(no subject)

Having delayed so inevitably the choice of locale, I am now faced with that unenviable crush of preparations in the shortest time imaginable. Not to mention the over-scheduling of the few days we've left before we depart: I even had to switch my meeting with Revati to avoid missing a session while we're on holiday.

(Mr Collins, regarding your latest owl and private message: Yes, I did receive the sample material. It's an impressive effort, I agree, though it does not quite duplicate the natural 'slub' of a real silk. I think you may also need to pay closer attention to the sheen - I am not sure whether your product aspires to be Dupioni or taffeta, but in neither case does it quite succeed. In any event, I shall pass it on, but I do believe Mrs Patil has already selected her fabrics. You might have sent them to her direct and saved some time.)

I've lunch with the ladies this afternoon; I almost wish I were not going this week, with all the packing, but it will be a welcome break, I suppose. I believe I can predict at least half the conversational topics: Mariah will be full of anecdotes from the YPL camping trip (her daughter is a counselor with the programme) and Diana I'm sure will wish to regale us with tales of her son's Quidditch camp.

Oh - that reminds me: Barty, thank you again for the tickets. I'm sure Lucius mentioned it to you already but he and Draco greatly enjoyed the match on Saturday last. I do think it was good for them to go together. Lucius seems to have so little time these days. I'd hoped the summer would have been less busy for him - but so it goes. At least next week we can all have some much-needed rest and relaxation.

I suppose I ought to throw in a deck or two of cards; I'm sure someone in the entourage can be enticed to play now and again.