I forgot my camera today and had loads of photo opportunities during the day - doh! as Homer would say!

We had a 'the weekend is longer if you go out on a Friday' evening out - supper in a pizza palace (well, Pizza Hut actually) - grim grim grim - the place was understaffed and so tables were dirty, people were queuing outside in the rain when there were empty tables inside, the beer was warm because they hadn't been replenishing the fridge regularly and the food was decidedly grotty. The staff that were there were really good, though - despite being rushed off their feet they were friendly and helpful - a credit to the business, shame about the rest of it. No photo opportunities there though!

After a decidedly mixed experience there, we went on to see 'Down With Love' (which has just come out in the UK) at the cinema - another dodgy experience. The place was filthy - the toilets had loads of water all over the floor, the lobby and entrances to the screens were full of vomit - every three or four feet of the carpet was a huge white patch (carpet cleaning fluid) where the poor, beleaguered staff were trying to clean up the mess and, once in the cinema a 12 certificate film was ruined by two unaccompanied children of around eight years old, screaming, chatting and running around. No photo opportunities there either.

What a night. You have to feel for the poor staff of these places - probably on minimum wage or even below, barely more than children themselves and yet dealing with the unbelievably bad behaviour of the public. Whatever happened to social responsibilities?

Mind you, all was not a total disaster, the film was good - Ewan Macgregor very handsome.......James Bond springs easily to mind, Renee Zellwegger gorgeous, a good, funny twist to the plot that was very unexpected and the styling was completely wonderful - loads of sharp suits, kitten heels and glamour - just my cup of tea!

We came out of the cinema and I looked across the street and this fantastically colourful tree was lit beautifully by a streetlight. Unfortunately a tripod would have been a good thing to have but I don't usually carry one of those in my handbag so the pic got taken resting on a scaffolding pole!

Safely at home and tucked up on the sofa, we remembered how 'there's no place like home'.