Friday 4th March 2016

It’s not awfully nice getting nasty messages while at the Opera House, speaking of which the Photo Multi has said he was outraged to be offered Restricted View seats by me, Adrian Edge. He referred to a box Prince Dmitri and I took for La Traviata about five years ago. It was all that was left and cost £200. The Photo Multi insisted on sitting in the back of the box despite being offered the front seat over and over. Now he says he was made to sit at the back. Not getting the best seat or rather others taking the best seat is a big thing with the Photo Multi. Quite often, during our friendship, I would sit down in all innocence in a restaurant only to be told by the PM that I’d selfishly bagged the best view of the kitchen, other diners, street or even ceiling. Finally it would emerge that all seats had an advantage that couldn’t be tolerated.

But last night’s nasty message came from Val. Thankfully I managed to delete it before getting too far… ‘If we are to remain friends….’ it began encouragingly.

In the meantime, I’ve been plagued by smelly dishcloth syndrome not aided by Waitrose suddenly de-stocking the Scotchbrite Kitchen cloth, my fav. Instead they’re carrying a Eco cloth with environmental aspects that sheds bits when used. Am going round all Waitroses campaigning to have the Scotchbrite cloth back. I urge you to do with same. This cloth can be boiled once a week in a Flash solution (be careful not to let in boil dry and scorch your cloth) if it becomes smelly.

While I was away at the Gay Mother’s last week, though, my cloth did not become smelly.

I’m being badgered by various forces to write a book. But what about? I’ve so little time it would have to be a light subject. Also I can’t bear reading or research. My whole thing is colour, not facts. I’ve no attention span and just make remarks. Besides I’m so guilty that I’ve neglected my home. There’s not a square inch that doesn’t need attention. My drawing room chandelier has been wonky from when I moved twenty years ago. It’s terrifying how one is careering towards Death and one’s decor still isn’t finished. That wretched carpet shop in Chelsea Harbour STILL haven’t sent the sample of the Indian Water Rush Matting. Tim Page I think it’s called. When I phone they don’t seem to know who I am. The dining room mat replacement scheme is therefore totally paralysed. Next week, I’m to go to Brentford to buy a small piece of Calacatta Oro (it’s a marble) to match my bathroom skirting. So that’s progress at least. Also Miroslav looms next week for outside work.

What will happen if we Brexit? Will Miroslav et al be repatriated? Who will be our staff? Will the old codger ‘British’ builders re-surface to wreck our homes?

Thankfully I’m making some progress on the china front, although not quite as expected. Breakfast cups are my craving. But I have acquired a tea set. Angus Willis had it in stock in his Hastings Angus Willis Home Store. It’s Wedgewood Black Basalt ware, from the 30s. Four every day cups acquired on eBay have arrived (not of much signif: for everyday use) and two eBay chandeliers I’m supposed to collect from a flat in Victoria on Sunday. I’m ‘watching’ a number of other chandeliers on eBay. I want to chandelier my back drawing room, as well as get the front drawing room chandelier straightened up.  The way I’m going on I’m going to have a glut of chandeliers.

Antiques have never been so cheap, you know. Brown furniture is nothing. We must buy, buy, buy… Something has been holding me back from spending. I have to fight through it. I must spend more… It’s my latest vow. As the Gay Mother always says, ‘Money has a way of turning up from somewhere.’

Meanwhile, I went to Debo’s Sale at Sotheby’s as well as a deeply private breakfast at the Royal Academy where Royston King was to be found… Wednesday I was privately at a Downton location (residence of a rellie-in-law), then at a modern mu concert in the evening.

So my public life continues.. come back later for more.

Wedgewood Black Basalt Ware Tea Set from Angus Willis Homestore Hastings: 6 Cups. No Cracks or Chips.

Wedgewood Fossil Ware Breakfast Cup x2 on eBay: Not Objectionable but Not the Best

Apricot-tinged Glasses Bought on Visit to Stockholm: Bruce MacBain said, ‘Are They Made of Plastic?’