DECEMBER 11 - LUNCH WITH THE RAKES

Hello blogfans,

I had a delicious lunch yesterday with the Rake Society, at Harry Lester's fantastic 'Anchor and Hope' restaurant on the Cut, Waterloo.

We went for drinks afterwards at the Oxford & Cambridge Club, so I had to wear a jacket and tie to get in. I think I'm pretty used to walking around now with a big pink beard, without getting too self-conscious, but that changes greatly with a suit and tie! At least when I'm wearing normal clothes I look a little more normal, but with a suit and pink beard, the contrast is more noticeable.

I had wanted to get some photos taken of me at the O&C Club, with old members "Harrumph"ing in the background. The expressions on the faces of some of the old geezers were priceless - I found it hard not to laugh out loud. The look of disbelief on the face of one guy displayed his complete inner mental turmoil "Egads, that young lady has a beard!"

Fundraising is going well - I think we've raised about £850 this far - thank you to you all!

Once again, the money is going to Primhe, a mental health charity who provide primary healthcare and education for people with mental illnesses and Depression. The Primhe website is at: www.Primhe.org and there is a page in their site where you can donate directly to the charity, and even donate with Gift Aid, so that Primhe can claim back 28p from the Inland Revenue for every £1.00 donated.