Monday 24th June 2024

Woke at 0830. Got up and porridged. Slung a packed lunch together. Headed off in the car to mop up some Peabody stock inspections. First stop was Marylebone...had to find somewhere to park, then walk down Lisson Grove. Stopped off at Pret a Manger in Marylebone railway station. Then headed west to White City, before dropping south to Fulham, then double-backed to North Acton. Stopped off at Tesco on the A4 near Earls Court and did a little food shopping. Ate my lunch in the car park there. Ended the working day in Bedfont, near Heathrow Airport, then drove home through slow traffic. Aki had warmed up the Toulouse sausage and butter bean cassoulet for dinner, which we had with orzo and vegetables, then we walked up to Hanley Road for gospel choir rehearsal. Rather a low turnout this evening...presumably half of them were out sunbathing or something! Only three tenors turned up! Walked home to catch the second half of the Croatia v Italy game...the Italians were lucky not to go out, salvaging a 1-1 draw in the last minute of injury time...it's never over til it's over! 

Sunday 23rd June 2024

Aki up early to ready herself for Rowing Club. I read in bed for a bit...finished off Dickens' "The Chimes". Got up for a cooked breakfast. Aki cycled off. Lovely summer's day, so walked up Highgate Hill for a coffee from Gail's. Sat in Waterlow Park to drink it before wandering back down the hill to M&S. Couldn't find any leeks, so ended up in Morrisons. Came home and watched the back end of the Queen's Club final between Paul & Musetti...Tommy Paul won, and looks in good shape for Wimbledon. Cooked a sausage and butter bean cassoulet to put by for emergencies during the coming week. FaceTimed Kath who was at High View cooking dinner for mum, dad, Jim, and Emma. Everyone seemed in good fettle beneath a cloudless blue sky. Cooked a chicken traybake, with mango, rice and kidney beans for dinner, which we ate before the Scotland v Hungary game kicked off...a must win for both teams. Scotland never really looked like scoring, Hungary stealing a last gasp winner.

Saturday 22nd June 2024

Woke around 0900. Aki got up and made tea, then cycled off to buy bread from Yerbury Farmer's Market, while I vacuumed. She brought back some of Roberto's tomato and onion focaccia, which we ate with our egg and halloumi brunch. Took a walk down to Highbury, and from thence onto Essex Road to visit our fishmonger. Walked back via the butcher. It threatened to rain for most of the walk, but fortunately held off. Got home in time to catch the second half of the Georgia v Czechia game...astonished to find the Georgians 1-0 up, but it didn't last. Flicked between tennis from Queen's and the Turkey v Portugal game. Aki prepared a little Japanese style banquet for dinner, then watched the Belgians defeat the plucky Romanians. 

Friday 21st June 2024

Woke late. Aki got up and made tea. I rose around 1015. Porridged at the computer. Broke for lunch. Watched a bit of Euro footie...Ukraine came back from a one goal deficit to beat Slovakia 2-1...great stuff. We ventured out for an afternoon walk in the sunshine... wandered down to Highbury Fields, and popped in at Waitrose on the return leg. Made an aubergine parmigiana lasagna for dinner. Watched France and The Nederlands fight out a rather disappointing goalless draw before bath and bed...

Thursday 20th June 2024

Woke late, around 0900. Some vivid dreams last night...including watching a car reverse into mine on Sussex Way, damaging the registration plate. Aki brought me a tea. Got up and porridged at the computer. Worked through until lunch time. Slung lunch together. Watched the Serbia v Slovenia game. Tony texted to say he wouldn't be able to join us for summat to eat before the show this evening, so we decided to eat at home...which meant we got to watch the first half of England's game against Denmark. We got off to a good start, Harry Kane poking the ball in from 6 yards, but then became too passive, allowing a long-range shot to go in for Denmark...we had our dinner at half-time, then headed for the Southbank. Warm evening...very warm down in the tube station at Finsbury Park. Got out at Embankment and strolled across the Hungerford footbridge. Tony had gotten us great seats in row F of the stalls in the Lyttleton. I really enjoyed the first half...Dickens' long novel was expertly filleted by Ben Power, and I enjoyed P J Harvey's songs, but the lyrics got lost beneath the sounds of the small on-stage backing band. The lighting rig became part of the action, rows of lamps being lowered and raised in waves to suggest the tidal waters of the Thames...and bodies were fished out or fell in to the pit every now and then, accompanied by a splash sound effect. Managed to say hello to Tony at the interval, but he had to rush off to catch the Hastings train...as usual, he only audio describes the first half (I didn't tell him the woman listening to his description in the seat next to mine started snoring halfway through Act I). He said audiences had been poor, and that he'd been surprised the show hadn't closed...the NT were papering the house fairly regularly. The second half wasn't as good, as the filleting meant Dickens got watered down as the tide came in, the storyline becoming increasingly stunted...and I missed some of Dickens' comic characters, notably Mrs Boffin, and the one-legged Silas Wegg...Ben Power even got to invent a character who doesn't appear in the novel. So the question in the end, was did the songs aid the adaptation or no? I think their inclusion meant a lot of storyline had to be junked, and maybe a straight textual adaptation would have been more satisfying. However, I look forward to the cast recording of P J's songs...as there were two or three crackers; and I'd get to decipher the lyrics! We walked back over the Hungerford Bridge, and then strolled through Covent Garden, picking up the No.91 bus opposite Holborn tube station. Got to bed at 0130!

Wednesday 19th June 2024

Rather fitful night's sleep...pain in my left arm, which was muted, presumably through my having been back on the amitriptyline, but I lay awake in terror that it might escalate. Must have drifted off around 0230. Woke up at 0545 worrying about the Peabody mystery that Andy G had sprung upon me last night. Got up at 0730 and made tea. Porridged. Aki readied herself for Rowing Club, and cycled off. I worked at the computer until breaking for lunch. Work meant I had to abandon plans to accompany Aki to see Gayu's Foundation Arts course exhibition in Camden Town...she headed off with Jane and Carlos from No.36. Caught some of the Croatia v Albania game...which ended in a creditable draw for the Albanians. Worked until 1700, then broke to watch the Germany v Hungary game (2-0). Started making a coq au vin for dinner during the second half...served it up with orzo and vegetables before the Scotland v Switzerland game kicked off...the Scots had turned up in numbers in Cologne, and got off to a great start, but enter Shaqiri's magical left foot to draw the Swiss level, and so it remained. 

Tuesday 18th June 2024

Woke around 0900. Aki brought me some tea and I read some Dickens. Got up and porridged. Aki working at the computer for most of the morning. I worked on some Kinks songs ahead of tonight's rehearsal. Broke for lunch, then ventured out to pick up some odds and ends in Tescos on Stroud Green Road. Walked up to Crouch Hill railway station and had a coffee in the little cafe there, then walked home. I made a pea and lemon risotto, with spelt instead of rice. Aki topped it off with some fried Oyster mushrooms...it was very tasty. Watched a bit of footie before departing for St Luke's and this evening's Vox Holloway rehearsals. I usually sit beside Johnathan, who has sung this stuff before, but he didn't turn up this evening...the blokes I sat next to were clueless! So I think I came away with more questions than answers. I walked down Parkhurst Road afterward, and dived in to the Prince Edward to catch the last ten minutes of the Portugal v Czech Republic game...the Portuguese scrambled a last gasp winner. Found an email from Andy Garratt claiming I had missed a bunch of stock off my last valuation...but the list he sent me this evening I certainly hadn't seen before. Will have to sort it out in the morning, but it looks as though some swift research will be needed!!!
 

Monday 17th June 2024

Woke late...rolled out of bed and made tea. Porridged. Aki working at the computer for most of the morning. I pottered about...did a little reading, and practised some Bowie. Cooked up some savoury black beans for dinner later, as we'll have a quick turnaround. Made some lunch, then we set off for Holborn, walking to Finsbury Park in the sunshine, and hopping on a Piccadilly Line train. As we exited the platform we bumped into Jeremy Corbyn, with a couple of youthful activists in tow...he accompanied us up the long escalators, which afforded us a quick chat. He said his campaign was going well, and he was on his way to the LSE to congratulate the new graduates. We left him outside the tube station, and I gave him a fisted salute and wished him luck. We headed for the Garden Cinema to watch their screening of "The Heartbreak Kid"...it turned out I'd researched the re-make with Ben Stiller...the screening was of the 1972 original, starring Charles grodin, Jeannie Berlin (the director, Elaine May's, daughter), and a young Cybill Shepherd. The screenplay was by Neil Simon...but it felt a bit disjointed, especially the rather dubious character of Lenny, with whom it was difficult to sympathise. I think I prefer the look of the 2007 re-make. We dived back down Holborn tube station, and caught a No.91 bus outside Caledonian Road station, in a bid to get home in time to cook dinner before heading to Hanley Road for gospel choir rehearsals. Pan-fried hake, with the beans I'd cooked earlier, and some sauteed potatoes. Got to rehearsal in good time. Not a great turnout, but the tenors were well-represented for a change. Got home in time to catch the second half of the France v Austria game. Looked like Mbappe exited the pitch with a broken nose late on...the French scraped a 1-0 win. 
 

Sunday 16th June 2024

Woke around 0945 feeling very weary. Aki already up readying for Rowing Club. I got up for breakfast...we fried up the last of the vegetarian haggis that had been in the freezer since January! Aki cycled off to Stamford Hill. I walked down to the bus stop on Tollington Road to catch a No.29 bus into town. Purchased a Time Out  guide to Lisbon in Foyles bookshop, and repaired to the cafe on the fifth floor to have a read. Also picked up a couple of Edinburgh Fringe programmes. Wandered up Tottenham Court Road and bought a pair of summer shorts, then walked down New Oxford Street and caught a No.91 bus opposite Holborn station. Got home before Aki returned. Had some peanut butter on toast for lunch, and watched the final 20 minutes of the Poland v Netherlands game. That was followed by the Denmark v Slovenia game, which was an entertaining 1-1 draw...both teams in England's group. Made a cavolo nero pesto sauce with walnuts, which we ate with some ravioli. Fried up some panettone for dessert, with a scoop of raspberry spoom. Then settled down for the England v Serbia game. Great first 30 minutes...Jude Bellingham was imperious at everything he did, topped off with a bravely headed goal on 13 minutes...the England supporters serenaded him with a vociferous rendition of "Hey Jude". We hung on to take three points and top the Group table.

Saturday 15th June 2024

Woke around 0830. Aki got up and made tea. I got up for breakfast. A day of sunshine and showers...more April, than June! We hopped on a bus to Finsbury Park, and then a tube train to Oxford Circus...by the time we surfaced the rain had stopped. Walked down toward Selfridges, stopping off at Sole Trader, where Aki tried on some trainers, eventually plumbing for a pair of On's. Walked on down to Selfridges to take a pair she'd bought on Friday back...had a browse around the Menswear department, before heading back east to John Lewis's, where I bought a straw hat for next month's trip to Lisbon. We strolled back through the back streets, passing Savills' HQ, and sticking our heads in at Hobgoblin to enquire about a pick-up for my mandolin. They suggested I make contact with the luthier, Paul Hathway. Caught a No.73 bus to Euston, changing there for a No.91 home. Watched football for most of the remainder of the day. Got very excited when Albania scored within 23 seconds against the reigning champions, Italy, but the Italians went on to win 2-1. I cooked tahini baked chicken thighs for dinner, with spelt and vegetables, and a tahini and coriander sauce...it wasn't as flavoursome as we'd hoped. 

Friday 14th June 2024

Woke around 0900. Aki got up and made tea. I stayed in bed and read some Dickens. Got up for porridge. Aki working at the computer. I finished off "Our Mutual Friend"...go see the NT version next week. Can't say it blew me away...some longeurs, and a habit of repetition which made the longeurs longer! Heated up some leftover ragu for dinner, with fried garlic mushrooms, and some pasta. Walked round to the library on Blackstock Road to drop off our copy of "Coming Through Slaughter", and pick up the new Book Club read, "The Leopard". Walked up Stroud Green Road to buy some odds and ends in Green & Glory before walking home. The forecast rain hung back, fortunately. Aki cooked salmon for dinner, with rice, kimchi, and miso soup. Watched the Germans hammer the Scots 5-1 in the opening game of the Euros before bath and bed...

Thursday 13th June 2024

Woke at around 0800. Aki already up readying herself to head to Camden for a meeting. She brought me a mug of tea. Got up and porridged. Headed out to complete some inspections, stopping at Manor House to fill up with petrol, and get some items from Sainsburys. Then drove on to Edmonton, and Enfield, before ending up in Colindale. Got home around 1415. Made avocado toast for lunch, and sat at the computer until 1630. Aki came back, having grabbed lunch in town. I made an onion tart to take to Book Club. Ate the last of the mushroom and coconut curry for dinner, then walked up to No.120 in the drizzle. We were first to arrive. Gayu and Jane missing tonight, though. The onion tart went down well. No-one seemed quite as enthused about the artistry on show in "Coming Through Slaughter" as was, largely seeming to miss the point. We chose "The Leopard" for the next read, with the next meet set for 22nd August. Got home about 2215 and watched some News before bath and bed...

Wednesday 12th June 2024

Woke to alarm at 0800. Aki brought me a mug of tea, but I got up in order to cook Jim some breakfast before he headed back to Kings Cross. Aki left to cycle off to Rowing Club, and I walked Jim round to the No.91 bus stop around the corner. Came home and pottered about for a bit before doing some exercises. Aki rang to say she'd lunch at the cafe next the Rowing Club...I made do with peanut butter on toast, having cooked myself and Jim a generous brunch. Rehearsed some Bowie. Aki got back around 1400. I finished off reading "Coming Through Slaughter"...a great read, full of invention. Aki made dad's Father's Day card, and posted it off. I kneaded some pasta dough ahead of tonight's dinner. Made tagliatelle which we had with the defrosted ragu. Nowt much on telly. Watched a Japanese film called "Father of the Milky Way Railroad", about the short life of a famous Japanese poet who died of tuberculosis in the 1930s. It was OK, but a little shallow...looked as if they'd planned to aim at children.

Tuesday 11th June 2024

Woke at 0915...Aki brought me a mug of tea, and I read some Dickens in bed before rising and porridging. Sat and read some Ondaatje before Aki headed out the door with it...she's got a JCUK meet early afternoon. Rehearsed some Bowie songs before making my way to Kings Cross. Took a No.91 bus there, and walked along the Regents Canal, stopping off at the Waitrose cafe to grab a toastie, which I ate on a bench overlooking the canal. Wandered on down to meet Jim Lister off the train, and walked him around Coal Drops Yard...showed him the community radio studio that Barney's girlfriend Genna uses, and we poked our heads in at Samsung, before buying tea and coffee at Waitrose. We sat on the canal bank chatting, then headed for the No.91 bus back to Sussex Way. I served up the mushroom and coconut curry I'd made yesterday, with rice, daal, and roti, followed by panettone French toast with peaches and dark chocolate, accompanied by a dollop of raspberry spoom. We took a No.29 bus to Tottenham Court Road, getting off at Cambridge Circus and walking to The Lower Third in Denmark Street. It used to be the 12 Bar Club, but has been re-configured and re-fitted as a cocktail bar, plus two gig rooms...Barney's band, MRCY, were playing in the basement venue. We were just about the first there, and stood at the bar listening to the reggae tunes the DJ was playing. Barney's school friend, Louie, was the support act, looping his cello to create subtle textures, and delivering his idiosyncratic songs. MRCY did a nine song set...they are working on writing material for a second EP due out later in the year. By the time they came on, the place was packed, and they stormed through a moving soul-inflected set. The young guy standing behind us knew all the words and sang along! Guy Garvey was hanging at the back somewhere. Great night. We said our goodbyes and left the young 'uns to their after-party, catching a No.29 bus back to Sussex Way.

Monday 10th June 2024

Fitful night's sleep, for some reason...felt like I was waking every half hour or so...kept getting images from The Piano Concert programme I'd watched last night, and images of Michael Mosley on a Greek hillside beneath a midday sun! Aki got up at 0830 and made tea. I read in bed for a bit, before getting up to porridge. Aki decided to trim the hedge out front before the rains swept in. I helped tidy up, then we wandered over to Waitrose to do a shop. Had some lunch when we got home. I made raspberry spoom, and a mushroom and coconut curry ahead of tomorrow evening. Did some vacuuming and cleaning. I warmed up the chicken and mushroom pie for dinner, with some cavolo nero on the side. Walked up to Hanley Road for gospel choir rehearsal. Seem to be different people there almost every week...that said, there was a much better turnout of tenors (though I'm singing an octave below them...a single bass baritone). Our gig is only a month away now. Chatted in the break with the bloke sitting next to me...Marcus, from Germany...somewhere near Lake Constance. We walked home afterward. Nowt on telly so read for a while before soaking in the bath and listening to Night Tracks on R3.

　

Sunday 9th June 2024

Woke around 0900. Aki brought me a mug of tea, and I stayed in bed reading Dickens. Got up and made brunch. Worked on trying to patch up the sofa bed ahead of Jim's visit on Tuesday...I screwed a length of hardwood to the inside of the front fascia, in a bid to encourage the split around the knot to hang together for our guest! FaceTimed ma and pa...they looked in relatively good spirits, awaiting the arrival of Jim and Emma, who were planning to cook them Sunday lunch. Walked up to the North Nineteen, with our instruments in tow. George, Katherine, and Lorraine already there, and Celia, Christine, and Ben turned up...pretty much a full house. Enjoyed a couple of hours plonking away, though a bit rusty. Walked back down Sussex Way with Katherine and George, quizzing them about their recent cycle ride along the River Seine to Honfleur. Aki cooked sea bass for dinner, with spelt and aubergine...very tasty. Watched the final concert of "The Piano"...got through several boxes of tissues...everyone was phenomenally good. Really enjoyed it. Watched The Ten...sad news of the discovery of Dr Michael Mosley's body on the Greek island of Symi. The good doctor will be sadly missed...

Saturday 8th June 2024

Woke late...Aki got up and made tea, before cycling off to Yerbury Farmer's Market to get bread. I got up and prepared brunch for her return. Walked over to Octopus Community Garden off Tufnell park Road...they were having an open day, and Aki wanted to take a couple of cushions over to empty their feathers into the composting bins. Katherine was there, and Matt, who we had met at Katherine and George's dinner party a couple of months ago...I didn't recognise him at first, but suddenly twigged. Aki bought a couple of chard seedlings, and a couple of cucumber seedlings, then we walked home. I did some work on trying to repair the sofa bed...Aki didn't think my mending plates would be very effective, so I ended up cutting a length of 2x4, intending to screw it to the extant piece which has split around a large knot. The task was interrupted by our having to set off for the Kings Head Theatre. We walked it, getting there with five minutes to spare...we had procured cheap preview tickets for "Houdini's Greatest Escape", which turned out to be a rather silly hour-and-half's entertainment, with four actors playing multiple roles...it should have been right up my street, but felt rather muted...the silliness needed playing up much more. The new theatre space is very disappointing...despite a steep rake to the seating, the playing space is sunk well below the level of the front row, resulting in appalling sight lines. Don't think I'll be returning. We then capered on down to Islington Green to eat at the Afghan Kitchen. Sat next to a young American couple who have been residing in the Angel area for the last seven months, both working in London. We passed on a few restaurant recommendations. Walked home...Upper Street was busy...a lot of eating and drinking going on...

Friday 7th June 2024

Woke at around 0900. Got up and made tea to drink in bed. Eventually rose, and porridged at the computer. Worked until 11.30. Started learning Bowie's "The Man Who Sold the World" ahead of Lou's 60th birthday party in July. Read some "Coming Through Slaughter". Broke for lunch...finished off the pizza. Worked through some more possible Bowie songs, settling on "Starman" and "Ashes To Ashes", to make up a three-song set...better check with Lou whether anyone else is planning to do Bowie covers on the night. Warmed up the chicken, leek and mushroom pie for dinner, with some vegetables on the side. Walked to the bus stop outside Waitrose on Tollington Road, and caught a No.91 bus towards Kings Cross. Got off near Cally Pool, and walked along the Regents Canal eating ice creams. Met up with Katrina in the bar at Kings Place, where we had tickets to see John McCusker and Friends...his illustrious chums included Mike McGoldrick, a fabulous woodwind flute, and whistle player, though he kicked the evening off with a superb turn on the pipes. My guitar hero, Kris Drever, was also part of the backing band, and guests included Roddy Woomble, and Jackie Oates. A great evening of Scottish influenced tunes and song...we really enjoyed it. I bought a collection of sheet music from John after the gig, hoping I can persuade our pals in our Scottish fiddle tune group to take up the challenge. Waved goodbye to Katrina outside the venue, and caught a No.91 bus home...

Thursday 6th June 2024

Aki up early to ready herself for a day trip to Bromley. I got up around 0900 and porridged. Slung a packed lunch together, then set off for Bishops Stortford...nice day for it. Stopped off at Birchanger Green service station and grabbed a coffee. Stop after Stortford was a little village near Baldock, called Ashwell. As I was nearing it, on the A10, I got a warning light on my dash stating that my rear left tyre was losing pressure. I managed to get to the next stop in Ashwell...parked up and I spotted a chunky looking screw head embedded in the rubber! There was no internet connectivity, so I couldn't google for mobile tyre replacement operations, but the tenant of the house I was looking at informed me that there was a garage a few hundred yards away. Managed to get them to take a look at it for me. I left the car with them, and ate my packed lunch on a bench overlooking the village cricket green, then ambled down the High Street in search of an ice cream. I came across a couple of signs detailing the fact that Ashwell was originally a Roman settlement, built around a spring...by Norman times it was a thriving market town. I enjoyed my ice cream on a bench in St Mary's churchyard, and found a footpath that lead me down to the springs. The water was astonishingly clear, gushing from chalk beds below the High Street...I had to cross the chalk stream via some stepping stones. Got back to the garage...they had managed to effect a repair, so only cost me £29, and I was back on the road. Drove down to another little village, near Hitchin, and on to my final stop for the day in east Stevenage. Headed back down the A1(M), getting home before Aki. I prepared a crab salad for dinner, which we ate on her return, around 1900. She'd enjoyed her trip to Bromley...the photos she'd taken showed a rather dated sheltered scheme, which didn't fire the imagination very much...fortunately, she hadn't put our names on the waiting list!

Wednesday 5th June 2024

 

As I reached out for my glass of water on the bedside table at around 0515, Aki turned over and kicked my foot, resulting in my pushing the mug of water over, and soaking the bedside table...had to get up and get a load of kitchen towels from the front room! Aki up early to ready herself for Rowing Club. I lazed in bed for a bit, reading “Coming Through Slaughter”. Got up and porridged. Did a bit of work trying to learn the guitar part to Emilia’s Torrini’s “Sunnyroad”. Ventured out to get some odds and ends from Waitrose. Got back in time to catch Aki putting her bike away. Cooked a couple of slices of pizza for lunch, with a side salad. We worked in the front garden after lunch, me up the step ladder with the shears, pruning the wisteria before it gets too out of hand. Prepared a chicken, leek and mushroom pie for dinner…it was topped with potato rather than pastry, and was a trifle disappointing. Aki had a zoom meeting with her Japanese OAP gang, so I ambled over to the Owl & Hitchiker for the open mic. Nice room…feels more comfortable than the rather oddly shaped North Nineteen, but there weren’t many participants, and the atmosphere was rather lacking. I got up at around 2100 and did three Stones numbers. Matt the host was persuaded to join me onstage to whack the cahon to Country Honk. Aki walked in just as I began Sweet Virginia. Really enjoyed a rapper called Unique Technician, who performed to a pulsing backing track. Walked home; bath and bed…

Tuesday 4th June 2024

Woke around 0800. Got up and made tea. Read some Dickens in bed before rising to porridge. No work on, so sat about reading a bit of Dickens here, and a bit of "Coming Through Slaughter" there. Partook of an early lunch...the leftover Bolognese sauce on toast with a bit of salad. Aki wanted to go in to town to try on some trainers...we walked to Finsbury Park tube station, and took a Piccadilly Line train to Piccadilly Circus. Kath texted to say that the news from the Freeman Hospital wasn't good. It transpires dad has prostate cancer, and it has spread to his hip, which means cancelling the hip op pencilled in for tomorrow morning. He starts a course of medication, so it sounded hopeful that the disease could be stalled, at which point we can get another opinion on the wisdom of a hip op. Aki tried some trainers on in a shop on Piccadilly, and found a pair she liked, but they only had one colour, so she decided to make further investigations online. Walked round to the Japanese convenience store on Brewer Street, where we bought some odds and ends, then dived back down the tube station and headed home. FaceTimed ma and pa...they seemed in good spirits, despite today's setback. He starts a month's course of tablets today, and then has to report to the Freeman for an injection every six months. Had the last of the Spanish bean and tomato stew, with pan-fried cod, and some greens on the side. I walked over to Hilmarton Road for rehearsal with Vox Holloway...Mr Brough was on good form, though we struggled to get through "All of My Friends Were There", a very complex arrangement that will take a lot more work prior to the concert, I fear. Walked back in the rain. Watched The Ten before bath and bed...

Monday 3rd June 2024

Slow start this morning. Dozed until 0900. Aki brought me a mug of tea, which I drank in bed; read some Dickens. Porridged at the computer, as I needed to put my May expenses claims in. We had trout and salad for lunch. Aki pottered about in the front garden after lunch. I sat about reading, most of the time...started "Coming Through Slaughter"...lovin' it! Got a message from Kath saying dad had been offered his hip operation on Wednesday, the team having had a last minute cancellation. He hasn't had the results of last Thursday's bone scan, though...I think he should wait to get that before going ahead. I rang him, and he said he'd just had a message calling him in for a chat with the scan team tomorrow morning...hope it's not bad news. Kath said she'd take him in, with mum riding sidecar. Had an early dinner...ragu and tagliatelle, with some cabbage on the side. Tasty enough, though I think it could do without the chicken liver, which adds slightly too strong a flavour. Walked up to Hanley Road for Gospel Choir rehearsal. Not in good voice, but got through it in one piece, and walked home. Watched a bit of telly before bath and bed...

Sunday 2nd June 2024

Woke around 0900. Kath had already gone to work. Mum and dad sat at dining table having breakfast. Jim and Emma were breakfasting in their van on the driveway. Nice sunshiny morning. Sat outside with a mug of tea. Took a walk down to Darras Hall to get some stottie cake for lunch, but couldn't find anything of much interest in Davidson's Bakery, so resolved to make my own, and bought six oven-bottom muffins from the Co-op. Walked back to High View to discover mum had prepared open sandwiches for lunch! I pimped them up with some additional avocado, olives, and rocket, and added some cold meats to the plates. Kath drove me down to Callerton parkway to catch the Metro...mum came too, and we said our hurried goodbyes on the platform as the train came in. Got to Central Station half-an-hour before my train was due to depart, only to find utter chaos, as someone had gone under a train north of Newcastle, thereby stranding trains heading for Edinburgh, and trains coming from that direction. Stood on platform 4 watching the departures board change as services were delayed, or cancelled. My train finally rocked up an hour late, and we headed south at last. Got in to Kings Cross at 1830, and took a No.91 bus home. Aki had prepared a tasty roast chicken dinner. We watched some telly...got a bit teary over The Piano as the chosen few rehearsed for the concert finale...some astonishing talent on display, most notably the Scouse lad, Darius, who composes movie-less film scores, and had created one celebrating his foster parents...not a dry eye in the house! 

Saturday 1st June 2024

Woke at 0900…exhausted after yesterday’s efforts in the kitchen. Read some Dickens before descending for crunchy nut cornflakes and a mug of tea. We sat in the dining room reading the paper. By late morning it was warm enough to venture out into the back garden. I cooked a sardine agrodolce for lunch with toast and a bit of salad. Jim and Emma turned up as I was serving up…they plan to park the van on the drive tonight. Sat outside supping tea and having a catch up. Ordered Indian takeaway for dinner, as there are six mouths to feed this evening. I took some afternoon exercise, walking down to the shops at Darras to buy some milk, and a bottle of sherry. Kath drove down later to pick up the food…I put the oven on and warmed the naans. We ate outside on the patio...very tasty...the food, not the patio! Watched a bit of "Rebus" before heading upstairs to listen to some Kinks rehearsal aids. Kath came in on her way to bed to say the 87 year old woman she'd been out to see this evening had fallen downstairs, and she'd had to call an ambulance out! A rather grim hazard of the caring profession, I fear!!!

Friday 31st May 2024

Woke at 0800. Hauled myself out of bed and downstairs for breakfast. Mum had cancelled her visit to the Freeman for physio…she has exercises she can do at home. I did an hour and a half’s work at my laptop…seem to have put my neck out…very painful for the rest of the day. I then drove down to Waitrose in the Up! to do a little shopping. Put lunch together when I got back to High View…poached eggs on toast with salad and sliced cold meats. Had forgotten to buy bread this morning, so took a walk down to Darras shops and bought a sliced loaf from the Co-op. Spent the rest of the afternoon cooking…put together a fish pie, cauliflower cheese, and a fruit crumble. Kath returned from work in time for dinner. Watched a bit of telly before shower and bed...

Thursday 30th May 2024

Alarm at 0700. Rolled out of bed and staggered downstairs to make tea. Dad already sat at the kitchen table having his cereal. Set off for Gosforth at 0815…I drove dad in to the Freeman hospital in Mum’s Up! Parked up in a disabled bay in the visitors car park, not realising this would mean a quarter mile long walk through the endless corridors of the south wing of the hospital. Got to the Nuclear Medicine clinic on time, and dad was called in fairly promptly...I went to the cafe to find a coffee...to my surprise, dad wandered into the cafe just as I had paid up. He had had some kind of fluid injected into his system, prior to a full body scan...we were told to come back in about two hours, so we decided to drive over to Kingston Park, so I could buy some odds and ends ahead of tonight's dinner. Got him back to the Freeman in good time for his scan...I went for a walk through nearby Paddy Freeman Park...needless to say it started raining. Got back to the hospital by noon, and was again surprised to see father in the cafe...thought they'd take longer with the scan...we sat and had a coffee and a bun, then walked back down the long corridor to the car park. The staff suggested the scan results wouldn't be ready until early next week. Drove home. Spent the afternoon cooking...made a bolognese, which we had with tagliatelle for dinner. Sat and watched a bit of telly before bed...

Wednesday 29th May 2024

Alarm at 0730. Hauled myself out of bed and had tea at the computer. Uploaded the photos I'd taken yesterday. Aki cycled off to Rowing Club. I finished packing and made myself a sandwich to eat on the train. Caught a No.91 bus to Kings Cross…got there in good time. Sat with a coffee at Pret a Manger. Train was running on time…we departed at 1218…the seat next to mine was also reserved, but the occupant didn’t show up, so I had room to spread out a bit and enjoy my sandwich lunch. Read some Dickens. Got into Newcastle Central station on time, and reached the western car park just as Kath and mum drove up to collect me. Traffic pretty bad. Dad was sat out in the sun in the back garden when we turned up at High View. Both he and mum looking a bit frail, but soldiering on in their usual indomitable way. Kath had put together a lavish salad for an early dinner, as she had to slope off to work. Sat about and chatted for a bit before opting for an early night…need to rise early tomorrow.

Tuesday 28th May 2024

Woke to alarm at 0730. Aki got up and brought me tea. Got up about 0830 and porridged at the computer. Put a packed lunch together and headed off in the car on inspections. First stop was Pimlico, so the route took me down Gower Street...must have sat in traffic for at least 30 minutes, crawling our way toward Shaftesbury Avenue. Struggled to find somewhere to park when I finally got there...a large 1920s era Peabody Estate south of Victoria Station. Then it was on to Fulham via the Chelsea Embankment, before doubling back to Southwark. Parked up on Union Street and went in search of a coffee. Ate my lunch in the car before embarking on more door knocking on foot. Final destination was Plumstead. Managed to get in to about six units altogether today. Turned for home. Heavy traffic on the Blackwall Tunnel Approach, south of the major roadworks going on in aid of the new Silvertown Tunnel. Got home at 1845. Aki had warmed up the last of the pork mapo, which we ate with rice. Watched a bit of telly, and did a bit of packing ahead of tomorrow's trip to Newcastle, before bath and bed...

Monday 27th May 2024

Rose around 0900...Aki cooked brunch. Weather holding, so we took a walk down to the Emirates, doubling back to Gillespie Park, and from thence up Stroud Green Road. Bought some odds and ends in Green & Glory, where I managed to drop a bottle of passata on the floor...I helped clean up, and paid for the breakage. Bought some beef mince, and chicken thighs, at a little halal butcher's a few doors further up the road, then headed for home via Tesco on Hornsey Road. I cooked up several portions of beef, pork and chicken liver ragu to store in the freezer. We finished off the pizzaiola sauce I'd made a few days ago, drizzling it over some tortelloni and peas for dinner. Walked up to St Saviours for rehearsal...rather thin turnout this evening...just me and Dan in the tenors (though I'm singing an octave lower most of the time). Walked back home and watched a bit of telly before bath and bed...

Sunday 26th May 2024

Woke around 0900 feeling very weary. Aki got up to ready herself for a cycle ride to Rowing Club. She cooked brunch before setting off. I sat at the computer for a bit to write up some of the inspections I'd done on Friday. Wandered over to Waitrose to get some fish for tonight's dinner. Took a rather circuitous route in order to get a little exercise, as the weather was good. Walked down to Highbury Fields, and popped in to buy some focaccia at Harvest opposite Highbury & Islington station, then headed back up the Holloway Road to do a small shop in Waitrose. The heavens opened on my walk back home, and I had to take shelter for a few minutes or risk getting soaked (or sunaked, as it's now referred to). Aki got caught on her bike ride home from Rowing Club. Read some Dickens. We had mussels in a cream sauce for dinner, followed by my Spanish fish and chorizo stew with flageolet beans, and I made a dessert using a shortbread biscuit I'd bought on Friday, crushing it up to form a buttery biscuit base, and topping that with cream, strawberries, and ice cream. Nowt much on telly so read some more Dickens, and listened to my baritone parts on several of the Kinks songs I've been rehearsing with Vox Holloway. Bath and bed...

Saturday 25th May 2024

Alarm at 0700...we are expecting a delivery, so had to haul myself out of bed and unlock the padlock on the garden gate. Made tea. Sat at the computer working for a bit. Made pancakes for breakfast once Aki had rolled out of bed. Did some chores...Aki in the garden; myself on vacuum cleaner. Walked to Stoke Newington in the sunshine, and did a little window-shopping down Church Street. Bought a falafel salad box to share...we ate in Abney Park, then crossed the road to the Tower Theatre. Piers showed up, and we took our seats in the theatre for "Measure For Measure". George, the director, had elicited pretty good renditions of the text from his actors, some better than others, but everyone, with the exception of the girl playing Isabella, seemed pretty stiff to me, which meant the comic scenes with the bawds didn't come to life. It was a bit long...the first half was 90 minutes, but we managed to sit it out and escape to Rasa on Church Street for dinner afterward. Aki and I walked home from there, stopping off for a swift half in The Plimsoll near Finsbury Park. Grace Dent had recommended the food here, but we thought the place looked pretty grubby...I wouldn't fancy eating there. Walked home via M&S. Watched the FA Cup Final, Manchester United coming out deserved winners over Manchester City, but it wasn't the most exciting Cup Final. Early bath and bed...

Friday 24th May 2024

Woke to Aki’s alarm at 0700. Dozed for a bit before rising. Porridged. Aki cycled off to Camden Town for her meeting. I hung the washing out in the back yard. Headed out on inspections…on foot today. Walked to Tufnell Park Road where I hopped on a bus toward Junction Road. Traipsed the surrounding streets knocking on doors. Got into about 14 before looking for somewhere to have lunch…ended up in the Bread & Bean near Archway station. Enjoyed the overpriced avocado on sourdough, with a poached egg on top. Took a No.17 bus late afternoon to Kings Cross and finished my inspections on a development in Killick Street. Took a No.91 bus back home, popping in at Morrison’s on the way. Warmed up the fish curry for dinner, which we ate with daal and roti, with chocolate brownie and ice cream for afters. 

Thursday 23rd May 2024

Woke about 0815...feeling very weary. Rolled out of bed before 0900 and cooked pancakes for breakfast. Took a North London line train from Finsbury Park to Moorgate. Walked through Finsbury Circus, which is being completely re-landscaped post-Crossrail works. A lot of new office blocks going up in the vicinity. We met Aki's financial adviser, Stuart Johnstone, at his office in a huge co-working edifice, and then wandered the streets looking for a table in a cafe where we could sit and have a coffee. Ended up in a pub in Broadgate Circle. Stuart took Aki through her plan, and he seemed content that everything was on track. We left him at about 1230 and walked to the Barbican, and then up White Cross Street, to Old Street, seeking out a ramen noodle bar that had been recommended to us by a Japanese chum of Helen and Martin, who we had met at Helen and Martin's Burns' Night in January...she works there, but wasn't due in until the evening shift. We ate tonkotsu noodles in pork broth...tasty enough, but I can't say I liked the bar's interior...I won't be rushing back. Hopped on a No.55 bus into Bloomsbury, then killed some time window shopping in Covent Garden, before heading for the Garden Cinema. We had £5 tickets for the 1510 showing of Italian movie, "La Chimera", a magical piece by writer/director Alice Rohrwacher...we had very much enjoyed her earlier film, "Happy As Lazzaro", which we stumbled upon during Lockdown, and her short "La Pupille". Caught a Piccadilly Line train back to Holloway Road station, and walked home from there. Aki made a mango salad to go with the remaining chicken thighs I'd cooked at the weekend. Talked to Kath about dad's up-coming hospital appointment...he's to be tested for signs of bone cancer a week tomorrow, having produced an unusually high PSA reading. Kath can't drive him in to the Freeman as she's working, and Jim's away, so I said I'd go up on the train next Wednesday, and stick around until the weekend. Aki needed to be up early tomorrow morning for a work meeting in Camden Town, so early bath and bed...

Wednesday 22nd May 2024

Woke late...thought I heard the doorbell at about 0900, so rolled out of bed, opened the inner front door, to find Lynne in the hallway holding a package...Amazon delivery of Aki's rowing cap. Made tea. No porridge left, nor bread, so made a pancake mix, and we had pancakes with fruit and yoghurt...very nice! Got enough batter to last maybe another two days! Worked at the computer until breaking for lunch at 1345. Aki popped out to Waitrose. I stayed home and did some exercises, and a little voice work. Read some Dickens. Aki cooked a mapo for dinner, which we ate on the sofa whilst watching MasterChef. It was the Final tonight...a deserving winner in the form of a second generation Indian from Chelmsford, whose day job is a veterinary surgeon...he was certainly good at cutting up the meat! Watched Rishi Sunak in the pouring rain announce a General Election from a pulpit outside No.10 Drowning Street. Hopefully, we can finally rid our country of this failed Tory government...bath and bed.

Tuesday 21st May 2024

Woken at 0715 by loud hammering coming from the building site at the back of us...Aki made an online complaint to the Council about it. Managed to nod off. Read in bed for a bit. Rose at 1030 and porridged at the computer. Broke for lunch at 1315. Fried some sardines to make an agrodolce on garlic toast. Worked at the computer for another couple of hours. Did some exercises and warmed the vocal cords up a bit before an early dinner. Aki cooked hake and Ancho chilli black beans. I walked to St Luke's on Hilmarton Road in the rain. Worked through about six songs this evening...my voice was tiring toward the end, but enjoyed it. Harvey is so great to work with...sunny, up-beat, patient, and humourous. I was still raining on the walk back home. Got in at 2145. Watched The Ten...astonishing story on there about Craig McKinley MP who lost both arms and legs to sepsis, and now has prosthetic limbs...his positivity was nothing short of miraculous! Bath and bed...

Monday 20th May 2024

Aki up and away early to get herself to Rowing Club...she's helping guide a party of seven French rowers down the River Lea to Limehouse today. I got up at 0930. Porridged at the computer. Worked through until 1345. Made some lunch, and cooked a pizzaiola sauce to have with some tortelloni for dinner tonight. Walked to Finsbury Park station and took a Piccadilly Line train to Holborn, ambling round to the Garden Cinema in Parker Street, where I had purchased a £5 ticket for this afternoon's showing of "Blackbird, Blackbird, Blackberry". Got home at 1815. Aki had warmed up the pasta sauce, and we ate hastily before walking up to St Saviour's for Gospel Choir rehearsal. Bit of a low turnout this evening, but enjoyed learning a couple of new tunes. Walked home in the balmy evening air, popping in at Tesco's on the way to buy some milk. Watched MasterChef before The Ten, and then jumped in a bath. Read some more Dickens on the sofa afterward, before finally retiring for the night...Aki already fast asleep after a busy day on the water.

Sunday 19th May 2024

Another slow start...I'm evidently getting in the mood for a life of retirement slovenliness! Aki cooked brunch. Lovely weather out today, so we decided to take one of my Dickens walks, catching a No.17 bus to Holborn Circus. Walked down Charterhouse Street, turning left into Ely Place to take a look at a 12th century church, St Etheldreda's, tucked away in a Georgian terrace. The interior sports several figurines, mounted high up on the walls, each one commemorating a Catholic martyr, presumably burnt at the stake in nearby Smithfield. At the bottom of the street, we turned into Saffron Hill, in Dickens' time an area of slums, where Oliver Twist was housed by Fagin and his gang. St Andrews House, tucked away behind a rather gross 80s era office block, was built in 1870, and was the first Council housing to be built in the country. We happened to bump into a lady outside the gates who enquired what we were up to; she turned out to be the property manageress, and she gave us a little background to the current use of the flats...they are, rather ironically, now owned by global mining conglomerate Anglo-American, and house their overseas employees when on working visits to London! We walked down Farringdon Street to get a view of Holborn Viaduct, built in the 1860s to bridge the Fleet valley, then on down to Ludgate Circus, turning left towards St pauls, and then left again into Old Bailey. The Edwardian courthouse was erected on the site of Newgate prison, and crowds would often congregate in the open space between the prison and the church on the corner of Giltspur Street, to watch a good hanging...the noose would be tightened as the church clock sounded 0730. We wandered up to Smithfield, where there is a memorial to William Wallace who was hung drawn and quartered in the field there in 1305. Looked inside St Bartholomew's church, another 12th century edifice, which was built at the same time as the famous hospital next door. Walked through the Victorian Smithfield dry meat market, now under refurbishment...it will house the Museum of London, due to open in 2026. Walked on up St John's Lane, beneath St John's Gate, which in Dickens day was known as the Jerusalem Tavern, and where he and his fellow literati met once a year at a supper to mark the birthday of William Shakespeare. Ended the walk on Clerkenwell Green, with the House of Quarter-sessions on the western fringe of the Green. Wandered up to Exmouth Market and had tea and cake in Gail's Bakery there, before jumping on a bus back to Holloway. We went past several pubs on Upper Street, and Holloway Road, packed with Arsenal fans, spilling out onto the streets, watching the final game of their season against Everton...they needed a win, and for Manchester City to be held by West Ham at the Etihad. We got home and listened in to the R5Live commentary on the Man City game...they ran out comfortable 3-1 winners, handing the Sky Blues a sixth title under Pep's leadership ...remarkable stuff. I cooked a chicken traybake dinner with aubergine, potatoes, tomatoes, and torn bread, for dinner. Watched Simon Reeve travel through Alaska before tuning in to The Ten, and MOTD. Bath and bed...

Saturday 18th May 2024

Slow start to the weekend. Got up around 1000 and cooked a brunch. We took a walk down to Highbury Corner, and down Upper Street, doing a bit of window shopping on the way. Nice day; a lot of people out and about. I bought some expensive sunglasses at Vision Express...kitting myself out for our July trip to Lisbon. Aki bought a t-shirt in Muji, and we wandered back up to Highbury Corner to catch a No.43 bus to Nags Head. Popped in to Waitrose to get some odds and ends. 

Aki out tonight for dinner at the rowing club, where they are welcoming a party of Parisian rowers who have come over for a few days to row the River Lea (Aki is going on the Paris return trip in September). I ate at Eglal's supper club at the Upper Place. It's her last fling for a while, having sold Girasole, before she goes back home to Milan for a break and to re-group. I was planning on eating alone with my Dickens novel, but she had set up a long dining table with six places on either side. I found myself sat next to a young doctor, named Rachel, with her husband Guy sat opposite, on my left, and a young French girl named Oceana, and her Italian husband Gian-luca to my right. They were all good company, and the food was great. I had burrata to start, followed by a sea-food risotto, and tiramisu for afters. Got home about 2115. Watched Later...Elbow, and Idles, were among the guests. Aki got home about 2215...the welcome dinner for the French rowing party had gone very smoothly...she's due to help out on their rowing trip down the River Lea to Limehouse on Monday.

Friday 17th May 2024

Woke late, having decided to take a breather today. Read in bed before getting up to make a late brunch. Aki had work to do at the computer...a day's translating for a Camden-based design team who are travelling to Tokyo next week to make a presentation in respect of another luxury hotel development. I sat about and read some Dickens. Popped out early afternoon to take a pair of trousers up to the dry cleaner on Tollington Way, then walked down to Waitrose to get some odds and ends. Wandered round to the Upper Place at about 1830...Eglal was marking the demise of her Italian cafe, Girasole, with a little party, and some canapes. Piero was there, handing out little plates of pasta and sauces...but it didn't really amount to an evening meal. We chatted with David, who had worked for Eglal for six years...he starts a job in the restaurant at ITV studios in White City. Walked back home for something more substantial to eat...Aki fried off the last of her handmade gyoza, which we ate with stir-fried vegetables, and miso soup.

Thursday 16th May 2024

Woke late...I stayed up a bit later than usual last night, reading Dickens...I'm now about halfway through "Our Mutual Friend". Got up at 1015 and porridged at the computer. Broke for lunch at 1345. Aki cooked up a cheese omelette. Got confirmation that we had tickets for the West End show tonight. Worked at the computer for a couple more hours in the afternoon. Broke to do some Kinks rehearsal. Aki made a crab pasta dinner. Met Kevin from No.93 outside our pad, and took a bus to Finsbury Park, and from thence a Piccadilly Line train to Covent Garden. Got to the Gillian Lynne Theatre in good time...we had tickets to see *Standing at the Sky's Edge", a National Theatre production centred around the songs of Sheffield guitarist Richard Hawley, following the stories of various tenants of the Park Hill flats through the decades. The book was a bit cliched...but the songs were great, and the band superb. We all enjoyed it, and walked back through Holborn afterward to catch a No.91 bus home. Bathed before bed at 0100...

Wednesday 15th May 2024

Aki up early to ready herself for Rowing Club...I was still asleep when she left. I got up at 1015. Had tea and porridge at the computer. Broke for lunch at 1300...Aki back in time for a ham salad. Worked until 1745. Gayu from No.38 texted us to say she had a friend who couldn't use three tickets for the National Theatre production of "Standing at the Sky's Edge" tomorrow night...we replied that we would be interested...Kevin from No.93 interested in accompanying us to make up the threesome. Warmed up some pizzaiola sauce, which I poured over some tortelloni for dinner. Watched MasterChef. Bath and bed...

Tuesday 14th May 2024

Got up at 0845. Still feeling a bit sore, but felt the mometasone was doing its job...fingers crossed. Had tea and porridge whilst sat at the computer. Broke at 1300 for lunch. Did some Kinks singing rehearsal in the back bedroom before returning to the computer. Aki cooked a chicken omelette for dinner. I walked up to St Luke’s on Hillmarton Road for this evening’s choir rehearsal…worked through ‘Walter’ and ’Last of the Steam Powered Trains’, an homage to Howlin’ Wolf’s ‘Smokestack Lightning’’. Really enjoying myself, but it’s quite hard work…got to hope my vocal stamina improves as rehearsals progress! Aki in bed when I got home around 0930…still feeling the after effects of her stomach bug. I watched The Ten and ran a bath before bed…

Monday 13th May 2024

Woke around 0830. Got up and made tea. Sat at the computer for a bit before porridging. Broke at 1230 for lunch. Aki cooked up an udon noodle soup with egg. Climbed into the car afterward and did some inspections in Crouch End, Belsize Park, and Kentish Town before heading home. Aki cooked hake with beans for dinner. Walked up to St Saviour's for gospel choir rehearsal. Bumped into Simon from No.41...he confirmed that there had been a death at No.40 Saturday morning, though he couldn't confirm that it was Johnny. Didn't seem to be quite as many as usual, but we are sounding good! Walked some of the way home with Jean, one of the few black brethren in the choir...she's retired, and enjoying turning her small garden into an allotment. Got home and watched MasterChef. My skin complaint has flared up in my right groin...can hardly walk, it's so sore...had a soak in the bath and applied plenty of mometasone cream thereafter in the hope that it'll have calmed down by morning...

Sunday 12th May 2024

 

Seemed to enjoy a reasonable night's sleep, though we were very slow to rise. Drank tea in bed before hauling myself out to cook brunch. Aki did a little re-potting of her tomato plants...I wandered over to Waitrose to do a bit of shopping. Very warm out there...26C today. Popped in on the boys at the DIY shop on my way home, and bought some powerful drain unblocker, in the hope that we can maybe get the bath going again...the shower is definitely out of commission, but I have a fear that the bath drainage is also finding it's way beneath the shower tray and causing the internal rising damp. Dunno what we're going to do about it! Stuck our heads in at the Olden Community Garden party...got there around 1600...it's a twenty minute walk from home, and situated on a railway embankment serving the North London Overground line into Moorgate. There was a hefty turnout, and we bumped into Kate from the Rowing Club...we sat and listened to a couple of folk bands, and a local community choir, in the sunshine, then Kate showed us around the Gardens...there's a little apple orchard, and a woodland section...all very well managed and looked after. Kate invited us round to her house in Battledean Road, and we sat out back sipping gin and tonics. She has a huge air-source pump in the back garden! Got home about 1900 and put together a salad nicoise for dinner. Watched a bit of telly, and rehearsed a couple of Kinks choral numbers before bed. 

Saturday 11th May 2024

Got a reasonably good night's sleep, though the bad hernia repair still giving me much grief, especially after having spent most of yesterday in the car. Aki feeling perky enough to get out of bed and make tea. We walked up to Yerbury Farmer's Market before brunch, to get a square-tinned sourdough from Roberto...I couldn't resist adding a slice of his fresh tomato and onion focaccia to the shopping bag. Walked home. A lot of police outside No.40. According to Paul at No.27, one of the young chaps who lives there, Johnny, who we saw singing a couple of his self-penned songs at the Open Mic night at the North Nineteen in January, over-dosed and was carted away in an ambulance...doesn't sound like he's going to pull through, by all accounts. I put together a tasty brunch, including the focaccia, with poached egg and a nice salad. Read some Dickens and did some exercises. Aki managed a little gardening. Chicken teriyaki for dinner, with rice and miso soup. Watched a bit of telly...caught up with "Race Around the World".

Friday 10th May 2024

Slow start this morning. Aki looking a bit perkier this morning. Got up and porridged before throwing a sardine salad packed lunch together, and heading off in the car on inspections in east London. Made for Bethnal Green, and Poplar, before heading out to Leyton and Walthamstow. Stopped in the car park at Leyton Flats and ate my lunch...lovely sunny day. Ended the working day in Edmonton, then turned for home. Got in around 1715. I made dinner...Aki still feeling a bit weak. I poached a salmon fillet in milk with cloves and onion, and used the milk to make a tasty sauce afterward...ate the salmon with sauteed potatoes and vegetables. Watched "The Boys in the Boat", a rather lame George Clooney-directed film following the exploits of an under-dog US varsity rowing team who end up taking gold at Hitler's 1936 Olympic Games...it was all very sub-Chariots of Fire, I'm afraid. They made some of the film in London, and bequeathed the 30s era replica rowing boat to Aki's Rowing Club. 

Thursday 9th May 2024

Woke around 0845, having had a much better night's sleep. Aki feeling better, but still has a dodgy tummy. She managed a little porridge for breakfast. I did a couple of hours at the computer. Broke for lunch. Nice sunny day, so resolved to head out on inspections this afternoon...took a bus up the Camden Road, before heading for Euston and the Kings Cross area. Hot work traipsing the streets...ended up at the British Library, and sat in the piazza with a coffee, before heading for home, via Waitrose in Granary Square. Stopped off at Carhaart, and ended up buying a summer shirt, and jeans (£200...!!!). Took the No.91 bus home. Aki still up, though feeling weak...she hasn't eaten very much over the last two or three days. But she seems much better. I finished off the tortelloni for dinner, with some pizzaiola sauce. Aki had some rice porridge. 

Wednesday 8th May 2024

Evidently did my bad hernia repair no good helping put the chairs out at the church last night...very uncomfortable night's sleep. Gave up at 0715 and got up. Aki still not feeling well, so she stayed in bed. Her stomach seems to be revolting at worryingly regular intervals...she wonders if she picked something up from the river when rowing on Sunday morning! I worked at the computer for a bit, taking breaks every now and then to rehearse my Kinks songs...working on "Victoria" at the moment. Made Aki some rice porridge...kept having to pop into the bedroom for cooking instructions. Lovely day outside. Took my constitutional up Highgate Hill, and sat on a bench in Waterlow Park to read some Dickens. Got home around 1700...Aki awake, and looking a little perkier. I did another hour or so on the computer before breaking for dinner. Finished off the pizza. Watched Masterchef with an episode of "Ripley" for dessert. Showered before bed.

Tuesday 7th May 2024

Woke at 0900. Got up and made tea. Aki feeling a bit better, but still not much appetite, though she had a bit of porridge for breakfast. I worked at the computer until 1315. Broke for some lunch. Aki had a bit of salad and some ham. Took a No.153 bus to Finsbury Park, and got on a Piccadilly Line train to Leicester Square. Walked up to Foyles for a coffee, then took a bus up Tottenham Court Road to Goodge Street to do an inspection around the corner. Popped in to a shop on Denmark Street and bought a Bb harmonica. Walked back down to New Oxford Street and hopped on a No.55 to Rosebery Avenue...another inspection, then took two buses back to Holloway. Warmed up the harissa roast chicken for dinner, and cooked some couscous to go with it. Aki got up and partook of a small portion. Walked over to St Luke's on Hillmarten Road...pleasant, warm evening. Got there early to sign up to Vox Holloway and pay my subs for the term...we are rehearsing the Kinks' Village Green Preservation Society album in its' entirety. I was the third person to enter the church, and Caroline took my subs. Got talking with the piano accompanist, very pleasant young fella named Rick. Slowly, the choristers filtered in for a 1930 start, followed by our leader, Harvey Brough. I started off in the tenors, but wasn't comfortable...a lot of high notes, and even some falsetto...I couldn't get anywhere near it, so gravitated to the baritone section after the tea break...much more comfortable! Helen Roe was there, and we had a chat at tea break...she hasn't sung this repertoire before. Claire from No.78  was also in attendance. I think I got off to a decent start, eventually...walked home afterward. Aki still in bed. I caught up with The Ten on iPlayer...enjoyed watching Trump squirm in court as Stormy Daniels took the stand. 

Monday 6th May 2024

Slow start this morning. Got up around 0900 to unlock the gate and make some tea. Aki feeling under the weather, so stayed in bed for most of the day. I breakfasted on peanut butter and toast, and a coffee. Spent most of my Bank Holiday Monday sorting out the recies folder, trying to tidy it up a bit, and add in a load of recipes that have been lying about for ages. It was raining pretty much all day, so nothing much better to do. Aki got up at lunchtime but didn't feel like eating much. I had pizza and a salad. Aki went back to bed. I cooked a pizzaiola sauce and had that with some tortelloni for dinner. Aki had a bit of the sauce with an egg, and a bit of toast, but went back to bed. I watched MasterChef, and episode 5 of "Ripley"...it was a difficult watch, as he committed his second murder, and then slowly but methodically cleaned up the scene and dumped the body in a car on the Appenine Way. Late bath and bed...

Sunday 5th May 2024

Woke around 0900. Aki got up to ready herself for Rowing Club. Porridged and teaed. Aki cycled off to Stamford Hill. I did some exercises then headed into town to walk one of the Dickens Walks from the book Aki had given me for Christmas. Took a Piccadilly Line train to Leicester Square and walked up to Foyles for a coffee in their airy cafe. Had to queue for the Gents...the bloke ahead of me complained that someone was hogging the cubicle, and was probably reading "War & Peace"...I replied that it was more likely to be "War & Piss", which got me my first laugh of the day. Caught a No.24 bus down to Parliament Square, and walked over to St James's Park to start the walk at Horse Guards Parade. Victorians used to take a detour here to get the time from the clock tower above Horse Guards, which, prior to the erection of Big Ben, was the most accurate clock in London. I then walked up to Pall Mall to seek out some of the early Victorian gas lamps, and on into a little Victorian courtyard named Pickering Place, which would have housed people in the four-storey tenements. There's a rare Georgian shop front next door for a wine merchants who have been there for over 300 years. Walked down Jermyn Street to look at the Victorian shop front to Paxton & Whitfield, purveyors of cheese by Royal Appointment. Bought some young Comte and a pork pie. Wandered through Wren's church opposite, St James's Piccadilly, and stop to listen to a free soul and gospel concert being given in the churchyard, and ate my pie. My walk then took me through Mayfair, via the Burlington Arcade...still guarded by the beadles of old...and then through Noho via Cavendish Square, ending the walk at Manchester Square, outside the Wallace Collection, housed in a large Victorian villa with semi-circular driveway. Ambled down Duke Street and tried a Martin guitar in the London Guitar Studio, but they didn't have much in stock. Took a bus down Oxford Street, and changed for the Piccadilly Line at Holborn, getting out at Holloway Road and walking up to Waitrose to get some chicken to cook this evening. Cooked harissa roast chicken thighs, with roast zatar potatoes and vegetables.