It pains me to inform you that the official announcement has been made – even if horse racing has restarted by June, Royal Ascot will not be open to the public this year. I cannot begin to describe the emotional pain this announcement has brought me. My loving wife Elia has attempted to comfort me, despite being rather upset herself, but to no avail. Our excursion to Berkshire for day four of the royal meeting last year was easily one of my highlights of 2019 and I was genuinely looking forward to returning there in a few months, possibly with a few others in tow (a certain Mr Morley is, rather unsurprisingly, very keen to come along). Nevertheless, I am not one to falter in the face of hardship and I am already looking forward to the 2021 meeting. Up the ponies.
On the subject of missing out, it occurred to me today that it has now been a month since I last dined out and this filled me with an immense sadness. Those of you who read this blog routinely will understand how hard this is for me, especially since I can see the Hilton Brook from my bloody bedroom window. The things I’d do to be enjoying one of their banal meals right now. Anyway, I have decided that in order to cheer myself up I will start planning for the reopening of my most beloved eateries. To that end, those of you who I lunch with regularly are invited to get in touch to discuss which restaurant we will be visiting when this lockdown ends. You are more than welcome to get in touch even if we don’t have lunch regularly, I’m always looking to expand my horizons, but don’t get too upset if I tell you to fuck off.
Last night I took Hayals to drop some clothes off to Alfie as he has been staying with Dave during lockdown. We sat in the car chatting to him for a bit before he asked if it would be ok if Dave used my old golf for a bit whilst his van was in for repairs. I sat and thought about it for a few seconds as I didn’t want to upset Alfie (he doesn’t like the fact that me and Dave don’t get on) before immediately saying no. The excuse I gave was that the vehicle has been declared off the road but, in reality, the only way I’d ever let Dave come anywhere near that car is if he was volunteering to let me run him over in it. Sorry Alf.
I know this may sound cliche, but it’s some rather lovely weather we’re having, is it not? On my bike ride this morning I managed to bump into Nic Morris, presumably on her way to work, and Jack Brooks on a walk with his family. It’s a strangely reassuring feeling seeing my friends’ families out and about, getting on with life despite the ongoing situation. I attempted some University work this afternoon, which is easier said than done whilst my mother is outside enjoying the sun & listening to music. I got about 300 words done before I gave up – if the University of Nottingham doesn’t accept my application for creative writing I am well and truly buggered because I certainly cannot be arsed to write about politics anymore. I’ve also started watching this Tiger King documentary that seems to have taken social media by storm. I’ve only seen the first episode but I already see some of myself in Joe Exotic – an inbred homosexual with a distinct lack of morality. The show’s appeal is instantly apparent.
I hope you’re all surviving. Stay safe.
