Friday 29th December 2023

Woke a little later than planned. Pretty lousy night’s sleep, disturbed by abdominal pains, but managed an evacuation in the morning. Descended for breakfast…still trying to use up the foodstuff that’s filling the fridge, so Aki and I fried up the last of the nut roast, with egg, bacon and tomato. Put a small packed lunch together…a slice of chicken pie with some salad. Packed our belongings into the car and said our farewells…ma and pa waved us off from the porch. Filled up with petrol at the airport and headed south down a busy A1M. Slow going at times. It was wet and windy by the time we rocked up in West Bridgford. We were greeted by Bob and Lottie, and had a festive catch up over a cuppa, before driving them in to the Lace Market and parking in a multi-storey. Peggy’s Skylight hadn’t opened their doors yet, so we perambulated Market Square, where a Frost Fair was in full swing. 

Stuck our heads in at what used to be Yates’s Wine Lodge, where many a drunken evening in the late 1970’s ended up.  Peggy's turned out to be a slightly larger venue than anticipated, and we were guided to a table in a very central position, in front of the bar. Spotted Errol and said hello, and exchanged a few pleasantries. Ordered some nibbles before Errol and the band took to the stage. Great set which went down a storm with the locals, eliciting a standing ovation and two encores! Said goodbye to Errol, and promised to catch him at Effra Hall in the New Year. Wandered around the corner to a little Neapolitan pizza parlour…the white base pizzas were enormous so we shared, with a side salad. They were very good. Repaired to the car park and drove us all back to West Bridgford. Sat in the living room drinking lemon tea and eating Lottie’s homemade Xmas cake. Bob had borrowed a password for Disney+ and we watched Part One of Peter Jackson’s “Get Back” documentary, following the creative process that lead up to the Beatles’ final live performance atop the Apple Corps office in Savile Row in January 1969. Fascinating stuff…