A sociable evening!

I was back answering the phone today as Kathy had taken a day's leave. We had visitors in the office from our Derbyshire leisure centre today and it was great to put faces to names! As well as answering calls, I waded through the emails and put the films onto the system. Sheila also gave me details of the Christmas holiday activities and a new swim teacher course, so I'll be busy next week!

Despite not looking forward to today, it was a pleasant shift and the time flew by. At 4pm, I drove home and had a bath. Sophie arrived home at 5.30pm and after she'd showered and changed, she straightened my hair so it wasn't so fluffy!

We left for Sarah and Liam's house and I said on the way that I wished they still lived next door and we could walk around! We were met by their enormous Irish Wolfhound, Bram, who wasn't sure of us at all and ran away! It was the first time we'd seen their gorgeous new sunroom and it looked beautiful. They had the table set and a fire alight in the log-burning stove so it was lovely and cosy!

Liam was an excellent host and kept our glasses filled, although Sophie just sipped a small glass as she was driving us home, bless her. We sat at their kitchen table and chatted before enjoying samosas and salad, followed by a butter chicken curry and naan bread. 

Bram kept coming in and wandering about but he was still hesitant about having a cuddle. Max, he was definitely not! I still miss that dog and the walks we used to have!

With mince pies for pud and lots more red wine, we stayed and chatted until almost midnight before making our way home. It was a pitch-black night and Sophie got us home safely. When we arrived back, we discovered that Mooney had managed to open the conservatory door and escape through the catflap! Gomez was waiting for us in the conservatory and Mooney came back in a little later, the monkey!