Monday 29th November 2021

Slightly disturbed night's sleep, as I woke around 0500 with half my right hand completely numbed...don't know where that came from, unless it's from practising The Boxer on the guitar, as it involves a right hand picking technique that I don't often employ. Still giving me a bit of gip when I got up around 0900. Had breakfast at the computer. Broke for lunch at around 1330. We had Aki's dill and broccoli soup with a crust of bread. Worked at the laptop in the afternoon. Broke around 1700 and made some dough for my beef cobbler, and cooked it in the oven for 45 minutes. We ate it with carrots, leeks and peas...very tasty. Watched a bit of telly after dinner. Got a message from Brett postponing next weekend's planned Xmas party, much to everyone's relief, by the sounds of it. Bath and bed.

Sunday 28th November 2021

Read in bed for a bit...finished the Book Club read, "A Shameful Life"...not sure what to think of it, really...it feels like the writings of a mentally ill man, and as such he's quite difficult a character to engage with...the writing style and content keep you distanced from him emotionally. Aki cooked a late brunch, then we took a constitutional up Highgate Hill and had a coffee at Lauderdale House. Very cold out, but bright and sunny. Walked back home. FaceTimed ma and pa, who seemed OK, but related the strange tale of Jim and the £100 candle...apparently purchased on a whim and sent to a woman he had never met! Sounds like the starting point for the plot of an episode of Midsummer Murders. I cooked the shin of beef we'd bought yesterday...needs at least 4 hours in the oven, cooking in beef stock and stout. Smelt great! Aki cooked up a dill and green vegetable soup to have tomorrow. Don't plan to eat the beef until tomorrow either...apparently the flavours benefit from it sitting in the fridge for a day or two. I warmed up a couple of portions of my vegetable lasagna instead. Watched an interesting little documentary on Alan Hull, the creative force behind Lindisfarne, then a bit of MOTD2 before bath and bed.

Saturday 27th November 2021

 

Woke around 0900 after a good night's sleep. No sign the Storm Arwen had come our way overnight...all looked calm outside. We had a late brunch of avocado on toast with poached eggs before deciding to head up to the Farmer's Market at Whittington Park to get bread. By the time we set off it had started raining, and the wind was beginning to get up. Aki wrapped up warm in her refugee camp fashion get up! We got there just in time to claim one of the last loaves. Got home, but then decided we ought to make a dash for the fishmonger while the football hooligans from Newcastle were still watching the game at the Emirates. We managed to do a shop in Waitrose on the way back, but got a little caught up in the traffic when we came out, the game having ended...with another defeat for the Magpies. I cooked an apple crumble, which we had after Aki's baked rainbow trout and fried courgettes. Watched the very excellent "I'm Your Man", that rare thing, a German comedy. Lovely performance from Dan Stevens as the humanoid love-interest. That's three really good movies in a row...we're on a roll! 

Friday 26th November 2021

 

Another day at the computer interface. Aki also working on preliminaries for her new Balham project. Broke for lunch of soup and gyoza. More of the same this afternoon. We had an early dinner...Aki made a pesto sauce, which we had with pasta. Then we drove to Stoke Newington to see their production of Conor McPherson's "Port Authority"...nearly didn't make it, the traffic was so bad! Manage to park right outside the theatre with about 5 minutes to curtain up. Simple set design, with a pier-side bollard for each of the three protagonists to perch on. The show is a series of interwoven monologues from three male characters, one in his late teens, one a middle-aged failure, and one a regretful pensioner in a residential home. As such, it's not really a play at all, and although beautifully written, it never really takes off as a piece of theatre. Performances were pretty good, although a line was requested by all three actors on one or two occassions, which interfered a little with the flow of the piece. 

Thursday 25th November 2021

Aki up early...I got up shortly afterward, and we had tea and porridge. I spent the morning working at the computer. Aki left for her meeting in Balham with her new client, who wants a kitchen and bathroom refurbishment in a flat she rents out. I broke for lunch...poached an egg and made a couple of potato fritters. Aki got home around 1730. Warmed up the Goan fish curry for dinner, which we had with rice and dahl. The TV news gets ever more depressing, but I enjoyed an hour long documentary on the history of the A303...it was once part of a long neolithic path which came to be called The Harrow Way...the Romans then built their straight line version over part of it, the Fosse Way, which, incredibly, went all the way to Lincoln!!! Couldn't bear to watch the Ten O'Clock News, so early bath and bed.

Wednesday 24th November 2021

 

Woke around 0715. Got up and made tea and did some work at the computer before porridge. Aki warmed up the cabbage soup she'd made yesterday for me to take for lunch, and I made a sandwich to go with it. Headed south-west to Wandsworth...drove past Phil and Cath's old place on Earlsfield Road. Then on to Streatham, before heading for Charlton. Had my soup in the car park at IKEA, a favoured haunt. Very tasty!!! Finished up in Thamesmead...by 'eck, it's grim down sarf! Then back through the Blackwall Tunnel to pick up some Clarion stock in Poplar and Stepney before darkness fell and put an end to my day's inspections. Got home around 1730. Had pork shoulder for dinner, with vegetable cakes and greens, and an IKEA bought gravy, the one that goes on the famous meatballs. Watched a couple of TV chefs hanging out in Venice, then practised our Xmas ukulele tunes ahead of Brett's forthcoming Xmas bash. Bath, and bed.

Tuesday 23rd November 2021

Up relatively early, so did a bit of work at the computer, and jumped in the car at 0900. Today I headed westward, to Camden Town, Hampstead, Kilburn, Wembley...had my lunch in the car at London Gateway service station on the M1, and from thence to St Albans, before heading for Caversham. Got there just as the sun was setting...nice drive, coming off the M4 at Sonning and taking the narrow bridge across Sonning Eye. Thought about calling in on Roz in Caversham Heights, but felt I needed to get home to write up today's inspection notes...too much work at the moment! Though that didn't stop me taking a quick break at the huge John Lewis store on the outskirts of Wycombe on my way home. Had a browse for possible Christmas presents. Got home at 1930. Aki had cooked up the rendang leftovers, with added mushrooms and tofu, which we had with rice. Did a bit more work at the computer before bath and bed.

Monday 22nd November 2021

Woke around 0730, so got up to take advantage of an early start. Drove out to Wood Green, then Walthamstow, East Ham, Plaistow and environs. Drove past the site of the old West Ham United ground, Upton Park...it's been knocked down, and is now the site of a vast new build development...looks like a second city! Lord knows why anyone would want to live round there...it's an eyesore, save for the statue of the four Hammers lifting the World Cup. Had my lunch in the motor. Ended inspections in Marks Gate, north of the A12. As it was beginning to get dark, I headed for home. We warmed up my defrosted lasagna for dinner. Watched a bit of MasterChef before bath and bed.

Sunday 21st November 2021

Up at 0800 as Aki wanted to get ready to head off for rowing club. I made Turkish eggs for breakfast, which we had with charred asparagus and spring onion. She went off on her bike. I did a little bit of work on the computer, updating my expenses claim. Pottered about on the guitar, and had a couple of go's at Fairytale of New York on the ukulele in preparation for Brett's Xmas gathering at No.7. Read a bit of the Deszai. Aki got home around 1330...bit cold for cycling out there today! Temperatures have dived. FaceTimed ma this afternoon. Nothing untoward to report. Made a Goan fish curry for dinner, with rice and pitta bread. 

Saturday 20th November 2021

Woke at 0430 worrying about the amount of work that is piling up on my plate, so couldn't get back to sleep! Did a couple of hours at the computer before going back to bed for a bit. We got up at 0800 and made tea, then read in bed for a while. I started "A Shameful Life", the book club read. Made croque madame for breakfast. Pottered about...did some physio exercises, some reading, playing guitar and singing, while Aki began work at the computer on a small residential project she's got for a kitchen and bathroom refurbishment in Balham. Aki made a noodle soup for lunch, topped with smoked oysters....very tasty. At 1500 we headed out, walking to the Health Centre on North Street, near Caledonian Road tube station...good half-hour schlepp. 

It was pretty busy, with a short queue outside the main doors, and a rather bureaucratic system...we had to fill in forms, and get a number, which we waited to be called prior to going in for our covid booster jabs. I took it like a man, but Aki was a bit girly about it...but only because she's a girl. Walked back in the gloaming. Warmed up the Spanish chicken stew for dinner, and made mashed potatoes. A Bonne Maman creme brulee each for dessert. Watched "Limbo", a wonderfully artful film set amongst a motley crew of asylum seekers, housed on an island in the Hebrides. Beautifully crafted film making from Ben Sharrock, who I haven't heard of before, and who, judging by his shot making, is a big fan of Roy Andersson. Really enjoyed it...funny, surreal, moving, and poignant.

Friday 19th November 2021

 

Woke around 0745. Got up and did a little work at the computer before making myself a packed lunch and heading out on inspections. Started off in N7, then gravitated eastward. Stopped off at Sainsbury's in Manor House, then on to Walthamstow, Chingford, and across to East Ham. Had my packed lunch sat in the car on a street in Manor Park. Got stuck in traffic on the Romford Road at school kicking-out time. Complete gridlock! Had to pack up and head home as darkness fell. Did a bit of work at the computer, then we headed up the road to No.127 for supper chez Katherine and George's. Ben and Gayu from No.38 brought dessert, and Katherine's eldest son Elliot joined us. A very pleasant evening spent around the dining table. Katherine has been working as a lead architectural project manager on the refurbishment of the Palace of Westminster, but has handed in her notice and is taking a sabbatical come the new year, joining George, who has been on sabbatical for almost two years. They seem to have a lot of plans in the pipeline, not least marriage in May at Islington Town Hall. Gayu is enjoying an Art Foundation taster course at the City Lit, so we were trying to persuade her to give an end of term exhibition at No.38. Ben meanwhile is re-training as a psychotherapist, and already has a couple of clients! It's all go around here!!! Got home by 1030 for bath and bed.

Thursday 18th November 2021

Woke at 0715. Got up and made tea. We had porridge for breakfast. Headed out early for inspections in Haringay...loads of street properties, so it's a bit like wading through meat in high heels! Leek and potato soup for lunch...it was nice...it had cheddar cheese in the mix. Got dark a little after 1600 so finished up in Haringey, and headed for a postcode near home...got there just as the gloaming was gathering. Home by 1630. Worked at the computer until 1930. Aki cooked a mushroom and tempeh rendang for dinner. She found the tempeh in Green & Glory...it's got a slightly soapy flavour...I think I preferred the tofu version I made a couple of months ago. FaceTimed ma and pa who were hosting Jim's birthday dinner...they were all getting soused on the vino. Jim and Kath expressed an interest in coming down for a brief visit to see The Shark Is Broken. Watched MasterChef to get some inspiration. Early bath and bed.

Wednesday 17th November 2021

 

Woke around 0700. Got up and made a mug of tea, and sat at the computer for a couple of hours. We had porridge for breakfast, then I headed out to do some inspections locally. Aki had a zoom interview with a Japanese version of the Samaritans charity. She's going to give it a go...maybe an hour a week. She'll be on call during the day here, but it'll be night time in Japan, of course. See how it goes. I came home for lunch at 1300, then worked at the computer until 1500. We wandered over to Carlos and Jane's at No.36 for 1530. An old friend of Carlos's works for a Refugee charity, and had come across a flamenco guitarist from Syria, so booked him to do a gig in Carlos's front room as a birthday present. Ben from No.38 joined us. It was a strangely intimate affair, but once everyone felt relaxed with the set up, it was a delightful way to spend a November afternoon. Maouyad had come over in 2014, and is now living in Slough, but is an online student with Swansea University, where he is studying International Affairs and Politics. Interesting fellow. Got back home around 1800 and cooked Spanish chicken and chorizo stew for dinner...rather apt. Shame Maouyad had to trek back to Slough, as he would have enjoyed a bit of Spanish cuisine post gig. Watched Stockport County v Bolton in the FA Cup replay...great game...Stockport were awesome! Bath and bed.

Tuesday 16th November 2021

Woke about 0500, and got up for the loo....took ages to get back to sleep for some reason. Hauled myself out of bed at 0830 and prepared some lunch to take on the road. Headed off around 1000 for Shepherd's Bush, then Hounslow, and on to Slough. Had hoped to get to inspections in Caversham, but the traffic in Slough slowed me up. Got dark, so turned back for home...will have to pick up the Reading stock at a later date...shame. Got home to find my new iphone had arrived. We warmed up a couple of portions of aubergine parmigiana lasagna for dinner. Watched a bit of telly before another early bath and bed.

Monday 15th November 2021

 

Worked from home at the computer for most of the day. Aki cooked omelette for lunch. I finished reading Hilary...Cromwell's final days are recorded vividly, viscerally, and poetically, linking the final paragraphs to her equally visceral opening to Wolf Hall. It's a magnificent achievement. What a vile bunch we English were...no wonder Hilary is moving to Ireland!!! Aki popped out to the Post Office to put Jim's birthday card in the post and run a couple of errands. Carlos and Jane came by to say hello and invite over to a concert at No.36 on Wednesday...one of Carlos's chums has given him a birthday present of an intimate gig with a Syrian guitarist...we will all have to cram into his bedroom on Wednesday afternoon...hope the musician isn't a frustrated failed asylum seeker with a grudge!!! Aki cooked a mapo for dinner, which we had with rice and greens...very tasty. Aki fell asleep on the sofa, and went to bed after an early bath. I watched a bit of telly and strummed some guitar before retiring.

Sunday 14th November 2021

Up at 0900 to make tea. Had a read of Hilary in bed, then got up and cooked breakfast while Aki fielded a FaceTime call from Kath. She's been active on Match.com again...!!! She narrowly missed a date with a Chuckle brother last week, and is meeting a Roger for coffee today! I told her she now had enough material for a convincing stand-up act. 

Walked up to Waterlow Park for a coffee and cake, which we consumed on a park bench. rather grey day, but very mild. Called in on Helen and Martin in Fairbridge Road, but Vicky answered the door, and told us they were up in Newcastle for the weekend. Read some Hilary...on the final run in now...Cromwell has been arrested on trumped up charges and conveyed to the Tower. FaceTimed ma and pa. Dad had had a busy day marching about in the village laying a wreath at the war memorial...he was representing the Civic Society. Hopefully, he'll have been snapped by the Pont News marching slightly out of step. Warmed up a couple of generous portions of gnocchi bake for dinner, with a side salad. Watched Danish movie Another Round, about a group of middle-aged school teachers who decide to experiment with alcohol, after learning that a Danish philosopher surmised that humans are born with an innate alcohol deficiency...topping up their levels, they find a new lease of life, but when they up their daily intake, disaster ensues! the final reel seemed to suggest that in moderation, it has life-enhancing powers...not so sure, myself!

Saturday 13th November 2021

Woke around 0830. Aki got up and brought tea back to bed. I made Turkish eggs for breakfast, with avocado on toast on the side. Rather grey day. Decided we needed to visit the fish shop, so walked to Essex Road for the exercise. Stopped off at a patisserie on Upper Street on the way back home...I had custard flan, while Aki had a fruit Bakewell. Bumped into the fella who runs Aki's favourite clothes shop and had a quick chat about the state of the fashion market...he's moving his concern to Soho in the new year. Ordered a new iPhone mini 12 over the interweb. Aki cooked teriyaki salmon for dinner...I've missed her cooking! Too tired to do much...watched Outlaws with Stephen Merchant, and the great Christopher Walken, looking very incongruous on an Avon omnibus. Looks promising. Bath and bed.

Friday 12th November 2021

 

Woke around 0715. Made a mug of tea, then sat at the computer for a couple of hours. Ran some errands, did some vacuuming and tidying up, then set out for west London to do some inspections in Ealing, Southall, and Hounslow, the intention being to strike out from there to pick Aki up from Terminal 2 around 1700. Ate my lunch in the car in Southall. Aki texted me to say her flight was due in an hour earlier than forecast, so I finished up with a couple of stops in Hounslow East before heading for Terminal 2. Managed to find each-other on Level 1 of the multi-storey car park. Great to see her jumping up and down waving at me from outside the lifts. Had to pay £5 for the privilege of using the pick up point...I suppose they need the money after the two years the travel industry has endured! Long journey back home...traffic jams at almost every major junction...took about 20 minutes just to drive up Horn Lane. Camden Parkway even more of a crawl than usual due to road works at the Camden Road end. Got home at last around 1845. Aki unpacked while I made her a welcome home dinner...confit of duck, with mash, and pureed carrot; followed by the last of the pear cobbler. Watched a bit of telly...Aki nodding off on the sofa. Early bath and bed after a long day!

Thursday 11th November 2021

Woke around 0830 after a better night's sleep. Had a brief call from Aki who has finished packing, and is looking forward to flying home tomorrow. Spent the day at the computer writing up inspection notes for what I'd spent the previous three days looking at. Aki called again after she'd had her dinner...she'd taken Nobby out to the little tempura restaurant round the corner. Warmed up a portion of chicken tikka masala for dinner, with rice, dahl, and pitta bread. Watched a bit of telly before bath and bed.

Wednesday 10th November 2021

Aki called at 0745, waking me up. Hadn't had a great night's sleep, as the mattress was a bit too firm. Got up and made tea, and jumped in the shower. Had a buffet breakfast before packing my stuff in the boot of the car and heading off to Chatham to complete the inspections. Finished by 1300 and headed for home, stopping off at IKEA for a meatball lunch, complete with Swedish flag! Wandered through the market hall intending to pick up some batteries, but they don't appear to sell them anymore, only re-chargeables. Got home around 1530. Worked at the computer till 1815, then cooked a gnocchi bake with peas, broccoli, and tomatoes in a cheesey sauce. James Earls-Davis, the sound man from the New Vic in Stoke, had sent me four CD's...instrumental pieces he's been working on over the lockdown periods. Enjoyed listening to them whilst reading a bit of Hilary before bath and bed.

Tuesday 9th November 2021

Alarm at 0700. As there is no room at the Ship & Trades tonight, and couldn't get in at my other haunt at Bridgewood Manor, I thought I'd try and get an early start in the hope that I could finish inspections by dusk, then drive home. Had breakfast of poached egg and avocado on sourdough, with a chipotle mayo...can't say I enjoyed the chipotle mayo...it's a rather unseemly addition to a breakfast dish! On the road by 0845 and headed for Gillingham, then on to Rainham, before driving southward to Waldeslade and Hempstead. Stopped at Hempstead shopping centre where I bought lunch at Costa, and ate it in the multi-storey car park. By the time it began to get dark, around 1630, it was clear that I wasn't going to get finished by nightfall...managed to get hold of someone at Holiday Inn, and booked a room for tonight. Oddly, the booking was made by a fellow in the US...he kept saying "awesome" every other sentence! It seems Holiday Inns are run by an American company called IHG. Fortunately he booked me in to the Rochester, Kent, hotel rather than the Rochester, New York State accommodation. Drove back to the Ship & Trades for fish and chips and mushy peas from the fish and chip shop there, and sat and ate in the car, overlooking the marina. 

Monday 8th November 2021

Woke at 0600 for some reason. Dry mouth, and a bit of a cough. Oximeter reading good, but did a Lateral Flow Test just in case. Came out negative, so good to go. Set off around 0900 and headed toward the Blackwall Tunnel. Stopped for petrol in Greenwich, then headed on down the A2 to Strood. Stopped off at M&S and picked up a coffee. Inspections in Strood, Hoo, and Rochester. Had my lunch in the car park at Morrisons in Strood. Ended the working day in Chatham, and then headed for the Ship & Trades hotel, on the marina at St Mary's Island. No wi-fi available, apparently because of a fire they had had last week. Could still smell it as I made my way upstairs to my room. Had dinner in the restaurant...ribeye steak and sauteed potatoes. Took Hilary's enormous tome with me, which got the waitress interested. She said she was researching her family tree, but was unable to tell me whether she was related to Thomas Cromwell. 

Sunday 7th November 2021

Got up around 0930. Made tea and went back to bed with Hilary for a bit. Got up and cooked breakfast. Didn't get up to much today...reading, listening to music, playing guitar. Aki called from Mr Shimizu's. She was just going to bed. She had accompanied the family dog on her evening walk earlier...turns out they have a Bedlington Terrier...I told Aki that Bedlington is very near Morpeth! FaceTimed ma and pa, who seemed on good form...dad has been writing to the local press complaining about the state of the river bank in the village, and drafting an objection to the local Council about plans to convert the old village police station into yet another restaurant...how many restaurants can a village sustain!? Spoke to Kath. Jim had gone up to his room, having been drinking most of the day. He had apparently planned to have a couple of dry weeks, but doesn't seem to have gotten started yet. I finished up the mushroom and tofu rendang for dinner, with plenty of vegetables, and some rice. Very tasty...I shall be doing that recipe again, for sure. Listened to West Ham as they beat Liverpool 3-2...they are on a great run at the moment...Tony will be pleased! Fell asleep on the sofa, so decided I ought to have an early bath and get to bed. Aki texted me to say she had been woken up at 0430 by an earthquake...seem to be lots of minor quakes happening all over Japan at present...some fear this presages a Big One!!! Scary! She's heading back to the flat in Chiba later today. 

Saturday 6th November 2021

Woke around 0700. Went back to sleep for a bit, then got up and brought Hilary Mantel to bed with me...am entering the final furlong, though still 200 pages to go. Got up around 1000 and cooked breakfast. Aki had sent photos of last night's girls' night out. Looked as though they had all had a good time. Spent the remainder of the morning reading and listening to music. Aki called from the restaurant as they were leaving, so I got to wave at the proprietor, who I met when we dined there a few years ago. Walked up to Archway late afternoon for a bit of exercise, and bought some bits and pieces in Aldi. Walked back home via the dry cleaner to pick up the trousers I'd left him to take up. Warmed up a portion of the mushroom and tofu rendang for dinner, with rice, greens, and a garlic naan. Carlos and Jane came and rang my doorbell at about 9pm. They had friends, Maggie and Phil, stopping over, from Bristol, and we all walked up to the North Nineteen for some blues...Rollo and Lewis were in full flight as we came in through the doors. The pub filled up, and Rollo introduced a couple of guest artistes during the course of the evening...we particularly enjoyed Doreen, who did a great Etta James number. Walked back down Sussex Way with Carlos and Jane, Maggie and Phil having bailed out early. Promised to arrange a dinner booking at Girasole once Aki back in town. FaceTimed Aki in her hotel room in Tokyo...she and Haa-chan had just got up and were having a light breakfast. It was well past midnight before I got to bed!

Friday 5th November 2021

 

Woke around 0700. Got back into bed with a mug of tea and read some Mantel. Aki called from Chiaki's pad...she was about to sit down to dinner with her, and Yoshio. I gave them a wave before they tucked in! Didn't get up to much today...read a little, listened to music, and played guitar. Chicken soup for lunch, and chicken cacciatore for dinner with mustard mash, and greens. Watched a documentary on the making of Simon & Garfunkel's Bridge Over Troubled Water album...what a song that is! The documentary was followed by a screening of their 1981 concert in Central Park. Made me want to learn some Paul Simon numbers on the guitar. Aki called from Chiaki's, having just woken up. She's headed for Shinjuku today, meeting up with her old school mate Haa-chan, and a trip to a favourite restaurant. 

Thursday 4th November 2021

Woke around 0745 with a bit of a sore throat. Went back to bed with a mug of tea, before getting up and fixing Tony some porridge for breakfast. Did a bit of reading this morning. Tony left about midday in holiday mood...today marks the end of a busy three months, so he was looking forward to picking his dogs up from his mum and dad in Seaford and heading back to Hastings. Ben and Gayu came round to the front door with Indian sweets to mark Divali. Popped out to Tesco Express across the road for some odds and ends...needed a can of coconut milk to turn my dhansak into a dahl, in the hope that it will taste better. Aki called around lunchtime. She's just about finished tidying up the paperwork, and has started to plan her packing for the return flight next week. Spent most of the afternoon listening to music. Made a mushroom and tofu rendang for dinner, with pilau rice...very tasty. Watched a bit of telly before bath and bed.

Wednesday 3rd November 2021

Woke at 0800. Got up to make tea. Tony got up a bit later, and I made him some porridge. Pottered about during the morning, not doing very much. Tony left for Waterloo around noon, and I did a bit of work at the computer. Broke for some lunch. Aki called. She had had a good day sorting out paperwork, and has all but broken the back of it. Just the property to sort out now. Did a bit more work this afternoon, then some reading. Managed to do a bit of work on the bathroom shower step, clearing the way for adhering some new tiling. Warmed up some Thai curry sauce for dinner, which I found in the freezer, served up with cumin rice, aloo gobi and pakora leftover from the weekend. 

Drove down to Farringdon after dinner. Forgot that the Congestion Charge Zone has been extended to 10pm, so the evening's entertainment cost me an extra £15!!! Bumped into Marianne, my choreographer in Lulu's Living Room, and her friend Paul, in the downstairs bar at the Betsy Trotwood. Lovely evening with a mixed bag of fare...some very zany original songs from Diego Brown & the Good Fairy, and some very funny new material from John Hegley. Bob Karper was on the bill...he has had a lean time of it during the pandemic. He said Natasha had been working, though, and was returning this evening after a month's residency in Berlin. Bob did a bit of his last one-man show, which we had seen at Chats Palace a couple of years or so ago. He's hoping to tour it next year. Gave Marianne and Paul a lift to Tufnell Park, then home to clock in briefly with Aki. She'd just got up. She's spending the day doing some preliminary packing prior to flying home next week.

Tuesday 2nd November 2021

 

Woke around 0845. Got up and made tea. Treated Tony to chocolate porridge for breakfast. Aki called. She had presided over the clearance of her mum's care home room this afternoon. I spent an hour or so tracking down bits of paperwork she needed emailing over...took a while, but got there in the end. Took a walk up Highgate Hill for some exercise, as it was another bright sunshiny autumn day. Had a salt beef bagel and a coffee in Waterlow Park, before walking back down the hill. Read a bit more Mantel, which made me come over a bit sleepy, so had a lie down for half-an-hour or so. Tony back for dinner...my aubergine parmigiana lasagna, followed by pear cobbler and custard. Watched Anthony Hopkins' Oscar-winning performance in The Father. Superbly written and conceived...based on a stage play. Aki called for a brief chat before bath and bed.

Monday 1st November 2021

 

Woke around 0845. Got up to make a mug of tea. Aki had sent a photo of herself and her niece partaking in a noodle making workshop on their trip to the Izu Peninsula. Look good enough to eat! They were due to travel back to Tokyo this afternoon. Had some breakfast then did some exercises prior to heading to the Community Health Centre for my physio appointment. He seemed happy with where I said I was, and discharged me on the assumption I would carry on with the exercises for the foreseeable future. Got home before it started raining again. Aki called from the Chiba flat. It sounds as though she and Erika really enjoyed their brief Izu getaway. Did a bit more reading this afternoon. Tony texted to say he wouldn't get here till gone 2100 so I had some of Rebecca's leftover curry and rice for dinner. Tony arrived as I was putting the bins out. We watched a very interesting documentary on Hilary Mantel. Strange childhood...her mother moved her lover in to the family home, and eventually they all left her dad and moved from Hadfield in Derbyshire to Romilley in Cheshire, and the young Hilary never saw her dad again. She went to a rather austere Convent School, patrolled by sadistic nuns!!! 

Sunday 31st October 2021

 

Woke at around 0630...managed to knock the glass of water off the bedside table in the dark, so had to get up and clear up the mess! It had gone 1000 by the time I woke again...fortunately, I was able to put the clock back an hour. Spent the morning cooking the food I'd bought yesterday, and hadn't been able to cook as planned last night. Cooked up an aubergine parmigiana lasagna, a chicken cacciatore, and a pear and coffee cobbler. Ma and pa called as I was mid-hob-hopping. They look a lot more relaxed now that Jim is residing at Kath's. Aki then called from the B&B...Erika waved at me, as did Aki's hostess, and her ginger tomcat. They watched me do the washing up. Walked up to knock on Kevin's door at No.93 and we ended up in the North Nineteen for the Sunday Roast. Kevin paid, which was very generous of him...and we quizzed each other about our pasts. He has a French wife, and they are seriously considering upping sticks and moving to Brittany. They met at life-drawing class. Kevin studied Fine Art at Goldsmith's College. He has family in the New Forest area. They have two sons, one a civil engineer currently doing a research PhD at Imperial, and the other doing a biology degree in Bristol. Discovered we had a mutual regard for mime, and vowed to go see some of the International Mime Festival in the New Year. Spent the remainder of the afternoon reading the newspaper and listening to the football on R5Live. warmed up a beef lasagna for dinner, with pear and coffee cobbler to follow. It was a trifle disappointing...the coffee flavour was very low in the mix...the cardamom won out. I prefer a good old fashioned crumble! FaceTimed Kath and Jim. They seemed comfortable...Jim asked when I was thinking of joining them in Peary Close! We could turn it into a reality TV show!!!