Britney

Disclaimer: this is not the real Britney Spears.

This one is better.

This was in a nightclub in Birmingham where we stumbled on a tribute act who was definitely more vocally robust than the real popstar. Tim and I were enraptured.

Earlier in the day Clare had battled A14 traffic to scoop me up from my waiting spot: the sunny village green in Waterbeach, near Cambridge. We then drove to Birmingham where most of my university friends convened in the city centre in an apartment rented for the night. Two friends couldn’t make it due to various ailments and we concluded that now we’re in our 40s, from here on, at any one time, at least 25% of the group will not be able to attend gatherings due to health issues.

We had a riotous age-defying time eating Italian food, trying to navigate access to bars via the confusing canal network, and drinking Carling whilst watching Brit strut her stuff (others chose classier drinks).

The general summary is that Birmingham lacks cohesion in its layout and must work harder to fulfil its role of the country’s second city. But town planning issues certainly play second fiddle to a marvellous reunion and wonderful chats with friends of over twenty years.