Wednesday 29th June 2022

Alarm at 0730...Aki got up to prepare to cycle to Rowing Club, but it started to rain a bit, so she cancelled. I got up around 0900 and made porridge. Did some hedge trimming on my beard...that took me about half-an-hour! Play at Wimbledon delayed by rain. Ryan Peniston eventually took to the court at 1245, so watched him for a bit before lunching on a ham salad. He lost. As did Emma, and later on, Sir Andy! We walked to Finsbury Park tube station and took a train to Leicester Square.

Queued up to get in to Ronnie Scott's. Third time we've been there to see Aki's old chum, Jon Cleary, who had come over for a week's residency with his New Orleans band, The Monster Gentlemen. He's a class act, and the backing band he's put together are superb...great evening's entertainment. It was the early 1730 gig, so we were out by 2000. Found a little Japanese cafe, Nala, round the corner, and had a bite to eat...it wasn't very good, though. I had a rather dry pork tonkatsu. Won't be going there again. Home by 2145.

Tuesday 28th June 2022

Alarm at 0800. Aki got up and made tea. I followed and had some porridge. Aki needed the computer, so I read some V.S.Naipaul. Managed to do an hour or so's work, then watched Katie Swan go out to Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk. Broke for lunch...Aki made a noodle soup with an egg in it. Ended up investing most of the rest of my day in the goings on at Wimbledon...Paul Jubb ran Kyrgios close, and after watching Rafa come through, we got hooked on the Williams v Tan match...it was mesmerising. We had to leave it at 1 set to 0 to Tan, and 1-1 in the second set, the second game taking almost half-an-hour, to watch the final episode of "Sherwood". Turned back an hour later to find it 4-4 in the third set...it went to a nail-biting tie-break, which Tan miraculously won! Stirring stuff!!!

Monday 27th June 2022

Alarm at 0730. Slow start, but eventually rose for breakfast, and prepared to head north. Drove up the A1, stopping off for a coffee at South Mimms service station. Then on to a village just past Hitchin, and from thence back south-eastward to Hoddesdon. Bought a fish and chip lunchtime special at Captain Cod on the High Street, voted No.2 best fish 'n chip shop in England last year...so a favourite halt if I'm working out that way. Ate my repast in the car at Sainsbury's car park. Did inspections in Hoddesdon, then on to the village of Roydon, near Harlow, and a small modern gated development on the edge of the village. Couldn't get my car past the gate, so parked up and walked on to the estate. On my way back out I was hailed by the resident at No.1, nearest the gate, who wanted to know who I was and what I was doing...ended up having a bit of a chat. Turned out she was a lawyer. She said she had had much trouble with the occupants of the bungalow and land behind her house, who had been hosting raves during lockdown! She'd complained to the police, who did nothing, until someone turned up with a gun and killed someone! She heard the get away car drive off! Nowhere is safe!!! Drove home for dinner...Aki baked trout, which we had with roast vegetables, followed by tiramisu. Watched Emma Raducanu ease through to the second round, and Andy Murray won too. Called ma to see if she was watching. Watched episode 5 of "Sherwood", which is cooking nicely, before bath and bed...

Sunday 26th June 2022

Slow start this morning. Aki up early to get prepared for her cycle off to the rowing club. Eventually rose to make porridge. Cooked up a pizzaiola sauce. Did some reading, then decided to walk up Highgate Hill for some exercise. Took my book with me, grabbed a coffee from the cafe at Lauderdale House, and sat on a bench to read for awhile. Made my way back down the hill, popping in to M&S at Archway to buy some prawns to have with salad for lunch. Aki got home around 1400, so it was a late lunch. Drove over to a little garden centre off the Camden Road, as Aki wanted to pick up some compost. Funny little place...can't see how they make their money. Came away with a large bag of earth, though, and Aki got to work in the front garden, repotting her tomato plants. Cooked up some pasta to go with my sauce, and a side salad with mozzarella. Watched more Glastonbury coverage. Enjoyed a bit of Guy Garvey leading a sing-a-long, and Diana Ross lining up the hits of yesteryear. Gave Kendrick Lamar a go, headlining the final night, but gave up after three numbers, as we couldn't understand a blind word he said. He was wearing a sparkly silver thorn of crowns, so I kept expecting Jarvis Cocker to invade the stage and bear his arse, as he did to Michael Jackson when he made like Christ on the cross...presumably, Jarvis had been ushered from the festival site after his JARV IS set...

Saturday 25th June 2022

Woke around 0900. Aki brought tea. Did a bit of reading before getting up for breakfast. Read some more V.S.Naipaul. Went for our constitutional. Aki wanted to take a look at the wild swimming at Woodberry Down reservoir, so we walked there via Seven Sisters Road. The reservoir is sizeable, and we found ourselves walking the New River path, finally crossing the river to gain access to the facilities. The base is an old electricity sub station, and there's a cafe round the back. It was quite busy...about 30 people in the water...it looked like a triathlon. I can't say it looked very inviting! We walked up to Stroud Green via Finsbury Park, and had a spot of lunch at Common Ground on Stroud Green Road...nice area out back for sitting out in. Popped into Green & Glory next door, afterward, for some odds and ends. Came home and watched some Glastonbury coverage. Caught Levi, an old flatmate's daughter, doing backing vox and dance moves behind Self Esteem...she looked like she was having a ball. Texted her dad to say we were watching...for a moment, he thought we were there! Aki warmed up some defrosted mapo for dinner, and cooked up some rice to go with it. Watched Macca doing his thang...he looks remarkable for 80, though his voice is a bit wobbly...hats off to the auld fella, though!

Friday 24th June 2022

Alarm at 0730....woke to the news that the Lib Dems had overturned a Tory majority of 24,000 to win Honiton and Tiverton! Hope at last!!! Got up and uploaded yesterday's photos. Breakfasted on porridge and tea. Aki popped out for a meeting with Helen and Martin about the early stages of a job refurbishing a 70s era shopping centre on Canvey Island. I worked until lunchtime, then watched some tennis from Eastbourne. Aki got back around 1400 and made a late lunch. Watched Kvitova v Haddad Maia. Got up a ladder out front for a bit, re-training the ever lengthening wisteria. Walked to Finsbury park and caught a Piccadilly line train into Kings X. Met up with Sotoko and Rob for dinner at Granary Square Brasserie...they do a very reasonably priced early bird set menu...had a very tasty white onion soup, followed by minute steak and fries. Aki and Sotoko had a glass of white wine apiece...which added £26 to the bill!!! Then wandered over to Kings Place to see some Japanese Noh Theatre. The first half comprised two male singers, telling the story apparently, accompanied by drum, and high-pitched whistle. There was no set, and no movement....no spectacle. It was very boring. I would have happily not gone back in for the second half, but the others went in so I followed. The masked 'dancer' eventually appeared and moved around a bit to the drum and whistle, and then it was over and we escaped into the night! Noh more...!!!

Thursday 23rd June 2022

Woke to alarm at 0730. Hernia repair playing up a bit this morning. Got up and made tea. Porridge for breakfast. Read a bit of the V.S.Naipaul..."A Bend in the River" is the Book Club read. Enjoying it so far...very evocative of a hot and steamy Belgian Congo just after independence. Made myself a packed lunch, then drove out east for inspections in the suburbs of Chelmsford. Needed to stop for petrol in Harringay...£1.90 a litre! Popped into the Sainsbury's store there to buy some lunch items, then headed for the M11, the M25, and the A12. Ate my lunch in the car on a 50s era Council estate. A number of houses on the estate are described as being non-traditional, such as the Laing Easi-form semi in the photo. Got home a little before 1800. Aki made a chicken tagine, served with cous-cous and vegetables. Watched a bit of telly before bath and bed...

Wednesday 22nd June 2022

Alarm at 0730. Aki up to ready herself for a cycle ride to Springfield Park and a morning on the River Lea in a row boat. I sat in front of the computer with a mug of tea and a bowl of chocolate porridge. Broke for elevenses, and ambled up to Big Jo's for a coffee. Picked up some milk on the way back home. Made some lunch when Aki got back. Did a bit more work then slumped on the sofa to watch some tennis from Eastbourne. Nodded off for a little while! Aki made a pesto sauce with our supply of home-grown basil, which we ate for dinner with homemade pasta and side salad. Watched episode 3 of "Sherwood"...getting a bit difficult to follow, as more red herrings are deposited on the Nottinghamshire coalfield. 

Tuesday 21st June 2022

Woke to alarm at 0730, but dozed for a while. Aki brought a mug of tea. Got up around 0900 and sat at the computer for the morning. Bowl of porridge. Broke for lunch. Put together a ham salad. Message from Bob Karper to say that tonight's show at the Hope Theatre is cancelled as he's tested positive for covid. We decided to walk down to Islington green anyway, and have dinner at the Afghan Kitchen as planned. Simona called to say she needed rescuing, as someone has had to drop out of "Coram Boy"...it's the Tower's summer Minack show, so I signalled my interest, subject to reading the script and seeing the rehearsal schedule. Did another three hours at the computer, before breaking at 1715. Walked down to the Afghan Kitchen for dinner. Pleasant, warm evening. Had our favourite...chicken in yoghurt stew, aubergines in chilli oil and yoghurt, and their nutty, flavoursome rice. Ambled slowly back home via Highbury Fields. Decided not to take the role in "Coram Boy" as it demands too heavy a commitment rehearsals as well as performance wise, there being two weeks at the Tower prior to heading for Cornwall. Decided I want to concentrate exclusively on comedy, and thus want to save myself for the Ayckbourn later in the year.

Monday 20th June 2022

Woke around 0830. Aki got up and made tea. I got up and sat at the computer working through much of what I'd inspected last week...had gotten behind with uploading photos. Porridge. Worked through until lunchtime. Aki made noodle soup. Worked until 1630 then prepared dinner. Baked cod fillet, with lemon and fennel seeds, boiled potatoes, and some vegetables on the side. Walked up to Finsbury Park tube station and got on the Piccadilly Line. Met Pete in the Crazy Coqs theatre below Brasserie Zedel where he was due to stage the work in progress of Barb Jungr's Soho song cycle...they are hoping to expand it into a musical theatre piece. Jane Ely and her partner, Ian, joined us at our very atmospheric table in the cabaret theatre bar. Four singers took on different characters, backed by a great three piece band. The singers were fabulous...West End theatre quality. The songs were fab, too...each musically differentiated in style conveying the hopes and fears of the panoply of characters Barb has conjured up. Great stuff...they are off to a flying start...now they need to piece together the book with a narrative through line, and find a producer willing to back them with some financial assistance. We repaired to the Bar Americain next door...the drinks round for the five of us cost me £46!!! Glad we don't do that every day!!! Had a good catch up with Pete and Jane...we go way back to the early 80s and the Tower Theatre in Canonbury. Pete is happy having moved himself, Marigold, and their three girls out to Farnham. Jane is working as a liaison officer for a company who match foster parents with orphaned or abandoned children. Her daughter Jess, by old chum John Christie (deceased) now lives in Darwin, Australia, and Jane is contemplating applying for Australian citizenship, planning to live out there for 6 months of the year, come retirement. We accompanied them back northward on the Piccadilly line, getting home about 2230. A grand, if rather expensive, night out...

Sunday 19th June 2022

Woke around 0830. Dozed for a bit, then scrolled through FB in bed...a missive from King's Place introduced me to the intriguing jazz inflected sounds of Selene Saint-Aimee, so stuck her last album on Apple Music while I grated courgette for breakfast...made courgette fritters, which we had with poached egg and salad. Aki had received a message from her nephew to say he had taken Noboru back in to hospital, as he was having breathing difficulties. Fortunately, they gave him the all clear after doing some tests...he's recovering from having half a lung removed, after all! Walked up Highgate Hill. Not very sunny out, but pleasant enough for an amble. Managed to get to the top of the hill on this occassion, just as it started to spit with rain, so we adjourned to Gail's Bakery for a coffee. Had a wander round some of the back streets around what used to be Highgate Pond, but which is now under tarmac. Nice leafy spot, though, with a village feel. Kath FaceTimed us from High View, so we were able to show them some of the leafy street scene and the Old Hall. Dad had enjoyed his Father's Day card...we'd commandeered a cartoon of a horse with one zebra hind leg, complaining that he wasn't too happy with his hip replacement. Wandered back down Swain's Lane, and into Waterlow Park. Caught the sound of music on the breeze, and discovered a school jazz band playing in the garden at Lauderdale House, so sat and listened to them for half an hour or so, The drummer was good, and the brass made a good sound as a rhythm section, but the solo's were beginner level, if that! Still, a very pleasant way to enjoy the park. Got a bus down the hill to Waitrose and shopped for some essentials, then walked home. The rain held off, thankfully. Aki cooked a mushroom risotto for dinner. Watched some telly...quite enjoyed Romesh Ranganathan's new comedy, "Avoidance", and watched Jamie-Lee O'Donnell's doc about divided Derry...lots to be positive about, but it all still hangs in the balance.

Saturday 18th June 2022

Woke around 0830 with back ache...that's what 900 miles in the car does to you, I guess. Got up and loosened up with some exercises, before Aki cooked a breakfast. Rather grey day. Had planned to walk up to Waterlow Park for our coffee, but it threatened to rain. Pottered about indoors instead. Watched a bit of tennis from Queen's...until rain stopped play! Clare from No.78 popped in...she who we had bumped into in Cardigan...wanting to have a look at what we'd done to re-configure the flat. She wants to refurbish the house she's in, but has no money, so we advised her to sell the Cardigan property and use the takings to fund some works in Sussex Way. Lord knows why she bought that house in the first place! Headed into town, getting the Piccadilly line into Piccadilly Circus.

 

Stuck our heads in at Brasserie Zedel to take a quick look at the Crazy Coqs cabaret space...looked great, so we resolved to go see Pete's show in there on Monday night. Met Tony in the Viet cafe on Greek Street and had a bowl of noodle soup, then walked up to Soho Theatre to see Cardboard Citizens' new piece, "Bangers", set in a noughties era nightclub to a banging soundtrack. The actress in it, Danusia Samal, had written the piece in rhyme...she was good; the lad playing opposite her, Darragh Hand, was star quality. They got a standing ovation. Guardian Review Bangers. We said farewell to Tony, and walked up to Oxford Street, taking a detour to see Brett's (who lives at No.7) new street art gallery in Ramillies Street, outside her Photographer's Gallery (pictured). Home by 2130.

Friday 17th June 2022

Alarm at 0730. Got up and made tea. No hot water for a shower! Bit disappointing...it was alright last week. Packed my bag and put it in the boot of the car, then drove to Cwmdu for breakfast at Costa. Inspections in Morriston and Penllergaer, before ending in Andrews Crescent in Ynysforgan, literally two streets away from Nigel's rented house...they had left keys under a brick in the back garden, so I was able to enter and leave my wad of inspection sheets on his desk...I sent them a photo of myself enjoying a bottle of prosecco I'd raided from his fridge. Long drive home...in 30 degree heat. Wasn't too bad, though. I stopped at Leigh Delamere Services on the M4 for lunch, managing to park the car in a shaded spot. Got home around 1830. I've driven some 900 miles this week!!! Aki prepared dinner, tuna and salmon sashimi with rice and salad...just the job. Watched a bit of telly...then early bath and bed...

Thursday 16th June 2022

Alarm at 0730. Struggled out of bed around 0800. Tea. Porridge. Packed an over night bag and drove out west. Had only got round the corner when I noticed a warning light on the dash which suggested I had a flat tyre. Pulled in to the garage on Camden Road...tyres looked OK, and I double-checked them at the machine. Re-joined the Queen's highway, but the warning light was still shining! Stopped again at Heston Service station. They still looked OK, so decided to drive on to Reading Services. Started getting some text on the dash which suggested I needed to "store" the tyre pressures, and that it was the left rear tyre that was causing the problem. Started to think the on-board computer must have been disturbed when I put air in the tyres two days ago...at the garage at Reading Services I checked the left rear tyre which was fine. Parked up and read through the manual to find out how to access the computer to confirm the present tyre settings, which at last solved the problem! Bought some lunch items in M&S at Leigh Delamere Services, and ate in the car park. Got to my first inspection in Port Talbot around 1430. Finished the working day in Briton Ferry, then drove to Mwmbles. Day had clouded over, but still warm. Swansea Bay looked like the Riviera....shame Swansea sits on it! Checked in to Patrick's Boathouse, then FaceTimed Aki before walking along the sea front promenade to Verdi's for dinner. Walked off my pasta and tronchetto semi-fredo roll by heading up to the pier at Mwmbles Head. Got a nice photo of the lighthouse. Then walked back to my room, opened the French windows, and stuck Radio 6Music on. Aki called at 2215 for a quick chat, then it was shower and bed!

Wednesday 15th June 2022

Alarm at 0730. Got up around 0800 and made tea. Porridge. Packed a lunch. Aki off on her bike to Rowing Club. I headed eastward once more, stopping at Tesco in Southend to grab a coffee, then on to Rochford and Canewdon, before double back down to Basildon. Came across a statue in the middle of the housing development in Southend...entitled "Our Eric", I thought at first the locals had taken Eric Morecambe for one of their own, but it turned out to be Eric Kirkham Cole, the founder of EKCO, an electronics development company in the 1930s which became Southend's biggest employer...apparently he had a hand in coming up with the electronic gizmo that broke the Enigma Code! Had my lunch in a Sainsbury's car park in Woodham Ferrers before heading on to Burnham on Crouch...always reminds me of the Ian Dury lyric to Billericay Dickie: "Oh golly, oh gosh/Come and lie on the couch/With a nice bit of posh/From Burnham on Crouch". Can't see that there's much posh about the place! On to Colchester, and ended in a village called Thorpe le Soken, near Clacton-on-Sea. Turned the car around and headed for home. Got in at 1930. Aki had warmed up the aubergine parmigiana lasagne for dinner. Did my ironing. Early bath and bed...done 230 miles today! Got to drive to Swansea tomorrow!!!

Tuesday 14th June 2022

Woke to alarm at 0730. Got up and made tea, prepared a packed lunch, and made some porridge for breakfast. Aki had a zoom call with Japan at 0900. I headed out east in the car, stopping off at Birchanger Service station on the M11, before heading NE for Ridgewell and Great Yeldham. Nice sunny day. Drove through some very pleasant Essex villages. Stopped at Tesco in Braintree, and had my lunch sat in the car in the car park. Then on to Chelmsford, Basildon, and Rayleigh, before turning the car round and heading for home. Got in at 1900. Aki had prepared a salad Nicoise for dinner. Watched episode 2 of "Sherwood". 

Monday 13th June 2022

Woke to radio alarm at 0800. Aki got up and at it, but I languished in bed for an hour. Aki brought me a mug of tea. Eventually got up and had a bowl of porridge for breakfast. Pottered about for a bit, and did a little work. Spent some time trimming my beard. Nice day, so we decided to take a walk up Highgate Hill. Bought a sandwich each from the cafe at Lauderdale House, and ate them for lunch in Waterlow Park, before heading back down the hill to do a little shopping in M&S at Archway. I made some fresh pasta for the evening meal, and a chicken, mushroom and walnut sauce. Watched new BBC crime drama, "Sherwood"...set in the constituency that poor old Jeremy tried and failed to win back for the Labour Party...the opening shot was of a young lady pushing leaflets through doors on behalf of the Tories! Alun Armstrong in it...though I wasn't utterly convinced by his Nottinghamshire accent me duck...but he gets killed off in the first episode!

Sunday 12th June 2022

Disturbed night's sleep...despite having the CPAP machine on, I woke at 0230 with a severely dehydrated mouth and throat...so dry, it caused a choking fit. Luckily I had a supply of drinking water water bedside. I suspect the beer with my dinner may have been the root cause, though I can't say I drank much water during the day yesterday, which may also have something to do with it. Managed to get back to sleep, but ditched the CPAP machine for the rest of the night. Aki up relatively early...she cycled off to Rowing Club. Made some porridge for breakfast. Did a bit of work at the computer, then took a hike up to Archway, and from thence up Highgate Hill to Waterlow Park for a coffee. Glorious day! Walked back down, getting home just after Aki had returned from Rowing Club, and I cooked brunch. Pottered about in the afternoon, not doing very much...had a snooze on the sofa, practised some Stones songs, that sort of thing. Bought rail tickets to Newcastle for August. Kath FaceTimed us from ma and pa's back garden where they were having aperitifs before dinner. Jim was there too...Kath reckoned he hadn't had a drink today, which was good news! Watched "Apollo 101/2 ", an animated Richard Linklater film in which a young lad growing up in Houston in the late sixties imagines he's sent on a NASA mission to the moon, as they'd miscalculated and built the lunar module too small to be able to fit the adult astronauts in to it, and didn't want to waste it, so picked him out of his classmates for top secret training...lots of reminiscing about small town American life in the late 60s, beautifully done...a real treat.

Saturday 11th June 2022

Woke around 0800. Aki got up and brought tea, and we sat up in bed reading for a bit. Had fruit and yoghurt for breakfast. I managed half-an-hour's work at the computer before Jane and Carlos called on us at noon. We walked up to Big Jo's for a light lunch and managed to get a seat outside. The baked egg was tasty, but blinkin' pricey at £12!!! Had coffee and a sticky bun for afters. Jane and Carlos are planning to head for the States next week, for a month, visiting friends and family, so won't be at the next Book Club meet. Walked them back to No.36, bumping into Clare on the way...she'd managed to escape Cardigan last Saturday on the one and only bus to Carmarthen. Yuki walked by, too, and asked if Aki and I would do some songs for the local primary school's end of term party next month! Gave her a tentative "yes"...but Aki wasn't too keen. We'll see. Got back in front of the computer for the afternoon until IT forcibly signed me out to undertake some maintenance work. Aki set about trimming the hedge out front. I joined her to help clear up the spoils, and do some re-training on the wisteria, which keeps wanting to head toward No.5 for some reason. Aki made an aubergine parmigiana lasagna for dinner, and we watched Norwegian tragi-comedy "The Worst Person in the World"...I think one review had it down as a rom-com, but there weren't many laughs...instead a moving tale of one young woman trying to carve her own identity as she stumbled through life's ups and downs.

Friday 10th June 2022

Alarm at 0730. Managed to roll out of bed before 0800. Made myself a mug of tea. Opened the curtains, but couldn't see much of the sea...very hazy over toward Swansea. Not a great view anyway, as there are buildings and trees in the way. Only a small box of Cornflakes on offer for breakfast, so I packed and checked out, then drove to Costa on the retail park at Cwmdu for breakfast. Got round as many inspections as I could muster in the limited time I had. Popped into M&S on the West Swansea retail park to get a wrap for lunch, and filled up with petrol at Tesco. Ended up in Loughor for my final inspection, so stopped for lunch in the car park on the foreshore...nice spot. Turned the car around and headed for London. Had arranged to meet Aki in Notting Hill Gate, and got there around 1815. She'd found me a street parking space very close to the theatre. Went for a bite to eat in an over-priced Mexican/Japanese fusion restaurant...not very impressed....small, though well presented, dishes, with little flavour, and much over-priced. Picked up a couple of individual trifle pots at M&S and ate them in the auditorium of the Coronet Theatre prior to the show going up. Never been there before...very atmospheric little Victorian theatre, which has been partially refurbished, though the walls have been left with half-scraped off wallpaper, giving it a trendy grunge feel. Nice theatre space...very intimate. We saw Japanese choreographer Saburo Teshigawara's take on Wagner's "Tristan & Isolde", a duet with Rihoko Sato...it was beautifully and subtly lit, making their hand movements blur in the air like flaming torches...it was a mesmeric hour in the theatre, and they were given a standing ovation at the curtain...great stuff! They must both be in their mid-60's, which made the evening all the more awe inspiring. Drove home and unloaded the car. Aki prepared some cheese and biscuits to supplement our rather meagre evening meal. Got to bed about midnight, exhausted. Short trailer gives the idea: Tristan & Isolde

Thursday 9th June 2022

Alarm at 0730. Got up around 0800 and went down for breakfast. Checked out of the Premier Inn, and headed westward to inspections in Uplands. Broke for lunch in The Vivian in Sketty just as the rain came down. Got a good soaking in Townhill! Finished around 1800 and drove to Mwmbles. Checked in to Patrick’s at the Boathouse…I used to stay in Patrick’s with Rooms, which had a restaurant too, but they sold up and now have four “apartments” in a neighbouring block which they rent out like an Airbnb…nice room on the first floor with Juliet balcony and bathroom. I walked up the coastal path to Verdi’s for dinner, then rocked up at Waterloo Stores for Paul & Bry’s open mic night. It got very noisy in there…and the shape of the room meant you couldn't really see any of the acts, at least not from my vantage point in the opposite corner. I did a couple of old blues numbers, and The Stones' Country Honk, which seemed to go down quite well, though I've played them better! Got to bed around midnight.

Wednesday 8th June 2022

Alarm at 0730. Got up and did some more work at the computer. Broke for breakfast at 0830. Grabbed a coffee from the machine in the Tesco store next door, and returned to my laptop and got up-to-date. Headed back to Hafod, and spent the rest of the day driving around Swansea, including inspections in the city centre. Quite a lot of new build going up, especially north of the railway station. Stopped to get some lunch items from M&S in the city centre, and ate them in the car at the Premier Inn car park, overlooking the dock. Aki rang to say her brother-in-law's op had been successful, in that they'd managed to cut out half a diseased lung, but there are signs that the cancer has spread, so they've to do more tests. He's recovering in hospital for the next week or so. The afternoon saw me mostly working in Mount Pleasant...got a shot over the roof tops toward Swansea Bay which would no doubt have been familiar to Dylan Thomas! Got back to the hotel around 1845. Met up with Nigel and Julie in the Lotus Thai restaurant just the other side of the J Shed. They showed me photos of the work on the new dormers on their house. Looks like the work rate is speeding up. Staggered back to the hotel and gave Aki a quick ring. Looks like she may have a bit of work on the Canvey Island shopping Centre refurbishment Hellen and Martin are doing. I did another hour on the laptop, then went through my songs ahead of tomorrow night's open mic at The Waterloo Stores.

Tuesday 7th June 2022

Woke to alarm at 0730. Not a great night's sleep...my room seems to be in the vicinity of a throbbing generator. Got up and made tea. Had a shower, then went downstairs for my breakfast. Headed north-east up the Neath Valley to Glynneath, then on to Seven Sisters, and back down to villages outlying Neath town. Broke for lunch in Neath...had a jacket potato in a little cafe in the town centre. Neath is pretty depressing, though...makes Swansea look aspirational! After lunch I headed up to Cimla, then back toward Swansea, before packing in and heading for the hotel around 1830. Dined at Marco Pierre White's steak house in the J Shed. There was a big corporate party in, so my order got pushed down the pecking order...took an hour for my roast chicken de la forrestierre to arrive...but it was well worth the wait. Did some more work at the computer when I got back to my room. Aki rang...she'd had a five hour journey on two trains from Carmarthen, but had got home in one piece. I rehearsed my blues numbers ahead of Thursday night's open mic night. 

Monday 6th June 2022

Woke at 0800 and got up to make tea. Another grey day outside. Packed the car and tidied up the accommodation before heading for Tresaith. Dropped Aki off at Leanda's, had a cup of coffee on the deck, then turned the car around and headed for Swansea. Got to Fforestfach around 1400 and stopped to pick up a sandwich lunch from M&S, before driving round the vicinity doing inspections...finished around 1900 and drove down to the Premier Inn on the Waterfront. Had dinner at Rasoi in J Block...chicken biryani and a tarka dahl...not bad. Needed that cold beer to go with it!! Got back to my room...unable to log in to the Savills account for some reason...will have to try again in the morning. Watched a bit of telly...40% of Tory MPs voted against Boris in a Vote of No Confidence...he's teetering on the edge...one final shove should do it!!!

Sunday 5th June 2022

Woke around 0900. I got up and made tea, which we drank in bed. Raining outside, though not heavily, but due to get worse this afternoon. Chocolate porridge for breakfast. Drove up the road into Newcastle Emlyn and spent half an hour browsing around the antique centre, as nothing else was open. Walked down to the River Teifi and took a walk which skirted Newcastle's old castle. The castle was left in ruins after coming under siege by Cromwellian forces during the Civil War. Adjourned to Harrison's cafe for a light sandwich lunch and a cup of coffee. Margaret rang as we sat in the car in the town centre, so we managed a wee chat. She sounded in good form. Dad apparently struggling a bit with his bad hip, and is awaiting word on another hip replacement. They had had a surprise visit from Christine and Jeremy, who were on their way home after a short break in Wooler. Drove back to the flat and listened to the French Open Men's Final on R5Live! Nadal v Ruud...Nadal going for his 14th French Open title...beyond awesome! He won, of course, in straight sets!!! Then watched Wales v Ukraine for a berth at the World Cup Finals in November. Great game...either side could have won, but Wales edged it with a magnificent rear guard display, and some great saves from Wayne Hennessey. Watched the second half on S4C...with commentary in Welsh! Aki cooked up a carbonara for dinner, followed by creme caramel and fruit. Watched a bit of telly before bath and bed...

Saturday 4th June 2022

Woke around 0830. Aki got up and made tea, which we drank in bed, then I got up to cook breakfast...did bacon and eggs, with avocado and cream cheese toast, fried potato, tomato and mushrooms. The weather turned last night, and it's a bit damp outside, which deterred us from venturing out in the morning. Aki did some washing instead. Drove to Cenarth Falls, and took a walk along the boardwalk that has been built on the north bank of the River Teifi. Brought us out at some fields just as Farmer Taff drove up to feed his sheep...he came over for a wee chat, and revealed he was 81 years old! 

He asked us if we were on holiday, then said he'd never had a holiday, save when he got married. We asked after his wife, who he said was back home watching TV. I said, "You must have had a honeymoon, then!?" He said he'd been given the Saturday off to get married, and was back at work on the Monday. I said, "So where did you go for your honeymoon?" He replied..."In bed...." We watched him for a bit as he scattered cake among his flock, then walked back to the village for a cream tea. 

Drove down narrow country lanes to Mwnt, a coastal mount and beach, with a small white washed chapel, that is owned by the National Trust. Couldn't get enough of a 4G signal to pay for the parking, and had no cash, so I stayed in the car and watched Aki make the climb through my binoculars...it looked a bit windy as she gained the summit! Then drove down into Cardigan and wandered through the small town centre. We had a table booked at Yr Hen Printworks, which had been turned into a tapas restaurant last year. Nice refurbishment, and nice food.

Friday 3rd June 2022

Woke at 0830 after a decent night's sleep. Aki got up and made tea, then we had chocolate porridge on the balcony. Set off for Tresaith and lunch at Leanda's, stopping off on the way at Caws Farm to pick up some cheese made by Royal Appointment. We chose a round of Canarth Golden, a soft, gooey mess of a cheese, which we shared with Leanda, who supplied the sourdough. It was delicious! We vowed to return on Monday! 

Leanda's house is stunning! I really wasn't expecting it to be much more than a cottage that needed a bit of work, but it's a four-storey semi-detached house, literally two streets up the incline from the beach at Tresaith. The house has been refurbished from top to bottom to Leanda's good, though subdued, taste. The garden to the rear is stepped, producing four terraces which form sun traps in which to sit and partake of our lunch, with a glimpse of the Irish Sea beyond. No wonder they are planning to retire here!!! Idyllic about sums it up...

We took a walk along the beach after lunch, then took her dog Zeph for a woodland walk behind the house. Leanda made us tea when we got back to the house, and we sat out one last time, soaking up the rays. We drove back to Capel Iwan via the store at the petrol station on the A427, where we bought some tomato puree to stick in tonight's dinner. I made a chicken chasseur, which we had with Pembrokeshire new potatoes, and vegetables. As we were cooking, Jane knocked on the door with a gift or two....some coffee powder for the coffee machine, and two rounds of cheese from Caws Farm!!!...can't get enough of the stuff!!! Watched a bit of telly before bath and bed...

Thursday 2nd June 2022

Woke to alarm at 0800. Slowly hauled ourselves out of bed and abluted. Chocolate porridge for breakfast, which we ate on the balcony. Aki's old chum, Leanda, drove over from Aberporth to pick us up at 1000, which luckily happened to coincide with the arrival of a couple of prospective vendees to view the property we are staying in. She drove us to the Preselli Hills for a short walk, hoping for views toward Milford Haven, but it was a bit hazy. Then visited the bronze age burial chamber at Pentre Ifan...a huge slab of bluestone perched precariously on three stone upstands...how they got it there remains a mystery! 

Drove on into Cardigan for brunch at Crwst...while sat inside awaiting our halloumi burgers, I caught the eye of a passer-by...it was Clare Conners, the violinist from No.88 Sussex Way! She came in and joined us for a coffee and a doughnut, and it turns out she has a house here in the town centre! She took us round to have a look at it...it's a four-storey Georgian end terrace, but is in a hell of a state internally...it looks almost as bad as No.88 Sussex Way...Clare is the first to admit she has no DIY skills, and boy does it show. It's in an almost Dickensian state of semi-dereliction, and she has no money to rectify the situation! We left her in her decrepitude, and Leanda drove us back to Capel Iwan. We arranged to drive over to see her house tomorrow for lunch. We had afternoon tea and Welsh cakes on the balcony. Aki prepared dinner...pork steaks and boiled Pembrokeshire new potatoes. 

Wednesday 1st June 2022

Not a great night's sleep. Ate too much last night, methinks! Got up around 0900. Aki made a mug of tea...we'd bought our own tea bags. Checked out and drove north to Ynystawe, and checked in with Nigel and Julie in their rented semi. Quite small, but will suffice while work is completed on their new purchase. They drove us up the road to a wee transport cafe where we ordered a builder's brunch each. Nigel got a call from his carpenter, who had been due to start work on the new dormer's today, but hadn't been able to get hold of the timber supplies he was after, and so didn't want to start taking roof tiles off in the interim as heavy rain is forecast for the weekend. We drove over to see the premises...the house has been completely gutted, and is basically a shell, but they feel they have turned the corner, having reconfigured the ground floor and put in new RSJ's. They reckon they'll have moved in come August, but I'll be very surprised!!!

We left them and drove to Carmarthen. Stopped at Tesco there and had a little wander round the fringes of the town centre. Got to Capel Iwan at 1500 and got into the B 'n B. It's a converted barn, and has been nicely done. We have a sizeable open plan kitchen/living room, a double bedroom, a large bathroom, and a balcony with table and bench, parasol, and two recliners. We ate on the balcony. Had a good chat with Jamie, who owns the place...he's from Essex by way of Rhodesia. He and his partner, Jane, are inveterate travellers, and photos of the many adventures adorn a wall in the living room. Listened to the Scotland v Ukraine World Cup qualifier on R5Live! Very emotional anthems before kick off. 

Tuesday 31st May 2022

Alarm at 0730. Aki got up and brought me a mug of tea. I didn't manage to haul myself out of bed until gone 0830. Needed to pack for our trip out west. Aki prepared a packed lunch, using up what was left in the fridge. Set off before noon, and made for the the M40, turning southward at High Wycombe to take the A404 which eventually joins the M4. Stopped at Reading Service station for a coffee, and ate our packed lunch. Aki took over at the wheel for the run to Cardiff Services, and I drove us in to Swansea. Booked in to the City Gates Premier Inn at the bottom of the Wynde. Took a stroll over to the marina and the old dockyards, but it was a bit chilly, so headed back to get jackets, then met Nigel and Julie in Hogarth's gin palace for a quick snifter. They both looked well, considering...Julie had a heart attack in January, and has four stents fitted. Nige is still struggling with his damaged knee, but these factors don't appear to have diminished their enthusiasm for some DIY building work on their new chalet style bungalow in Ynystawe. They'll take us for a viewing tomorrow morning. Headed across the road to Hanson's at the Chelsea, my favourite Swansea eatery. Went for a venison ragu and pappardelle starter, followed by Hanson's trio, which included a small portion of shepherd's pie, lamb Wellington, and beef fillet with onion marmalade. Aki had the Dover sole, and we shared a creme brulee before staggering back to the hotel for a bath and bed...