I managed two of the three parties in the end last night. It all got very messy, and this morning has been spent alternately feeling very sick, and being ravenous.

So, I skipped the gallery thing and went west towards hotel city for the Hempel, which I’m sure I’ve been to before, but can’t remember why or when. It was fairly empty - comparatively - which meant the food came round quicker and it was easier to get to the bar. Unfortunately bar took precedence, though, and all I ate all night was four mini spring rolls, each the size of a kitten’s thumb.

Anyhow, we stayed there until eightish when things started to thin out, then headed off across town to the do at the top of Tower Bridge. We only just made it across; after too much messing around on the tube and a walk along the south bank we got to the bridge just as the barriers were closing, and scooted through them before it lifted up.

I’d been up to the top before. It can’t remember whose party it was last time, but I’m sure it must have been summer because it was still light outside. This time around, though, it was very dark and the whole city was lit up on both banks. I didn’t have a camera with a zoom, so this isn’t the best picture, but you can still make out the gerkhin, Tower 42 and St Pauls.

…and the inside of one of the two towers that support the bridge…

From that point on it all gets a bit fuzzy.

We were there to look at some panoramas, which were very impressive indeed, although most of the time we just chatted or gawped out of the window until they turfed us out in the direction of a pub. Only four of us actually made it in there, although to be honest I should have gone straight home.

It’s from that point that things get very hazy. At least I remembered going to the pub, though, which is more than can be said for Chris of the Brennan who didn’t even remember us going to any pub until I reminded him this morning.

I do remember we decided to walk back to Liverpool Street from there and then stood on the concourse for about an hour talking while the trains all left. I ended up getting home at 2am. He made it back some time around 3.

Nobody around here is in a fit state for tonight’s party, so I think we’re all skipping. To be honest, though, I think I may be coming down with the cold that has afflicted all but one other person here, so I could do with a hot bath and a night in with some nice toast dripping in butter.

And nothing to drink.

1. Parties
   Is there any chance at all of my staying awake through tonight's party? I've barely been home this week and it's starting to show. I'm...
   
   
2. Cake and parties
   A Christmasy day all round, really. Chocolate Christmas cakes in the office in the afternoon, then Canon's Christmas Party, which I had to crash as...
   
   
3. Bath, Bristol, Pensford, Newport, Cardiff, Avebury, Marlborough
   I worked out in the car down to Bath that it's almost ten years since I was last there. It was for Faith's birthday. She...