The Silver River

Tonight is my LAST night in my flat. Tomorrow we are moving in with our friends, Philip and Anne, a week later, in with Jason and then one more week with Fiona. After that, we're spending a week in Scotland before jetting off. It's going to be a hectic couple of weeks, so many things planned: Madonna in Cardiff Office leaving drinks Leaving Party Joan Rivers Dinner with Gideon and Mark Vlad's birthday drinks Tranny Olympics (don't ask) Dinner at the spectacular Richard H's house (preceded by cocktail @ The Casa) Actually, when you write it down it doesn't seem so bad. Sounds like fun, albeit shamefully camp. I am so bored of constant admin at the moment, once we've moved out I'm hoping things will calm down and I'll be able to socialise and relax again. I guess, the constant domestic chores has meant I haven't spent too much money... save save save.

The cat has left the building. Charlie has gone to Wales. Chris left this morning to take him. I was quite sad to see him go. He's been with us for 6 years. Sadly taking him with us wasn't an option and I'm sure he'll be happier in the countryside. He might even see sheep! For a indoors city cat that will be quite exciting. Here he is sleeping in his favourite spot moments before leaving.

Nothing like a little party to cheer one up. We hadn't really thought too much about a leaving doo but it seems a crime not to have one. So we're going reliable and having a few drinkie poos at The Friendly Society on Sunday 24 August. The 25th is a Bank Holiday so seems quite a good night to go out. I suspect that quite a few folk will be away for the bank holiday, but not to worry. As long as we get the core group there. Here's the invite and the email. Hello, As you know, Chris and I are going to Argentina in September and will be out of the UK for 9 months. Sounds to me like the perfect excuse for a little knees up. Please join us. Invite attached. What: Nothing fancy. Reliable and "traditional" - a few drinkie poos. Where: The Friendly Society in London's Soho When: Sunday 24 August 2008, 19.00 (Monday is a bank holiday) Hope you can make it. Andrew

I ’ m moving to Buenos Aires for the next nine months and getting ready for that involves a lot of personal administration and efficiencies. The past few weeks have involved winding down a substantial chunk of my London life, all geared towards making me more agile, less cluttered and most importantly cheaper to sustain. I ’ ve been known to be quite expensive in the past. I ’ ve sold my scooter on Ebay, converted my mobile to Pay As You Go, closed surplus bank accounts and credit cards, put my flat up for rent and am moving all my possessions into storage. Packing everything up is a profound and liberating experience and winding everything up is too. Planning ahead and being ruthless is everything. It ’ s like flying. Either you can wiz through the airport, pre printed boarding card in hand and only the lightest super-efficient Mandarina Duck cabin luggage to slow you down. Or you can travel with 10kg hand luggage ( £ 10 from Poundland, no wheels), a bag from WH SMITH weighe...