I've practically lost my voice, I stink of cigarette smoke, and I'm cold - but I had one of the best days of my holiday today. During the afternoon, I hung out with my parents and my sisters, who took the train up to London today. We did much as I expected: walked around London, sat down in parks and cafes, reminisced, and joshed with each other - all thoroughly enjoyable.

After Sally, the older of my two sisters, returned to St Albans with my parents, Kirstie and I met up with a couple of her (Kirstie's) gay friends and we spent a long evening boozing and eating. Lord, to think I'd live to see the day when I'm doing the rounds of gay pubs with my sister and her friends. But it was such fun; I liked her friends a lot, and I feel I have such a great connection with Kirstie. It really made me feel what I'm missing by not having her in my life more regularly.

But how they smoke here! It's that, and talking for hours over sound systems, that is responsible for my scratchy throat. And there may be more tomorrow. On Sunday late afternoons, there's a well-known tea-dance at Limelight that we might all go to. Last time I went there, five years or so ago, they played Abba all evening, I had great fun, and I met the most gorgeous guy (with whom I spent seven nights thereafter). Hope it's the same kind of fun this time!