Hodeessyo Heeko

Last night I went out for dinner to Rodizio Rico, a Brazilian churrascaria de rodizio. For those that have either never been to Brazil or can't be bothered clicking on the wiki-links, it's a kind of a barbecue rotisserie sort of place where lots of different sorts of meat is cooked on skewers and then brought and served to you at your table basically constantly throughout the meal. In Brazil, customers in this style of restaurant are traditionally given some sort of red/green traffic light mechanism to indicate whether they need another slice of steak or another chunk of lamb leg or another 'coracao de frango' (you can look that one up yourself) or whatever. At the one we went to here in London they just come and ask you if you want more. The meat is then served alongside a buffet of rice, beans, potatoes, salad, banana fritters etc. It's 'eat all you want' so you they continue serving you until either you say no or you explode. Death by meat. Not a bad way to go, I guess. Although if that happens you don't get to enjoy the fabulous 'mousse de maracuja' (passion fruit mousse for those who can't list fruits in Portuguese). Sublime.

The dinner was basically a farewell dinner for my department at work (or the London members of it, at least) and a couple of extras who sit close to my department. It was a really great evening. I haven't laughed so much in ages. Joanne made it along too, which was nice. It was good she could get to meet the people I spend every day with. I'm going to miss all those guys, you know. We have a good department. The right balance of seriousness (when it's needed) and banter. It's going to be weird on Friday evening leaving here for the last time. I guess it will only really sink in then that I no longer work here. It's the only company I've ever worked for!

Today's news on the flat sale is that our solicitor has managed to speak to the environmental health bod responsible for our case. He says that as soon as he receives confirmation that the fee will be paid he will supply the relevant information within 24 hours. Our estate agent has been speaking to the buyer's solicitor as well. It appears that she had no idea the fee was due. Sheesh! If we were paying peanuts I wouldn't mind employing monkeys. So, the bottom line, if, and it's a big if, this £68 gets paid the buyer's solicitor can have the information she needs by tomorrow. Then we can exchange on Friday and complete sometime next week. There is still a chance we can get it all sorted before we leave. Which would be nice.