Mary and I had a busy weekend, which saw us at the Cambridge Arts Theatre on Saturday evening enjoying Tom Conti's performance in Romantic Comedy, and on Sunday at our old friends the Nourses to celebrate their daughter Charlotte's wedding. Sadly we had to leave early as Mary was flying to Israel to speak in a seminar on alternative and sustainable energy the following day. Back in London and I am now reading through the twelfth draft of my latest novel, A Prisoner of Birth, before handing it in to the publishers on September 17th.
On Monday evening I conducted an auction at Grosvenor House for Jason Leonard (114 caps, 1 try) for his favourite charity, ORCHID, which raises money for research into male cancer. It was a sell out, and Matt Dawson, Austin Healey, Will Greenwood, Brian Moore, Michael Lynagh, Jeremy Guscott and of course Jason Leonard, answered questions about the forthcoming Rugby World Cup.
Universal opinion seemed to be that France, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand would reach the semi-finals, France and New Zealand the final, and heaven knows who would win with an 80,000 crowd cheering for the home side. The panel were of the general opinion that although England, Wales and Ireland would get to the quarter finals, their chances of progressing beyond that were not too good. Matt Dawson was particularly scathing about the way England have played in the last couple of years. Jeremy Guscott did suggest that if Wales could beat Australia at Cardiff and meet England in the quarters, then we might just reach the semis and end up against New Zealand.
The auction raised £63,000. I do have two comments on what was a very enjoyable evening. First, the food at Grosvenor House is not improving - mind you, I have just spent two glorious weeks in Italy - and second, I do wish these male-dominated, testosterone-fuelled events would attract more women. Such an event held in Australia or even America would attract 50% women. Our rugby players still believe a night out with the boys getting drunk is a good time.
On Monday evening I conducted an auction at Grosvenor House for Jason Leonard (114 caps, 1 try) for his favourite charity, ORCHID, which raises money for research into male cancer. It was a sell out, and Matt Dawson, Austin Healey, Will Greenwood, Brian Moore, Michael Lynagh, Jeremy Guscott and of course Jason Leonard, answered questions about the forthcoming Rugby World Cup.
Universal opinion seemed to be that France, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand would reach the semi-finals, France and New Zealand the final, and heaven knows who would win with an 80,000 crowd cheering for the home side. The panel were of the general opinion that although England, Wales and Ireland would get to the quarter finals, their chances of progressing beyond that were not too good. Matt Dawson was particularly scathing about the way England have played in the last couple of years. Jeremy Guscott did suggest that if Wales could beat Australia at Cardiff and meet England in the quarters, then we might just reach the semis and end up against New Zealand.
The auction raised £63,000. I do have two comments on what was a very enjoyable evening. First, the food at Grosvenor House is not improving - mind you, I have just spent two glorious weeks in Italy - and second, I do wish these male-dominated, testosterone-fuelled events would attract more women. Such an event held in Australia or even America would attract 50% women. Our rugby players still believe a night out with the boys getting drunk is a good time.
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