Saturday 14th January 2023

Woke around 0800. Aki brought tea, which we drank in bed listening to R4. We then noticed that the boiler had packed up...no heat, no hot water! This flat is becoming a plumbing nightmare! Had put Dave the Plumber off coming round to have a go at the shower tap, so had to phone him to re-engage him...at least boilers are his area of expertise, so hopefully he can at least diagnose the problem. made bruleed crumpets with fruit compote and yoghurt for breakfast. The doorbell rang...assumed it was Dave, but it was a couple of students from SOAS who are members of the Camden Workers International...they were fund raising in support of striking NHS staff, refugees struggling in the current Cost of Living Crisis, etc, so happy to give 'em £20 and raise a clenched fist on the doorstep. Had some lunch, then drove over to Helen and Martin's on Fairbridge Road to borrow an electric heater. We sat about reading in the late afternoon...Aki finished the Book Club read...I'm still on the last one, David Copperfield. Aki cooked up a tasty mushroom risotto for dinner, and we watched "The Quiet Girl", an Irish film that got into the top ten films of 2022. Sat on the sofa beneath blankets as the temperature dropped! Aki filled a hot water bottle for bed...