I'm planning the trip on 14 September for Mum and me.
That's the date we're seeing John Barrowman on his opening night in
La Cage Aux Folles in the West End.
In case you missed the other times I mentioned it.
I've accepted I will not get to Amsterdam this year.
Much as I planned it, I know I can't cope with it. And I'd probably royally screw myself up right now if I went.
SOME of my savings are being directed to this date.
Hang on - Monster's on holiday, right?
No, seriously - Mum is happy with what I pay her in housekeeping, and also appreciates the need for me to have things to look forward to. She isn't quite as excited about the performance as I am - she loves musicals the same, but is not as struck by the Barrowman.
SO.
NOT spending all my savings. Just enough to make it a super-special day.
Plan so far.
11.30 - London Walk. Darkest Victorian London ("peeling forbidden fruit") Cheaper than a film, but much MUCH more engaging.
13.00 - Lunch at Yo Sushi! Probably in Selfridges. There's about 4 in Central London that offer a Blue Plate Special on Mondays. Mum has never eaten sushi, but she'll love it.
14.30ish - haircut for Cherry! Yay! Off to Hair by Fairy, who did my hair beautifully when I first went short (when it was lilac). £13.50 - cheaper than the butchered job I got from the home hairdresser here.
16.00ish (after wandering round Covent Garden) cocktails at Harvey Nichols. The one expensive part of the day (they are £10.95-£15.00 each! We'll only have one! And mine will be alcohol free) Thing is, Mum has never been to Harvey Nicks, has always wanted to, but no-one else had the front to take her. I don't need designer clothes to hold my own. And bloody hell - Mum has put with me for 9 months.
17.00 - Dinner at a J D Wetherspoons just off Trafalgar Square. Two meals for under a tenner.
18.00 - Start walking down to the Embankment, to arrive nice and early (as taught by Mum) at the theatre, put a card in at the Stage Door, order interval drinks (a treat Mum will consider even more outrageous than Harvey Nicks!) and settle down with a programme between us for the performance.
It might not all come off like that.
But you can so see I am my Mum's daughter. The planning is such a part of the fun.
That's why Ste and I scrapped the idea of a surprise party for her 3 years ago - she loves that side of things and has passed it on to me. Which is why I'm happy to amend these plans if she wants.