Sunday 14th January 2024

Woke at 0900. Got up and made tea. We drank it in bed; I read a bit of "Twist" before rising to cook breakfast. We finished off the home-cured salmon. Aki cycled off to Rowing Club. I ventured into town, catching a No.91 bus to Carnegie Street, then walking along the Regents Canal into Coal Drops Yard. Had a coffee at Morty & Bobb's, then a quick browse around the shops, before heading towards St Pancras. Bought a fleece jacket in Carhaart, which I'd had my eye on for a while...sadly it wasn't included in the Sale. Picked up the trousers I'd ordered from Gant in St Pancras station, then took a No.91 bus to The Aldwych. Walked up Wellington Street to pay homage at Charles Dickens' offices...from where he published his periodical, "All The Year Round", often sleeping over if he was on a deadline. By this time he was living at Gads Hill Place near Rochester...must have been quite a commute! Popped in to try some mules at North Face on Southampton Street, but they didn't have my size...will have to order online. Walked westward along The Strand to catch a No.91 bus near Trafalgar Square. A lot of people about...big pro-Israeli rally in the Square to mark 100 days since the Hamas massacre, and a lot of police about. The bus ride home meant I got some more "Twist" time. Aki had just got home when I got in. We packed our instruments, and walked up to rehearsal at the North Nineteen. Full turnout this afternoon. We ran through the two Burns songs a few times so people could work out what they were doing. Celia joined in with some voice, as did Sonia, albeit with an Australian accent. We resolved to try and get another rehearsal in before we descend upon the open mic night on the 23rd. Walked home. Cooked a crab and chilli pasta sauce for dinner, with lots of peas. Finished off the apple crumble and custard. FaceTimed ma and pa who had just seen off Jim, Emma, and Kath, having had them round for Sunday lunch. They looked in fine fettle. Dad still awaiting a date for his hip operation. Watched "Better Call Saul" and read some "Twist" afore bath and bed...