Spent the morning writing out Christmas cards. Got through a lot, though I have some more to do. I'm not a fan of Xmas cards, and would just as happily send and receive none every year -- but I don't want people thinking I'm an old Scrooge, do I?!?

Headed up the West End with Bas around midday. I bought an old Rolex watch (from 1924) earlier in the year, and it's been losing time recently, so I took it back to the shop for repairs. The shop is the Vintage Rolex ship in Burlington Arcade -- worth going to have a look at if you like old watches, as it's the only dedicated antique Rolex shop in the world!! While there, I spotted a lovely Oyster watch from 1940, and decided to treat myself to it as an early Christmas present!!! I usually get crap pressies from family and friends, so if I don't splurge out on myself, nobody else will!!!!!!   :-)

Bought a couple of paintings by a newish artist, Alison Mills, after that. They both depict vague figures in snowy landscapes. Not the usual sort of pictures I'd go for, but I liked these a lot, so decided to buy. I really like buying "new" art -- it's exciting to wonder if the artist will go on to bigger, better things, and if a painting bought for a relatively small amount now will shoot up in value over the years. I collect for fun, paintings that I like -- but it would certainly add to my pleasure if I turned out to have a keen eye for fine art!!!! Not that I think I have -- unless I wear extra strong glasses!!

Went to our first show of the day after that, "And Then There Were None" at the Gielgud. I'd seen the old movie of it some years ago, but couldn't remember it very well, so I didn't twig to who the murderer was until quite late in the play. I'm not a huge Agatha Christie fan, but I like to watch plays of her work every now and then. The play was originally called "Ten Little Niggers"!!!! Hard to believe that was once considered an acceptable title for a play, but that's the way the world changes! Makes me wonder if any of MY titles will one day be considered obscene!!!!!!!

Had dinner at TGI Friday's, one of my favourite restaurant chains -- I usually eat there at least once a month! Then we went to see "Mary Stuart" at the Apollo. An intriguing political play about Mary Stuart (Queen of Scots) and Elizabeth the First. Not the easiest play to sit through, but it was beautifully acted, and built superbly to a thoroughly satisfying finale. Sitting two rows behind me was the ex-Prime Minister of the UK, John Major!! Given the subject matter of the play, I found his presence especially pleasing, and kept looking for parallels between the characters in the play and the twisted relationships between members of recent UK governments -- and there were plenty to find!!!!! The more things change ...