I did make it to Tring and reasonably on-time (about 30 minutes late). Jonathan was waiting for me on the platform, and I think he had enough time for a smoke or three.

Monday is Jonathan’s son Eddie’s birthday, and in what I am told is the English tradition, they are hosting about 35 children and their parents for an afternoon party. We had to go around and run a few errands before we went back to his house, to collect booze and food for the party, etc.

Kathy was making a delicious lamb stew, and while it cooked we walked down to the local pub, the Half Moon. Jonathan introduced me to a beer called Adnan’s that was delightful.

We headed back after awhile, put Eddie to bed, and enjoyed the stew. We would need our energy for the next day, when it would be time to put together a large tent.

It was scheduled to rain on Monday (and in fact it is raining now) so Jonathan acquired the use of a large tent, some assembly required. It was kind of fun to put up, and being the geek that he is, Jonathan hooked up the video camera and produced a time lapsed record of the whole thing. I’m trying to get him to send me a copy, and I’ll post it here.

Then followed another walk to the pub and another fantastic meal (this time a Sunday roast featuring chicken, potatoes, peas, carrots and broccoli). Afterward, Jonathan, Eddie and I got into the car and they drove me to St. Albans for a direct train to Gatwick.

I checked into the Sofitel and I’ve come to understand that there are no inexpensive places to stay at Gatwick (it is rumoured that the largest Hilton hotel is the one here) and rather than push the expenses further I hit a convenience store and grabbed a sandwich, chips and a soda.

I slept pretty fitfully, always afraid I would sleep through my alarm, and then made it through security with little incident (and I kept my shoes on). I should be in Geneva in a little over two hours.