[Mary McLean]

No worries: we may well go anyway, but do drop me a line when you decide.

[Simon Hunt]

Probably NOT going to Cambridge this evening. Too far, too much traffic, need to pay surcharge to drive my mother's rental car, etc. but Merry Hell are great if Mary or anybody else in the area is interested in going to the Golden Hind...

I'm off up North for a wedding tomorrow, but will see Jayne, David, and John on Tuesday. Who else can make it?

[Rob Stuart]

I would come, Jayne, but some us are unfortunate enough to have to work.

[Simon Hunt]

Work-schmerk, Rob! Priorities...

[Jayne Osborn]

What a shame, Rob.
Yeah - ''work'' - been there, done that! Now it's pay-back time

But if you decide to take a day off, come along to Strada at 1pm next Tuesday.

Jayne

[Ann Drysdale]

How did it go? I hope a great time was had by all who attended. Do tell.

[Simon Hunt]

Sure, Ann. It was a great time. At least I had a great time, and I'm grateful to Jayne for organizing it. There were David Anthony, Jayne Osborn, Nico Stone, John Whitworth, and me. There were four pizzas and a plate of penne carbonara. There were wine and beer. There were olives. There was bread. There was a brief moment of silence for Ann and Mary and Rob and others who couldn't make it. There was a brief appearance by my aunt and uncle. There was convivial conversation. There were magic tricks. I do value occasional in person meetings with my friends and colleagues here, and I have something of a history of just missing the UK gatherings by an hour or a day... It was great to see David and Jayne again and to make the acquaintance of John And Nico. Best wishes to all, and God bless us, everyone.

[John Whitworth]

Yes indeed. It was very enjoyable. Can I say to Nico that I know the real identity of Bazza the Great and I sent you it as a PM.

Can I congratulate Nico on his splendid moustache which mkes him look the spit of Ronald Coleman. A little before his time perhaps.

[Jayne Osborn]

I agree - a good time was had by all. In addition to Simon's summary we also remembered our friend Bugsy's tragic death last week.

John was going to sign my copy of his new book . . . but I forgot to take it with me.

The wonderful Nico brought the average age down considerably

The magic tricks were mine (it's my other hobby).

Roll on the next Spherean gathering, in 2017. Charlotte will be coming over to England, and so will Gregory, so I'm thinking it would be nice to arrange a summer get-together on a grander scale next time, instead of lunch at Strada: the ''usual suspects'', plus anyone else who's vacationing from the States, and lots of other Brits . . .

That would be really nice, wouldn't it? We shall have to see!

Jayne

[David Anthony]

Yes, it was a great pleasure to see my old friends Jayne, John and Simon and to meet Nico for the first time. We didn't fall to fighting at all and Jayne entertained us with genuine magic.