Luxury

This middle aged spa hotel thing is surprisingly moreish. There was a sauna and a lovely warm pool up in Arden and we made good use of it. Then we punted up to Pelsall to see Lou’s folks. I’ve seen them on and off for years now and started to get involved in their trials and tribulations. Considering I only get my £300 pension at 75 years old, the fact they’re both in their eighties is encouraging. There’s little health stories I’ve been following in their lives. I missed out on all the “parents getting decrepit” thing which sometimes these days feels like I got a free pass in exchange for a gut punch in my twenties. Loads of my friends are having to witness their grandparents slide to Jacques’s seventh age of man. The seventh age of nan.

Mostly we had a lovely chat in the living room. Lou and I had a redbush tea and she had brought them loads of condiments, which landed better than you might suspect.

I only decided this morning that, rather than go home and stay together at mine tonight we might as well double up and have another nice night away. Not the cheapest, but we booked the De Vere Latimer in Amersham and it is much better than the pictures. Sauna and steam room again, but this time it is powerful land. Bergman is parked beneath a yew tree. Outside the bedroom window is a grand old cedar. And apart from the coughing of another resident it is peaceful here. Sunday night helps I guess, so no pissed up double wedding, but apart from the fact it really ain’t that cheap, this is a good place considering it’s more or less on the tube line.

Driving down from Pelsall Lou got roped into helping drill my lines so I can come in easy despite a relaxing weekend. I’m only having the weekend because the money from the work has made it possible. Glad not to be counting the beans. We even stopped at Hawkyns by Atil Kochar in a pub on the Amersham High Street, where you can get out pretty cheaply as we did and still have a good meal, or have the taster menu for £60 with a £49 wine pairing which looks wonderful. Bigod I was tempted although still not by the wine. But – involved meal was a bridge too far. Some luxuries can be passed up on a weekend of luxury. And anyway, we wanted to check in at this sexy place and try out the steam room, sauna and pool.

I’m definitely feeling rested now. Not called until the afternoon so we will pooter back doing lines (not that sort) in the car. And then back to the lovely rehearsal room that Tim has made with us all. More joyful work to come.