It's been quite busy since last we spoke. First I attended the anniversary of the cocktail when I got merrily tiddly on exotic booze at the Café de Paris and dangled a python just so's I could be close to the woman it belonged to. Then I went to see Clarence Smith at the Soho Theatre in a play, the title of which escapes me. Then I took part, as an actor, in the New Writers Showcase at the Queen's Theatre, Hornchurch. Next day Jeni and I went to Mike Robertson's The Pot Kiln Restaurant out near Newbury where we sampled his smoked venison (absolutely delicious!) the local mild and bitter from the micro brewery in his back yard and, a taster meal from his menu in the restaurant that satisfied all the buds in the gob which were, by the way, refreshed regularly with a delicious claret at £90 a pop - unforgettable. This was followed shortly afterwards with an afternoon at the Hackney Empire watching a London Arts Festival in which a dance group from the East End presented a piece which had been choreographed by, our friend, the lovely Bonnie Oddie.
Then on 3rd June we attended gorgeous Ella Grice's 18th birthday party down in Playden, East Sussex. We ate, drank, played TIPPIT (rules of the game given on request) and left 'cos Paul MacCartney didn't turn up - don't know why, he only lives down the road. I've also had a couple of golf lessons and my game's improved. I won't say any more 'cos it might unimprove.
On the 10th June I attended the opening of Phill and Chrissie Straker's new premises of their company Sax.co.uk. We were entertained with wine and music. Six of the countries top sax players performed non stop. They were all members of the acclaimed group called Sax Appeal whose members include, Jools Holland's man Derek Nash, Simon Bates and surprise guest, Pete King, co-founder of Ronnie Scotts. The actual store was opened by Courtney Pine who described the store as "A temple to the Saxophone." We had a brief chat, Courtney and me, over a ham and tomato sandwhich in the canteen before I took my place behind the bar whilst Courtney signed autographs and the shop wall. Quite interesting really.
