One of these days I'll be sufficiently beforehand with the world to blog about things as they happen rather than as they were some time ago. The Romantic Novelists' Association Summer Party 2007 was its usual glittering self with excellent company, rather nice wine and pretty good nibbles. I'm so glad the chef at One Birdcage Walk decided to retain the tiny sausages with cheesy mash as one of the canapé options this year. He also retained the asparagus spears in Hollandaise sauce - sadly they all disappeared en route between the serving door and me. Never mind, enough of the tempura vegetables with chilli dipping sauce made it past the crowd to mollify me.
Part of the pleasure of these parties is the opportunity to catch up with friends, such as lovely Caroline ...and equally lovely Kate (seen here on the right chatting to Jenny
Haddon).The highlight of the evening was the announcement of this year's RNA NWS winner. Dr David Hessayon sponsors this every year in memory of his late wife Joan (and gives us all a glass of fizz to boot!). I have an extremely soft spot for this award since I won it myself with Stage by Stage in 2005, so felt it entirely appropriate that Phillipa Ashley should greet her own win this year by shedding a few tears. I was with you all the way, Phillipa!
Left - Dave Hessayon. Right - Phillipa and her husband John, together with her book, Decent Exposure, and the trophy.
Seems a shame evenings like this can't go on for ever!
