Tuesday 28th November 2023

Woke around 0730. Got up and made tea. Porridged. The roofers turned up to work on the church guttering, which necessitated them gaining access to our back yard. I left them to it, and headed for the village of Thundridge, near Ware. Got into one of the terraced houses there, the Xmas decorations to which had caught my attention. The tenant confessed she loved Xmas...there was a huge tree in the little living room, and the bath was partially surrounded by a shower curtain with Merry Christmas written all over it, and lots of Santa's...the tenant stated that she changed the shower curtain every Xmas, and had only just taken down a Guy Fawkes inspired one! There are some strange people about. Drove on to Hoddesdon. I was very disappointed to discover that my favourite fish 'n chip shop was shut, so ended up lunching in Starbucks, housed in the Sainsbury's superstore in the town centre. Got home around 1800, having had to stop off at a garage to check tyre pressures when I kept getting a dashboard warning that my front right tyre was losing pressure...what a pain! Looks like I've got a slow puncture!!! As I approached No.3 Sussex Way I could see there was an addict sat on our doorstep, smoking. I assumed I'd find her about to jack up, but she was actually eating her dinner...a box of something indiscernible, and a box of chocolates for dessert. I was fairly robust in urging her off the premises, and she said "Sorry" a couple of times. She sounded well-spoken, but she took her duvet and went back to the street. Warmed up two portions of the vegetable lasagne for dinner. Practised some guitar and listened to Clare M Singer's new album, recorded on the Victorian era organ at the Union Chapel in Islington. Bath and bed...

Monday 27th November 2023

Got up before 0800 and made tea. Porridged. Threw a packed lunch together, then set off for Cheshunt, popping in to Costa at Manor House on the way. By the time I got to Cheshunt, the weather had turned very unpleasant...an insidious drizzle accompanied by low temperatures made the trudge from door to door rather more of a chore than usual! Broke for lunch and drove back to the Brookfield Centre...bought some odds and ends in M&S, and ate my lunch in the car in the car park. Ended the working day on an estate on the Broxbourne borders, then turned for home. Traffic was dire on the A10. Got home about an hour later than scheduled. Aki made dinner with a Japanese twist, utilising some of the leftover chicken. Watched a bit of telly before an early bath and bed...

Sunday 26th November 2023

Woke around 0830 so got up and prepared potato pancakes for brunch. Drove over to Stoke Newington to rehearse with B at her flat. Cold morning...she'd popped out to the corner shop to get some tea bags and milk, so I had to hang about outside for five minutes or so. The P J Harvey number is shaping up nicely, and we ran through "Sara", and "Heart With No Companion". Drove back home for lunch. Then hosted Oty, who came round with her mum to rehearse her guitar parts for the Xmas party on Saturday. Cooked a roast chicken with apricots and preserved lemon for dinner. Prep involved making an apricot based paste, and then having to spread it beneath the skin of the bird...Aki did a good job! It made for tasty, moist meat, but we were disappointed with the apricots, as we were expecting them to sing somewhat more...too much effort for too little gain in umami! 

Saturday 25th November 2023

Slow start to the weekend. Got up and made brunch. Bright, crisp November morning. Got a No.91 bus up to Crouch End to take back a fern Aki had bought as a Xmas present, but which seemed to be ailing already. Walked back via Crouch Hill, popping in at Green & Glory to buy vegetables for tonight's lasagne. Walked across to Waitrose to get some other bits and pieces. Back home, Aki cooked a pumpkin soup. Tokiko turned up a bit earlier than expected, presenting us with a bottle of Prosecco, which was duly opened. I cooked a vegetable lasagne with chard, spinach, leeks, and peas, and a four-cheese sauce. It was a lot of effort, but everyone seemed to enjoy it, though quite whether I'd bother again is a moot point. Served up Waitrose own tiramisu for afters. 

Friday 24th November 2023

Aki up early to ready herself for a work meeting in Camden. I got up as she cycled off. Made myself a mug of tea and repaired to bed and read some “Twist”. Got up and porridged. Worked at the computer for the remainder of the morning. Aki back in time for lunch. Did a little more work at the computer, before having to sit on the loo for an hour! I made hand rolled pici for dinner, which we ate with chilli pesto and prawns. Watched “Better Call Saul” before bath and bed…

Thursday 23rd November 2023

Got up at 0830 for tea and porridge. Did an hour or so at the computer then slung a packed lunch together. Drove back to Cheshunt, stopping at the Brookfield Centre to pick up a coffee. Knocked on a lot of doors on a sizeable 70s era Council estate in Turnford. Broke for lunch around 1400, driving back to Brookfield to use the facilities. Ate my lunch in the car in the car park, then returned to Turnford. Made for Holloway once the gloaming had descended. Got back home just before Aki departed for Kensington for a works gathering with her Japanese contacts. I warmed up the fish curry which I ate with dal, Bombay aloo, and peas. Watched “Boat Story”. Aki back by 2230. Bath and bed…

Wednesday 22nd November 2023

Fitful night's sleep....the herniated discs in my neck giving me a bit of gip at present. Got up at 0830. Tea. Porridge. Kefir. Aki cycled off to Rowing Club. I put together a packed lunch then headed north to Hatfield, stopping at Sainsbury's in Manor House on the way. Popped into the Hatfield Galleria shopping centre to use the facilities...have driven underneath it on many occassions, as it straddles the A1(M), but had never ventured inside...can't say it was worth the effort. Ate my packed lunch in the car in the car park at South Mimms service station, and drove on to Cheshunt, where I spent the remainder of my working day. Got dark by 1600, so drove home. Aki cooked salmon steak for dinner, with rice and vegetables. Watched a bit of telly before bath and bed....

Tuesday 21st November 2023

Woke at 0730 but turned over and went back to sleep! It was 0900 when I woke again. Got up and made tea then got back into bed to read some “Twist”. Got up and porridged, and pottered about a bit while Aki used the computer. Managed about six hours at the coal face, breaking to make lunch. Aki sloped off into town mid-afternoon, intending to pop in to John Lewis's to look at their washing machines on her way to a small Kajima work re-union she'd organised at The Larrick in Marylebone. One of their number is on a flying visit from Japan. I warmed up the mushroom risotto for dinner, combining it with leftover black bean sauce, and lots of vegetables. Watched episode 2 of "Boat Story"...it's very quirky, with some very funny ideas in it, not least the portrayal of the main characters' stories through a semi-professional musical theatre piece, watched by the protagonists. The violence is very very violent, though...hence my having to watch it when Aki is out! 

Monday 20th November 2023

Woke at 0830. Tea and “Twist” in bed. Started the Book Club read, "Silence" by Shaksuka Endo...read the introduction, which gives some historical context to the persecution of Japanese Christians in the 17th Century as Japan unified under a shogun. It sounds horrific! Got up and porridged. Pottered about until Aki had finished a stint on the computer, then did some work. Broke for lunch. Aki cycled off for an afternoon swim. I got back in the hot seat. Warmed up the remainder of the chicken chasseur which we ate with fried polenta and pickled prunes. Creme caramel for afters. Watched “Can You Ever Forgive Me?”…a true story based on Lee Israel’s memoir…she was a down at heel writer who took to forging letters purporting to be written by famous dead celebrities…cracking script and great performances from Melissa McCarthy as Lee and Richard E Grant as her nefarious chum. 

Sunday 19th November 2023

Slow start after a busy day yesterday. Read a bit of "Twist" in bed with a mug of tea, and Aki brought me a bowl of fruit and yoghurt for breakfast. Kath FaceTimed from High View...everyone looked in good shape. There seems to be some movement from the NHS on the notion of getting dad's hip opped...see what happens in the New Year. I cooked a late brunch, black beans and tomatoes with eggs and avocado, fried polenta, and toast. Aki cycled off to Waitrose to get some odds and ends. I drove over to Stoke Newington for 'band' rehearsal. Parked near B's, but took some air and walked down the High Street for a quick coffee at Pret. B has decorated her flat...looks good. She made me a revolting mug of chai, with turmeric, soy milk, and vanilla! We worked on the Diane Cluck song, Sara...not sure about it, as Diane goes off key deliberately in her recording, but it just sounds as if B can't sing when she tries it. Also worked on P J Harvey's I Inside the Old I Dying, and Leonard Cohen's Heart With No Companion. Agreed to try and meet up again next weekend. Drove home. Cooked dinner...pork belly with pickled prunes, sauteed potatoes, apple, and chestnut...very tasty. The pickled prunes will go well with Christmas dinner. Watched a bit of telly before bath and bed...

Saturday 18th November 2023

Slow to rise once more...Aki brought me a mug of tea, and I read a little "Twist" in bed. Got up and cooked black beans and eggs for breakfast, with avocado and toast. Walked down to Highbury Corner to join the pro-Palestinian demonstration. Looked a bit sparse when we arrived, but as the speakers took to their loud-hailers, the crowd swelled, and there were apparently about 2,000 of us by the time we set off on the short march along Upper Street to Islington Green, past numerous delicatessens brazenly selling tofu! Not sure we made much of a difference, save for slowing down the buses travelling southward toward the Angel. We peeled away once we got to the Green, and browsed the antiques shops in Camden Passage, and looked in vain for Xmas presents in Muji. Hopped on a No.43 bus back to Holloway, and did some shopping in Waitrose. Aki cooked a spelt mushroom risotto for dinner. Stayed up to watch Later with Jools... before crashing out, exhausted after our revolutionary day!

Friday 17th November 2023

Late rising again this morning...surprisingly weary after yesterday's gentle Qi Gong exercises! Got up and porridged. Aki cycled off to Rowing Club, as the sun was shining. I did a little work, and vacuumed the flat. Aki back for lunch. Ben from No.38 came round in the afternoon for his photo-shoot...he's putting together a website for his new counselling profession, and needs a decent head shot, so Aki had offered to wield her digital SLR. I did a little prep work ahead of next week's inspections in Hertfordshire. I cooked a tasty chicken chasseur for dinner, with parmesan polenta. Not much on the telly, so rehearsed our songs before bed...

Thursday 16th November 2023

Fitful night's sleep...left arm giving me a little gip in the night. Aki up to the alarm at 0830. I got up around 0915 and porridged, then we walked to the community centre in Gillespie Park for Qi Gong class. Aki has been going along with Gayu and Ben from No.38, and George from No.127, and has eventually persuaded me along too. There were three or four other participants in attendance, and a young Chinese teacher who gently took us through her routine. My left arm felt the better for it afterward. Walked back via Waitrose. I made lunch. Aki did some work at the computer in the afternoon while I did some song rehearsal ahead of the Tower Theatre Gig Night next month. Finished off the fish curry for dinner. Watched a bit of telly and rehearsed our xmas ukulele songs before bath and bed...

Wednesday 15th November 2023

Aki up early to ready herself for her cycle ride to Camden Town for a meeting. I rose rather more slowly. Porridged, then walked along Seven Sisters Road to Finsbury Park tube station, and rode the Victoria Line into Kings Cross. Had a browse in the Treasures Room at the British Library, eyeballing an ancient copy of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, and Michael Palin's hand-written first draft of the famous "Spanish Inquisition" sketch, amongst other things. Then wandered down to Brunswick Square to meet Aki, who parked her bike outside Waitrose. We walked towards Doughty Street, stopping for a chicken and avocado sandwich and a coffee at Redemption Cafe, staffed by ex-offenders, who all seemed very polite! Rocked up at the Dickens Museum at No.48 Doughty Street, and paid to enter the hallowed turf. The whole house is open to wander around, a narrow five-storey Georgian terrace that the young Charles and his new wife, Catherine, rented for a couple of years, off the back of his success with "Pickwick". His study on the first floor rather takes the breath away, furnished as it is with his writing desk from Gads Hill Place, and the chair he sat in to write some of his famous works. Aki bought me some Dickens themed Xmas presents in the Gift Shop on her way out...she cycled home, I walked down Lambs Conduit Street, then hopped on a bus in Theobalds Road. Got off in Essex Road, and walked up Cross Street, then did some window shopping in Upper Street, hoping in vain for Xmas present inspiration. Caught a No.19 bus to Finsbury Park, and walked home from there. Warmed up the aubergine parmigiana lasagne for dinner. Practised our Xmas songs before early bath and bed...

Tuesday 14th November 2023

Woke at 0830. Aki brought me a mug of tea. Hauled myself out of bed and porridged before setting off for the bus stop. Walked from Colindale tube station to the VW service centre in a light drizzle, popping in to the new branch of Starbucks on the way to grab a coffee. Picked up the car, by which time it was raining stair rods...got soaked just dashing the 10 metres from the reception area to the car. Drove home in the rain. Aki was out meeting a new chum on Upper Street, so got a bit wet cycling back in the rain for her lunch. Managed a few hours at the computer in the afternoon. Warmed up Aki's mushroom and anchovy pasta sauce for dinner. Watched a bit of telly before bath and bed...

Monday 13th November 2023

Sleep was disturbed by the sound of heavy rain on the bedroom roof at around 0430 as Storm Debi blew in. Slow start come the morning. Got up and porridged. Managed an hour or so at the computer before heading off to Colindale to take the car in for a service. Dropped Aki off at Bang Bang Oriental food hall, and joined her there for lunch after checking the car in at the service centre round the corner. The chicken congee was very tasty…loads of mono sodium glutamate, presumably!? Walked to Colindale tube station and rode the Northern line to Camden Town. Walked the two miles from there up Camden Road to Holloway. Did another couple of hours at the computer then cooked a fish curry, and made some flatbreads. Enjoyed Tom Brady on News at Ten announcing the fact that David Cameron has been made Foreign Secretary with the words “What the heck!?” Cruella Braverman sacked into the bargain…

Sunday 12th November 2023

Woke around 0945...seem to need to sleep in all the time at the moment...maybe I'm still not getting enough calories! Aki made me a mug of tea, and I got up for some brunch. Practised our Xmas party songs on the ukuleles for a bit. FaceTimed the Hagues who were round at Kath's enjoying Sunday lunch. Dad showed us his melanomas!!! Two red lumps, one on either side of his neck, as if Dr Frankenstein had had second thoughts and had removed the neck bolts! They don't seem to be giving him any gip at the moment, but further tests are in the planning. Decided to take a quick walk in the grey afternoon, and bumped into Brett at No.7...she reminded us of the forthcoming Xmas bash, and we assured her rehearsals were well underway. Further on up Sussex Way, we happened upon the former leader of the Labour Party, carrying his collection of poems...I reminded him we'd bumped into eachother at Girasole last week, and told him I'd been to Waterstones to purchase a couple of hardback editions, and asked him if he'd mind signing them...he readily acquiesced, and came in and sat at our dining table and signed the two copies with little notes to the intended recipients...very gracious of him! I told him I was disappointed that Len McCluskey hadn't written a couple of Limericks for the publication! He was on his way to the book launch, which was taking place this afternoon at the Park Theatre. We took a walk up to Highbury Fields, via the Emirates Stadium, and back. I cooked an aubergine parmigiana lasagne for dinner.

Saturday 11th November 2023

Slow start...read some "Oliver Twist" in bed before rising to prepare brunch. Rehearsed the Xmas songs for a bit. Decided to take a walk while the rain held off. Wandered up Hornsey Rise and down into Crouch End, and browsed in the cookware shop for a bit. Walked back via Mountview Road, down into Stroud Green, and bought some odds and ends in Tesco, and at the organic grocery. Walked home and Aki prepared dinner...stir fried vegetables and tofu, with rice, and little mouli pancakes and chilli sauce. Watched a bit of telly before bath and bed...

Friday 10th November 2023

Spent most of the morning at the computer. Broke for some lunch. Rehearsed some Xmas songs with Aki in the afternoon. Warmed up the chicken and black bean stew for dinner, which we ate with noodles. Watched a bit of telly in the evening, before bath and bed...

Thursday 9th November 2023

Woke around 0845 and got dressed...descended to the restaurant for breakfast. Packed my stuff up, and checked out. Most of my inspections today were in and around Gillingham, and Rainham. ad finished by lunchtime, and headed for the Hempstead Valley shopping centre to find some lunch. Ate in the car in the car park, then turned for home. Slow going on the M2, as there was a lorry fire just past Gravesend...took half-an-hour to get past! Slow going through north London, too. Got in around 1600. Aki had been busy prepping for this evening's guests. We managed a bite to eat before they turned up at 2000 for the Book Club get together. Reviews for "Brighton Rock" were mostly favourable, though Gareth found it all a bit bleak, and the depiction of life on the impoverished edge of 1930s society wasn't to Dulcie's taste...you begin to wonder why she wanted to join a Book Club in the first place!?! The next read was chosen as "Silence" by one of Japan's foremost contemporary novelists...made into a film by Scorcese five years or so ago...I don't think Dulcie will enjoy it much!!!

Wednesday 8th November 2023

Woke around 0800. Dozed to R4 for awhile, then got up and showered. Descended to the restaurant for breakfast...I had the place to myself, having mercifully missed the crowds! Ventured out at 1000...pretty gusty wind outside. Came across a fallen tree on my travels in the Chatham suburbs. Broke for lunch and made for Hempstead Shopping Centre. Very busy! Managed to pick up a wrap in M&S, and a coffee in Costa, then drove to the Strand at Gillingham Reach. Parked up overlooking Commodore's Hard, and the Medway estuary. The sandbanks hereabouts have great names...I especially liked Bishop's Ooze! It rained pretty much all afternoon, though the winds died down. It started getting very gloomy by 1630, so I hightailed it back to the Premier Inn, and worked the laptop for an hour or so. Drove over to the Ship & Trades and decided to get a portion of plaice and chips and mushy peas, which meant eating in the car in the car park. It was alright until the inside ceiling lights decided they were wasting too much car battery and plunged me into darkness...it certainly slowed down the food intake! Drove back to the Premier Inn and read some "Brighton Rock" before bed...

Tuesday 7th November 2023

Woke around 0830. Slowly got my act together after a mug of tea and a bowl of porridge. Packed my overnight bag, and stuck a guitar in a guitar case, and walked up to the car. Headed south-eastward. Stopped in Strood to use the facilities and do a little shopping in M&S. Ate my lunch in the car overlooking the Medway and Rochester from Church Green. Inspections in the Chatham suburbs. Gave up around 1630 as the gloaming advanced. Checked in at the Premier Inn in Gillingham. Did a little work on the laptop, then drove to Rochester for dinner at Don Vincenzo's. I was planning to partake in the open mic at the City Walls, but the venue was so uninviting, I baled out and drove back to the hotel. Read some "Brighton Rock" then dozed off to the sound of R6Music...

Monday 6th November 2023

Slow start, as seems to be usual these days. Got up and porridged, then sat at the computer for the morning session. Broke for lunch. Aki cycled off in to Soho to get some bits and pieces from a favourite Japanese food store. I climbed back into my seat in front of the computer. Jane from No.36 knocked on the front window...we arranged to meet here at 1730. Aki got back in good time. Jane and Carlos turned up as arranged, and we walked down the Holloway Road in the gloom. Took a punt on a little Italian place called Berto's...cheap and cheerful, and very tasty. I had a spaghetti with a flavoursome sausage ragu. Aki had a charcoal pizza with a dollop of burrata in the middle of it! Walked on to the Union Chapel. Errol Linton and his band were the support act...his harmonica playing has matured like a fine wine...enough to greatly impress Carlos, who has been having lesson recently. Managed to say hello to Errol in the interval, but there was no time for a catch up. We had worked together at Oily Cart back in 2007. At least he recognised me! The second half of the evening was given over to Sarah Brown singing songs from the Mahalia Jackson songbook...a lot of gospel and spirituals...she was fantastic...a class act with a belting voice. Great little band behind her...Chris Spedding made an appearance on guitar accompaniment...I last saw him and his band at the Reading Festival...in 1976!!! By the time Sarah sang "Amazing Grace" at the end, we were all brushing away tears! Amazing!!! 

Sunday 5th November 2023

Needed a lie in after last night’s shenanigans! Aki brought me a mug of tea in bed. Got up and had yoghurt and fruit for breakfast. Did an hour at the computer. Lunched, then walked up Highgate Hill for our constitutional. Interesting exhibition of watercolours in Lauderdale House…some excellent technique on show. Took a walk around the grounds of Waterlow Park before walking back down the hill, then hopping on a bus down to Holloway. Did a little shopping in Waitrose. Back home, we warmed up the tuna pasta bake for dinner. Watched a bit of telly...now on the sixth and final series of "Better Call Saul"...

Saturday 4th November 2023

Got up for a cooked brunch. I did an hour at the computer, then we headed for Camden Town on the 253 bus. Camden High Street was very busy, so it was a slow walk up towards Chalk Farm...a lot of people ambling slowly about on their way to Camden Market. We cleared the throng, and walked on up Haverstock Hill to the Everyman Cinema opposite Belsize Park tube station. Saw the new Korean/American movie, "Past Lives", a story of leave-taking and life changing choices that lead to lost love...nicely done, and quite moving in a quiet way. Walked back down the hill and caught a No.323 bus in Prince of Wales Road. Had time for a cup of tea at home before ambling up to Kevin and Laurence's at No.93 for dinner. She'd cooked a tasty chicken and mushroom dish....coq au vin minus the vin, which we ate with rice and broccoli. Pleasant evening catching up and having a beer. We made some loose arrangements to go see stuff at some point...got home around 2330. I then spent about two hours sitting on the loo...got to bed around 0145!!!

Friday 3rd November 2023

Slow start. Aki brought me a mug of tea in bed, and I read a little before rising for porridge. Aki cycled off to Rowing Club. I worked at the computer before breaking for lunch. Managed a bit more work at the computer in the afternoon. I made a pasta tuna bake for dinner...it was OK, but a bit too stodgy. Watched "I Know Where I'm Going", a Powell & Pressburger classic from 1945 which has been bigged up of late by the likes of Tilda Swinton, to coincide with a Powell & Pressburger retrospective at the BFI...didn't do much for me, though! Bath and bed...

Thursday 2nd November 2023

Sleep disturbed by the sound of Storm Ciaran...high winds making much noise as they lashed rain against the roof above. It was still raining by morning, though the winds had died down. Got up and made tea. Porridged. Aki went off to Tai Chi with Gayu. I worked at the computer for the rest of the morning. Aki came back in time for a late lunch. Worked for the rest of the afternoon, breaking around 1730. Aki baked trout for dinner. Storm Ciaran seems to have largely passed us by, though the south coast took a battering. Watched a bit of telly before bath and bed...

Wednesday 1st November 2023

Woke around 0830. Got up and made tea. Read "Brighton Rock" in bed before rising to breakfast on kefir and yoghurt, followed by peanut butter on toast. Managed to get a bit of work done at the computer. Aki made ramen noodle soup for lunch, then dragged me out for a 30 minute walk to the Emirates Stadium and back. Did some more sitting at the computer this afternoon. Warmed up the remainder of the chicken rendang for dinner, which we ate with rice and vegetables. Cheese and biscuits for afters. Watched a BBC documentary on Britain's Housing Crisis...enough to make anyone angry! Why do people vote Tory!?! They should be put up against a wall and shot. Bath and bed...

Tuesday 31st October 2023

Slow start this morning...read a bit of "Brighton Rock" in bed before rising. Yoghurt and kefir for breakfast, with added fruit and nuts. Sat at the computer for most of the morning, breaking to make lunch. More of the same for the afternoon. Cooked some pasta for dinner, which we ate with a chilli pesto sauce and prawns. Very tasty...the pesto was bought in M&S...will definitely seek out again in future. Watched a bit of telly before bath and bed...