Monday 31st May 2021

Good night's sleep. Aki up early to make contact with Tokyo. Finished reading "A Horse Walks Into a Bar". Gripping stuff...intense, but expertly sustained...it would make a fantastic one man show. Walked up Highgate Hill to Waterlow Park with a packed lunch...bumped into Gareth and had a brief chat outside his house at No.120; we were interrupted by a slightly dishevelled man in his late fifties carrying a shopping bag who said "No.120? There was a murder there...in 1947". I told Gareth to put up a plaque on his front elevation. Managed to find a spot in a bit of shade under a mature tree; it was like Brighton Beach! After our stuffed pittas, I walked up to the Italian deli to get gelato, only to find it closed for the Bank Holiday...had to go to the newsagent across the road and make do with a couple of Magnums, or should that read Magnae? The old Latin still comes in handy! Walked back home and cooked chicken and chorizo for dinner, with roast celeriac and parsnips. Watched a bit of tennis from Roland Garros...sorry to hear that Osaka has pulled out of the tournament. 

Sunday 30th May 2021

Got a good night's sleep, but suffered a 20 second spasm in my arm which had me leaping out of bed at 0930. Aki went off for rowing club. Nice day...certainly brightened up a lot come lunchtime. I watched a bit of tennis from Roland Garros, and did some gentle back exercises. Aki had her lunch with the crew, and cycled home later. Popped out to TescoExpress for some odds and ends to make a tuna nicoise for dinner. Watched "Saint Frances"...OK, but would have been much better if Greta Gerwig had got her hands on it. Bath, bed...

Saturday 29th May 2021

Decent night's sleep again. Got up at 0930 and listened to Saturday Live. Decided to walk down to Upper Street, and bumped into Carlos and Jane, who are entertaining us this evening. A bit further on I got a couple of minor spasms in my arm, so decided to head back home...Aki got her bike out and cycled off, while I did a bit of tidying up in the back garden. Though I got slowed down by having to chat to Margaret, who was out in the back garden putting her washing out, and Sush who was sunning himself on the roof. Aki came home and I made croque monsieur for lunch...took ages! Didn't eat until 1430! FaceTimed ma and pa, but the signal went when they took the ipad out into the garden. Went round to Jane and Carlos at No.36 for dinner. Sat out in their lovely back garden for a bit, before moving inside for a pasta and lemon sauce starter, followed by baked salmon with pecan nuts, and rice. We provided the pud...my no-churn chocolate ice cream, which I served up in a brioche bun. First social evening for over a year...very pleasant. Carlos got out his old Ricky Nelson vinyl and we had a brief jig about in their front room. Turns out they had both come across Peter Herbert, who used to sit beside me playing hangman in English A Level class, during the course of their legal careers! Jane certainly recalled meeting him...! I told them the story about the games of hangman, and how unastonished I'd been when I failed English A Level, and how astonished I was that Herbie had passed!!! He, of course, went on to become President of the Black Lawyers Association.

Friday 28th May 2021

Managed another reasonable night's kip. Aki up early to take herself off to the rowing club. Inline Health rang to offer me an appointment for an MRI scan. I turned down an appointment in Hornchurch, which is miles away, and went for one a week later in Waterloo...but then I thought about it, and the fact that I might get an attack on the tube into Waterloo, freaking out the whole carriage, and decided it made more sense for Aki to drive me to Hornchurch so that we could at least pull over to the side of the road, and I could scream and roll about in an empty field. Aki back for lunch...baked cod sandwiches. Yum! Drove Aki to BOMA to get some soil and plant pots in the afternoon, just as it began raining. Back in time to cook up a tomato sauce which we had with bucatini. Recorded a version of When I'm Sixty-four which we sent to Martin in celebration of his 64th. Then joined the Pandemic Players for a zoom rendition of Happiness, which had recently been aired on R4...the writer joined us for a chat afterward...turned out he had been a stage hand at the Theatre Royal, Hanley, when I was living there, and I told him I had seen Ken Dodd at the Theatre Royal in the early nineties...he reckoned he'd been on follow-spot that very night. Watched a bit of telly. Enjoyed Jools. Managed to avoid a spasm today... a few slight twinges, but nothing as painful as of late. 

Thursday 27th ay 2021

Managed to get a decent night's sleep. No work to do today. Aki cycled off to the bakery, and then popped into Waitrose for some odds and ends. I made us some lunch with the focaccia Aki brought home...nice and oily! And I made some no churn chocolate ice cream, which then went into the freezer. Aki drove us to the Health Centre in Crouch End this afternoon, where we received our second jabs. Came home and cooked up an aubergine and prawn curry with a red lentil dahl on the side. Had one two second spasm today, but it was so violent I dropped what I was holding and leapt 6 inches in the air, almost giving Aki a heart attack in the process!!! Watched a bit of telly. Interesting programme on the blood soaked origins of the partition of Ireland. Bath and bed...

Wednesday 26th May 2021

Another very disturbed night, despite the medication. Had another attack whilst in the bath, and another 10 minutes after getting into bed. Got up an paced about for a bit hoping the medication would kick in to some effect, even if only to induce a drowsiness which might lead to getting a bit of sleep. Eventually flaked out around 0130. Felt OK in the morning, so hoping the Amitriptyline is doing it's thing. Aki popped out to Finchley after lunch. I had a series of excruciating spasms which had me screaming in pain in the flat alone. Felt quite shaken afterward. Spent the rest of the day taking things very slowly. Aki cooked a tasty baked cod in chorizo crumb. Watched telly before bath and bed...

Tuesday 25th May 2021

Woken by a spasm of pain in my left arm around 0530, and another at 0630...got up and made a cuppa, then did an hour or so in front of the computer. Several 5 or 6 second spasms of excruciating pain over the course of the morning. Rang the GP to see if I could get the MRI scan hurried up...the receptionist gave me a number for the imaging centre, and I called them to discover that they had requested further information from the GP two weeks ago, and as this hadn't been forthcoming, they had cancelled the referral!!! Got back n touch with the GP and told them to get another referral sent out with the correct information included! Unbelievable...if Aki hadn't encouraged me to ring in the first place, I'd have been none the wiser! What a system...!!! Dr rang later to explain that the admin team at the imaging centre had cocked up, and that she had reiterated the urgency in re-referring me, so fingers crossed. More spasms this afternoon...getting too regular to cope with. Dr prescribed some medication she reckoned may ease the nerve pain specifically, so will give that a go tonight. Aki cooked stuffed cabbage for dinner. Watched a bit of telly...fell asleep on the sofa from exhaustion. Aki woke me at 2230...bath and bed.

Monday 24th May 2021

Aki up early to make contact with Tokyo. I spent most of the day at the computer interface. No other work lined up... Aki drove up to Finchley, giving Helen and Martin a lift in the new motor. She was back by lunchtime. I popped out to the Post Office, and bought some bucatini at Girasole. Cooked up chilli prawns and tomatoes to go with it for dinner. Day of heavy rain showers....even some heavy hailstoning!!! Got wet putting the bins out...

Sunday 23rd May 2021

Slow start. Aki up early to go rowing. I did an hour or so's work on the computer...had a 60 second spasm of excruciating agony in my left arm. Screamed the place down, and swallowed a diazepam. Made an apple and pear crumble, then some flat breads to have with lunch when Aki got home. Nipped out between showers this afternoon to get some odds and ends from TescoExpress for tonight's aubergine and tomato curry. The diazepam made me very sleepy this afternoon, and I nodded off for a bit on the sofa. Enjoying the Book Club read...getting hypnotically gripping...nearly half way through. Watched a bit of telly after dinner, then took in the Itchy Teeth boys livestream from the Tom Thumb Theatre in Margate...not great sound, and the songs simply aren't as good as their early stuff...over-complicate things with Beatlesesque key changes, but don't quite have the melodic prowess to take it anywhere special. 

Saturday 22nd May 2021

Woken by the doorbell at 0900...could have slept for hours! Opened the shutters to find the postman waving a parcel in his hands. Downed a couple of pints of tea. Early lunch/late brunch then Aki drove me to Stoke Newington. I had an audition for a wee four-hander written by one of the Tower members, which will be presented as part of a wider post-pandemic mini festival. Young director introduced himself as Matthew Ibbotson... revealed he hadn't directed anything before. He wasn't very convincing, I have to say. Woman auditioning opposite me was pretty hammy too, so not holding my breath! Take it as it comes. Got home and FaceTimed ma and pa. Kath wanting to come down for the civil partnership ceremony...may be able to work something out by July, depending upon the state of play with the pandemic. Sunderland looked like they had turned the play-off semi-final round, sticking in two goals at the Stadium of Light against Lincoln City, to level the tie...but conceded in the second half, condemning the Black Cats to another season in League One! 

Friday 21st May 2021

Woken at 0630 in agony...leapt about in the living-room again, until things subsided. Prepared to hit the road. Made a packed lunch, and printed off some inspection sheets. Very windy, rainy day today. Drove to Egham first, stopping off at Heston services on the M4, then on to Chertsey, Leatherhead, Epsom, and ended up in Dorking. Lunched in the Tesco car park, Leatherhead. Gave Geoff a bell to arrange an afternoon meet, but no reply. Car behaving very well so far...nice smooth ride. Traffic on the way home was execrable...should have gotten home by 1800...in the event, I got in at 2000. Ridiculous! The road system in London is no longer fit for purpose, but it ain't going to get better until people gravitate back onto public transport. Aki baked some trout for dinner. Watched a bit of telly before bath and bed. 

Thursday 20th May 2021

 

Woke at 0530 with pains shooting up my left arm...leapt about in the living-room for ten minutes before going back to bed. Aki needed the car this morning to go to site, so dropped me off at the Health Centre in Crouch End...I had an appointment with the urologist who carried out an ultrasound on my left kidney...all clear. Walked into Crouch End and treated myself to scrambled eggs and truffle oil at Allora Hall...very tasty. Walked back home via the old railway line. Aki came back with the car...I stuck a copy of the email from Islington Council on the dashboard in the hope that this would deter the meter maid giving us a parking ticket. Then had to apply for a new parking permit via the Council website, but don't know when we'll get confirmation. We walked to Islington Town Hall for an interview with the Registrar, and Gave Notice of our intention to agree to a civil partnership...later we set the date of July 6th for the 'ceremony' at the Town Hall. Walked back home via the jeweller's on Upper Street. Managed a couple of hours work before dinner...Aki pan fried a couple of duck breasts. Watched a bit of telly.

Wednesday 19th May 2021

The final ride in the 2011 VW Golf...Aki drove us out to Aylesbury this morning. First stop was a unit on The Point industrial estate where I'd arranged for the dash cam to be removed from the old vehicle...cost me £50, which was a lot less than I was expecting. Then drove round to the VW garage and spent an hour or so doing the necessary paperwork required to effect a swap of the 2011 Golf for a 2019 VW Golf SV. Then had to update the car insurance, which cost more money...before driving off to find a spot to eat our lunch. Parked up by a lock on the Grand Union Canal and sat on the lock gate...had to be quick, as there was a storm cloud fast approaching. Drove home via Waitrose, and sorted the parking permit. Kath rang to see how we'd got on, and put in her bid for the new motor...I told her she'd have to wait 5 years! Aki made a fresh pesto sauce with our basil crop, which we had with pasta. 

Tuesday 18th May 2021

Rose at 0600 for a dawn evacuation...a blessed relief! Aki had to make a site visit in the morning, so drove off in the Golf. I managed 3 hours in front of the computer, and rang the surgery to order some more Macrogol, just in case. The arthritis in my left foot is giving me a lot of gip today...don't know what brought that on...have been housebound since Saturday lunchtime! Did a little more work after lunch, but felt very weary and threw in the towel. Swineherd's pie for dinner. Nowt much on the telly...gave Eurovision a go, but couldn't stand it. Got an audition for a wee post pandemic themed project at The Tower Theatre lined up for Saturday...hope my neck problem has subsided by then, otherwise it'll look like I'm auditioning for the Peter Sellers role in Dr. Strangelove! It got steadily worse, though, as the evening progressed...

Monday 17th May 2021

A series of spasms had me leaping out of bed at 0345 and doing a bit of yowling in the front room. Took a diazepam in the hope that it would encourage me to nod off. Spasms not as regular or sustained as yesterday's, but the big ones are very painful, like being hit in the lower arm by a high velocity bullet! Managed half a day in front of the computer, interrupted by the occassional yelp. Aki cooked a salmon teriyaki for dinner. Rang ma and pa as Kath had texted me that dad had stuck diesel in the petrol guzzling VW Up...sounds as if the AA man managed to get the tank cleaned out OK. I sat on the loo for three-quarters-of-an-hour...it now transpires I have constipation, which Aki thinks was brought on by the diazepam. I was very upset to have missed Fawlty Towers! Took some macrogol compound, but it didn't shift anything. Watched a bit of telly then bath, and bed. 

Sunday 16th May 2021

Got a good night's sleep after almost 24 hours of pained wakefulness. Though a half-hour attack late morning finally drove me from my bed, and I did a lot of screeching and yelping in the living-room. I must ask the neighbour upstairs what she thinks has been going on down here! Ma rang to see how things were going, and dad promised to send me the latest copy of his Ponteland Civic Society newsletter, guaranteed to cheer me up (especially enjoyed the article about Maynard's sweet shop where I used to get my lemon sherbets). Went back to bed after lunch and dozed to R5 Live for a bit. Aki brought me a cuppa tea and a fruit tartlet, purely for medicinal purposes, naturally. Cooked up a mushroom and anchovy sauce to have with some pasta this evening, Watched a bit of telly. Getting the odd, random spasm in my left arm, but nothing as sustained as this morning's episode. Had a valium, which left me feeling very weird...like I was wading through water!

 

Saturday 15th May 2021

 

Woke around 0245 in agony...excruciating spasms of pain shooting up my left arm. Hoped it would pass but 20 minutes later I was still screaming the house down...Aki popped me a couple of ibuprofen and bundled me into the car. Drove up to the Whittington and checked myself in...was still having the odd convulsion, but by the time they ushered me into a cubicle in the Urgent Treatment Centre the pain had subsided...had been sustained for 40 minutes or so though! Long wait for a consultant. Was initially lead through to a UTC cubicle and given some painkillers...about 3 hours later I was nodding off on the gurney when I thought I heard my name being called, but assumed I must be mistaken, as they knew where I was, presumably. I think the consultant must have been shouting my name into the waiting room area, about 25m away...still no-one came. Eventually I got up and asked at the nurse's station how long I might be expected to wait...the Dr checked his computer, and my name wasn't on it...he sent me back to reception, who had recorded that I had discharged myself. So the whole process had to be begun again! This time I had to wait in the waiting room, which slowly began to fill up. I had another 30 minute attack, not quite as bad, but it had me yelling out randomly in pain, disturbing the other inmates! The guy sitting opposite caught my eye and came over to recommend his chiropractor, one Terry Chimes, the former Clash drummer! Apparently he'd had back problems sitting at the kit on endless tours, so hung up his toms and retrained as a chiropractor! Eventually got seen by Dr Max who prescribed me some Diazapam, and codeine tablets, though quite what good they'll do in extremis I don't know. I await an MRI scan appointment. Aki picked me up and we went home for coffee and chocolate babka for breakfast. Tried to get some sleep, but the thought of another painful attack prevented me from nodding off. Rang Kath this afternoon and told her I wouldn't be able to get the car up to her tomorrow after all...decided to throw in the towel, and will trade in my car on Wednesday instead. Watched the FA Cup Final. An emotional win for The Foxes...very pleased to see Oligarch Athletic go down 1-0. 

Friday 14th May 2021

 

Woke early for a final tilt at inspections in west Sussex. Headed for the petrol pumps in Charlton, then on to Clacket Lane service station to grab a coffee. Jim rang...I told him to stand down, as we were planning to drive up to Newcastle on Sunday to deliver the car to Kath. On to Waitrose in Horsham, then inspections in Billingshurst, which took longer than I'd hoped. Had a late lunch in Station Gardens, where I had to fend off an overly friendly puppy who had designs on my lunchbox! Got home around 1630. Bumped into Lynne who was in the process of discovering that her car had been broken into last night, outside our flat. Not much in there to pinch, but they'd made a bit of a mess. Hope they don't have a go at Kath's car tonight!!! Aki jumped into the car as she needed to pick up keys from the Finchley site to handover to the owner when he comes out of quarantine, having flown back from Japan. Fish curry for dinner. Watched telly. Bath, and bed...

Thursday 13th May 2021

Slept much better last night...woke around 0700, so got up and prepared to head out early. Aki had a hair appointment today, so couldn't chauffeur me to Sussex, so had to jump in the car and hope for the best. Stopped off at Clacket Lane for a coffee, and then popped in at Waitrose in Horsham for some lunch items. Couldn't resist the Leibnitz chocolate biscuits, which were on offer! Headed for inspections in Southwater, then had lunch in Southwater Country Park, overlooking Cripplegate Lake. Ended the inspections in Coldwaltham, on the Worthing road. Got home about 1915. Aki had cooked up Spanish chicken and chorizo. Rang ma, as dad had emailed saying Kath had woken at 0600 in agony, and had gone to the doctors'. We are now contemplating driving up to Newcastle on Sunday, otherwise the swap won't happen in time.

Wednesday 12th May 2021

 

Persuaded Aki to chauffeur me on inspections today, having had a poor night's sleep...and a couple of neurological episodes during the night! Didn't want to take the risk of having an attack on the M25. Stopped for petrol at Greenwich, and nipped into IKEA to use the facilities, then on to Clacket Lane service station for a caffeine fix. Spent the rest of the working day in and around Horsham, stopping to have our lunch in the grounds of a little cricket club near Littlehaven. Popped into Waitrose in Horsham town centre. Got home around 1930, with Aki doing most of the driving today. We cooked a Goan fish curry, and flaked out on the sofa!

Tuesday 11th May 2021

Aki up early for a site visit to Finchley. I had a prolonged neurological attack alone in the flat...screamed the place down for about 2 minutes...worst one yet. Very frightening, as if that had happened when I was driving, I don't know that I would have survived it! Bit worried about tomorrow's drive to Horsham! Did some prep work in the morning on the computer, then mooched about for the rest of the afternoon not doing very much. Tried to get my Blackvue dashcam sorted out, but doesn't seem to be working for reasons unknown. Aki cooked up a carbonara for dinner. 

Monday 10th May 2021

Dad emailed this morning stating his worries about Kath driving down the M1...he questions, perfectly sensibly I thought, whether it's all worth the hassle, given that the swap for Kath is one Golf with 100000 on the clock for another. I put this to Kath, so she could have a re-think. Wandered up to the Andover Medical Centre for an appointment with Dr Scozzi...she reckons the pains up my arms are related to my damaged vertebrae, and recommended a fresh scan to see if things have gotten worse. Spent most of the afternoon trying to fix the malfunctioning pop up waste on the bath, which meant several fruitless trips to the DIY shop on Hornsey Road. Eventually put in an order for a replacement spring and piston via Amazon...fingers crossed. In the meantime, we'll have to use an old fashioned plug! Chicken and chorizo warmed up for dinner, with some tumbet on the side. Watched a bit of telly...classic Fawlty Towers, followed by Motherland (not as good as season 1), and a rather poor Inside No.9 (up itself). My reconnected bath overflow isn't doing the job...detected some dripping...even worse when I let the water out of the bath, as it must to some extent back up the lower end of the overflow pipe on it's way out down the u-bend. Will it never end!?

Sunday 9th May 2021

Aki up early to make contact with her mum...it's Mother's Day in Japan. Then she was off to rowing club. I did some reading in bed, then walked up to Big Jo's for a slice of chocolate babka, which I brought home and had with a coffee. Then made some hummus...ended up mixing normal tahini with black tahini, which resulted in a hummus which looked like tile grout. Kath called. Having told me not to tell mum she was planning to drive down the M1 next week, she tells me that mum and dad were planning to come with her, and a picnic lunch was to be arranged at Hardwick Hall. Hope dad doesn't do too much of the driving! He had mooted the possibility of meeting at Wetherby, but it would mean we would have a 400 mile round trip, which is too much to contemplate. Made hahawshi stuffed pitta breads, and stuck most of them in the freezer...baked one for lunch which I shared with Aki on her return. Aki cooked up a prawn and tofu stir fry for dinner. Watched a bit of telly...gave Fargo on Netflix a go...it's a bit OTT!

 

Saturday 8th May 2021

 

Up in reasonably good time, and cooked a breakfast of pancakes topped with smoked salmon and creme fraiche with lemon and parsley. Set off for Aylesbury to give the Golf SV a test drive. It feels surprisingly light behind the wheel, given that it's a bigger car than my Golf. We drove down the A41 and turned round at the Tring turn off. Sat nav works OK...nice big picture. Very happy with it. The garage seems prepared to take Kath's Golf off us as trade in, which solves all the parking problems! We celebrated with a very late lunch at the Lazy Pig in Chesham, sharing a pizza, then drove home for dinner! First meal out in over a year!!! Had to sit in the covered conservatory area, but they had all the windows open to keep air circulating...bleedin' freezin'! Home for a late dinner...warmed up the leftover ossabucco (sic) then watched "I'm Your Woman", an enjoyable thriller made for Amazon.

Friday 7th May 2021

 

Aki up and away fairly early to get to rowing club. I took my time rising. Started reading the new book club choice...very intense, but bowls along...so far so good! Walked up to Big Jo's and sat outside with a coffee and babka. Phoned Merlin to see if he fancied coming downstairs for a quick natter, but he was busy...we had a quick natter on the phone instead. Lockdown has been a struggle for him and his muso mates. Walked down to Highbury Fields, and on down Upper Street. Bought some odds and ends in Gill Wing's kitchen shop, and from Borough Kitchen. Picked up Aki's mask from Reiss on Islington Green, then walked the length of Essex Road to Hintons bathrooms for a couple of items. Walked home via Highbury New Park, Highbury Fields, and Waitrose on Holloway Road. Traffic was grid locked almost everywhere I went...even worse when I got to the junction of Hornsey Road and Seven Sisters Road...lots of blaring car horns. The system has almost completely ground to a halt! Found myself walking past No.5 Highbury Grove, where I lived in a top floor bedsit in 1984/85. Happy memories! Cooked aubergine involito for dinner, with a tumbet...took way too much effort, though it was tasty enough...don't think I'll be repeating the experience.

Thursday 6th May 2021

Aki up early to check in with her mum's dentist in Tokyo. Drove Aki up to Lyndhurst Gardens...the refurb is all but completed, and she wanted to make snagging notes...I wanted to sus out where I might leave the car should I end up with two vehicles on Saturday. House looks dreadful...dark grey PVC windows make for a drab frontage. Inside, it's all cold floor tiling, and dark hued cupboarding. Didn't like what I saw. Had a major nerve attack in my left arm...worst one yet. Thought I was going to die in Mr Kurata's new living-room! Drove home for a late brunch. Drove to Waitrose to do a shop this afternoon. Cooked a Spanish influenced chicken and chorizo bake, cooked in red wine. Very tasty. Book Club meet this evening. Great to see everyone. The Devil in the Marshalsea seemed to go down well with the girls amongst us, much to my surprise. Gareth loathed it...I wasn't far behind him! "A Horse Walks in to a Bar" was chosen as the next read.

Wednesday 5th May 2021

Aki got a good night's sleep, and was up and about by 0800. No work for me to do, so enjoyed  listening to R4, before setting about chasing down the Islington Parking team, and my car insurers, to find out how I swap my details over to a new vehicle, should I buy the Golf SV at the weekend. Aki cycled down to Angel, and popped in on the butcher. Things got complicated on the motor vehicle front when I rang the Council...it transpires that you can only have one parking permit per person! So I can't get a permit to cover the period when I will temporarily own two cars! May have to park the old car in a side street in a town outside the M25!!! Attempted to drive up to North Finchley with Aki, so she could inspect the snagging on the Lyndhurst Avenue job, and I could sus out the possibility of leaving the car there, as there are no parking restrictions. But the traffic was so appalling, we gave up halfway up Highgate Hill, and turned round. Trout for dinner, followed by a bit of telly.

Tuesday 4th May 2021

 

Aki stopped in bed for most of the morning, having had a bad night with stomach pain. Bit of a mystery as to the cause. No work for me today, so spent what was left of the morning tracking down Octopus Energy, and getting our faltering energy switch back on track. Read some Devil in the Marshalsea...will finish it tomorrow. Aki up and about this afternoon, and feeling OK, though weary....she nodded off in the armchair late afternoon, and ate rice porridge for dinner, a Japanese favourite for those feeling under the weather. Watched a bit of telly, before Aki ran an early bath.

Monday 3rd May 2021

 

Read in bed for a bit before rising for a bowl of porridge. Went for a walk after lunch, climbing Hornsey Rise, then dropping down onto the old railway line at Crouch Hill station, where I snapped Aki from the road bridge above.  Popped into Tesco Express on the way home for some milk. FaceTimed Kath, as she was still in the umm-ing and ahh-ing stage over the VW Golf, and wanted to talk it through with dad. She texted back later saying she wanted to take it off me, and I agreed a lower price as I've added a few thousand miles to the odometer since first mooting the idea. Had an M&S lamb tagine for dinner, with some couscous which I spiced up with carrot, tomato, fried onion, garlic, and cheddar cheese. Watched new Aubrey Plaza movie, "Black Bear", a rather strange movie within a movie, but it was gripping and intriguing in equal measure...great performances all round.

Sunday 2nd May 2021

Aki up early to get herself to the rowing club. I stopped in bed and read. Eventually got up, and walked up to Big Jo's and bought a coffee, and a slice of chocolate babka for breakfast. Picked up a paper at the garage. Spent most of the afternoon reading the paper and listening to music. Tried FaceTiming Kath, but she was evidently in bed, and the signal was very poor. Rang ma who seemed a bit worried by Kath's state of health...she's been in a lot of back pain recently, and overworked into the bargain. Got through to her later for a chat...she needs to try and bring her back op forward if she can. Aki cooked pork osabucco for dinner, with some orzo on the side. Watched Young Musician of the Year final...won by an amazing Chinese marimba player, who brought tears to the eyes of the judges with a mesmerising performance...a worthy champion!

Saturday 1sy May 2021

Slow start this morning. Read a bit of "The Devil in the Marshalsea" in bed before getting up and cooking scrambled eggs with Turkish sucuk for brunch. Took a walk up Highgate Hill, via the farmer's market at Archway. Had a coffee and cake in Waterlow Park, then walked back down the hill to M&S. Bumped into Brett Rodgers OBE, and had a wee chat...she seems to be enjoying grandmotherhood. Made some pasta, and had it with a mushroom and anchovy sauce. Watched a bit of telly, then bath and bed.