Saturday 12th August 2023

Woke around 0800. Aki made tea. Got up to watch the Australia v France game. Some really good football from the Aussies. Went to penalties...twenty of them! Nipped out to the bank to get some cash for Vince, then sat on the sofa to watch the England game...we were lucky to come through as 2-1 winners, and will face Australia in what promises to be a raucous semi-final. Aki cooked mushrooms on toast for lunch...very tasty, with a bit of garlic and tarragon thrown in. Just as we sat down to eat, Vince turned up. He switched the water off and adjusted the valve to the shower tap, which has continued to gently leak, and checked our electrics, as we've been having trouble with the Toto Washlet. Paid him for his work so far, and he promised to catch up with us on our return from up north. Aki's NY chum, Joan, turned up at 1700, with 10 year old Tey in tow...they are en route back to NY having sojourned in Europe for a week or two, and are going to flat sit for us until they fly back to NY on Friday. Joan used to lodge with Katherine at No.127, some 12 years or so ago, so we had arranged to meet up with Katherine and George at Osteria Tufo for dinner once we'd shown them the ropes here. Enjoyed my dinner...I had the pork fillet with mashed potatoes and a creamy red wine sauce, with some fried courgettes with mint on the side...yum! Walked back to Katherine and George's for dessert and tea. Gave Joan Aki's set of flat keys, and saw them off in an Uber.  Finished packing our bags for tomorrow's journey to Newcastle. Watched MOTD before bed...