Nine Feet Underground

The first day of December!  I'm not quite sure where November went, but it seemed to pass quickly.  The countdown to you-know-what begins. Today is a very special day: the day that Q gives her inaugural lecture. We're all going to get dressed up for the occasion, which begins with (non-alcoholic) drinks, followed by the lecture, and then a sit-down meal. We'll sit with the Vice-Chancellor and his wife for the meal, so I shall be on my best behaviour. Apart from the momentous event occurring today, it's also a day tinged with sadness.  Today would have been a close friend's birthday, but sadly he died far too young. He is much missed. There seems to be an 'end of term' feeling in the air today, even though I have at least two weeks of work left. In that spirit, Q and I went out for lunch as she took a break from work. An afternoon of comings and goings led up to the time when son #1 and I, suited and booted, headed across the road to meet Q, her mum and daugh...