Unthinkable Wings

I should note that it starts with me packing the night before, and that the times are wrong, because I am still notionally tweeting from Tehran.

( In which I discover that our Cubs are Harmonians, survive a zip wire, and do not have swine flu )

For the record, the Harmonian song went to the tune of Frere Jacques, and went:

Harry Potter, Harry Potter,
What's he done? What's he done?
Run off with Hermione, run off with Hermione.
Poor old Ron! Poor old Ron!

A friend of mine is doing a James Bond party for the launch of the new film; fancy dress is involved. Unfortunately I am rubbish at fancy dress; also, I have seen a grand total of four Bond films, and one of them was Moonraker, and I am given to understand barely counts. Help?

I am vaguely considering going in drag as Connery!Bond, because all I need to do is slur a bit, and I've got the right accent, but this doesn't exactly solve the problem of clothes. I have spent the evening, on and off, reviewing my acquaintance whom I could plausibly ask for the loan of a DJ and a boiled shirt, but the results went 'too broad shouldered; too broad shouldered; too broad shouldered; probably hasn't got one, since clerical collar counts as black tie; too broad shouldered.' Hum. On the other hand, I'd rather be Bond than a Bond girl; it adds a pleasantly subversive note (either that or silliness; probably the latter!) Damn. Am rubbish at fancy dress.

I also have to come up with a fancy dress for an African themed Cub sleepover which will not restrict my movement overly, and will also not lead to me freezing to death(!), and will preferably not have a really dodgy political subtext. Any thoughts?

I had an unexpected trip to Reading, for boring and financial reasons, though I must say that the staff in the Reading branch are much politer, helpful and indeed better informed than the Oxford shower.

Reading itself is surprisingly interesting. There are the ruins of an enormous flint-built Clunaic abbey, which has weathered in such a way that it mostly looks like termite mounds, with a curious and well restored Victorian park in the middle of the remains, a preposterously large lion as a memorial to one of the Afghan campaigns, and Reading Gaol (now a young offenders institute) right next door. There are also rather nice walks down by the river Kennet.

All in all, I'm glad my bank business took me there: it's nowhere I would have thought of taking a trip to, but I think I might now go back when I have more time.

( Under the cut, a few more pictures from the World Scout Jamboree )