Monday.

You may remember that we had a dinner party last Thursday. One of our guests bought Ann the above potted miniature daffodills. Ann put them on our kitchen windowsill where have been perfectly happy to the extent that they appear to have taken a shine to one of Ann's orchids, and are necking- or rather appear to spend their time canoodling with them - whatever - the two plants make a very attractive couple ( Mem. mustn't be over imaginative Michael).

This morning we drove to Manningtree Railway Station and caught the ten a.m. train to Liverpool Street (our London Station, Lori). From Liverpool Street we caught a tube train to Hammersmith, then a 'bus to Olympia, then walked to Sotheby's to view their auction of Arms and Armour. They always send me a buckshee (free Lori) catalogue, from which I form an idea of the lots for which I intend to bid. More often than not, when I see the lots I tend to change my mind, and it was so today. Ann took agin one lot, a sixteenth century breast plate, which was of seige weight, and far too heavy to think of carrying home, two guns were in much worse condition that was shown in the catalogue (with the best will in the world it's still  possible to get a wrong impression from the best of coloured photoes - much better to get your hooks on the item before bidding); and the fourth piece I fancied was an early seventeenth century crossbow which had had a major rebuild at some time in the late eighteenth century - catalogued as such- but with far too high an estimate for such a heavily restored item. In the end I found meself leaving a thoroughly optimistic bid on a very attractive Liegeoise flintlock pistol - Oh well - we'll see.

We then took a 'bus to Green Park, and a taxi to Knightsbridge- where we adjourned to our usual coffee house for a light - but excellent-  lunch, then went to Bonham's where I'd purchased two items by leaving bids on their last Wednesday's sale. Collected items then took a taxi to South Kensington tube station, which was a complete waste of time as  it was closed because of  'a smell of smoke somewhere'. We then took a 'bus and a couple more tube trains back to Liverpool Street Station, and were just in time to catch the four p.m. fast  train back to Manningtree. Been a nice, but slightly breathless day out, and we've promised ourselves a day in London after Christmas just pottering wherever we fancy - Ann, for instance fancies a visit to Covent garden and lunch in her nephew William's wine bar. Not sure where I fancy - the Wallace Collection perhaps. Not been there since we were asked there by the Meyrick Society to partake of an excellent supper with them, and to show them an English (?) wheel lock from my collection about, eight years ago.

  Being called up for supper now so will bid you all Goodnight.