In the latest instalment of my remedial film education, I sat down this afternoon to watch Back To The Future with dad and Katie. What fun! Indeed, it has just inspired me to prepare a tall glass of chocolate milk for myself – which, as everyone knows, is the sure-fire prerequisite to approaching attractive 1950s American girls in chrome-plated suburban diners and successfully asking them to the dance. Fantabulous!

(Of course, and here’s the weird thing, if I had to travel back in time to make sure that my parents got together I’d be round about the right time to go see that film in the cinema on first release. But then 1980s Britain would hardly be my first choice of time-travelling destination… [cue predictable ‘I wish the same could be said for David Cameron, eh?’ witticism. Aha. I’m here all week.])

Anyway, Back To The Future was a generous DVD loan from Paul last night at Abbi and Paul’s dinner party, also featuring Paul’s brother and cousin. This was my first time visiting their lovely new flat, but the potential for many more parties has already been well observed, assuming that we all band together and get them some more cutlery. (I did wonder, on my way there, what would happen if I ran into one of those public transport knife-searching efforts clutching my little bag of knives, forks, spoons, wine bottles and After Eights… threatening much?) A lovely evening, and delicious food too

Now, holiday part #2: from Sunday to Thursday I had a wonderful time down in Deal with Oliver, Abi and Abi’s friend Helen. It feels like we did a lot, even though it was hardly packed with strenuous activity, from seaside fish and chips to Jenga Truth or Dare. We watched All About My Mother and the adorable My Neighbour Totoro, as well as lots of Black Books and (my contribution) The Day Today, and just generally had lots of fun – especially during the now infamous ‘why look, we’re running out of lemonade…’ vodka night. (Ahem.) And now, alongside photos, I have some tasty rhubarb jam to remember it by! Yum yum.

Finally, I was grinning happily on the train home on Thursday after Tash phoned that morning with her A-Level results and the fact she’s confirmed for Manchester next year. Hurray! Am incredibly delighted for her, as I am for all those who got what they wanted, and I wish you all lots of fun times ahead. Equally, I’m sure there will be lots of fun times ahead for those who were disappointed, even if it doesn’t feel that way at the moment. Stick on in there

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