Friday 8th December 2023

Aki up early to ready herself for Rowing Club…she’d cycled off by the time I got up. Noticed one of the neighbours was advertising a free marble cake stand, and I managed to get in first. Arranged to pick up from around the corner after lunch. Did a couple of hours at the computer then headed out to look for an Anniversary card for Aki…it’s our thirteenth anniversary tomorrow. Walked to Finsbury Park, popping in at the little gift shop on Stroud Green Road, then walked up to The Dairy for lunch…the pub had been recently refurbished but the food has definitely taken a bit of a nose-dive. Enjoyed a glass of Guinness, then walked up the hill and down into Crouch End. Popped into M&S and bought croissants for tomorrow morning. Walked home via No.91 Windsor Road, and picked up the cake stand…Kathryn gave me a tour of her one-up-one-down house…it’s a tiny modern infill plot, but I liked the basement garden, which is book-ended by tall full length mirrors, making the outdoor space feel twice the size it actually is…very clever! Set off early for Stoke Newington in the car…just as well, as the traffic was appalling. Aki jumped out near Stoke Newington station, as I knew we wouldn’t make Rasa by 6pm…she got there and bagged a table while I found somewhere to park near the theatre. Katrina and Lesley had arrived by the time I joined. Really enjoyed the food…it’s a South Indian vegetarian restaurant of long standing…cheap and very very tasty…I especially enjoyed the rice pudding with a hint of cardamom!!! Got to the theatre with minutes to spare…watched the Tower production of “Stones in His Pockets”, which had been a big west end hit in the late 90’s. The two lads did a grand job, though their character delineations could have been a bit more marked.