Teddy Edward

Lunch today at Rules Restaurant, London's oldest, dating back to 1798. It is a regular haunt of the Fleet Street Motoring Group - national motoring writers - for lunch events at which we quiz captains of the motor industry who come as our guests. Today's distinguished guest was Linda Jackson, a Brit who is at the top of her tree in France, as global Chief Executive Officer of Citroen.

We should have been 14 for lunch, but one of our group had to cancel at the last moment, so rather than having 13 of us at the table we had an extra place for teddy Edward. It's not that we're superstitious, you understand ...

I'm not sure whether that's really his name, but as this is the restaurant where King Edward VII used to dine with his mistress Lillie Langtry, it seemed appropriate to christen him thus. If you watched the tv series Downton Abbey, you may recognise the traditional decor of Rules, which featured when the fictional Lady Edith dined there.

Tonight is the occasion of the annual dinner of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, a glittering black tie 'do', so another calorific meal this evening. It's not ideal, two in one day, so I'm staying away from any scales for the next couple of days!