Black Tie Dinner in Southampton

Another very hot day today. I didn't go to bed until about 2 a.m. this morning as I wanted to finish off some Complex Services work in order to be free to play golf this morning. I attended the Annual General Meeting of the Ambassadors Business Breakfast Club at the Grasmere Hotel where we were each given a new members pack. The meeting ended quite early at 9.15 a.m. and I drove to Wilton Golf Course where Richard had already arrived and was unloading his clubs. In between leaving Ambassadors and arriving at the golf course I had time to ring Mum and have a few words with her. My sister had been to visit with her children which was a pleasant occasion for Mum. Richard and I played nine-holes in the heat. I played very badly today although I was the only one to get a par (on the 4th hole). My chipping and putting hasn't improved and my driving was very inconsistent. I lost three balls too! I put it down to the fact that I was rushing somewhat and the heat really does affect my game. Richard came back home and we had a beer and a light lunch of bread and cheese together. This afternoon I did a bit more work before getting changed to go to the Southampton and District Installed Masters' Lodge's Installation Meeting in Southampton where I was representing our Wiltshire Masters' Lodge. This necessitated me getting dressed up in a dinner jacket and black tie. Actually, I was probably cooler in that than my normal dark masonic suit. It was a lovely evening with good company and excellent food - poached salmon with fresh vegetables followed by fresh fruit salad and cheese and biscuits. The food was cooked to perfection. I arrived back home at around 10.30 p.m. It was still incredibly warm and so Sara and I stayed up and watched the film Michael Collins which helped Sara understand, better, Ireland's turbulent history and some of the things we had seen in Dublin earlier this week. Needless to say, we didn't go to bed until 2 a.m. again! At least I've no engagements tomorrow.