My friend and I lunched outside looking at the Park. Glorious and everybody smiling.

28.3°c

Hottest April day since 1949

I read this initially as lunch in park with friend; had sweet image of you perched on a blanket with a cheese sandwich and bottle of lemonade...

It was very nearly that, wyot; we went to my local restaurant with tables on the pavement and sat literally feet from the grass. Picnic was more his than mine - he had salmon tartare whilst I had lobster spaghetti. He drank tap water; I drank French cider. Every few minutes hundreds of young cyclists came out of the park and swept down Queensway. But the main thing was - everyone was smiling. I'm used to this on my long trips abroad; in sunny climates everyone looks happier. One reason why I enjoy being there.