimely tactile and oft energetic ‘kit-off’ fun and games, but also been charmed and touched to receive many thoughtful birthday presents from my kind London gentlemen and I would like to humbly thank those concerned (and you know who you are) for making this latest visit hit some very high notes – I will soon be back, and to all I have promised, I will pass on the dates as soon as I am organised. For those who couldn’t make it, be reassured at least that both mugs and toaster were proudly in evidence, and my trepidation en route proved to be unfounded as this time around my apartment was very much fully equipped (bar an ipod dock, but there had to be something) and I am looking forward to my return. However, Birmingham beckons next week, and for a change, I am keenly anticipating meeting the Midlanders!

This week, therefore, will be set aside for warm and comfortable hibernating, quiet contemplation and domesticity as well as unpacking (and almost immediate repacking), general catchings-up and another brave stab at getting on with the decorating. I do have appointments available, but plenty of notice please – I am not a drop-in centre, and the usual half-dozen or so daily telephone calls expecting me to be available within the hour are becoming extremely tedious (to this end, I have temporarily removed my number from my Adultwork profile, just in case anyone was wondering, as this is far and away the site where the majority of users seem unable to read anything other than digits). Email, as ever, for preference, and in view of the weather (which I have yet to see, but apparently once again, Scarborough has some), please also allow adequate time for safe travel!

Am now taking bookings for Liverpool at the start of March – tips and suggestions also welcome, as the city (apart from the airport) is new to me and I am as ever, keen to explore both indoors and out. Ring or mail for details and with a bit of luck, I’ll see you there…

]]> http://www.adoreamy.co.uk/blog/index.php/2010/02/01/all-is-safely-gathered-in/feed/ 1 http://www.adoreamy.co.uk/blog/index.php/2009/02/10/let-it-snow-let-it-snow-let-it-snow/ http://www.adoreamy.co.uk/blog/index.php/2009/02/10/let-it-snow-let-it-snow-let-it-snow/#comments Tue, 10 Feb 2009 22:54:22 +0000 amy http://www.adoreamy.co.uk/blog/?p=339 As the meterological chaos of earlier in the week fades away, it is probably futile to speculate on the prospective fortunes weather-wise for the coming few days!

As it is, to those who have had to postpone their much-anticipated visits – rest assured that when you eventually can journey to Scarborough without the potential shame of being dug out of a snowdrift by men in high-visibility outerwear, all will be waiting for you here, and more than likely with home-made pudding (today’s option, for example, being the leftover half of a blackberry and apple crumble cooked yesterday, smug in the knowledge that the filling would contain at least one of my five-a-day fruit portions and the verging-on-celestial crumble would take care of my mental, if not physical wellbeing for the forseeable future).

I am looking forward to St Valentine’s Day this weekend and have a delightful assignation arranged, which not only promises a great deal of if not particularly romantic, extremely energetic fun and is also scheduled to end comfortably before the onset of Match of the Day – an ideal juxtaposition. The charming gentleman concerned, being from the other side of the Atlantic, will possibly not understand, but this is obviously of no consequence to either one of us (and in the event of the non-footballing activities running into extra time, MOTD is thoughtfully repeated early the following morning).

It has been a busy week indeed and I should report that I have very little availability left – the idea that the approaching Friday (being the thirteenth) may be cursed in some way is a preposterous one, but as it is apparently the nearest I will have to a day off, I intend to try and get all of my odd jobs done then (and will thus probably be bald, homeless and in traction by the time I write my next update). It would in fact seem prudent to remain largely motionless and I will seek to achieve this if at all possible – thereby serving the dual purpose of conserving my energy for a lively weekend!

Next month should see me planning a trip to Edinburgh, following a particularly intriguing enquiry received yesterday; regular readers will recall my last brief jaunt when Tom Waits was in town but as I saw nothing of the city besides the train station, the Playhouse, the Travellodge and a select few late-night drinking spots I intend to make rather more of an effort this time – anyone who who like to broaden my knowledge of the city of my birth is very welcome to get in touch and I will be posting more details as I get organised. The Irvine Welsh pub crawl is a tempting prospect but my instinct for self preservation precludes me from giving it a try – any other ideas or recommendations will be gratefully received though, and I look forward to seeing you soon!

For the time being, Scarborough and it’s surrounding areas are stuck with me, at least until it gets a bit warmer. Upon venturing out earlier today I am pleased to report the sighting of my first snowdrops of the year, a sure sign that Spring is on it’s way (if nothing else it also means that my favourite peonies will soon be in the shops – yes, even I know I’m awkward!)