London

I spent yesterday in London. First I visited the Balenciaga exhibition at the Victoria and Albert. Really good and most of the exhibits were from the V and A's own collection! What they are doing with 30  or 40 Balenciaga outfits I cannot work out but there it is. Very tailored and very attractive. I was surprised to recognise what must be the original of a hat I loved when I was 20. A skull cap fitting close to the head and made of maroon feathers. The original was of emerald green feathers. There was also a frock of which I had an 'inspired by' street version. And I remember buying a Vogue pattern and making what was definitely a constructed dress with a very odd ballooning skirt held up by tapes to the waist.

I also visited Watersons and investigated the books on photography. I was very good, I did not buy a single book. Then it was off to dinner with an old (working) friend - at The Athenaeum. Magnificent inside. They have a double staircase and upstairs where one takes coffee, there is an enormous room with a carpet woven to fit. And the food was first rate. Well any place that serves potted shrimps gets an A* from me. I was a bit worried that this was a men only place and women were on sufferance but No. They allowed women members in more than 20 years ago. And I saw a few. The ones I saw looked like they could rule the world and still have time over for some knitting and gossip.