As per my usual, I tabbed this back when you posted it and then it was promptly swallowed up by lots of other tabs. But I'm back!

Your descriptions of the Gala brought to mind all sorts of memories; we'd been in town for all three gala days that happened during our time in Durham and each one was just the same except where it was different. I was very sorry to miss it this year.

*really* looking forward to visiting in September!! ;-D