Spent all day in the fucking pub...

Celebrated a 2km swim by spending the rest of the day boozing with T-Lo. Lunch in the Priory Arms in Stockwell, then Sintra for Sagres and brandies. The bar staff did everything they could to discourage us, first by refusing to accept an out-of-date fiver, then by giving us the wrong wireless password. Where others might have taken the hint, David simply went to the cash machine for more fivers and picked up a book from his flat to provide us with the info we were looking for online. Genius! Then back to the Priory for the pub quiz, presided over by the Steven Berkoff-esque landlord. We did pretty well considering how hammered we were...I think we came third.

The Meninblack

The post-Christmas blood sugar reduction campaign began yesterday with a brisk cycle ride up to Cristapolis to see Robert and Tom. All the good work was undone by stuffing my face with pie and mash in Domalis (delicious though so worth it). Managed to break the speed limit down Gypsy Hill on the way home!

Ho Ho Ho Tally

Returned yesterday from the annual seasonal voyage round the London/Notts/Suffolk triangle. Had Christmas lunch in a Derbyshire pub with two fellow diabetics at the table, trying to convince me that I could allow myself a dessert once a year. I held firm, dear reader, but did succumb to the siren call of the strawberries on top of the cheesecake.

The long drive down the A14 was made more entertaining by Shelly practising White Stripes and Dolly Parton tunes on her new pink ukulele. She's currently hard at work learning 'When I'm Cleaning Windows', which is actually a lot harder to play than 'Hotel Yorba'. Respect due to Mr Formby.

Met up with T-Lo in Suffolk. I was designated driver so wasn't able to join him on the Tally Ho - the highly potent Adnams brew, only served in half-pints as it's practically a liqueur. The effect it had on him was pretty impressive, so I've promised myself a return trip to the Low House to try it out myself. When someone else is driving.

Recanonised

Thanks for bearing with me while I was lensless. Funny how pictures tend to drive the words rather than the other way round - god knows how Samuel Pepys managed without a digital camera. Anyway, I took delivery of a shiny new Ixus 950 yesteday so here's my first few tentative shots. There's Michael and Richard on today's show, which had a festive feel as we pulled crackers and reflected on the year's sessions. Then on to Borough Market to meet Shelly and Jo, and then a cup of char with Spratticus.

Merry Christmas - see you on the other side!