Away Most of this Weekend

[wheelspinner]

I'm off to Canberra for a surprise party; it's my friend's 50th birthday.

Really looking forward to it as it's in a swank restaurant. I get to rock my new Brioni shirt with an Italian suit. It's nice to be able to dress up for reasons other than a job interview, and I intend to go the whole hog.

My friend is part of the Parliamentary Press Gallery, and many of her workmates will be invited. With luck I'll pick up some good goss for you politicos while I'm there.

[MacBeth]

Have loads of fun !!

[Calluna]

Have a great time! Send me a doggy bag from that swank restaurant.

[wheelspinner]

Back now.

Sadly no good goss for you - the journos were too busy getting drunk. I did get to meet a famous Australian journalist at the dinner - Michelle Grattan, our equivalent of Helen Thomas. She is the doyenne of the gallery. Very nice lady - massively into poodles.