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Saturday, October 31, 2026

Blackout

Yesterday evening turned out to be great fun.  The show started at 20:00 with a compere, James Alderson, who kept the whole show together. He was very funny and, being local (from Havant), he had plenty of digs at all the local towns. He also worked the audience well. The first comedian was Stephen K. Amos, who, like all of the principals, has frequently been on TV. He was very good and very relaxed in his delivery. He had us roaring with laughter. When he finished, there was an intermission. The person (whale) sitting in front of me took the opportunity to go and get his second refill of two beers. When the show restarted, we had Zoe Lyons telling us about life in Brighton and the dubious pleasures of a colonoscopy (though you could argue there is a significant crossover between the two). Another intermission saw the Orca in front of me get his third and fourth refill of beer and sit back down just as Sarah Pascoe came on for the final set. She was very funny, but rather chaotic. The show finished at about 22:30, and we were home by 23:00.

We both slept well. I was in danger of actually having a bit of a lay-in, but Jasper had other ideas. He started yowling at the top of his voice and didn't stop until I got up. It was clear, when I got downstairs, that he had been telling me that he had left me an overnight present. This was a present I could have cheerfully foregone at seven in the morning. 

We were adamant that we didn't want to know the results of "Traitors" last night. Our iPhones,  watches, and iPads were left alone. I had asked that the cousins give no spoilers during the weekly call (which wasn't difficult, as none seem to watch it). I made do with writing some documentation on the MacBook until we were both ready for the finale. We sat in the kitchen, drinking coffee, and watched the final play out. It was an excellent outcome, and we thoroughly enjoyed it.

Remembering it was Halloween, I walked to the local shops to stock up on treats for any kids who might call. Then, on my return, I sat down and reviewed the paperwork, brochures, and calculations for the proposed solar panels. By the end of the research, I was ready to discuss it with Diane, and we collectively agreed to go ahead. I will get this underway tomorrow or Monday.

After we had finished dinner, Ellie and Poppy came round to show off their Halloween outfits. They had already completed their "Trick or Treat" circuit of the estate. We were the final stop.

We loaded them up with treats that would provide sufficient sugar to keep them high until next year. I must say that their costumes were excellent.

Originally, Ellie was due to sleep here tonight, but that has all changed, and she will be at Poppy's instead.



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