There's a theme developing here: when I haven't managed to sort myself out with a visit to someone or somewhere, I turn into a complete saddo computer gamer freak. This is evidenced by my three days of Civ - yep, I'm back at Steve & Jezza's for a while. However, the monotony has been broken somewhat by popping down the pub with Jezza's brother Anthony, taking my car to be serviced in Mill Hill, and meeting up with Dan on Monday night, John on Tuesday night and Nick & Meena tonight.

But I'm ahead of myself! Let's take it back to last week. Where was I? Oh yes, my cold. Well, I felt 90% and well enough to meet with Julie on Wednesday evening last week in Hackney. There had just been a huge fire (everyone said it was an insurance job, but who can tell) and roads were blocked off etc. so Ju met me outside Hackney Downs station and we walked to a nice bar from there. This was followed by quite the most exquisite Vietnamese noodle bar I've been in since, well, Vietnam! I had "pho" (well it was called Hai Ho Special Ho Fun but what's in a name) with extra chilli. Oh yes, it was good. So good in fact, I went back the next day for the same again for lunch!

We spent the evening and the morning chatting about Julie's amazing travels (she's been on the road for two years). She gave me some tips - like don't go to Guatemala City beacuse it's shite - and showed me many many photos which were all fab. Then we said our farewells and I walked into Hackney proper in the blazing hot sun.

After the aforementioned lunch and checking my mail in Hackney Central Library (the new building for which was done by a big important architect whose name escapes me; it's okay I suppose) for free for an hour, I dropped my things back off at Justin & Sam's and then met up with Gareth for beers. I haven't seen him since Music School in Harrow over 12 years ago! He's the first person I've met up with thanks to friendsreunited.com. We had a great old reminisce over beer and pasties at Covent Garden, then walked back to Charing Cross station. When I got back to Justin & Sam's we celebrated Sam's 30th birthday with cake and Apfelkorn.

On Friday morning, Justin's poached eggs tempted me into trying to do one myself, and it didn't turn out too bad. Later I met with Chris for lunch in the City (he'd never been to Wagamama before - can you imagine?) and a nice walk through a park. Then I drove up to Leam and on to Lee & Helen's in Rugby for a barbie. Tasty bacon chops, ooh yeah!! And I helped them finish off their last booze cruise haul of fine French wines, before going to sleep in one of their four bedrooms.

Saturday morning greeted me with tea down my leg and a jam crumpet stuck to my knee. There's nothing like veteran mugs to keep things interesting! I headed into Leam, met up with Simon, and we walked to the Peace Festival, where we met with Phil & Jackie and saw Matt & Cath manning a stand. We also heard Ash speaking out forcefully against war and exploitation of the developing world.

For dinner, we went to The Orange Tree just outside Warwick, where we met with Charlotte, Michael & Nadine and Ursula & her boyfriend. Food was gorgeous, even if the service was a bit haphazard and we had to change tables about three times. Then we all headed back to Leam for drinks in the Hog's Head, where we were joined by Ruth and some of her friends. It was nice to have a chance to speak with Nadine (who was over from Frankfurt for a last-minute break with Michael), because I never really got to know her when they were living in Leam (because I was in Munich at the time of course).

On Sunday I invited myself over to Andy & Janine's, and was treated to a super tasty barbecue and more hot sunny weather. I now have a watch strap mark! I made my way to Swiss Cottage in the evening and had a right old sing song with Jezza's madrigal group - including an impromptu concert on Primrose Hill. Then we all went for delicious Thai food at the Cafe de Maya (even I feel like a regular there now - I must have been ten times in the last few years!).

These updates are just getting longer and longer. I'll try to be more succinct in future, honest.