Wednesday 30th November 2022

Felt too weary to rise out of bed until around 1100! Read some "David Copperfield"...Aki brought me hot lemon water, and a fruit salad with yoghurt. Rather grey day outside, but still quite mild for the time of year...we have yet to stick the central heating on!!! No work to do....so did some prep work, typing up lyric sheets for Saturday evening's Xmas sing-a-long. Put lunch together. Aki working at the computer, so sent me out to do some shopping at Morrisons. Walked down toward Highbury Corner first, then back up the Holloway Road, so got a bit of exercise. Back in time to watch Australia qualify for the last sixteen, beating Denmark 1-0. France were already through, though they went down 1-0 to Tunisia. Aki cooked mapo and rice for dinner. Drove over to the Tower Theatre to watch the five shorts presented by the Tower Writer's Room...a patchy evening, but there were some excellent performances peppered about. I had come in to watch Martin's performance as Santa, so that I might replicate it tomorrow night (it'll be my turn!). Had a brief chat with Simona in the bar afterward....she's hoping to take her play "About 500" to Edinburgh next summer. I enquired about being in the band for the Tower's 2023 production of "Pal Joey", and she said she'd mention my interest to the MD. 

Tuesday 29th November 2022

Woke around 0900. Aki got up and brought me a mug of hot lemon water. Got up and porridged before starting work at the computer. Broke to have a go at cleaning the tap barrel to the shower, which has been seizing up...turned the water off, and tried to take the tap to bits, but didn't have a spanner big enough to remove the barrel. Couldn't get the escutcheon off either. Cleaned up what we could, and tried to put the thing back together, but not convinced it's going to make any difference. Think we need to get a plumber to fit a new one. Switched the water back on and Aki cooked up some lunch. Got back in the saddle, then switched the footie on to watch a bit of the final Group A games...not very exciting, though surprised to find Qatar not being overrun by the Dutch....only 1-0 to the Netherlands at half-time! Made a lasagne using the leftover haggis and lentil ragu, with some aubergine added. We were interrupted by the arrival of Six and Ottie for her rehearsal...bounded through the Xmas party songs, and ushered them out into the night, so we could eat and settle down for the England v Wales game. Wales were disappointing...didn't put up much of a fight up front, and England ran them ragged in the second half, coming out 3-0 winners. Senegal next up in the last sixteen. Kath rang to say she'd managed to purchase a couple of tickets for Sheku's gig at The Cluny...but hadn't realised it would be standing (she's got sciatica, and Stuart's got a bad knee!). Watched an episode of "Better Things" before braving the shower, and bed...

Monday 28th November 2022

Alarm at 0730. Aki got up and brought me a mug of hot water and lemon. Got up and porridged, then cycled over to Finsbury Park for a knock up on the tennis courts. Gareth and George were already there, and had started a match, so Aki and I knocked up on a neighbouring court for an hour. Cycled home afterward for a coffee. Did some work at the computer...spent about an hour on the phone to IT as they have changed the operating system, so couldn't find my work...got there in the end. Broke for lunch...Aki's homemade carrot and lentil soup. Did four hours at the computer before breaking to watch the second half of the Brazil v Switzerland game...it was pretty dull, but Brazil shaded it with a 1-0 win. Warmed up the remainder of the fish pie for dinner, then walked down to the bus stop to take a ride into Camden Town. Had tickets for a Sheku Kanneh-Mason gig at the Jazz cafe...it was a sell-out. Joined a snaking queue to get in, and lucked out with a great view of the little stage, behind a couple of rows of reserved seating at one side. Great concert...very intimate. Sheku played a variety of numbers with a jazz pianist he'd met at the Royal Academy, focussing on song, so they played versions of songs by Big Thief, and James Taylor, amongst others, as well as some impro around a JS Bach piece, and a pared back Mahler tune...it was excellent, and the crowd were enraptured. I noticed they have a gig or two at The Cluny near the Ouseburn, so emailed Jim and Kath, but not many tickets left. Got the bus home...got in by 2030, so caught the end of the Portugal v Uruguay game. 

Sunday 27th November 2022

Up early to watch the Japanese take on Costa Rica. Breakfasted on fruit and yoghurt. The game was disappointing...Japan going down 1-0 in the end...they were the better team, but didn't have the cutting edge up front. Aki popped out to Waitrose before lunch. I cooked a brunch for lunch, utilising the rosti I'd bought in IKEA on Friday...tasty, with and egg and some bacon. Julia brought Ottie round after lunch for a rehearsal...we worked her Miley Cyrus cover for a bit, then went through the Xmas repertoire. Tried in vain to get her to sing the Miley Cyrus song, but she joined in heartily on the Xmas numbers. She's good. Baked apples stuffed with dates, which in turn I stuffed with butter and brown sugar...then baked in a bath of Earl Grey tea...served it up to our guests as a test prior to cooking dinner for Katrina and Tony...it was a bit disappointing...may have to find an alternative. Watched Canada v Croatia, having missed Morocco's 2-0 win over Belgium, the latter ranked FIFA's world No.2! Canada were soundly beaten, and are going home. Rebecca at No.5 rang to say she ad cooked some mince pies, and duly brought us round a couple. Aki cooked chicken with butter beans and onions for dinner, with roasted celeriac and vegetables. We ate the mince pies with some yoghurt for afters. Spoke to ma and pa on the blower...they were watching a documentary about Haiti, which turned out to be very intriguing...it reminded us of one of our early Book Club reads, "The Black Jacobins" by the prolific C.L.R.James. Didn't know the French had forced the Haitians to pay reparations for the loss of the slave trade! Unbelievable, really!!! They should be forced to pay it all back...!!!

Saturday 26th November 2022

Aki up fairly promptly this morning, as she was due to meet Tokiko at her flat rental in Brixton, as she wants Aki to work on some refurbishment plans for kitchen and bathroom. I was still dozing when she left. Got up and stuck the football on the telly, and at a bowl of yoghurt and fruit for breakfast. Australia just managed to shade it against the Tunisians, and claim their first ever win at a World Cup Finals. I nipped out to do a bit of shopping before lunch (Aki was going to lunch in Brixton with Tok). Wanted a simple apple corer, so went to Selby's on Holloway Road, but no joy. Ended up buying a sweatshirt instead in the Black Friday sale. Popped in to Waitrose to get carrots, and a loaf of bread, then walked to Girasole for a coffee and a nutella muffin. Six texted me asking if I had an electric guitar...his 10 year old daughter, Ottie, has been learning on acoustic guitar this last year or two, and has been recommended by her teacher to try an electric prior to appearing at her Primary School Talent Show. I got home and cooked up a soffrito, and made a haggis and lentil ragu. Aki got home before the neighbours from No.29 turned up. Six and Ottie turned up first, followed by mum Julia, bearing a bottle of prosecco. Ottie took to my electric guitar very readily...she knows more then the usual chords...she got a Bm in without effort...she's good, but doesn't yet have a strong sense of time...it'll come; she has developed strong foundations. I took her through the Xmas songs I'm doing at Brett's Xmas party next Saturday, and she picked them up pretty well, and we managed to persuade her to accompany me on the night in the sing-a-long. We arranged another rehearsal for tomorrow. The haggis and lentil ragu was OK, but not as flavoursome as I'd anticipated. Coconut rice pudding to follow. Watched Argentina beat Mexico, and some programming celebrating what would have been Jimi Hendrix's 80th birthday...great footage from various concerts...what a player he was!!! Must show Ottie...!!!

Friday 25th November 2022

Woke early...got up at 0730, and made tea. Porridge for breakfast. Threw together a packed lunch. Did an hour's work at the computer, then watched the first half of the Wales v Iran game...very emotional scenes during the anthems. Aki cycled off to the fishmonger's on Essex Road. I jumped in the car, and headed for New Cross, then on to Thornton Heath. Listened to Wales go down 2-0...looks like the end of their World Cup dream, unless they can hammer England 4-0 next week! Had my lunch sat in the car on Canterbury Road. Drove round the corner to IKEA to use the facilities, and buy some odds and ends in the food section. Drove home, getting in around 1615. Did an hour at the computer, then cooked dinner...fish pie. Aki got home around 1800. Had dinner then watched a very dull England v USA draw. Watched another episode of "The English"...it's all getting a bit melodramatic, but is gorgeous to look at...the cinematography is sumptuous. Shower and bed...

Thursday 24th November 2022

Woke around 0730, so got up and made tea. Porridged, and put together a ham salad packed lunch. Did an hour's work at the computer before heading off...drove to Earls Court, then back up to Kensal Green, Acton Circus, and then across Vauxhall Bridge to Brixton. Traffic along Brixton High Street was terrible. Sat in the car and had my lunch on Millbrook Road, listening to football commentary on R5Live! Drove on to Croydon, and then to Purley. Traffic on the A23 was dreadful, so I risked not getting round everything before dusk. Around 1600 heavy rain clouds brought an early twilight, and heavy rain...I had to give up completing my inspections, and turned for home. The A23 through Brixton was very slow...added half-an-hour to my homeward journey. Got in at 1815, and did another half hour or so at the computer. Aki cooked a carbonara. Walked up to No.127 for the Book Club meeting. Ben and Gayu came out of their front door at No.38 just as we were passing, and we discovered a chap half-sprawled on the bonnet of their car...repeated attempts to ask after his welfare failed to elicit a response...a passerby informed us he was a smack addict. We contemplated calling an ambulance, but as he hadn't passed out, we decided to walk on and leave him to it...he was obviously off his face. Only two of the Book Club members had found time to finish reading "David Copperfield", though one had cheated by dipping in to Martin Jarvis' unabridged audio recording. An obscure thriller was chosen as the next read, "A Burning" by Megha Majumdar. 

Wednesday 23rd November 2022

Woke to alarm at 0730. Aki got up and made tea. Read some "David Copperfield" in bed, then got up to forage for porridge. Warmed up some soup to take as a packed lunch. Headed out to an inspection just down the road, and popped in to Waitrose. Aki had gone round to see the nurse again at the GP surgery about the finger she'd sliced open cutting potatoes last week, as the wound is still bleeding....she rang me to say the nurse had recommended she go to A&E, so I drove home, picked her up, and dropped her at the Whittington. I then headed for Hackney, East Ham, and Hainault, stopping to have my lunch in Hainault Forest Park. Got myself a cuppa tea at the cafe there, then drove south of the river. Listened to Germany v Japan on R5Live...Japan came from 1-0 down to snatch a famous victory. Ended the working day in Honor Oak, then drove home. Got in around 1730. Warmed up a Waitrose lamb moussaka for dinner, with lots of vegetables, followed by coconut rice pudding. Watched Canada v Belgium...the Canadians were superb in the first half, and were very unlucky to go in at half-time 1-0 down. Sadly for them, it stayed that way. 

Tuesday 22nd November 2022

Poor night's sleep...the flowers that Kath had bought Aki last weekend had opened, and I'm allergic to some of them, which sent my sinuses into overdrive. My face felt almost bruised by the sneezing, so failed to rise to go out on inspections as planned. Aki brought me a mug of hot water with a slice of lemon in it. Got up and porridged before starting work at the computer. Aki cycled off to the Business Design Centre at Angel to hook up with Helen and Martin for a lighting exhibition. Kept an eye on the Argentina v Saudi Arabia scoreline...was astonished to see the Saudis had a 2-1 lead with 15 minutes to go, so turned on the telly to see the Argentine's go down to an ignominious defeat! Got back to work afterward, breaking to warm up Aki's homemade soup for my lunch. Watched the dying embers of Denmark v Tunisia. Work was delayed, as I noticed some water emanating from the cupboard under the kitchen sink, so had to empty the cupboard and mop up...there's a slow leak beneath the sink, but no way of closing any gaps, so just hope it doesn't get any worse! Aki warmed up the aubergine and egg curry she'd made a couple of days ago, which we ate with rice and dahl. Watched France demolish the Aussies 4-1, then gave "Tokyo Vice" a go, based on the memoirs of an American journalist who investigated the yakuza. Shower and bed...

Monday 21st November 2022

Woke at 0730, for some reason. A bit of lower back pain, so I got up and made tea. Porridge for breakfast, then set about a morning session at the computer. Aki popped out to buy Margaret's Christmas present while I prepared some lunch...finished off the muffins. Switched the telly on to watch some of England's opening World Cup game against Iran...we were 3-0 up at half-time, so I went back to work at the computer. Aki baked trout for dinner, with roast potatoes and vegetables, followed by the last of the chocolate brownies, with creme fraiche. Settled down on the sofa, under a duvet, to watch Wales' opening game...they made heavy weather of it, but managed to salvage a draw with the USA, thanks to a Gareth Bale penalty. Watched "Better Things" and an episode of "Seinfeld" before shower and bed...

Sunday 20th November 2022

Woke late...still feeling very weary. Lay in bed for a bit, before getting up to make breakfast...had the English muffins we'd bought yesterday, toasted with ham, cheese, avocado mash, and poached eggs. Read a bit more David Copperfield before nodding off on the sofa for a few minutes! had leek and potato soup for lunch. FaceTimed Tony, who happened to be driving...in Normandy. Ricky was in the passenger seat, navigating. They'd decided, on a whim, to take the car to Dover, and cross on the ferry, then tour round some of the Great War memorial sites in the Somme valley! Arranged a pre-Christmas dinner date at ours for 21st December. Ricky not available though, as he's joining family in a cottage, in Peebles, for the Festive season! Rang mum, who had been busying herself making the Christmas pud, and Kath FaceTimed us while were on the phone to mum. It looks as though Christmas dinner is going to be full on, with eight portions of everything to conjure up in the kitchen! I made tagliatelle for dinner, and then warmed up the guinea fowl and mushroom sauce, with greens on the side. Followed by coconut rice pudding with blackberry spoom and berry compote. Watched episode 3 of "The English", the plot of which is getting quite convoluted. Then watched the "Imagine..." documentary on Douglas Stuart, who wrote the extraordinary "Shuggie Bain"...intrigued to hear he's just finishing a TV teleplay version. 

Saturday 19th November 2022

Woke around 0830 and got up to make tea. Aki cooked brunch, then we walked up to the Farmer's Market at Yerbury school to by a loaf of sourdough...then walked on up Highgate Hill to Waterlow Park before doubling back down the hill and stopping off at Archies for coffee. Aki bought vegetables at the little market in Navigator Square, and a little peace lily on Holloway Road which she wants to put in the bathroom. We parted company at the junction with Windsor Road...Aki continued on to Waitrose, while I took the shopping we'd done back home and picked up the car keys. Drove round to Waitrose and tracked Aki down in the dairy aisle. Back home, we heard a knock at the window...it was Katherine from No.127...we invited her in for a cuppa and a catch up. She'd missed my appearance at the Tower Theatre as she'd been struggling with a bout of shingles. She wanted to express an interest in putting some Xmas songs together for Brett's Xmas party in a couple of weeks...I said I'd put a list of sing-a-long songs together. Aki cooked dinner...an aubergine and egg curry, with dahl and rice. Followed by chocolate brownie and creme fraiche. Watched the first two episodes of "Mammals" on Prime...corking script by Jez Butterworth, and a fine central performance from James Corden. Shower and bed...

Friday 18th November 2022

Woke around 0830. Aki had had a fitful night's sleep...she'd cut her little finger slicing potatoes yesterday afternoon, and had put a plaster on it, but she suffered waves of throbbing pain during the night. It had calmed down a bit come morning, but she organised a visit to the nurse at the Medical Centre round the corner. Got up and porridged. Worked at the computer for the morning, breaking to make lunch...warmed up Aki's leek and potato soup, which may or may not have had a bit of her little finger in it! Back at the coal face for the afternoon. Aki popped out to see the nurse, but wasn't very impressed with her meeting. They have, however, recommended she get a tetanus jab, which will hopefully happen next week. Warmed up the guinea fowl and mushroom pasta sauce for dinner, with spaghetti. Caught a bus to Finsbury Park, and got the tube to Tottenham Court Road. Had tickets to see the New Vic (Stoke) production of "Marvellous", which was opening the new theatre in the round space at Soho Place, part of the redevelopment around the crossrail expansion of Tottenham Court Road station. The building is a disappointment...tackily designed, and the auditorium is lacking in atmosphere. The actors voices tended to drift up towards the high ceiling, and they had to work hard to be heard. The show details the life and times of Stoke legend Neil "Nello" Baldwin...Toby Jones won a BAFTA portraying hi in the TV film version 8 years ago. We found ourselves sat directly behind the great man himself, now 76 and being wheeled about in a wheelchair. It's a great show...fun, life-affirming stuff, and the audience thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Had arranged to meet Adam Norton there, an ex actor I'd worked with at the Vic in Stoke many years ago. We eventually crossed paths with him and his wife Hilary at the interval, and did some more catching up in the bar afterward. Caught the No.29 bus back home, and fell into bed around midnight!

Thursday 17th November 2022

Woke around 0830. Aki brought me a mug of hot water with a slice of lemon in...listened to R4 for a bit. Eventually got up and made porridge, then set about work at the computer. Aki had an early lunch before heading off for rehearsal in Kensington. She's doing sound design for a short sketch written by one of her JCUK pals for their Christmas bash. I had lunch a little later...the remains of the cheese and mushroom quiche with some salad. Worked at the computer all afternoon. Broke to catch the News at 1800. Forecasts of a long and deep recession. Watched Jools' 30th birthday concert from the Apollo in Hammersmith. Aki returned around 1915 and cooked salmon steak with rice and miso soup for dinner. Watched episode 2 of "The English" before shower and bed...

Wednesday 16th November 2022

Woke to alarm at 0730...Aki up to get ready for Rowing Club. By the time I rose, it was raining quite heavily, so Aki had to give up her quest. Porridged at the computer, working on some VP research. Broke to field a phone call from Jim Lister...he wanted a catch up...he and Kath are boarding a flight to Cayman Island next week, where their daughter Ro is getting married to a local bridge engineer (they met at Newcastle University). Sounds like Barney has risen a few rungs up the music industry ladder...he's recording with Joy Crookes, and was on her table at the recent Mercury Prize Awards ceremony. Pencilled in a visit to see Jim and Kath after Christmas, on our way back down from Newcastle. Made lunch...cheese and mushroom quiche, bought from Belle Epoche's new premises on Upper Street yesterday, with parma ham salad, followed by chocolate brownie and creme fraiche. Only managed to do another hour at the computer this afternoon...couldn't keep my eyes open, so went and had a lie down, and ended up sleeping for a couple of hours! Got up and made dinner...hand rolled pici, and a cheese and mushroom sauce with sliced guinea fowl and walnuts. Very tasty. Watched "Here Before" on the iPlayer...BBC Films co-production. Beautifully shot and edited, and it kept a steady but ominous grip on us...bath and bed.

Tuesday 15th November 2022

Had a bit of a lie-in before getting up to make porridge. Did some work at the computer in the morning. Broke for lunch. Aki cooked poached eggs and fried halloumi for lunch with some salad. Took a constitutional, walking down Upper Street...Aki had spied some chamois mittens she wanted me to buy her for Christmas, so we popped in at Toast to get them. Nipped in to the gift shop a few doors down, and almost bumped into Paul Whitehouse...he was on the phone, probably catching up with his agent. Walked back home, parting ways on Arthur Road, Aki heading off to pick up some odds and ends at Morrisons. Warmed up the chicken tray bake we'd made a fe3w days ago, for dinner. I drove off to Stoke Newington for my Santa Claus costume fitting. Martin, who's also playing the role, turned up for his fitting, and dragged me to the Axe for a quick beer afterward. Got home at 2215. News of a missile landing across the Polish border had everyone getting twitchy...is WW3 about to kick off!? Bath and bed...

Monday 14th November 2022

Woke around 0900, thinking it was 0730! Had to haul myself out of bed, as I needed to complete some inspections today. Porridged, then warmed up some of Aki's dill soup to take with me for lunch. Had time to make some coconut rice pudding, which I left to cool as I headed out the front door. Inspections were all in central Wembley...needed to get into seven of the units...knocked at all the doors of tenants who had been written to, forewarned of my coming. Managed to get into half-a-dozen, but it was slow going. Had a late lunch sat in the car, then headed for home. Traffic on the North Circular terrible, so I took a short detour to IKEA in the hope that things would clear by the time I came out...spent an hour in there, buying six tumblers, and a peace lily! Traffic still dreadful when I hit the road again. Two lanes out of action about 2 miles further east, which had caused the backlog. Wanted to get petrol, so determined to drive to Manor House before driving home, but traffic in Stroud Green was a t a standstill...gave up and turned for home, picking up petrol at the slightly more expensive petrol station on Hornsey Road. Worked at the computer while Aki prepared a mushroom and squash risotto for dinner...followed by cheese and biscuits. Watched the first episode of "The English"...cracking script, and a great cast...both Toby Jones and Kieran Hinds were despatched before the first episode was over! Beautifully shot. Caught up with "Better Things" and "Seinfeld" before shower and bed...

Sunday 13th November 2022

Aki up with the lark to ready herself for Rowing Club...I dozed back off to sleep. Woke around 1000, feeling like I'd been hit by a bus. Got up and made porridge, which I ate in bed, washed down with a pint or so of tea! Watched MOTD on my laptop in bed...great result for Brentford at the Etihad...means The Gooners are 5 points clear at the top going in to the international break. Good away win for Reading yesterday, too. Got up and walked to Waitrose to buy something to cook for dinner. Aki had lunch at the cafe next door to the Rowing Club. I skipped lunch, having got up so late. Ma rang to see how the final performances had gone...she's awaiting the arrival of Kath to fill her in on her meet with Roz yesterday. I cooked dinner...roast guinea fowl, roast potatoes, onion, pureed carrot, steamed cabbage and broccoli, and a bread sauce...very tasty! Watched Richard E. Grant's autobiographical movie, "Wah-Wah"...set in Swaziland, where his father worked for the British High Commission. The script was a bit wooden, to be honest. Had a shower before MOTD, then fell into bed exhausted...

Saturday 12th November 2022

Not a great night's sleep. Aki brought me a mug of hot water with lemon, which I drank in bed listening to R4. Kath in the shower when I got up. Aki made fruit salad for breakfast. Kath phoned mum and updated her on last night's shenanigans. Aki and Kath left at 1045 to go meet Roz for lunch in Kings Cross. I stayed home and steamed my vocal cords, then did some warm up exercises, before lunching on smoked salmon and scrambled egg on toast. Drove to Stoke Newington for the matinee. Astonished to get our biggest audience, of 70...thought it would be a bit quiet. They were very noisily appreciative, one fella shouting "Bravo" at the curtain call. Geoff, one of my old (retired) Savills bosses had come up from Dorking to see it...his missus couldn't accompany him, on this occassion, having had to go in to work at the vineyard at short notice. 

Popped out to buy a wrap for dinner, which I ate with a couple of cast members in the bar before going back up to the theatre to try and get the voice going for one last hurrah. Only 30 in this evening, but they were very responsive, so it felt like we went out with a bang rather than a whimper. Celebrated at the bar with a pint of Guinness, having avoided alcohol completely for two and a half months. Helped out with the get out, volunteering for light carrying duties. We all retired to the bar at 0100 and had a laugh about various incidents and mishaps during the run. I was first to leave, getting home around 0200, and crawling into bed in the dark...

Friday 11th November 2022

Woke at 0700...needed the loo...went back to bed for another hour and a half. Listened to the news, then to Richard E. Grant's Desert Island Discs...it all got very emotional when he recalled his wife's battle with cancer, and played Eva Cassidy's cover of Fields of Gold. I'd forgotten he'd directed "Wah-Wah", but didn't realise it was autobiographical...sounds like he had an extraordinary relationship with his mum and dad...I'll have to dig out a rental copy. Got up and made porridge...Kath enjoyed her chocolate flavoured version. She popped out to the textile shop. I made lunch...crumpets with avocado and smoked salmon. Aki took Kath out for an afternoon drive up to Waterlow Park for an amble and a coffee, while I stayed home I tried to get my voice warmed up. They got back around 1530. I penned a quick poem...apparently it's traditional that the cast of the next production are greeted by a poem pinned to the dressing room wall. At 1630 I drove them in to Stoke Newington, and walked with them up Church Street...did some window shopping. Left them outside Rasa, where they'd booked a table for dinner...I went to the fish and chip shop. Ate my chicken and mushroom pie and chips in the theatre bar. About 50 in tonight, including Kath, Aki, Katrina, Marianne, and several members of the Sussex Way Book Club. Everyone seemed to have enjoyed it...Friday night audiences are always up for it. Drove us all home, dropping Marianne off outside her flat in Kentish Town. Knackered!!!

Thursday 10th November 2022

Woke around 0730, but dozed back off for a bit. Aki got up and did some cleaning and vacuuming ahead of Kath's arrival. I eventually got up and had chocolate porridge for breakfast, then did a couple of hours at the computer. Aki cycled off to the hairdresser. We were planning to pick Kath up in the car, but Aki reckoned the tube strike meant there was more traffic on the roads, and I need to get back here in time for a 1505 GP appointment, so Aki said she'd meet her at the station and guide Kath onto a bus, before cycling back home...but then Kath messaged to say the train would be half-an-hour late, so Aki came home for lunch instead. Gave Kath instructions on which bus to get outside Kings Cross station. Kath turned up just as I was departing for the GP...left her in Aki's capables. GP not much help...showed her the proliferating warts on my forehead, but she reckoned there wasn't much that could be done...I conceded that, when removed, they simply grow back. She prescribed some cream for sun damaged skin on the top of my pate. Back home I managed a brief vocal warm up. Kath nipped out to her favourite fabric shop...but couldn't find it...maybe it as closed down. Drove to Stoke Newington...traffic very heavy, but eventually cleared around Manor House. An audience of about 25...they were responsive, and enjoyed themselves. My voice not in good shape...bit worrying, with another matinee looming on Saturday. Got home around 2245...Kath and Aki still up drinking tea. Watched a bit of telly before shower and bed...

Wednesday 9th November 2022

Alarm at 0730...Aki up early to ready herself for Rowing Club...she brought me a mug of hot water and lemon before she cycled off. Got up and porridged. Sat at the computer until lunch time, working. Broke for lunch just as Aki got back...she had eaten at the cafe next the Club House. Did a bit more tidying afore Kath's visit...took some stuff to the tip. Tried fixing the dripping kitchen tap by taking out the filter tap head and cleaning it, but it made no difference. Set off reasonably early for the theatre this evening, as the Arsenal are playing at home tonight. Bought a takeaway lamb shish wrap, and ate half of it in the theatre bar. About 35 in tonight...they were very responsive...much better than last night's bunch. Voice not in great shape, for some reason...had sounded fine before the show. Getting increasingly tired, and my hernia repair doesn't like the quick changes nor the marching routine at the end...hope it all holds out until Saturday nite! Aki out watching Simon Russell Beale at The Bridge Theatre in the company of Jane and Carlos, and a couple of their chums...we both got home at roughly the same time...sounds like a superb cast, with Nick Hytner directing. Shower and bed...

Tuesday 8th November 2022

Slow start this morning. Read a bit of Dickens in bed, and Aki brought me a mug of hot water with a slice of lemon in. Got up and porridged. Did a little work at the computer before lunch. Aki baked some cod in bacon, with roast potatoes and vegetables. Did another couple of hours work, then started to warm my voice up. Heated up some soup to take with me, then drove to Stoke Newington. The show felt a bit Tuesday night-ish...audience were quiet, and we were all, to a greater or lesser extent, a bit rusty after two nights off. Relieved when we hit the curtain call, and drove home. Hope I feel a bit more energetic tomorrow night! Watched a bit of telly before shower and bed.

Monday 7th November 2022

Woke up at 0530 having a minor coughing fit. Got up to replenish my bedside water supply, but couldn't really get back to sleep properly thereafter. As a result I lay in until late morning. Read a bit of Dickens in bed. Eventually got up and made lunch for us both...fried sild with pine nuts and breadcrumbs, poached egg, and a nice salad. Did a bit of tidying up in the back bedroom ahead of Kath's imminent arrival later in the week. Looked at my Act I lines before dinner...Aki did stir fried pork fillet with rice and vegetables. Watched "Occupied", a video diary by a Ukrainian journalist in Kherson, documenting the Russian occupation, and his family's eventual escape into Free Ukraine. I went through my Act II lines before jumping in the shower, and heading for bed...

Sunday 6th November 2022

Fitful night's sleep...not sure why...buzzing a bit after the show, but thought I was exhausted enough to sleep through...strange. Woke around 0800 to sound of rain thundering on the bedroom roof. Dozed until 1000 when Aki brought me a mug of tea. Kath FaceTimed us from High View...I didn't have enough voice left after yesterday to interact much, so Aki did most of the talking for us. Kath told us that Dad had been out and about with his camera and had gotten stuck with one leg over a picket fence, camera in hand, when he was approached by some woman enquiring as to his exploits...he had to engage in polite conversation, legs akimbo, until she went on her way! Got up and cooked brunch. Started, rather belatedly, reading David Copperfield, our Book Club choice...what a delight it is!!! Dicken's sentence construction, his way with a phrase, had my lips stuck in a beaming grin...it's laugh out loud funny. What a revelation! Ate parmigiana lasagne for dinner, followed by cheese and biscuits. Watched "I Used to be Famous", a low budget Brit-flick which pushed all the manipulative feelgood buttons, but was affecting anyhow. Bit of MOTD before shower and bed...

Saturday 5th November 2022

Woke around 0800 after a bit of a fitful night's sleep...worrying about the fact that I've got to get my voice through two shows today. Aki cooked up a big breakfast, then nipped out to Yerbury Farmer's Market to buy bread while I started to try and get my voice warmed up. Made avocado and ham sandwiches with the fresh bread for lunch. Drove to the theatre early, though traffic was reasonably light, given that there's a reduced train service due to the late cancellation of RMT strike action. Got through the matinee in one piece, though I had to keep my energy levels lower than usual in a bid to refrain from over using my voice. About 25 odd in the house...more than I'd been expecting! Franco had come from Earlsfield to see it...Tammi too unwell to accompany him. Aki came in to meet him at the theatre as the audience came out, and we walked him round to the bus stop. Aki and I ate at the little Thai cafe opposite the theatre...the food was a bit disappointing, though. I went back to the theatre to try and warm the voice up for the evening show, leaving Aki in the cafe to have dessert. About 35 in for the evening show, including Aki, and Kevin and Laurence from No.93. Much of Act I was disturbed by the fireworks going off on the common...the space could really do with sound-proofing somehow. Voice tired by the interval, but just about managed to hold out until the end. Audience had a great time, though, so job done. Had a quick beer with Kevin and Laurence in the bar afterward...they'd thoroughly enjoyed it. Gave them a lift home. Got to bed around 0100...

Friday 4th November 2022

Woke around 0830 and dozed for a bit. Got up around 1000 and had some porridge before settling in front of the computer to do some work...needed to complete some VP research, and submit my timesheets and expenses claims. Broke for lunch...Aki warmed up the chicken chasseur we'd defrosted overnight, and served it with rice and vegetables. Finished work early afternoon, and did some voice warm ups before heading in to Stoke Newington. Got in to the theatre early, and sat and had my soup in the bar area. 40 odd in tonight, which was a pleasant surprise...loads of laughs, they were in uproar at some points, especially on our entrance in our paranormal investigator outfits. It was a great night, and they were vociferous in their appreciation at the curtain call. Got home around 1045 and steamed my vocal chords before shower and bed...

Thursday 3rd November 2022

Fitful night's sleep...woke three times with chronically dried mouth, and had to gulp down some water...slow getting back to sleep each time. Got up around 1000. Porridged. Drove Aki to Essex Road to buy fish from the fishmonger...traffic pretty awful...some roads closed after last night's flooding. Popped in to Waitrose on the way back. Bought a Peace Lily to put in the bedroom, in the hope that it will keep the black mould at bay. Back home, Aki cooked mackerel in a miso paste, which we had for lunch with rice and vegetables. I did a bit more cleaning in the bedroom, which meant moving furniture about. Did some voice work before setting off early for the theatre...Arsenal at home this evening, and traffic was already building up. Got to the theatre early...had my dinner, Aki's homemade chick pea and pumpkin soup, alone in the dressing room. Voice felt in reasonably good shape this evening. First Act was my best so far...small but appreciative house, who were getting all the English language and English Literature gags. My second Act OK, but not quite as good as last night's...but the audience seemed to love it. Drove home for a shower and bed...

Wednesday 2nd November 2022

Alarm at 0730...Aki leapt in to action, readying herself for Rowing Club. I dozed in bed for another hour or so. Got up around 1000 and porridged. Did some work reviewing lines, and the dance routine, so far as it goes! Cooked lunch...Aki ate at the cafe next door to the Rowing Club. Finished creating my first nite cards...all individually hand crafted to mimic (badly) an olde Penguin Books title cover, with suitable book titles and their character names as authors. Particularly proud of "Wardrobe & Peace" for one of the wardrobe assistants! Did some voice work and practised the dance routine. Headed off early for the theatre, just in case the roads were snarled up. Tail back on Seven Sisters Road to the junction at Manor House. Got to the theatre and parked up, then went shopping for water supplies. The set was finally finished....looks good. Twenty in for the first night, including Tammi's daughter Zoe, who was due to write a review for an on-line outfit. Julia had had a sleepless night, and looked a bit rough...the nerves were beginning to show, and the rest of the cast caught the bug, albeit to a lesser extent. I almost dried on my Act I anti-internet speech...managed to get some garbled lines out, but whether they made much sense is a moot point. Act II felt better as we eased into it, and the mess of a dance finale got a round of applause!!! I missed a cue late on, which had Sean having to improvise momentarily before I hurtled on stage. All in all, it wasn't too bad...could do better, though. Show came down around about 2200...had a chat with Stephanie's fella, whose brother Carl is a playwright. Said my farewells, only to find myself sheltering from an almighty downpour in the theatre doorway for about 20 minutes. The roads and pavements had turned into rivers. Particularly bad on the A10 where it meets Northwold Road...inches deep. Got home about 2300. Aki still up...had a shower then fell in to bed...

Tuesday 1st November 2022

Aki up early to do some work on the Canvey island shopping centre refurbishment job. I languished in bed until 1000. Raining outside. Got up and had some porridge. Aki working at the computer, so I cooked dinner for lunch...pork shoulder with roast potatoes and vegetables. Going to have to leave for the theatre earlier than usual to try and avoid the problems I had last night. Did a bit of voice work before jumping in the car...traffic not too bad, though I went out of my way to avoid the roadworks on Lordship Park. Got to Stoke Newington around 1800 and had a chicken shish wrap in a little Turkish restaurant on the High Street. Got to the theatre and set up for the dress run. Still completely under rehearsed on the finale, but that's the way it goes...quick changes worked out, just, but my paranormal investigator's skirt fell down during the finale dance routine (see photo), eliciting the biggest laugh of the evening...ought to keep it in!

Monday 31st October 2022

Got up and porridged. Spent most of the morning moving bedroom furniture about so I could get at the black mouldy walls behind, and apply some mould killer. It's particularly bad against the external wall in the back bedroom...we haven't been using the de-humidifier much lately, as it eats electricity. Finished off Aki's leek and potato soup for lunch, then drove over to Homebase at Manor House to get some compost, and then to Sainsbury's to pick up a click and collect shop. Drove on to Brimsdown...traffic was dreadful...took ages to crawl up Tottenham High Road. Eventually managed to turn off toward Totenham Hale and take Meridian Way, but then got stuck for 15 minutes at a level crossing in Brimsdown. Got to No.54 Redlands Road to take a look at a digital piano being offered on eBay...the door was opened by Deniz, the chap I'd been messaging via eBay...surprised to discover he is a dwarf, of Turkish descent...lovely guy. It turned out he had been assigned the job of getting rid of his cousin's unwanted piano by his Aunt, and he'd come up from Edmonton to let us in. Aki didn't like the piano much, though...the fact that it is white, not black, and a bit too deep...we decided to go do a bit more research. I took Deniz's mobile number, promising to update him at the earliest opportunity. Got home in time to dine on fish curry and rice, then got in the car to head for Stoke Newington...traffic had gotten worse! My 20 minute journey took an hour-and-a-half...the worst section was along Brownswood Road/Lordship Park/Manor Road...the fourway traffic control at the road works where Brownswood Road crosses Green Lanes had got stuck on red...it was chaos. Buses could barely pass eachother, and a bus ahead of me managed to scrape the paint off a car door, which resulted in a 15 minute delay while the driver and the bus driver hurled abuse at eachother! As a result I was an hour late for the call, and found the dance finale being re-rehearsed in the now rather awkward space left us by the furniture. It's a mess. Managed to get through Act I, and do the quick change successfully, much to my surprise/relief! Costume changes in Act II looked manageable...I'm going to lose several kilos over the course of this run!!!