Bonsai

In the morning, there was the first in-person meeting of the representative of all our branch libraries since the pandemic. It was really nice to see everyone and meet the people who had been recruited in the last two years. This was followed by a lovely lunch together to mark the retirement of our service manager. The two senior members of staff who retired just before the pandemic started came too, and it was great to see them. My back was bothering me so I didn't stay too long but I am glad that I went nevertheless. 
In the evening, we were due to meet the girls for a last meal at Bonsai before it closes for good. Bonsai had been a special place for us, however the owner is going away and selling it. However, SparseRunner had to take his mother to the hospital for assessment to get better treatment for her chest infection and he ended spending 5 hours there. We were not sure he could join us but eventually go there 90 minutes late and we had a good evening. The restaurant was not busy so we could linger. The sister of his PhD student, A, was waitressing there and joined us at the end of her shift for a glass of wine and a chat. 
The girls don't want their photo posted on blip, so I had to crop them out but here is SparseRunner looking more relaxed than when he arrived at the restaurant.