Finished my RICS CPD this morning...interesting listen concerning Fire Safety post-Grenfell, and the inimitable Robert Grundy could be heard as a panelist on a discussion concerning the housing market post-pandemic. Aki cycled to Waitrose to get some more odds and ends prior to preparing her New Year's Day extravaganza, but the queue was too long...it's cold out there! So she picked up some veg at Michael's instead. Came over exceptionally tired this afternoon, and nodded off on the sofa...retired to bed around 5pm and slept for an hour! We drove to Waitrose after dinner to do a little shop and get some champagne in for tomorrow night. Covid deaths up to almost 1,000 today...getting scary again out there!
Wednesday 30 December 2020
Tuesday 29 December 2020
Tuesday 29th December 2020
Strange dream last night...we were driving country roads, when we saw a brown estate car hurtle into the road in front of us and disappear, but later came back the other way, the occupants giving us the eye as they passed. I sensed trouble and put my foot down, but they soon appeared in my rear view mirror, and I crashed into a tree on a bend in the road. Set off for the Whittington Hospital at 1030 for an 1100am appointment at the Dermatology Clinic. Young junior doctor, Jamie, looked me over, and then Kathy the Consultant came in and had a look at the growth on my right ear. She recommended they 'burn' it off with liquid nitrogen (minus 196 degrees), which Jamie duly did. I bade him a "very happy New Ear" and walked home via M&S at Archway. Aki insisted I put my clothing in the wash, and I took a quick bath before lunch. FaceTimed ma and pa for a quick chat...Kath has gone back home, and back to work. Aki cycled into Soho to get supplies from the Japanese store in Brewer Street, in readiness for Friday's Japanese breakfast.
Monday 28 December 2020
Monday 28th December 2020
Sunday 27 December 2020
Sunday 27th December 2020
Quiet day after Storm Bella's visit during the night. Aki dragged me out for a walk, and we made our way over pavements covered in fallen tree branches, to Clissold Park, and back via the old and new Arsenal football stadia. Spent the afternoon reading Will & Testament, and listening to some contemporary music featured in the Guardian's Top 10. Frankie Boyle writing in Saturday's magazine made me laugh...on Joe Biden: 'He's not exactly overflowing with presence. You see his picture and the first thing you think is, "Was that already in there when I bought the frame?" He could become the first president assassinated by an icy patch outside the Post Office'; and on Boris: 'There's no denying he does possess some Churchillian qualities: racism and obesity'. Genius!
Saturday 26th December 2020
Aki had a bad night...reckoned the Chinese tea she drank yesterday evening meant she was too wired to get off to sleep. Late brunch. Took a mid-afternoon perambulation over toward Stroud Green, before Storm Bella mixed things up. Got some odds and ends in TescoExpress...came out and belatedly realised I hadn’t been wearing my facemask! FaceTimed ma and pa...Kath still there.
Friday 25th December 2020
Thursday 24th December 2020
Wednesday 23rd December 2020
Slow start this morning...after a late breakfast, I walked to Hornsey Street for a blood letting appointment. Need my PSA count checked, as it's been awhile. Got a soaking as the heavens opened! By the time I got home Aki had made a Xmas card incorporating my pencil sketch of No.3 Sussex Way, encircled by a wreath...and we wandered up the street posting them through neighbours’ letter boxes. Bumped into Gareth outside No.120 and handed him his...he invited us to come and play tennis on Xmas Day morning! No bread left at Big Jo’s so I walked to Girasole...Eglal sold me a couple of par-baked croissants to stick in the oven for Xmas Day breakfast. Did some work this afternoon. Started watching the NT streaming of Dick Whittington...but we had laptop problems and gave up...besides, it's not the same in the round; it needs those naff pros. arch backdrops to be a proper panto. Watched another episode of The Crown instead...
Tuesday 22nd December 2020
Slow start...bad night’s sleep, thinking about the newly discovered water leak! Wish we could move somewhere better...our life savings have been ploughed into this bottomless pit!!! Managed half-a-day’s work on Adrian’s Kingston Borough Council scheme, then prepared for our Skype dinner date with Tony and Katrina. Our internet service was so poor they couldn’t hear us, nor see us properly...gave up but hooked back in via iPhone instead, which seemed to work much better and salvaged the situation. Katrina is planning to spend Xmas day with Lesley. Tony is planning to smuggle a few family members into his Hastings residence.
Monday 21st December 2020
Drove to Kingston upon Thames to do some inspections today, via the petrol station at Sainsbury’s, Harringay Green Lanes. Needed a comfort break on my way home, and happened to find myself driving through Richmond Park...it’s enormous! Found toilets at the visitor centre on Queen’s Drive. Aki had attempted an attack on Waitrose this morning, but was beaten back by the sight of the queues. I went in the car this evening after dinner, so we are now well stocked for the festive period...though I was disappointed not to find any Xmas pud!
Sunday 20th December 2020
Bright morning enticed us out for a walk after brunch. Called in on Helen and Martin in Fairbridge Road to drop off their Xmas card...Viv Albertine walked past us, but Martin failed to alert me before she had walked out of sight. Hiked up Highgate Hill and bought a coffee at Lauderdale House...I had a shot of Bailey’s in mine! Popped in to the deli for some pasta flour then walked home. FaceTimed ma and pa who confirmed they’d had a delivery today...an Italian food hamper Aki had ordered for them. Got a call from Jim Lister who was driving home having been to his folks’ to cook ‘em dinner. Gave me one or two pointers for the lyrics I’m composing for his mum and dad’s 90th birthdays! Watched Portrait of a Lady on Fire...beautifully shot and there were some stunning images...
Saturday 19th December 2020
A slow start. Aki eventually coaxed me out into the day, and we walked to Selby’s to buy a new pillow. Also purchased a milk pan...got 20% off because it wasn’t boxed. The shop assistant looked worryingly sweaty...there’s a new covid variant sweeping Old London Town. Boris stuck us in Tier 4 this evening, which means the car swap on the M1 is off, as we are not permitted to leave Tier 4 for a lower tier! Bumped into Lynne who was packing presents into her car and escaping to bubble up with her sister in Pinner. Watched Clemency this evening...powerful movie targeting the inhuman US justice system and death row.
Friday 18th December 2020
Aki up and away early for a session on the River Lea. Lazy day reading the book we got for Kath for Xmas...Hamnet...it’s not as good as I expected...certainly doesn’t come close to Ms Mantel's evocation of the period. Walked to the post box and back. Made some pasta this evening and FaceTimed Kath...she can meet us at Woolley Edge service station on Boxing Day. Watched the 1968 film version of The Heart is a Lonely Hunter. A neutered version of the book...and therefore a rather unsatisfying experience. Set in a rather affluent mid 1960s rather than the dilapidated late thirties of the novel...
Thursday 17th December 2020
No work on today so pottered about finishing off the last batch of Xmas cards and reading the final chapters of the marvellous The Heart is a Lonely Hunter. Aki cycled off to Essex Road for a hair dressing appointment. Book Club meet over Zoom this evening...but we had continual connection problems...think we need to speak to our service provider! An obscure contemporary Norwegian novel, entitled Will & Testament, was chosen for the next read...
Wednesday 16th December 2020
Aki up at 6.30 as she had an early site meeting in Finchley. She took the car. I pottered about doing Xmas cards and had a shower. Queued at the post office in the dank for stamps. Kath texted to say ma and pa’s covid tests had both come back negative...that’s a relief!!! Ambled to Waitrose to buy some pheasant breasts for Xmas day. Got some crab meat for starters, and some foie gras. Popped in to the Oxfam shop for more cards, and bought liquorice at H&B. FaceTimed the folks to congratulate them, and spoke to Kath. Watched first episode of Succession, which everyone is talking about...not v impressed...rather ham-fisted script, and annoying camerawork.
Tuesday 15th December 2020
No work for me to do today. Started writing up some Xmas cards, and ventured out to the post box on Hornsey Road. Got a call from Julie Williams to say that Nigel has been to hell and back, but is now on the mend. FaceTimed Ma and Pa, who are still awaiting test results. Kath looked well. Aki made creme caramels...but the caramel was bitter, and the custard had turned out a bit omelettey.
Monday 14th December 2020
Worked at the dining table in my jim-jams until 2pm. Spent about an hour-and-a-half on the blower with Jermaine from IT...trying to find a way to efficiently upload photos! Eventually went down the iCloud route...should have done it sooner! Aki braved the covid-wracked environs of Lower Holloway with a trip to Waitrose. We are being promoted, or rather relegated, to Tier 3 on Wednesday, and there’s a new mutation prowling the streets. FaceTimed Kath...looks well, and will be back at work on Friday! Jim and Kath Whatsapped us for a quick catch up. Barney getting on famously with Guy Garvey, apparently, and cooking up a storm with Jesse Ware...looking forward to hearing the results next year...
Sunday 13th December 2020
We delayed our visit to Stroud Green farmer’s market this morning, as it was raining on and off...Katherine from No.127 had suggested meeting her there, but she had already returned home before we set off! We called on her for a brief chat on the doorstep on our way. Market was busy, but nothing particularly drew our interest...we went to the organic veg shop instead. Called in at Girasole and bought some n’duja. FaceTimed Kath...she still has no symptoms. Looks well. Watched Citizen Kane...still leaves me cold...gimme Fellini any day of the week!
Saturday 12th December 2020
Bit of a nothing day...couldn’t get motivated to do much besides read my Carson McCullers...though Aki persuaded me out for a walk around the block late afternoon. Kath ok...still no symptoms which must be a good sign. Ma and pa still awaiting test kits...
Friday 11th December 2020
Woke early so got up and got ready for work. Drove up the M1 to Bedford, then across to a couple of villages north of Cambridge. Stopped off at London Gateway, and Toddington services...and at Birchanger on the M11 on the way home. FaceTimed Kath...she looked ok...no sign of any covid symptoms still. Called ma and pa...they are awaiting delivery of a couple of test kits. Aki cooked a fish curry...very tasty!
Thursday 10th December 2020
Walked down to the NHS clinic in Laycock St.,via Highbury Fields, for a 12.20 appointment with Dr Sulic. My right ear caused him problems, the wax being too hard to remove. Won’t be able to try again until January 21st!!! Mirko said “Your ears never cease to amaze me, Ree-chard”. I laughed heartily! He drew attention to a lump on my right ear which he reckoned might become carcinogenic if left to it’s own devices...walked back home, picking up a frittata and some salad from Broccoli to share with Aki for lunch. Kath texted to say she’d tested positive for covid 19!!! Worried she might have passed it on to ma and pa!!! She’s now got to self isolate for 10 days. Ma and pa have tried and failed to find a test facility...apparently you need to be showing symptoms. Kath has no symptoms either.
Wednesday 9th December 2020
We marked the 10th anniversary of our first date today...I made a card which featured 10 photos of us coupled up, one for each year. I worked from home today. Aki popped out to get some supplies from Waitrose. We celebrated with a slap up three course dinner and champagne this evening, and nodded off in front of the telly!
Tuesday 8th December 2020
Finished off the east London inspections today for the Local Space portfolio. Managed to make comfort breaks at Asda in Beckton, and in Dagenham, and a shop for odds and ends in Waitrose, Woodford Green. Got some treats in for tomorrow. Historic day as the first covid vaccines were rolled out. Aki was just ending her JCUK Xmas zoom meet when I got in. Rang ma and pa to see whether they had taken Kath’s advice and sought out a covid test, but they hadn’t been able to as they aren’t showing symptoms...unlike my colleague, Nigel Williams, who posted his on fb...sounds as if he’s having a torrid time of it!
Monday 7th December 2020
Aki cycled in to Savills HQ at Margaret Street with my laptop and dropped it off for the IT man to rebuild. I had to venture out to the GP surgery to get my fix of flu vaccine. After lunch, I had a podiatry appointment over the phone with Albana...she’s working from home with COVID symptoms! Said she’d been unwell for three weeks now...I prescribed that she put her feet up for a bit (not really, but was tempted!). Made a date and walnut cake. Kath rang to say one of her colleagues had tested positive...and was worried she had put ma and pa at risk. But she hasn’t had contact with said colleague for two weeks, so we assured her she was in the clear given that she has no symptoms. Watched the magnificent Frances McDormand as the redoubtable Olive Kitteridge...
Sunday 6th December 2020
Kath texted to say she and Dex had called it a day...then that the old lady she’d been looking after overnight had fallen and broken her ankle. They’d spent the early hours of the morning at the hospital! Spoke to her via Zoom late afternoon...she seemed ok. Said she’d had enough of Dex shouting at her for no reason, usually in public! She did the right thing telling him to pack his bags and go home. Aki went rowing this morning...I ventured out briefly at midday and tried Eglal’s sourdough (bit cheaper than Big Jo’s), and got some odds and ends in TescoExpress. Julie Williams posted on fb confirming Nigel has picked up covid during his stay at Morriston Hospital...not good!!!
Saturday 5th December 2020
We took a long walk after brunch, stumbling across a busking old school jazz band sat on a bench in Highbury Fields, watched by an appreciative crowd. Aki gave ‘em £3 via ApplePay! Ambled down the east side of Upper Street, window shopping...a lot of people out and about. Bought Kath Maggie O’Farrell’s Hamnet at Waterstones on Islington Green...which was rammed! Busy in Muji too.
Friday 4th December 2020
Another day of inspections out east London way. Managed a comfort break at Tesco’s in Leytonstone, and had lunch sat in the car on Claremont Road, in the insalubrious Forest Gate area. Watched the first of Steve McQueen’s Small Axe for BBC...very moving retelling of the trial of the Mangrove Nine...brought a tear to the eye...
Thursday 3rd December 2020
Spent the day driving about east London in the pouring rain. It didn’t let up all day, and there were areas of localised flooding by the time I headed for home in the gloaming. A lot of traffic on the roads...no sense that we are still in pandemic mode! Stopped at Waitrose in Woodford to use the facilities and buy some lunch...lunch break in the rain sodden and deserted car park at Hainault Forest Country Park.
Wednesday 2nd December 2020
Aki went to rowing club this morning. I worked from home. Spoke to Kath via FaceTime this evening. She told us that dad had successfully had his stitches removed from his scalp, and that mum was due to remove the dressing tomorrow.
Tuesday 1st December 2020
Drove out to Thaxted and Great Dunmow this morning to inspect some new build. Usual stop at Birchanger Green Service station to buy lunch items, and a coffee. Back home in time for a late lunch. Watched the Michael Fagan episode of The Crown this evening...amused to discover via Wikipedia that he had later recorded a version of God Save the Queen with The Bollock Brothers!
Monday 30th November 2020
We both worked from home today, not braving the mean streets of Lower Holloway. Made a lamb biryani for dinner, and watched The Crown. I lost my queen to Pete and resigned shortly thereafter...he rang me for a quick chat, and said they had bought a flat in Farnham...look forward to popping in sometime next year...assuming the deal goes through!
Sunday 29th November 2020
We ventured out to the bakery and the organic greengrocer’s this morning. Usual queue for the sourdough...popped in to Girasole on the way home only to discover Elgal is now selling sourdough too...and 50p cheaper! We had a Skype lunch with Katrina, who appears to be weathering lockdown well. FaceTimed ma and pa...they seem to be drifting toward the idea of cancelling Xmas. We’ll see how things develop.
Saturday 28th November 2020
Cycled down to Steve Hatt’s on Essex Road this morning...Aki cycled on to Tate Britain with some rowing club mates. In the meantime I queued on the pavement for salmon and sea bass. Sought out my car Registration document and MOT certificate...I’ll need them to hand on to Kath next month. Watched documentary on Diego Maradona...what an extraordinary life! The rollercoaster years at Napoli especially so...a love affair that ended at Italia 90 when he struck one of the penalties that sent Italy out at the semi-final stage, on the ground where he played his home club football...big mistake!
Friday 27th November 2020
Headed back to Chelmsford late morning, stopping at Sainsbury’s in Manor House for petrol. Snacked on a pork pie I’d squirrelled away in the glove compartment yesterday, but needed a comfort break at Tesco in Chelmsford. Got home around 2.30pm and had a late lunch with Aki. Watched a livestream from the NT this evening of Death of England: Delroy. Delroy is a working class east London black man who has voted for Brexit in order to see England brought to its’ knees!!! Interesting take...great performance from Michael Belogun, sustained for the entire 90 minutes. Pete closing in for the kill on the chess board!
Thursday 26th November 2020
Didn’t sleep well...some strange dreams, including one where we were followed about by an over-friendly stag! Kept rubbing up against our VW Golf...and even tried to get into bed with us. Dropped off a couple of homemade cinnamon whirls to Carlos at No.36, before driving out to inspect stock in and around Chelmsford. Stopped at Birchanger Services on the M11, and visited Waitrose, and Starbucks, before heading east down the A120. Ate my packed lunch in the car park of an unprepossessing sheltered scheme in Springfield, a not very fetching suburb of Chelmsford. Watched another episode of The Queen’s Gambit after dinner, and began a game of chess with Pete via WhatsApp...found myself deploying the Alekhine Defence!
Wednesday 25th November 2020
Aki out on site this afternoon. I ventured out to TescoExpress around the corner for some odds and ends, and baked a batch of cinnamon whirls. Spoke to sis on FaceTime...she had seen her back specialist yesterday who had recommended surgery to fuse her lower vertebrae! She’s understandably not too keen, but is mulling it over. Had a chat with mum about Xmas...I think Aki and I will take the self catering apartment on the quayside whatever happens...it’ll be a break, and we can drop off Xmas presents to all and sundry. Aki home late after an impromptu office leaving party...her last day at Takenaka tomorrow!
Tuesday 24th November 2020
Ventured out to pick up click and collect shopping from Waitrose. Bumped into Jane outside No.36. She said she had a timber pallet going spare, having taken delivery of a small garden shed. Suggested we use it to create a hanging garden. Aki and I went back for it mid afternoon, but it had gone.
Monday 23rd November 2020
Only ventured out to put the bins out. Spoke to Geoff Hoare on the phone. He’d emailed to say Savills had finally cut the communication cord...he’s now enjoying repointing the flint wall in his front garden. Watched Nigella...she made a Burnt Basque Cheesecake...with liquorice sauce!!!
Sunday 22nd November 2020
Drove up to No.14 Fairbridge Road and handed the borrowed heater back to Emily at the front door. Bumped into Yukko and daughter outside the North Nineteen and had a quick catch up. Spoke to Kath via Facetime...she has an appointment with spinal surgeon on Tuesday to discuss options. Dex was watching football in the front room. FaceTimed John and Margaret and we were shown John’s dressed head wound! They are looking for a new TV...subsequently sent them a couple of links.
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