Thursday 30th September 2021

Rather fitful night's sleep for some reason. Got up around 0800. Grey day outside, and the temperatures have definitely taken a dip. Down to 19.5C in the living-room. Worked at the computer monitor most of the morning. Aki called. She's slowly working through piles of paperwork she retrieved from her mum's old flat in Inage yesterday. She showed me some fantastic old b&w family photos she'd re-discovered. Nowt much to do after lunch. Decided not to risk gadding about in the car today, nor indeed tomorrow, as the petrol situation still looks, well, stressed! Did my physio exercises. Jas emailed to say she'd like to sing Dream A Little Dream Of Me, so spent an hour or so scouring youtube for guitar lessons. She has persuaded her dad to strum the guitar for her, and he kindly gave me a bell to take me through the chords. I fancy playing bass on it, so must start rehearsing it up! Martin, the guitar player in Axminster Road, messaged to say he'd ring me tomorrow for more details. Rebecca rang asking if I'd be willing to drive her mum and dad to Euston on Saturday morning. Rebecca is in Anglesey, whence her folks are due to return on Saturday...but they have not been able to book themselves a taxi, due to the Brexiteers' petrol fiasco. I'm to drive them to the station in Rebecca's Landrover Discovery, as they are taking the dog with them! Did some more work on the bass part for Dream A Little Dream in the evening. Coming together nicely. Bath, and bed.

Wednesday 29th September 2021

Woke at 0700. Got up, intending to hit the road early. In the event, didn't manage to get away until 0915. Headed out to Radlett, stopping to grab a coffee at London Gateway services. Big queue for the petrol station there; and at the bottom of Highgate Hill on the A1. Madness!!! Luckily, I have enough to get me round the route today, but will be struggling thereafter. Hopefully things will calm down by the end of this week. There was a petrol station next door to my first inspection...it was empty, on all counts! Aki rang to say she'd been up to her mum's old flat in Inage...Nobby had driven her there, but when they arrived she realised she'd left the flat keys behind! They had to make a second trip in the afternoon. Headed on to St Albans, and Potters Bar, then to a couple of very smart new-build developments in Waltham Cross. Stopped for a late lunch in Hoddesdon at my favourite fish and chip shop...had the lunchtime special. Delicious! Ended the working day in the village of Buntingford, then headed back for Holloway. Roads were very busy...I had a 1800 zoom meeting with the Tower Theatre bunch, but didn't get home till 1815. Joined the meet as soon as I got in, still in my suit and tie! Nothing much has progressed since last week. Simona's put feelers out for singers, but no-one has yet committed! May not happen at all at this rate. Warmed up the pork belly for dinner, with rice and broccoli. Watched "I Care A Lot" on the home cinema set up. Pretty silly crime caper...it got good reviews, I recall, but was a couple of hours of utter nonsense. Rosamund Pike was very good in it, though.

Tuesday 28th September 2021

Woke at 0700. Got up and gave the bathroom sink a good rinsing....ran the hot tap for a bit. Buster seems to have done the trick. Read some Rachel Cooke in bed before rising to make tea...and hummus. She has a very efficient writing style, and manages to convey some nicely wry ideas in very short order. She has a certain talent, that's for sure. Aki called. She had been to see mum this morning. They had insisted she be brought down in her wheelchair to meet Aki in the foyer, but soon complained that she wanted to lie down. Aki managed to get her back upstairs. She's now investigating the possibility of taking her out of the care home while she's in Tokyo, but that would need the agreement of Nobby, as it's his flat. See what happens. Decided not to hit the road today, as heavy rain is forecast for this afternoon. Worked at the computer this morning. Broke for lunch. Popped out to take a pair of troosers to be altered by the guy on Tollington Way...hoped he'd repaired Aki's coat, but he confessed he hadn't yet. No rush! Did a bit more at the computer this afternoon, then read some Mantel and did some physio exercises. Made some more ricotta gnocchi for dinner, and used up the homemade tomato sauce. Watched the penultimate episode of Mare of Easttown...

Monday 27th September 2021

Woke at 0730. My hernia, and my lower back, been giving me a bit of gyp these last few days. Not terribly comfortable lying in bed, so got up and made tea. Raining first thing this morning. Aki called as I was getting breakfasted. She'd managed to get out and take a walk in the park up the road...it's a big park, with man made lakes and areas of forestation. Must have seemed like a blessed relief after being holed up in the flat for two weeks. Did a bit of work at the computer this morning. Didn't get much done before lunch, though I did manage to watch a bit of Homes Under the Hammer with Dion Dublin...for research purposes, you understand. Got a bit more done this afternoon, though. Matthew called to give me the all-clear on the Hertfordshire inspections, so I can start them tomorrow. Got a message from the drummer at No.34 asking if he could phone me...I said, of course, but heard nothing back today. Slow going...hope he's a bit faster with his sticks!! Pan fried a sirloin steak for dinner. Made a red wine and onion sauce to go with it...it wasn't very good...the fact that I forgot to add the butter at the end may have had something to do with it. Watched Mare of Easttown...only two episodes to go! What am I going to do then? Poured some Drain Buster down the bathroom sink before retiring...it can work over-night!

Sunday 26th September 2021

Woke around 0800. Cooked some breakfast and WhatsApped Aki. She had received a negative covid test result, so had hastened to see her mum in the care home this afternoon. Sounds like they had a tearful reunion. Her mum looked smaller and thinner than Aki recalled, and seems to be tired all the time, but she's hanging in there. Had a wee chat with Lynne...they had very much enjoyed their visit to Seville, and highly recommended it. They had managed a day trip by train to Cadiz, too. Watched MOTD on the computer before lunch. Didn't fancy venturing out today, as Arsenal are due to host Tottenham in the early evening kick off. Best to leave 'em to it! Aki sent me a text saying she'd received a message from Kath...Jim is self-isolating having contracted covid. Gave him a bell. He sounded fine...minor symptoms, which had lead him to assume it was a cold, initially. But he tested positive. Karen and Luke tested negative. So Jim has been locked in an upstairs bedroom for a week! Popped out to Tesco...obviously half-time, as Gooners were coming out of the pub opposite with big smiles on their faces. Arsenal 3-0 up! It finished 3-1. Made ricotta gnocchi for dinner...ricotta, flour, and parmesan to make a dough...very soft to work with, but easy to make. Served on a bed of roasted peppers, onions, and cherry tomatoes and a side salad. Watched a remarkable film on BBC2 called "The Last Mountain", charting the deaths of climbers Alison Hargreaves in 1995, and 25 years later, of her son Tom Ballard, on mountains in the Himalaya. Stunningly shot, and very moving...extraordinary family of complete nutters!!!

Saturday 25th September 2021

Woke around 0745. Got up and made a big mug of tea. Did a bit of work at the computer, as I hadn't gotten much done yesterday. Aki called...on her final day of quarantine...has sent off her sample for PCR test, so she should be out of gaol tomorrow!!! Bit grey outside today...looks as though yesterday was the last day of summer. Aki called again, and watched me make my lunch. Cycled down to Kings Cross in the afternoon. Got hit on the right hand by a large dollop of bird poo as I cycled beneath a leafy tree...luckily I was wearing my cycling gloves! It was enormous...I wouldn't have been surprised to look up to see a dog perched on an upper tree branch. Parked up in Granary Square and headed straight for the public toilets in Coal Drops Yard to clean up. Had a wander about for a bit, before doing some shopping in Waitrose. The indoor market was in full swing...a lot of people about. It started raining a little as I cycled home. Made Korean vegetable pancakes to go with my Vietnamese pork belly. Watched Mare of Easttown, and another episode of Master of None. Switched over to R5Live to listen to commentary on AJ's fight at White Hart Lane...decided to get into bed to listen...woke up at the end of the fight to discover that AJ had lost his World titles!

Friday 24th September 2021

Woke around 0700. Got up and did some work at the computer, mug of tea in hand. Aki had sent a link to a post Ivors award interview with Barney that she'd found on YouTube. He really needs a stylist to come on board now!!! I'll have to get on the case. Aki having trouble with wi-fi signal in Tokyo, but managed to make contact via WhatsApp. One more day of quarantine to go, then she gets to do a PCR test...fingers crossed. The sun was shining outside, so decided to take a walk up Highgate Hill. Bought lunch from the Pantry at the top, and ate it overlooking the tennis courts in Waterlow Park. Walked back down the hill, stopping off at M&S to do some shopping on the way home. Didn't get much work down this afternoon...listened to some Black Uhuru, and caught up with some filing. Roasted a couple of Romano peppers, then marinated them in olive oil, vinegar, garlic, and coriander. Cooked up my homemade tomato sauce with some pasta for dinner, along with a side salad that included some of the roast pepper. Rented The Killing of Two Lovers from Curzon Home Cinema...a tense, claustrophobic piece trailing the break of a family set in big country. The claustrophobia was heightened by the director's choice to shoot in 4:3 ratio; nicely pitched performance from Clayne Crawford as the confused husband and dad.

Thursday 23rd September 2021

Woke at 0745 feeling weary after a long day in the saddle yesterday. Aki FaceTimed me as she had Naoya with her, so I was able to give him a wave. Did some work at the computer before heading for the car. Called on Margaret next door to hand over a portion of the budino, then drove to Hackney. Stopped off at the trendy Allpress cafe in Dalston to grab a coffee. Later, popped in to Tesco on Morning Lane to get some lunch items, before lunching in the car in Homerton. Took in Stepney, Leyton and Leytonstone, before heading further eastward to Ilford, Chadwell Heath, and ended the working day in Barking. Got home at 1930 and warmed up the prawn curry and dahl for dinner, followed by a portion of budino. Did a bit of research on suitable songs for the Tower's Black History Month gig, so listened to a bit of Robert Johnson.

Wednesday 22nd September 2021

Woke at 0830. Nice sunny day greeted me when I opened the shutters to the living-room window. Did some work at the computer  before setting off on the road. Drove up to Hampstead, where I stopped to pick up a coffee, then back to Tufnell Park and various areas of Islington. Popped in at Girasole at lunchtime, and had a catch up with Eglal. She asked me to send on my best wishes to Aki, and that she was thinking of her. Drove on to Tottenham, Hornsey, and then down to Dalston. 

Got caught in football traffic on the way home. Arsenal play Wimbledon tonight in a League Cup tie. Slow going through the Finsbury Park area. Took the budino over to Ben and Gayu at No.38. Gayu had cooked a vegetable curry, which we had with rice and salad, followed by double helpings of budino, which went down a storm. Filled them in on Aki's trials and tribulations in Chiba. Took my guitar over and Ben got his violin out, and we had a go at some Stones numbers. Left them at around 1030 and headed home feeling rather stuffed! Just before bed, I texted Barney to ask what Guy Garvey had said about him winning an Ivor...Guy works out of the studio next door to Barney, and is, of course, the lead singer of Elbow, and the nicest man in rock music. I was astonished to receive a text back from Barney almost immediately...iphone film footage from tonight's Elbow gig at the huge Hammersmith Apollo...Barney was standing up in his circle seat saluting the huge crowd, Guy having bigged him up from the stage, the massive crowd clapping and chanting Barney's name...gave me goose bumps!!!

Tuesday 21st September 2021

 

Rose at 0730 gasping for a mug of tea. Decided I'd go for an early morning walk...supposed to be good for you...minus any dogs, of course! Set off after my tea, and walked up to Archway, where I dropped in at M&S to buy some odds and ends for my depleted fridge. Marched back down the hill to Big Jo's for coffee, then home. Back in the hot seat...at the computer interface!!! Aki FaceTimed around noon. She's still got four days to go before she can take the PCR test. Managed to have a wee chat with her mum today. Did my physio exercises, then made lunch. A bit more work this afternoon. Made a tomato pasta sauce using a kilo of homegrown tomatoes...put some in the freezer. Popped out to Tesco's to get some ingredients for the pudding I'm going to make for tomorrow night's dinner date at No.38. Made an Italian budino di cioccolato...enjoyed licking the bowl out afterward. Jim texted to say Barney and Obongjayer won an Ivor Novello award this evening for Best Song Musically & Lyrically for "God's Own Children"...!!! Wow!!! Looks as though Barney had clubbed the other bloke to death with his statuette in order to grab the limelight!!! Can't blame him! Jim and Kath can't believe it...very proud moment for all concerned!!! The Guardian mention them both in their report...just, wow!!! FaceTimed them a bit later, once I'd got over the shock...they had had a very strange day that started with a funeral for a friend in the morning, followed by the news from The Ivors! They are naturally very excited...this is a great calling card for Barney and should see his fledgling career take off like a rocket!!! Watched another episode of Mare of Easttown...getting complicated. Bath and bed.

Monday 20th September 2021

Woke at 0730. Got up to make tea, then did some work at the computer. FaceTimed Aki. She's now worrying that the Care Home won't let her visit her mum, as she is no longer deemed to be on the critical list...would be maddening to go all that way for nothing!!! Broke for lunch, and did some physio exercises, then back to work until1715. Watched a bit of telly, and cooked a tomato curry...used some mild curry powder we've had in the cupboard for ages. The result was so revolting, I had to chuck it! Belatedly noticed that the curry powder I'd used had a best before date of November 2018, which may account for the poor taste! Made a green curry instead with prawns and peas. Watched telly and played some guitar, before delving once more into my Mantel. 

Sunday 19th September 2021

 

Slept like a log…woke around 0845. Got up and made a mug of tea. Tony appeared shortly afterward with hounds in tow. Had our tea out in the back garden with the dogs. Tony disappeared to do his yoga, so I did some of my prescribed physio exercises downstairs, then read some Mantel…just reached the autumn of 1536 and the peasants in Lincolnshire are revolting! Mum and Dad FaceTimed and we had a quick catch up. I walked down the hill to a cafe on George Street to meet up with Neil Salvage…we had last shared a stage in Hobson's Choice in Stoke in 1992. 

He looked well, though he has been suffering these last few months, learning to walk again after rupturing not one, but two, Achilles’ tendons!!! His missus joined us and we had a catch up and reminisced about our time in Stoke. He has set up his own theatre company in Hastings which largely produces his own writings. Left them at their car on the Prom and headed back up West Hill. Bumped into Tony and Ricky walking the dogs. Aki FaceTimed so she got a chance to say a quick hello to Ricky. Settled down to watch West Ham v Man Utd…Tony is a Hammer, while Ricky is a Red Devil. Good game. Tony served up roast chicken with all the trimmings followed by chocolate brownie and cream. Said my farewells and walked down the hill to the station to catch the 1731 to Charing Cross…walked off a bit of brownie, I hope! It was raining by the time I got off the train...summer's over! Got home at 2000. Unpacked, pottered about a bit, and watched another episode of Mare of Easttown before bath and bed.

Saturday 18th September 2021

 

Fitful night’s sleep…my hernia giving me a bit of gip. We walked the dogs on the West Hill before returning for breakfast. Tony left for London at 1000 leaving me in charge! Ventured into the back garden…bumped into Liz the next door neighbour…we had a wee chat over the garden fence, though it was quite hard work as she hadn’t got her hearing aid in!!! I left the dogs in their baskets, and walked across the West Hill and down the many steps into the old town. Hatz & Thingz are located at the bottom so I went in…and came out with two new hats! Walked along the seafront…not a cloud in the sky. Had a coffee at the Beach Hut Cafe then strolled along the pebble beach. 

The town was beginning to fill up with people attracted by the unsuspected Indian summer. Bought a fresh fried fish roll on the Prom, and got the funicular back to the top of West Hill. Ate my lunch out front of Tony’s house in the sunshine. FaceTimed Aki…she had had a good chat with her mum and had sent Nobby over with some nosh for her supper. I took the dogs out for their afternoon walk. Took a ball with me…they went mad for it. I was more exhausted than they were by the time we got back. They flaked out on their beds and I flaked out on the sofa with Hilary Mantel. Walked the dogs down to the First In Last Out pub to meet Tony at 1845. He bought me dinner in reparation for having to chase after two dogs this afternoon, with a pooper scooper! Had fresh plaice fillet in a light tempura batter...the fish was absolutely delicious! Struggled back up the hill in the wake of Tony and the hounds. Watched a bit of MOTD before retiring for an early night!

Friday 17th September 2021

Woke around 0745 and got up to make tea...Aki called just as the kettle was boiling. Noboru is cooking her a curry tonight! Be afraid, be very afraid!!! Spent the morning at the monitor screen before downing some lunch, then cycling over to Stoke Newington to meet one of the Joint Artistic Directors at The Tower, with a view to me directing some stuff at some point. She was very nice...has done a directing course at Central, and seems very poised. She wants to get me involved with a cabaret show they are planning for Black History Month, and wants to call on my guitar skills! Up for that! Cycled home and then back out again to see the physiotherapist on Hornsey Lane. 

I caught the 1724 from London Bridge...busy with commuters heading home. Most people wearing masks though. By the time we got to Tunbridge Wells, I pretty much had the carriage to myself. Read some Mantel…bit of a struggle as I’d forgotten my reading glasses. Tony picked me up from Hastings station. He had two dogs in the car…Macy, the black lab who I have met before, and the new acquisition, Piper. We took them for a walk on the West Hill, then back for dinner. Tony had cooked one of his tasty fish pies, and made chocolate brownies for afters. Dogs very well behaved. Macy the black lab particularly; Piper is younger and prone to having a bark or two, but soon got used to me. Watched a bit of telly…Tony sharing what he could of the sofa with two hounds! Bed around midnight.

Thursday 16th September 2021

 

Woke around 0700 and hauled myself out of bed to make tea. Aki FaceTimed me and I sent her a photo of one of the strange dead creatures that litter the living-room floor. She said she'd do a bit of Google research. Managed to hit the road by 0930, taking the M11 then the M25 to Brentwood. Nice day for it...sauntered around a large estate in the sunshine taking photos. Stopped for a coffee in Brentwood High Street, and popped into M&S to buy some food stuffs to augment my lunch. Ate my lunch in the car on Galleywood Common. FaceTimed Aki from the car. She's made contact with her niece and nephew, and is arranging to meet up at some point. Drove on to Great Baddow, then on to east Colchester, before turning eastward. Picked up some stock in Dagenham, Barking, and Redbridge on my circuitous route home. Got in around 2000 and made an anchovy and mushroom sauce, which I had on my de-frosted tagliatelle. Watched Alan Yentob's interview with Tom Stoppard. Hadn't realised he was born in Czechia...I got a bit tearful when he said that when his mother died his step father asked him to stop using his surname. Aki FaceTimed...she was making her breakfast tea.

Wednesday 15th September 2021

Woke at around 0800. Eyes still a bit swollen. The swelling is slowly working it's way down my face as gravity takes effect. Breakfasted and made a packed lunch. Got away around 1000 and hit the road again, this time heading up the A10 toward Enfield, and from thence on to Welwyn. Popped into Tesco on Southbury Road to pick up a coffee. Aki FaceTimed me briefly. She had made dinner for Noboru...he had requested nothing too chewy, as his false teeth are playing up! Poor chap...they did look dreadful last time I clapped eyes on them in Tokyo, it has to be said!!! Stopped off at another Tesco, in Ware, then lunched in my car on a Council Estate in Hunsdon. Ended the day in Harlow before driving home. Got in around 1830 and warmed up last week's vegetable cottage pie for dinner. Read some Mantel before bath and bed.

Tuesday 14th September 2021

Awoken around 0700 by the rain hammering on the bedroom roof. Discovered I'd taken my CPAP mask off, and switched off the machine, at some point during the night. Had no recollection of doing so! Got up and made tea. Aki FaceTimed me briefly to say she had been picked up by her brother-in-law, and was now imprisoned in the block of flats in Chiba. She's allowed out for half-an-hour a day to buy essentials. Said she'd call me back once she'd sorted out a wi-fi connection. Spent the morning at the computer screen. Received a s5 Notice from the freeholder, which valued the premium at £40,000...we are miles apart! Hopefully, we can serve a s13 Notice post haste and get the negotiations rolling, but Lynne's sister Carol still hasn't managed to send the requisite papers concerning the upper maisonette, and they are on holiday at the moment, sunning themselves in Seville!!! Cooked a chicken amatriciana for dinner with roast celeriac, potato and squash. Looked a bit burnt compared to the photo on the BBC GoodFood website! Tasted alright though. Read some Mantel, and watched an episode of Mare of Easttown before bath and bed.

Monday 13th September 2021

Woke around 0730. Eyes and hands better, but eyelids still swollen. Made a cup of tea which I had in bed listening to R4. Aki FaceTimed me, wanting my Apple ID and password. Made myself a packed lunch and set off at 1000 for a bunch of inspections. Popped into Tesco in Finchley to get some lunch items, and ate my lunch parked up in a street in North Finchley somewhere. FaceTied Aki who had just had her dinner and was preparing for bed. Ploughed on to Watford via Edgware, stopping for petrol at the ASDA in North Watford, then on to Hemel Hempstead, and finally round the M25 to North Enfield. Got home around 2000. Too late to cook much, so made a cheese and mushroom omelette with salad for dinner. Read some Mantel before hopping in the bath. FaceTimed Aki when I got out. She was awaiting her breakfast. She's out of the hotel this afternoon. Noboru is picking her up from the airport and driving her to Chiba.

Sunday 12th September 2021

Woke around 0730. Something seems to have kicked off my allergies, as my hands are red and slightly swollen, as are my eyelids. It was Pears soap last time...dunno what has caused this outbreak. Only thing I can think of is the n'duja I had for dinner. Aki got a bit of a shock when she FaceTimed me! She had FaceTimed her mum, but Toshiko had proved rather uncommunicative. Pottered about after lunch, doing some filing, and vacuumed, which set of my sinuses, despite my wearing a mask! Made some tagliatelle to go with a sauce for dinner, then watched Medvedev conquer Novak to win the US Open. Aki FaceTimed me halfway through the third set, so I plonked my phone in front of the TV screen so she could watch the action.

Saturday 11th September 2021

 

Up at 0730 to watch the replay of last night's men's semi-final. Got a text message from Aki to say she'd landed...took her four hours to get through immigration. Suddenly remembered I was due in Stoke Newington for brunch, so hit the pause button with Novak two sets to one up, after an astonishing 53 shot rally. Cycled over to Katrina's. Tony there, as he had had work in town last night. Had a catch up over eggs on toast and sauteed mushrooms. Tony has got himself another labrador, the intention being to share them with his mum and dad in Seaford. Aki FaceTimed us from her tiny Tokyo hotel room, just as she was tucking in to her quarantine dinner. Cycled home, skirting to the east and north of Finsbury Park station, as there's an Arsenal game this afternoon. 

Watched the remainder of the semi-final. Novak bossed the final set...some awesome tennis from the both of them. FaceTimed Kath who told me C4 are showing tonight's Women's Final live, having presumably paid Amazon an awful lot of money for the privilege. Kath said she'd had to phone dad at 0100 this morning, as she had locked herself out of the house...dad had to drive over with the spare key! Rang Mum to tell her the good news about the tennis, and made sure she knew what time it kicked off. Had n'duja with spring greens and pasta for dinner, perched on my knee on the sofa as I settled in for the Women's singles final. They both played some gutsy tennis...what a ride it's been for the both of them! FaceTimed Aki in her room in lockdown Tokyo. She was awaiting breakfast, which was due to be delivered to her door. She couldn't get the UK version of Amazon so was unable to watch the match, but found it on YouTube, so left her to enjoy it with her breakfast.

Friday 10th September 2021

We got up around 0700 in order to watch the replays of last night's Women's semi-finals from New York. Watched in awe as little Leylah Fernandez overcame the powerful Eryna Sabalenka in three sets, then settled nervously to watch Emma's game against a muscle-bound Maria Sakkari. Emma breezed through the first set in astonishing fashion. We then had to press the pause button, as I had a 1000 zoom meeting with some of the Savills team. Afterward, we watched, stunned, as she took the second set and booked herself a place in the final, the first qualifier in the history of the sport to do so!!! Breathtaking stuff!!! Had a brief visit from an unwanted guest who rang the doorbell...we didn't go to the door, but tried to communicate through the partially open sash window. He looked a bit rough, youngish, but missing some teeth. He said he was ex-army...couldn't understand much through his heavy Geordie accent, but when I stated that we didn't have any cash he took umbrage saying he wasn't begging, and mouthed obscenities as he backed out of the garden gate. Hope I don't bump into him again in a dark alley! Aki finished packing, and we had some lunch. Drove her and her luggage to Finsbury Park tube station, where she hopped on the Piccadilly Line to Heathrow. She finally breached the departure gates, and headed for the duty free shop to buy the Apple Mac Air she'd been looking over yesterday in store. She gave me a ring from the airport, and we said our fond farewells. I made dinner then watched Medvedev sweep aside Felix Auger-Aliassime to reach his second US Open Final.

Thursday 9th September 2021

Aki woke me around 0830. I went into town after breakfast to do some inspections, and hooked up with Aki at the Apple Store in Covent Garden, as she wanted to look at some of the new generation of MacBooks, hoping to buy one duty free at Heathrow tomorrow. I then went off to Cambridge Circus to do one more inspection, then had a coffee at Patisserie Valerie on Tottenham Court Road. Looked much the worse for wear...in fact, I thought they had gone into liquidation a couple of years ago. Still, the coffee was good. Got the tube back to Holloway Road and walked home in the drizzle. Did a bit of work at the computer after lunch. Went to Osteria Tufo for dinner. Chef hadn't come back from his holidays, so it was a little underwhelming on this occassion. Starters were good, but the mains very ordinary. Walked back in the dark...soon be blinkin' Christmas!!!

 

Wednesday 8th September 2021

Aki up early to call her mum in Tokyo...it's her 94th birthday today! She wasn't very communicative though, sadly. Aki's documentation arrived in the post, so she arranged a 3pm appointment with the Japanese Embassy. It looked like another scorcher this afternoon, so we walked up Highgate Hill and bought a couple of paninis from the Italian deli at the top, which we ate on a bench in Waterlow Park. Walked Aki down to the tube station at Archway, and she headed off for the Embassy, and from thence to Heathrow to get a PCR test done. I went home and awaited the start of the Emma Raducanu match...Aki got home midway through the first set. Emma went on to beat the No.11 seed and Olympic Champion in straight sets!!! I cooked Spanish chicken and chorizo for dinner, then watched Zverev get through to the Men's singles semi-final. Spoke to dad on the phone. He'd had a face-to-face chat with Jim this morning. Jim seems to know what he has to do to turn things round, but it's going to be down to him alone to do it! Keeping our fingers crossed, but it could be a long haul...told dad he'd been off the booze for the past three days, which is hopefully a start.

Tuesday 7th September 2021

Spent most of the morning watching a replay of last night's match between Djokovic and a young American, Jensen Brooksby. It was a compelling watch...more like a heavyweight boxing bout than a genteel game of tennis. Aki still awaiting the postman...tracked the epistle to Coventry, where it has left the sorting office, but it has yet to turn up here. Without it, she can't get her passport back from the Embassy. I took a walk up Highgate Hill after lunch...very warm out! Could be the last day of summer. Aki stayed home in case of delivery. Had myself a coffee in Waterlow Park...plenty of sunbathers about. Walked back down the hill via the Co-op. Had dinner on the sofa watching Medvedev make it through to the semi-finals of the US Open, then settled down to watch young Fernandez squeak past Svitolina...amazing stuff!

Monday 6th August 2021

Rather disturbed night's sleep...a lot of vivid dreaming, but can't recall any of it, except that some scenes starred Ade Edmondson! Got up and had a bowl of porridge. Watched Alcazar's final set, which earned him a win to make him the youngest US Open quarter-finalist in the open era. The Japanese Embassy phoned to say Aki's visa had been finalised. She went off to the Embassy after lunch, and from thence to Heathrow to take another PCR test, prior to flying out on Wednesday afternoon. I went to Waitrose in the car. Got back surprised to find Aki sitting on the sofa...they wouldn't give her her passport back until they had documentation which is still in the post from Japan...should arrive tomorrow. So the waiting game goes on! Cooked a rice pudding with double cream and orange blossom water. Baked hake for dinner, with carrot puree and sauteed celeriac. Watched in astonishment as Emma Raducanu swept Shelby Rogers aside 6-2 6-1 to reach the US Open quarter-finals! It was a very tense watch, despite the scoreline. 

Sunday 5th September 2021

 

Slow start, but eventually rose and cooked Turkish eggs for breakfast. Sun started to shine, so we decided to cycle down to Springfield Park and glimpse some of the rowing regatta on the Lea. Very busy down there by the waterside. Sat and watched some boats go by, but I've never found it much of a spectator sport. We adjourned to the cafe to have a spot of lunch, before cycling back home via the organic grocer at Stroud Green. Made a butter bean in chilli oil dish, and an aubergine and spinach potato pie, for dinner. FaceTimed ma and pa, who showed off their cucumbers and runner beans...Aki showed off her yellow tomatoes. It was like Gardener's Question Time....minus the questions! Dad has arranged to meet Jim on Wednesday to try and hammer out a way forward and get him to meet his GP. Watched Dan Evans get steamrollered out of the US open by Medvedev, then the astonishing Canadian teenager Fernandez, who put out Osaka the other night. Tonight she demolished the No.5 seed, Angelique Kerber. It was breathtaking telly!!!

Saturday 4th September 2021

Slow start this morning. Aki had risen early to clock in with her mum's care home. It seems she's eating, but not a lot. She had also ventured downstairs. Watched Naomi Osaka go out to an 18-year old unknown at Flushing Meadows...she didn't look in the mood to be there, really. Did some reading this afternoon. Aki has finished one of the book club choices. Cooked a next level bolognese sauce...baked in the oven for three hours! Then made some pasta to go with it. Watched Emma Raducanu demolish the world no.41, 6-0 6-1. Absolutely astonishing performance of power and grit. She then spent ages signing autographs and posing for selfies...what a breath of fresh air! Nishikori went down to Djokovic in four sets.

Friday 3rd September 2021

Aki cycled off to the Japanese Embassy in Green Park to proffer her visa application. She was back by lunch time, happy that everything had been handed in, but still not knowing when the visa might be forthcoming. Nothing to do now but wait it out. Spent the afternoon reading Mantel, then got stuck into the tennis from Flushing Meadows. Watched an heroic comeback win for Dan Evans, and after bathing, caught the end of the astonishing Tsitsipas v Alcaraz five-setter, the 18 year old knocking out the No.3 seed. The New York crowd were going bananas!!!

Thursday 2nd September 2021

Aki up early at the computer trying to sort out what the Japanese Embassy require from her in terms of information. Made some breakfast and watched a bit more tennis from Flushing Meadows. Naomi Osaka has a bye into the 3rd round, so yet to see her play. Walked down to Highbury Corner after lunch. Aki needed a passport style photo for her visa application. Had a coffee and a chocolate brownie in Euphorium on Upper Street, then walked back to Holloway via Waitrose. Watched Emma Raducanu win her second round match. Aki cooked salmon teriyaki for dinner. Watched England beat Hungary 4-0 in Budapest. Nasty crowd infiltrated by racists and bigots (much like the England supporters!). UEFA have put a crowd ban on Hungary, but World Cup qualifiers are played under the FIFA flag...hopefully they will see fit to follow UEFA's lead.

Wednesday 1st September 2021

Got up around 0930. Needed a bit of a lie in after all the walking of the last two days! But managed to haul myself out of bed. Left for a driving tour at around 1100, heading north-west toward Petworth, and stopped in Midhurst's medieval town square for a coffee. Drove south-westward, through various Sussex villages, and stopped at the Kingley Valley Nature Reserve. Took a walk in the ancient yew forest for an hour or so. Aimed for a late lunch at the Weald and Downland Museum in West Dean...the museum was open, but the cafe was shut! Drove north-easterly and eventually found my way via very narrow country lanes to Bignold Roman Villa on the old Roman road of Stane Street, which linked Chichester with Londinium. However, it is closed Tuesday through Thursday!!! So headed back to Findon.  Stopped off in the beautiful village of Amberley on the way, and bought some very late lunch at the village stores, and took a walk round the churchyard, past the crumbling castle, to the the water meadows abutting the River Arun.

Aki rang to say she had not been permitted to board the Haneda flight, as she needs a visa, no longer being a Japanese citizen. She was very upset, as this may take weeks to sort out satisfactorily, and she is now distressed at the possibility she may not get to say her farewells to her mum in person! She's headed home now, and will make contact with the Japanese Embassy tomorrow morning. Decided to abandon tonight's plan to go to Brighton to hear some ukulele jamming, heated up a ready meal, and packed the car. Managed to set off around 2000, the sat nav taking me straight up the A24, then onto the M25. Got home at 2215. Aki still a bit emotional, but managed to help me unpack the car. She's grappling with various visa information forms, and will have to phone the Embassy tomorrow for further advice. Watched a bit of US Open on Amazon prime, before bath and bed well past midnight!