Saturday 30th October 2021

Woke around 0800. Another wet autumn day in prospect. Made Turkish eggs for breakfast. Pottered about this morning, not getting very much done, though I managed another chunk of Hilary Mantel. Drove to Waitrose after lunch and did a shop. As I was unloading the car outside the flat, Kevin happened by...haven't seen him for ages, so we had a pleasant chat. Told him Aki was in Japan...he said his wife is in France, so why don't we join up for a visit to the pub tomorrow lunchtime! Said I'd knock on his door at around 1300, and we'd walk up to the Landseer to have a bite to eat. Sush came round early evening...he had a poke about in the bathroom, but couldn't find a definitive cause for the damp patch abutting the shower. He reckoned I needed to punch a couple more exploratory holes in the plasterboard, which I'll attempt to do tomorrow morning. We talked about replacement downlights in the bathroom ceiling, and he ushered me into his flat next door to show me what he usually uses in a trade catalogue...Rebecca was there, and asked if I wanted to stay for dinner. Had a dansak with paneer, cumin rice, saag aloo, aloo gobi, homemade pakora, and roti...it was just like eating out at an Indian restaurant! Rebecca even bagged some up for me to put in the freezer! Should keep me going for weeks!!! Got back home in time for MOTD. Aki called. She was preparing her breakfast, prior to going to pick up Erika. They are going on a trip west of Tokyo to spend a night in a B&B where one of Aki's JCUK chums now resides. Sounds like there are a few changes of train involved in the journey!!!

Friday 29th October 2021

Got up around 0900. Aki sent a photo of her mum's now almost empty Inage flat. Called for a quick chat, but the signal wasn't very good. Looks as though they've had a long day. This is the place I first visited in Japan...Toshiko welcomed me into her home on New Year's Eve, and treated me to their traditional New Year's menu...our bedroom was through the arched doorway to the right. Sad to see it emptied, but it has to be done. Read some Hilary Mantel in the morning...I've got a lot of catching up to do. Had an initial go at learning Happy from The Stones' Exile on Main Street album...I want to learn all the songs that call for an open G tuning. Aki called after lunch, having got back to the Chiba flat, exhausted. She said she felt very saddened to see her mum's past being cleared away, that it had been an almost out-of-body experience. Had salmon and rice salad for dinner, as it needed eating up. Nowt on telly, so watched The Green Knight with Dev Patel in the title role....strangely dull fantasy retelling of the story of Sir Gawain & the Green Knight. Not sure it deserved the five stars Peter Bradshaw gave it! Watched Emma's defeat in the quarter-finals of the Transylvania Open. It looks as though the US Open will be her one and only championship win for a while yet...

Thursday 28th October 2021

Woke around 0745. Got up and made a mug of tea. We had porridge for breakfast, with grated apple, yoghurt, honey, and nuts. Aki called as we were sitting down to eat. She had a wee chat with Tony, and up-dated us on the slow progress of Japanese bureaucracy. Tony left for work at 1100...he's back early next week. Finished reading "The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry". All a bit slight in terms of literature, but enjoyable nonetheless...she has a great way of inventing seemingly new expressions, most of which were highly satisfying. Pottered around for the rest of the afternoon, not doing very much. Read Krapp's Last Tape...they are auditioning for it at the Tower next week, and I'm tempted...saw Max Wall do it at Riverside Studios about forty years ago! Warmed up a portion of lasagna for dinner, with some vegetables on the side. Walked up to No.126 for the Book Club meet at Polly's. All except Dulcie, and of course, Aki, in attendance...Dulcie joined us via zoom link...she's becoming virtual. The general consensus was that The Pilgrimage of Harold Fry had been a bit superficial and manipulative, though not wholly unenjoyable. Dulcie really liked it, of course, but Jane had found it hard to be won over. We chose a Russian historical detective novel called The Winter Queen for our next meet in December at Katherine's, when we will also discuss the Desai, which most of us hadn't yet started...except Gareth who'd read it weeks ago! Walked back home with Jane, Ben and Gayu, stopping briefly to knock on Dulcie's door and proffer a couple of my flapjacks to have with her tea tomorrow. Jane wants to fix up a zoom chat with Aki at some point next week. I told her it would have to be around noon, as we will be nine hours behind by then. She said she'd get back to me on possible dates tomorrow.

Wednesday 27th October 2021

Woke around 0730. Got up and made some tea. Cooked up Turkish eggs for breakfast while Tony was getting himself organised. He's stopping another night tonight, and needs a couple of nights next week, too. Felt too weary after the last few weeks' exertions to get any work done. Need to finish the book club read before tomorrow night's meet. Aki called from Iszumi's hair salon to show off her new haircut...and I had a brief chat with Iszumi...she looked in rude health. Aki trying to persuade her to come back to London. 

Wandered up the road to Big Jo's for lunch...hadn't tried their Roman pizza...had an aubergine and tomato one...quite a thick crust...needed a steak knife, but tasty enough. Put a new battery in the doorbell, but managed to snap the plastic clip that keeps it together, so it will probably fall off in a high wind...pain in the bum! Rebecca next door let me onto her roof so I could climb over the parapet and take the dead pigeon out of the hopper. There was a lot of moss off of the church roof, so cleaned that up too, and gave it a bit of a hosing down. Had a cuppa tea and a chat with Rebecca...she's between jobs at the moment. Asked how Sush's divorce was going...he's actually been divorced for years, but his ex hasn't signed off yet on the financial settlement for some reason. They seem to think it has something to do with the ex not wishing to grant Sush any custody rights over the 12 year old daughter. Read some more book club read this afternoon...should complete it by tomorrow. Tony got back at 1900 and I warmed up a couple of portions of my homemade chicken tikka masala, which we had with dahl, rice, and flatbread...followed by rice pudding! Watched a filmed version of a play we had seen in lockdown...Death of England...the National Theatre version was a one-man show, but this was a two-hander, beautifully crafted, with great use of otherwise theatrical conventions. Tony had been sent a copy, as he's to do some audio-description work on it. Really enjoyed it. 

Tuesday 26th October 2021

Woke around 0630 for some reason, and found it difficult to get back to sleep. Tony up slightly before me, as he wanted to use the shower hose. We had oats soaked in iced latte for breakfast...but since the weather has come over all autumnal, we warmed them up in the microwave. Did a bit of prep work on the computer for a job next week, then had a spot of lunch before setting off for the theatre mid-afternoon.

Simona had all but finished the tech with Matthew, who is operating lights and sound, when I arrived, and I got the props in position for a final dress run at 1730. Re-set the stage, and cleared the auditorium afterward. Quite a sizeable audience turned up, much to my surprise...Katrina had walked round from Clapton, whilst Jane and Carlos had come from Sussex Way, and Helen and Martin, presumably on their bikes! I reckon we had about 50 or so in to watch. Nick, playing Cromwell, got us off to a rather slow start, the nerves slowing down his delivery, and thus robbing the opening scenes of the requisite energy, but Martin as King Henry was unstoppable...splendid performance, which held the evening together. Simona interviewed the playwright Ade Solanke on stage immediately afterward...she seemed genuinely delighted to see the play again, and was very effusive with her thanks. She mainly works as a screenwriter, but has enjoyed a couple of theatrical successes. I met her in the bar afterward, and asked if she would sell me a copy of the text, as I couldn't find it anywhere online...she promised she'd send one over with my name on it. Had a quick beer in the bar with the cast members, and Martin introduced me to his wife Janet, whom he'd met at the Tower forty years ago...she remembered me, but I had trouble recalling her face; we shared some chat about the actors who were at the Tower way back then, and I suggested they come round for some raw fish once Aki returns from Japan, so we can have a proper catch-up. Gave Jack, who'd played Oisleger, the German ambassador, a lift to Manor House on my way home. Aki called when I got in, in her jimjams, as usual. She has a busy day ahead, which includes visiting her old chum Izsumi for a haircut.

Monday 25th October 2021

Woken at 0845 by Aki calling from Japan. Got up and made a mug of tea, and had a wee chat. She'd been to the Council offices in Inage, where her mum's flat is located, but got there to find that they were still processing the Death Certificate....so wasted journey. Did some work at the computer after breakfast. Broke for chicken soup for lunch. Aki called again...she had taken Noboru out to the restaurant over the road to buy him a birthday dinner. Vacuumed the flat. Put the heating on prior to Tony's arrival, as my hands were getting cold typing at the computer...so I thought it time to bite the bullet. Trouble was, the rad in the spare bedroom doesn't seem to be working. Hunted for the radiator bleed key, but of course, nowhere to be found, so had to pop out to the DIY shop...naturally, I'll find it when I'm looking for something else! 

Warmed up fish pie for dinner then drove to Stoke Newington, and getting to the theatre just after 1800. Was pleasantly surprised by how good the space looked with the in-the-round set up. Feels bigger somehow. Set the props and sorted out seating for the actors, who donned bits of costume, and eventually they stumbled through a run. It's not in bad shape, and hopefully tomorrow night's snatched dress rehearsal will smooth out the rougher edges. Drove home afterward to check that Tony had managed to let himself in OK, and had his dinner. All good. He'd enjoyed my fish pie, and the rice pudding and raspberry spoom. He asked if I had any ear drops, as his right ear seemed blocked. I gave him some bicarbonate of soda drops. I put the bins out, and bumped into Sush having a fag in the front garden...asked him to come and have a look at the bathroom, and he said he could look in on Saturday morning. Tony went to bed around 2300, and I ran a bath. Aki called from Chiba, in her jimjams...she's off to visit her niece for a luncheon date. Read some Rachel Cooke, then retired for the night...

Sunday 24th October 2021

Woke around 0945. Had missed calls from Aki. Rang her back...she was just about to go cook dinner at Nobby's. She seemed very satisfied with the progress she has been making,...she'd had a long conversation with the solicitor, and it looks as though they've got everything covered. I cooked up the chicken tikka masala, and put a couple of portions in the freezer. Kath FaceTimed from mum and dad's, and I had a chat with Jim. He looked in good shape and observed that he didn't think he'd grow up to be the type of chap who had two ex-wives....I told him he still had a way to go before he caught up with Peter Sellers! He said he was now going into the office on a daily basis, and that a valet had been hired to give his van a good clean prior to putting it up for sale. 

Had a bowl of soup for lunch, then set off for Stoke Newington. I bumped into Kathleen in the bar area, just as Aki called...so I was able to get Kathleen to give Aki a wave, before I descended into the basement to look for props for this afternoon's rehearsal. It was slow going today, but not in too bad shape...one or two of the actor seem to have no spatial awareness, and the fact that we are working in the round seems to confound them somewhat. Hopefully we can make more sense tomorrow when we get a chance to work in the theatre space itself. We finished rehearsing around 6pm, so I went upstairs to watch a couple of local actor/writers perform some scratch material as part of the Black History Month programme. Vanessa's piece was short, but packed a bit of a punch. She has a strong stage presence, but she's a bit too manic as a performer...needs a bit of work. The other actress, Nicole, performed a longer piece...she was very good, a natural talent, and there was some affecting poetic writing in there...very promising. Drove home for a late dinner of chicken tikka masala with a dhal, and some flatbreads before watching Liverpool thrash Man Utd 5-0 at Old Trafford!

Saturday 23rd October 2021

Got up at 0745 and made a mug of tea. Called Aki after breakfast...she was at Noboru's flat, and had managed to jam his shredder!!! He's still out west, so doesn't know yet. I wandered up to the Farmer's Market behind Whittington Park and bought a loaf of bread, then ambled on up the hill to M&S. Back home, I made some lunch, then got to making a beef lasagna...took me all afternoon, and made a right mess of the kitchen! Mind you, I also made a browned butter and lime rice pudding at the same time, which added to the chaos. Had a portion of lasagna for dinner with some greens, and put the rice pudding in the fridge to have when Tony comes on Monday night. Oh, and I also made a tikka marinade for some chicken breast, which went in the fridge...I'll cook that tomorrow morning. Watched some MOTD. Aki called for a wee chat before I ran my bath...she's hoping Noboru can get the shredder fixed this morning so she can continue where she left off before she was so rudely interrupted.

Friday 22nd October 2021

Woken at 0900 by Aki calling from Chiba. She'd arrived back at the flat in one piece, and was looking forward to a relatively relaxing weekend after all the journeying...still mounds of paperwork to wade through, though. I did a little work at the computer after breakfast, but not really in the mood for work. Not a lot on in any event. Cooked up a cheese and ham omelette for lunch. Walked to Morrisons to buy some ingredients for a lime and brown butter rice pudding I want to make tomorrow. Had half a pizza for tea before driving over to Stoke Newington for a 1800 rehearsal. Worked through scenes 3 & 4 this evening. It's shaping up very nicely...feeling confident enough to invite people! Busy few days coming up! Made my escape at 2100, keen to drive home before the Arsenal and Villa fans poured out of the Emirates stadium. 

Thursday 21st October 2021

 

Woke around 0845. Got up and made tea, then did some work at the computer. Aki called from her hotel. The interment ceremony had gone well, with a Buddhist monk on hand to do the requisite chanting. Aki seemed very relieved, and went off to celebrate with a visit to the hotel spa. Wandered down Upper Street mid-afternoon to the Screen on the Green to see Dune. Didn't quite have the cinema to myself...there were maybe 12 people in there. Ordered a latte which was brought to my seat. This was my first visit to a cinema since the pandemic struck, so I was looking forward to it. The film is expertly shot, with awe-inspiring technical wizardry, but the story line left me a bit cold...it was like Star Wars, filmed on Camber Sands. It was two-and-a-half hours long, which felt a bit over-the-top! It was 1845 by the time I stepped back on Upper Street. I wandered over to the Afghan Kitchen, but it looked a bit too busy for comfort, so I walked northward, and found a table at Skal. Ordered the venison meatballs with loganberry sauce, new potatoes, and charred broccoli with flaked almonds. A pricey midweek treat. Felt a bit weighed down by the spuds afterward, so decided to walk back home rather than get the bus. 

Wednesday 20th October 2021

Up at 0730. Did some work at the computer, mug of tea in hand. Nice sunny day outside. Mucked about on the guitar for a bit...Stormy Monday sounding good...ready for an audience. Aki called from her hotel in Kyushu. She and Noboru had been treated to dinner by a ageing cousin. Aki had taken the opportunity to order a wagyu beef steak! Earlier she had met cousins Hisao and Teruko at the Koga family plot to make final arrangements for tomorrow's interment. I went for a walk after lunch...strolled down Upper Street, to Angel...sun had gone in! Stopped off at the Central Library to pick up some compostable food waste bags...surprised to see there were no books or shelving units in there at all...they are refurbishing. Looked quite odd, a library with no books. Ambled on to Euphorium for a decaf coffee, then on to Muji at The Angel, where I bought some more underwear and socks. I was planning to get the bus home from there, but they were all full of virus-carrying school kids, so I walked back. Hot dogs for tea, before climbing in to the VW and heading to Stoke Newington for the play reading rehearsal. We worked through the first two scenes. Simona kept asking for my advice on extracting some comedy out of certain lines, but it's not exactly a broadly comic piece...it's going to be down to timing and the audience mood on the night. It was pouring with rain when we came out of the theatre...we made a run for the pub next door, and Martin South bought me a beer. We had a little reminisce about his playing Hamlet forty years ago, and brought up a few names from the dim and distant past. Pub was very noisy, so I made my excuses and left, driving home in the rain. Got in around 2215. Called Aki who had just got out of bed and was downing a coffee before heading for the cemetery. I wished her luck...

Tuesday 19th October 2021

 

Woke around 0815. Got up and ironed a shirt for work. Belatedly noticed two large holes in the crotch of my suit trousers. Will have to bin them! Must have been walking about like that for months! Hope no-one noticed when standing below me on the escalators...if they did, they didn't mention it! Had some breakfast, then headed out toward Kingston. Traffic OK until I got to the Shepherds Bush turn off the A40. Flyover ahead was closed by police vehicles...I assumed there had been a crash some way ahead...took about 15 minutes to crawl off the slip road. Drove to Walton-on-Thames first, then on to Weybridge, before double-backing to Esher, and Claygate. Kath FaceTimed from Peary Close...she had mum and dad with her for a spot of lunch. They showed me the little terraced house in Wickham that Jim is proposing to rent. It's unfurnished, which surprised me. he hasn't got any furniture!!! Stopped at a little cafe in Esher to pick up a panini for lunch, and ate it in the car. Driving back via Shepherds Bush some five or so hours later, I was astonished to find the A40 still cordoned off...the radio mentioned an on-going police incident, so I guess it must have been a group of Insulate Britain protestors gluing themselves to the highway! Took ages to find a route out of the traffic mayhem. Got home at 1715. Warmed up the dark Belgian beef and beer stew that Brett had brought round at the weekend...added some button mushrooms, and served it up with sauteed potatoes, and some greens. Very tasty! Aki called...she was in her jim-jams, having just gotten up...she's due to head to the airport to fly the ashes out west. 

Monday 18th October 2021

Over-slept. Woke around 0930. Feeling too weary to climb into the motor this morning, so decided to work from home today, and venture out tomorrow. I called Aki...she was on a crowded commuter train...she rang back once she'd got back to the flat. She'd been at her mum's Inage flat all day, showing round potential house clearance teams and getting quotes...she ended up going with the last bunch who came round, and seemed the most efficient. I worked at the computer until lunch time, but wasn't hungry, having had a very late breakfast. Did some more work early afternoon before heading for the tube station. Met up with Colin Yates at Wright Brothers' little fish restaurant in Borough Market. He'd come up from Hove for a brief visit to his office in Monument. I got there early so wandered round the market...spent £2.20 on some tikka masala spice mix in the little spice stall. Got seated in the restaurant and had myself a small bottled Steigl lager, from Austria...very nice. Colin got there more or less on time. Updated him on where Aki was, and he updated me on Kim and Andy...Kim lost her mum last week! He told me of the troubles he's been having with the neighbours...sounds as though the problem is Trudi...she's the one who seems to set things in motion! Enjoyed the meal...had fish soup to start, followed by cod fillet on a butter bean and chorizo stew, and lemon posset for dessert. Walked Colin over to London Bridge station, then walked across London Bridge in the October drizzle. Walked past No.22 Bishopsgate, a massive tower with a food market on the 2nd floor...must make a trip to have a look when it's open. Saw the new Crossrail station for Liverpool Street, or rather the rather dull, square glazed box that sits over the escalators. Got the train from Moorgate, getting home just before Arsenal kicked off against Palace, thereby missing the crowds that spill out of Finsbury Park tube station. Listened to the Arsenal game on R5Live. They could only manage a draw. 

Sunday 17th October 2021

 

Woke a 0730. Aki called to wish me luck for tonight's show. She's still wading through paperwork. Did a bit more rehearsal...too little too late now! Then had a very early lunch before packing the car with the instruments and heading off to pick up David from round the corner. He'd only just woken up!!! Seems he likes to go into hibernation at this time of year. So we were half-an-hour late getting to the theatre to set up the amps and wires. Rehearsal was pretty ragged, and we didn't have time to do a dress run. Popped out for a KFC burger round the corner before the gig. Not a bad turnout. Katrina didn't make it, nor anyone else I knew, but it didn't feel quite as empty in there as I was dreading. The first half-hour was taken up by a drummer from Burkino-Fasso who also played Ngoni...he was really good. 

Then it was our turn. The first three numbers involved elements of audience participation. David was all over the shop on When You're smiling...clueless!!! But I waded in to help him back on track when required. Then Peta sang Minnie The Moocher to a backing track, before I lead a gospel sing-a-long to a song called Send Down The Rain. I introduced myself as The Reverend Jesus Treacle, and welcomed everyone in my best American accent, to the New Bethel Baptist Church in downtown Detroit, Stoke Newington...got a good laugh! Then it was the dreaded Dream A Little Dream. I lost the chord progression several times, but Tyan kept going, and Kessle covered me a bit on the keys. A bit too sophisticated for my musical skills. This was followed by a rousing rendition of I Heard it Through the Grapevine...Paulette had knocked the backing singers into shape, and it went down very well. Then four of the singers did an acapella version of Stevie Wonder's Livin' In the City, followed by me accompanying Tyan on Talkin' 'Bout A Revolution, which is easy and effective. Then Paulette sang Save The Best For Last, Tyan knocked off Umbrella with appropriate rain wear and props, and we finished with Michael Kiwanuke's fabulous Cold Little Heart. We were forced to encore, so did Grapevine again, with the audience all singing along. It was all over by 2030, and we packed up. Put some stuff in the car, then had a brief drink with Peta and Simona before heading home for another beer. Thank God that's over!!!

Saturday 16th October 2021

Up at 0730...feeling very weary this morning. Downed a couple of barrels of tea. Aki called. She's arranged to meet three or four removal companies on Monday for quotes regarding the flat clearance in Inage. She also showed off a new black skirt she'd purchased for the trip to Kyushu next week. Rehearsed my guitar and ukulele parts in advance of tomorrow's Tower Theatre gig. Did a bit of work on the computer...still trying to catch up after the petrol shortage debacle. Margaret came round for an update on Aki and we had a conversation through the front window. I gave her a portion of my rice pudding, which has been in the fridge for three weeks or so. I had some for 'lunch'. Aki called, and reckoned it wasn't wise to eat three week old rice pudding, so I put out a distress call to Margaret and got her to chuck it in the nearest bin. I've experienced no adverse reaction, though. Ma and Pa FaceTimed to say that Jim and Karen have agreed to an 'amicable' split, and he had gone up to Morpeth to retrieve his computer prior to taking it in to Scott's office on Monday. While they were on the line, Brett knocked on the front window and passed me a freshly baked cinnamon bun. Mum said it didn't look very appetising...it did look more like a Naughty Fido, but thankfully tasted of cinnamon. Brett said she had made too much beef and Guinness stew, so will off-load some on me tomorrow morning before she goes for tennis! Popped out to Boots to buy a new beard trimmer, as my Philips one is not up to the job of trimming my fulsome growth...bought a Braun on £30 offer. Warmed up my duck and mushroom parmentier for dinner, and practised some guitar backing for I Heard it Through the Grapevine. Watched MOTD...amazing goal from Mo Salah against Watford. Aki called around midnight for a quick chat. Her childhood friend, Ha-chan, has booked four nights in a hotel in Tokyo, so they can go out on the town together once Aki has returned from Kyushu next week. 

Friday 15th October 2021

Woke at 0730. Got up and did some work at the computer before Aki called for a quick hello. Hit the road again by 0930, headed out toward Harlow, and on to Bishops Stortford. Stopped to grab a coffee at Birchanger Lane Services on the M11. Then on to Saffron Walden. Ate my lunch in the car on a new-build development in Newport, then headed back to Birchanger, where I took a short rest, trying to find out what was going on on the M11...the sat nav warned me of an accident, but there was nothing on the useless 5Live about it, so I pressed on to Brentwood, then turned for home. Traffic slow but got home by 1715, in time to cook a quick dinner before heading for the Tower Theatre to rehearse with a skeleton crew. David came round for a lift. Rehearsal OK as far as it went...bit of friction developing between the drummer boy, and Peta...Jacques keeps over egging the pudding with little jazz frills and off-beats which throw us all off rhythm...going to have to warn Simona tomorrow to rein him in a bit come Sunday. Got home by 2130 for a relatively early night, though the traffic westbound along Seven Sisters Road was stationery for some reason...don't know what had happened up ahead in Finsbury Park. Eventually turned round and headed up Green Lanes, and go round the north side of Finsbury Park, where I ran into another traffic jam...a collision on the mini roundabout was blocking the road. Talked to Aki briefly before bath...she has to sort out the furniture and clothes in the Inage flat. A lot to sort through! 

Thursday 14th October 2021

Woke at 0730. Got up and did some work at the computer. Aki called...she'd rung one of her uncles in Kyushu, and they would arrange for a family get together when Aki arrives. The trip is pencilled in for next week. Made a packed lunch and got back behind the wheel, this time headed out east to Southend, then onto Burnham-on-Crouch, Maldon, where I stopped off for petrol at a large Morrisons superstore. Had my lunch in the car on a new-build development in Heybridge, before heading on to Colchester, then double-backed to Chelmsford, and my final port of call, Great Bardfield, near Sudbury. Aki called as I was driving to say that she had booked a hotel and a return flight to Kyushu for next week. She sounds a bit over-whelmed by all the stuff she's had to do and organise this last month or so...and it ain't over yet! Still, it's keeping her busy, and hopefully she'll get to catch up with a few chums before she has to fly home. Wanted to get home to change and grab a bite to eat before attending the play reading rehearsal at the Tower, but the traffic on the A406 North Circular was painfully slow, and eventually I gave up on the idea and drove down to Stoke Newington, hoping to find something to eat...in the end I made do with a packet of crisps purchased from the theatre bar, and a banana that one of the cast members kindly donated. Martin South, who is to read Henry VIII, cried off sick, so Simona asked me to read in...I've always been a good sight reader, so got stuck in and enjoyed myself. Henry has a song to sing halfway through, and not knowing the piece, I made up a 16th Century folk tune on the spot...as I sang out my last phrase, the room erupted in spontaneous applause!!! We finished just before 2200, and having been sat in the car on a 200 mile round trip today, I made my excuses and hurried off home for a soak in the bath.

Wednesday 13th October 2021

 

Woke around 0730 and got up and did a bit of work at the computer. Aki called to say the funeral service had gone very well, and that she'd managed to get through her speech, but had broken down toward the end. Noburu, the brother-in-law told a tale about proposing to Aki's elder sister. He'd shown a photo of his beloved to his parents, which was of Aki's sister, and her mum...and his folks had thought he was planning to marry the mother! They had all gone out for a post funeral meal at a local restaurant, which, being near the crematorium, is quite used to catering for funeral parties! Aki said she was exhausted, and would be going to bed early tonight. I headed out to west London to do some inspections. Took in Stamford Brook, Neasden, Stanmore, Edgware, and West Hampstead before returning home for a very quick ham salad, as I then had to walk up Hornsey Rise for my Ear Nose & Throat appointment. 

New chap saw me...bit brusque, but businesslike...he gave me the all clear and sent me packing. I walked back down the hill via Girasole where Eglal and her team were busy creating the Christmas window display! They were even playing Xmas pop hits over the sound system! I bought a couple of items, and wished them a very Merry Christmas. Worked from home for the remainder of the day. Broke at around 1830 and decided to make a duck and mushroom parmentier for dinner, so needed to nip over the road for spuds. Dropped in at the chemist to pick up a fresh supply of painkillers...he gave me my flu jab while I was there! Came back and cooked...took ages...didn't eat until about 2030. Tasty, though, and I made two, so one's gone in the fridge for later in the week. FaceTimed Kath. 

She said Karen was trying to get Jim to sign away his rights...he's been told to stay clear until he's managed to see a solicitor. Could be a long and bitter battle. He's still residing in the van like Maggie Smith, subject to the forthcoming result of a PCR test...if it's negative, he'll be allowed in the house during the winter months! Spoke to ma and pa on the phone...they seem to be taking it all in their stride. Had a text message from Ray and Steph asking how things were going...gave them a quick FaceTime call. They asked me to pass on their best wishes to Aki, and invited us down to Eastbourne when she's back.

Tuesday 12th October 2021

 

Woke around 0815, not feeling particularly refreshed. Sat at the computer and did some work for an hour. Aki called. She's having dinner with Nobby and his daughter Erica this evening. Headed back out west to finish the inspections for the Guinness Partnership job. Popped in to Tesco in Yeading to get petrol, and picked up a Starbucks. Ended in Ruislip, then decided I had time to pick off a couple of postcode stops on another job, which entailed driving round the M25 to Cobham. As I approached the A3 turn off I noticed there was no traffic on the clockwise motorway...there'd been a lorry fire, and all lanes were closed. That meant all the traffic coming off the M25 and snarling up the A3. Took ages to get to Cobham. Ate my packed lunch in the traffic jam! Drove home via an inspection stop in Thames Ditton. Got home at 1700, just before David was due to arrive for tea and song rehearsal. He's very camp, and is about to get civil partnered up with his fella. Packed the car up with guitars and amps etc, and drove to the Tower Theatre. Unloaded, and found somewhere to park up. Rehearsed with drummer, and keyboard player, who turned up a bit late. Paulette came all the way from Croydon...glad she did, as her voice is far and away the best on show. The bass player got held up by problems on the public transport network, so turned up after most of the other participants had gone home. We rehearsed a couple of numbers with him, before he revealed he couldn't do the gig on Sunday...he'd thought it was Saturday!!! So that was a great big waste of time! Drove David home, dropping him off in Jackson Road, then unloaded the car. Called Aki. She was still in her jimjams, but was preparing for her mum's funeral in three hours time or so...she's happy with her memorial speech. I wished her luck...sorry I can't be there!

Monday 11th October 2021

 

Woke at 0730. Got up and did a bit of work before breakfast. Aki rang. She's been working on a little speech about her mum to deliver at the funeral. Packed a lunch and headed back to Uxbridge, stopping off at Tesco in Yeading, where I picked up a coffee. Spent all day pootling about Uxbridge, Ruislip, Pinner, Northolt etc. Stopped in Eastcote and had my lunch in the car. The River Pinn is just the other side of that wall at the bottom of the road...well, more like a stream really, but from which Pinner gets it's name. Got home at 1900...it was dark!!! Warmed up a portion of fish pie for dinner. FaceTimed Kath to see how she'd gotten on with Jim. She had driven Dad out there, picked up Jim, and Dad drove the camper van back to High View. Jim is parked up on the driveway, in 14 day quarantine! Still, Dad's compost bin should be fermenting nicely after a couple of weeks! Did a bit of ringing round prior to tomorrow night's band rehearsal. Looking forward to it. Took a look at the chords for I Heard It Through the Grapevine before running a bath. Aki rang briefly, having her breakfast. Still working on her speech, but sounds as though she's getting there.

Sunday 10th October 2021

Woke at 0800. Made tea, and a bowl of porridge. Aki called. Toshiko had been taken away by the morticians this afternoon, so Aki now alone again in the flat. She'd telephoned some relatives to inform them of Toshiko's death. She and Nobby were planning to go eat at the little tempura restaurant round the corner so that they can sus out whether they would be open on Wednesday for a group lunch after the crematorium. I remember we took Aki's mum there last time I was in Tokyo...she loved it...cleaned her plate!!! 

Walked to Waitrose to get missing ingredients for the flapjacks I planned making for the street party. Hernia pain all the way...only to get there and find it was closed! Morrisons not open till 1100 either! So abandoned my culinary plans for the morning. Did some music practice ahead of Tuesday night's rehearsal. Wandered up to the street party around 1330 and left my guitar at No.127 for later. Managed to get a burnt sausage, a blackened piece of chicken, and some side salad before we were called to assemble under one of the awnings for our brief Scottish and Irish fiddle tunes set.

I banged out the guitar chords in a vain attempt to keep the band together, and ended by singing The Star of the County Down, not that anyone could hear me! Claire and John, the resident violin pros, did some jigs and reels after us. Seemed to go down well. Passed on the news about Aki's mum to various neighbours who all expressed their condolences. Hung about chatting...Martin and Helen turned up from Fairbridge Road. Six was very entertaining as usual. Talked with Kathleen about the Tower Theatre's plans for Minnack next year. I mentioned the damp patch adjoining our shower room to her husband Andrew, who was keen to come and have a look. He got his arm stuck in the plasterboard. He wasn't really of much help, surmising the problem to be to do with the joint to the shower riser, which is my theory too. 

Cooked up a chicken green curry with rice for dinner, followed by some rice pudding. Kath rang to say Jim had been sleeping out in the camper van for a night or two, having left the marital home and driven round the back to park up at Morpeth railway station. He'll be a bit cold in there tonight! Kath going to get a train up to Morpeth tomorrow lunchtime, so she can drive him back down to her place, and then I'll guess he'll have to go to mum and dad's at some point...not fair on any of them, but the alternatives are somewhat narrow at the moment. Sounds like the final curtain for the misguided marriage! 

Saturday 9th October 2021

Woke around 0800 and got up to make tea. Not in good voice this morning, for some reason. Watched some tennis from Indian Wells...Emma went out at her first hurdle. Leylah smashed it, though, and is through to the third round. Aki called. She was upset, as she'd just got back from the Care Home...they had invited her in to take a few mementoes to put in Toshiko's coffin for the cremation on Wednesday, which had elicited a few memories for her. She said the Care Home staff had been amazing, all coming up to talk to her about her mum. Made myself some Turkish eggs for brunch. Walked down to Angel in the afternoon...nice autumnal feel to the day as I walked through Highbury Fields, with the first fallen leaves yellowing on the footpaths. Hernia pain pretty constant now, and slowed my walking pace, so I took a seat in the park and called Pete...who appeared to be in a park! He was in a playground in Farnham with his two youngest daughters, trying to stop them walking up the slide instead of sliding down it! Said he has been very busy settling the kids into their new schools, and getting Polka Theatre back up and running now the refurbishment has been completed. Said he may be able to meet up over half term in a couple of weeks' time. He was very amused that I was back at the Tower Theatre. Walked on to Upper Street and had a decaff in Euphorium...felt twenty again waiting for my order to arrive!!! Finally got to Muji in the Angel Shopping Centre and bought some fresh slipper, some boxer shorts, and a pair of socks, before getting the No.43 bus back up to the Odeon and walking home from there. Bumped into Six talking to Brett outside No.7, where she was whitewashing her garden wall. Updated them on Aki's mum. Six has been kept busy as his autistic son Lucien has been in and out of hospital these last couple of weeks...he has been suffering severe seizures. Got home and cooked confit of duck for dinner, which I had with boiled potatoes, green beans, and carrots. Read a bit of Rachel Cooke, as there was nowt on telly. Bath, and bed...

Friday 8th October 2021

Woke at about 0630 for some reason. Hauled myself out of bed and downed a couple of pints of tea. Did some work at the computer. Aki called whilst I was making my porridge. She had had a fitful night's sleep, but was otherwise in good spirits. She is looking after her mum until Sunday when she will be moved to the mortuary prior to the cremation on Wednesday. She spoke with Ha-chan in Osaka, and they have planned to meet up, either when Aki is on her way to Kyushu with the ashes, or on her return leg. I headed back out west in the car, stopping at Tesco in Yeading for more petrol...now have a full tank. Spent most of the day in Hayes, West Drayton, and Yiewsley. Stopped for lunch at a marina serving the Grand Union Canal just outside Yiewsley. Nice spot...walked up to the canal after eating. Ended the working day in Uxbridge town centre, which was pretty busy. Got in around 1915 and cooked up some pasta with a mushroom pesto sauce. Feeling very weary after the last three days on the road...looking forward to resting up tomorrow. 

Thursday 7th October 2021

 

Woke around 0815. Got up and made tea. Did a bit of work at the computer, anticipating a call from Aki, but she sent text message to say she was at her mum's bedside and might be some time. I made a packed lunch and set off for west London again around 1100. Not too busy out there, but sat nav took me by a circuitous route, avoiding a couple of traffic blackspots. Stopped at Tesco on the A312, and picked up a coffee from the drive-in Starbucks round the corner. Also managed to get some more petrol...I'm good for 300 miles! Got a text message around 1330 from Aki saying her mum had gone. The photo to the left was taken yesterday. Very sad...it seems she had waited it out for as long as possible so that Aki could fly over to say her goodbyes. Aki was lucky enough to spend a good six or seven hours with her in her room this afternoon, but had nipped back to the flat in the evening to have some dinner when the call came from the Care Home. 

Nobaru met Aki at the Care Home, and Toshiko was washed and dressed before being put in a casket and driven to the flat Aki is staying in nearby. Aki said she had gone ahead of the casket to organise the bedroom to help accommodate her mum when a strong earthquake struck, sending alarm messages to her iphone to evacuate the building! She went downstairs to help walk her mum in to find it pouring with rain outside...Shakespeare couldn't make it up!!! Anyway, her mum is now at peace in the flat and Aki will spend a last night or two with her in Chiba before the cremation is organised. Aki sounded pretty good on the phone...very accepting of the turn of events, and let's face it, it was our hope that her mum would pass while Aki was nearby. I finished inspections at 1700 and headed back home through appalling traffic. I was forced to take a detour through Greenford, and didn't get in till gone 1830. Cooked some vegetables and warmed my fish pie in the microwave, and joined the Tower Theatre BHM gig zoom meeting with knife and fork in hand. David appeared briefly to say hello, but he was at the theatre, having forgotten that he was watching a production of Carmen tonight! Kess the keyboard player dialled in from his local barbershop, where he was sat in the barber's chair having a trim! So we didn't get much done...don't know where everyone else had got to! Learning there songs, I hope! Aki called as I was running my bath. She was up making a morning tea, and showed me Toshiko lying in state in a white casket in the bedroom, a small shrine positioned above her head with incense, a Buddhist bell, and some family photos. She looked very at peace. 

Wednesday 6th October 2021

Woke around 0730 and got up to do a bit of work before breakfast. Aki called...she'd seen her mum this morning, and she seemed better than yesterday, though sleepy. I walked round to the petrol station and found they had had an overnight delivery, so I walked on to Big Jo's and had a coffee and a croissant, before picking up the car and putting some petrol in. Sales are limited to a maximum spend of £35. Still, it got me out west to do inspections in Hayes and Uxbridge. Had my lunch in the car. Stopped at ASDA in Hayes to pick up some lunch items for tomorrow. Got home around 1900 after doing 70 miles...long day! Had picked up a chicken thai green curry in ASDA which needed half-an-hour in the oven, so didn't have time to cook and eat the fish pie I had planned. Cooked after dinner instead, having got Tony to message me his recipe. Caught up with Aki's blog entries...very sweet and moving photos of her mum holding Aki's hand. Sorry I can't be there to offer some support.

Tuesday 5th October 2021

Fitful night's sleep. Woken about 0300 by the sound of rain hammering the bedroom roof above my head...went on for about two hours...never heard anything like it! Got up at 0800. No sign of the flooding I expected when I opened the living-room shutters. Some flooding reported in west London, though. Aki called to say her mum showing signs of decline this morning. She was able to stay with her in her room for longer than usual, and keep an eye on her. I worked at the computer until lunch time. Popped out for some milk, and bought some takeaway lunch at Girasole. Wandered past the petrol station, which has been re-fuelled. Small queue developing in the street. Aki called during lunch. She's been trying to prepare some text and photos in memory of her mum if and when the time arrives. Got a bit tearful, but it's good that she's there to guide her mum through it, should it come to that. Did some guitar practise, then a bit more work at the computer screen. 

Headed off for Stoke Newington in the motor around 1715. Very slow getting through Finsbury Park for some reason. I've only got 50 miles worth of petrol left. Got to Stoke Newington in good time, and was lucky to find a parking space on Alkham Road. Picked up a bottle of water and some tissues at the corner shop. About 10 people turned up for the audition for The Court Must Have a Queen, including Martin South, who I had last seen giving his Hamlet at the old Tower Theatre forty years ago! He made an excellent Henry VIII, and Simona and I agreed on that, and a chap called Nick Hall to play Cromwell. It was great to be in a little rehearsal room with a bunch of actors mucking about. There was a rather strange chap called Stephan, dressed in black with a fifties beatnik style hat and glasses who wanted to have a go at Cromwell. He played him as if he were Peter Sellars in Dr. Strangelove...I nearly got a fit of the giggles. Drove home via Sainsburys at Manor House, someone having mentioned that they were opening for petrol at night rather than during the day to avoid clashing queues with the store. But they had run out of fuel...I tried the BP garage at the top of Hornsey Rise, but they were dry, as was the petrol station behind our flat, which had had some at lunchtime! Missed my chance...only got 40 miles worth left now! Spoke to Louise on the phone...she wanted to know how Aki was getting on, so I updated her. I asked how her flat purchase was going, and she said she had decided to pull out, as she felt on second viewing that the flat was way too small. But then her landlady rang, who has been renting her flat out to Lou while she and her fella sailed around Britain; they have decided to sell up, so Louise is going to buy the flat off her. All's well that ends well! Read some Rachel Cooke before bath and bed...

Monday 4th October 2021

Woke around 0730. Aki called as I was eating breakfast. She'd visited her mum this morning, and they had managed to share an ice cream. Care Home Manager seems to have confirmed that Aki can visit on a daily basis, which is good. I ventured out onto the streets to see if any petrol had turned up at the garage round the corner. I was expecting to see Army Cadets in their fatigues, making Lower Holloway look like Camp Bastion. But the chap behind the counter reckoned they wouldn't get replenished until Wednesday. So worked from home today, which was alright by me...meant I could practice some guitar at lunchtime. Worked until 1700. Warmed up some home grown tomato sauce for supper, which I had with pasta and parmesan, and shredded cabbage. Kessle, our keyboard player rang to introduce himself. Was a bit shocked to discover that he lives in Slough!!! Left a message with Simona to warn her, as he may want travel expenses! I would if I were him! She sent over the script for The Court Must Have A Queen in advance of the auditions tomorrow night, so I read through it. Nice piece...not too long, and crisply written. Aki called just before bedtime. The temperatures are rising again, so she's looking forward to a walk in the forest park this morning.

Sunday 3rd October 2021

Got up around 0800. Worked on the guitar part to Dream A Little Dream. Aki called. She had been in to see her mum, who was not communicative today. It's all a bit swings and roundabouts, which makes things difficult. Aki is going to have a word with the Care Home Manager to see about coming in every day. Cooked egg rougaille for brunch. It was OK, but not convinced it was worth the faff. Walked up to Katherine's at No.127 for folk and fiddle rehearsals with George on flute, and Ben on fiddle. Katherine on cello as usual, and me thrashing out guitar chords to keep them vaguely in time. Nice to see everybody. Katherine and George have announced they are getting spliced in May, and are looking for a reception venue. I walked back past the petrol station on Hornsey Road to see what the situation was, only to find they were closed, having completely run out of petrol. Not looking good for work tomorrow! Got another singer on board for BHM gig, who wants to do Tracey Chapman's "Talkin' 'bout a Revolution", and Rihanna's "Umbrella" which are easy enough on guitar. 

Saturday 2nd October 2021

Woke around 0800. Got up to make tea and practise my bass part. Knocked on the door next door and yelled "Taxi for Hughes!" through the letterbox. Mr & Mrs Hughes eventually appeared hauling luggage...I explained that my hernia was playing up, so they'd have to lift it into the boot of the Landrover themselves. Yonkers the big black lab go in the back, and after a quick lesson in how to start the vehicle without keys, we set off for Euston station. It was a bit like driving the Starship Enterprise rather than a motor vehicle. Nice drive, though. Feels as expensive as it probably is. A lot of roads blocked off round Euston because of the HS2 works, but I eventually got to the station drop off point, and then drove back via Waitrose. Aki called. Said she'd watched a gentle Argentinian film drama called The Last Suit last night. She'd been for another walk to the forest park this morning, and looks quite healthy over the mobile phone screen. Made some lunch. Mum called, having accidentally sat on her iPad and caused the thing to go off! They have been keeping their heads down; the weather trapping them indoors for the present. Started raining heavily here this afternoon. Cooked up a rice pudding, and made a raspberry spoom...sent the recipe to dad. Jas can't now do the gig on 17th, so all my hard work on Dream A Little Dream these past two days has gone for nothing. Her dad doesn't want to partake if his daughter ain't...so we are back at square one. There's one chap who's up for singing Michael Kiwanuka's Cold Little Heart...now trying to find a bassist to take that on, as I'll have to play the guitar part. Cold Little Heart very easy...spent an hour or so working it up on the electric guitar; had to vacuum the guitar case, which has collected about 5 years worth of dust sitting under the bed!

Friday 1st October 2021

Woken around 0730 by strange metallic sounds out in the back yard. Opened the blind to discover it was raining heavily, and the wind was blowing rain coming off the church roof onto the aluminium step ladder propped against the outside wall. It was playing it like a musical instrument. Did a bit of work on the bass part again this morning...it's become almost addictive! I can't stop repeating it. Julie rang with some urgent inspection work...all within the M25, which was a relief. Aki called. She's still working through the family documentation. Did my physio exercises after lunch. Talked briefly to Colin on the phone...he's coming up to London on occassion over the next two or three weeks, and suggested a meet one evening. He had a traumatic incident driving the car back down the A45 after visiting family up Nuneaton way last week. A large dog suddenly ran across three lanes of fast moving traffic, and he couldn't help but hit it. The dog's hindquarters were badly smashed up. People stopped to help, and they got the hound to a local vet, but it had to be put down. Colin was understandably pretty shook up. Walked to Waitrose and picked up some milk, and some odds and ends. Hernia discomfort is affecting my ability to enjoy a walk...found myself yelping out in pain every now and then as I went. Don't know why it's taken such a turn for the worse. Made a mushroom and anchovy pasta sauce for dinner. Watched the final episode of Mare of Easttown. Got a bit silly toward the end.