Sunday 23rd November 2025

Woke around 0900. Aki cooked omelette for brunch before cycling off to rowing club. I did a couple of hours work before a light lunch…chicken soup. Aki back early afternoon. Did another couple of hours at the computer before warming up the last of the chicken chasseur. Cinnamon bun and ice cream for afters. Watched the Black Swan before catching Arsenal on MOTD…Eze starred in a demolition of north London rivals Spurs.

Saturday 22nd November 2025

Woke around 0815. Aki cycled off to market for bread while I prepared brunch. Text message from Kath to say dad in pain…lower back trouble. Gave mum a ring…dad up and about but needing his walking stick. I caught a bus to Stamford Hill, heading in for Panto rehearsal. Damp day, but not as cold as of late. Picked up a sarnie from Pret. Ran the whole show with some added props and costume. Lines were a bit all over the shop, but they got through it. They all went off to a karaoke club in Dalston…I made my escape, getting home in time for dinner. Kath rang…dad still being violently sick. Keeping an eye on him…see what he’s like tomorrow morning. Meatballs, puttanesca sauce, and pappardelle for dinner. Watched some telly. MOTD included Newcastle’s victory over Manchester City…Sunderland lost at Fulham. 

Friday 21st November 2025

Alarm at 0750. Descended for breakfast in the pub next door. Did an hour at the laptop before checking out and completing the inspections. Skipped lunch in order to maximise the working daylight. Finished up in Strood around 1600. Celebrated with soup in M&S. Headed for home. Surprised at how clear the Blackwall Tunnell Approach was…the toll seems to be doing its job. Equally surprised at how dire the traffic was from then on! Worrying warning lamp on my dash…no idea what it meant so drove on…without mishap. Aki baked trout for dinner. Watched Daddy Issues…a bit gross, but laugh out loud funny. Bath and bed…

Thursday 20th November 2025

Alarm at 0800. Descended for breakfast. Quite bright out but 1C…blinkin’ freezin’! Inspections in Chatham today. Broke for lunch and walked through town to the Shopping Centre…which appears to be undergoing a major redevelopment…about time! Had a baked potato in Subway, and got some odds and ends in Sainsbury’s. Ended the working day on the Weeds Wood estate. Dined in the pub annexed to the Premier Inn…too cold to venture out. 

Wednesday 19th November 2025.

Alarm at 0800. Descended for breakfast in the pub next door…sat at a table which afforded views of the traffic congestion on Watling Street. Grey, damp looking day. Inspections in Rochester and Strood. Had to to a lot of walking…bloody cold out! Lunched on a baked potato in Morrison’s and bought some odds and ends in M&S. Ended the working day in Wainscott, then drove back to the Premier Inn. Drove to Chatham Docks for dinner at the Ship & Trades. Crab linguine was very tasty. Back at the hotel I FaceTimed Aki. Nowt on telly. Got in to bed and nodded off to some music…

Tuesday 18th November 2025

Alarm at 0800. Got up and porridged. Warmed some soup for the thermos flask. Packed a bag and drove off for Strood. Got there about 1130. Shopped for some lunch in M&S, then drove to Hoo to start inspections. Ate my lunch in the car on Knights Road. Ended the working day in the gloaming in Rochester, then headed for the Premier Inn on Gillingham Business Park. FaceTimed Aki from my room. She’s booking tickets for the panto. Drove over to Chatham Docks to pick up fish ‘n chips from the Ship & Trades, and brought my dinner back to have in my room…watched Scotland v Denmark…cracking game which saw Scotland win 4-2 after scoring twice in injury time! They overhaul Denmark at the top of the group and qualify for their first World Cup since 1998!

Monday 17th November 2025

Got up around 0830. Porridged. Did a couple of hours at the computer. Did my exercises. Popped out for stationery before Aki warmed up the bonne femme soup for lunch. Did another couple of hours at the computer before early dinner. Headed off for Stoke Newington for rehearsals. Another stagger through Act I…I acted as prompt. Needs a lot of polishing. Home a little after 2230…bath and bed.