Of the academics who is appointed to liaise with me for his department had his leaving 'do' this afternoon. I trundled over to the admin office where it was to be held only to arrive just as the fire alarms were being set off by one of the admin ladies making toast. Cue the whole building (staff, students, the works) out into the carpark in the rain.

I was moving outside along with three of the admin staff I vaguely knew. (Well one's a friend of my sister and recognized me from drinks, the other two have seen me about, but the office is so big and I'm never introduced to these ladies so I was right on the edge of recognizing them at all.) Anyway, thanks to the rain one of them suggests we sit her car which is welcome.

One of them was concerned for my reputation if was seen getting into a car with three attractive young ladies, which was sweet. I did point out when the dancing to the music on the radio started that such jiggling of the car and the windows steaming up weren't going to help the rumors!

Back at the leaving do, the good Doctor was sent on his way in fine style. A 'This is your life style' presentation from the department head I find the most approachable and would perhaps get on with best were to meet socially. I also discovered that the academic in question was four years younger than myself which was very scary given how much he felt very much my 'elder' and 'better'. His deep African voice will be much missed.