Friday 23rd February 2024

Woke around 0730. Aki got up to ready herself for Southwark Crown Court. I read in bed for a bit, making a start on The Miniaturist. Also started reading Edna O'Brien's memoir, Country Girl, having watched her reading from it on the Guardian website, which knocked me out...beautiful, robust, but delicate prose. Aki suggested going to see the Yoko Ono exhibition at the Tate Modern this evening, and to that end managed to secure the loan of Katherine's Tate Membership card...I walked up to No.127 to get it. Back home, I did some work at the computer. Broke for some lunch. Aki texted to say she hoped to be finished at court by 1600. I decided to wander in to town. Took a bus to Finsbury Park and caught a Victoria Line train in to Oxford Circus. Popped in to John Lewis to buy some leather gloves, to replace my lost ones. They didn't have any black ones, so I made do with a pair in dark brown, as they were in the sale, and only £15! Walked over to Schott's Music in Great Marlborough Street, hoping to find a Ryuichi Sakamoto piano collection, but nothing in stock. Bought a clip-on lamp for my music stand. Wandered round to Chappell's in Wardour Street, but they no longer stock sheet music. Had a brief look at the Yamaha electro-acoustic guitars in there, but nothing caught my eye. 

Walked across to Denmark Street. Half the old guitar shops have gone, and have been gutted, as part of the Now Building development...all rather sad.  in to several shops on the southern side of the street, but no-one seems to stock either Martins or Lowdens, both of which I am eager to try out. Ambled over the road to Foyles to inspect their collection of Dickens in the Everyman's Library series, but they didn't have what I'm currently after. Then zig-zagged down toward the river, Aki having texted to say they had been discharged for the weekend... arranged to meet at the north entrance to Tate Modern, and I walked across Waterloo Bridge in the drizzle. We went to see the Yoko Ono retrospective, Music of the Mind, on the fourth floor. It was interesting, but her conceptual approach always left me cold. I much admire her, though... she's a true one-off. Aki bought an umbrella in the Gift Shop, and we headed back out into the drizzle beneath a bright full moon. Caught a train from Blackfriars Bridge, and walked home from Finsbury Park station. Warmed up Aki's spinach lasagne for dinner, followed by Bon Maman creme brulee. Nowt on telly. I researched a mooted road trip down the Normandy coast, which we have been contemplating to coincide with a Jon Cleary gig in Cleon in early April. We'd cross to Calais via the Shuttle, then drive down to Abbeville, followed by a couple of nights in Etretat, a couple of nights in Cleon, and then a drive to Cherbourg via Bayeaux. Looks interesting. Aki opted for an early bath, and I did some reading before bed...

Thursday 22nd February 2024

Woke around 0730 and dozed for a bit. Aki got up and brought tea. Got up and porridged. Did some foot exercises, as my planter fasciitis is playing up again. Aki left for Southwark Crown Court with umbrella in hand. I worked at the computer for a couple of hours. Broke for lunch. Turned the off cuts from yesterday's puff pastry recipe into little biscuits, and some nutella filled pinwheels, and baked them in the oven. Sat at the computer for another couple of hours this afternoon. Had wanted to take a walk up Highgate Hill, but it's been raining all day. Aki got home around 1645, just as the wind got up, and the rain really started to come down...glad I wasn't out in it doing inspections! Warmed up the chicken and bean stew for dinner, with some vegetables on the side. Wandered across the road to No.38 for Book Club. Took the remains of my peach tarte tatin, and a tub of double cream. People seemed to have largely admired The Country Girls...particularly Edna O'Brien's effortless but unpretentious prose. We chose The Miniaturist as our next read...I'd seen the BBC TV adaptation. Got home at 2215. Bath and bed...

Wednesday 21st February 2024

Aki's alarm went off at 0730. She got up and made tea...I read in bed for a little before getting up to make porridge. Aki left to get a train to London Bridge to attend what she hopes is the last day of her jury service at Southwark crown Court. I worked at the computer for most of the morning. Broke for lunch and wandered over to the Upper Place and Piero's Cucina. I was the only customer...ordered the tagliatelle with n'duja cream. Walked out into the rain afterward, and popped in to Waitrose to get some spuds for dinner tonight. FaceTimed ma and pa...they had had Jim, Kath, and Emma round for lunch to mark dad's 94th birthday. Dad reported that his swollen foot is getting much better. Did some prep work ahead of inspections in the Medway towns. Aki returned from Southwark...still haven't reached deliberation stage, but may be tomorrow. I cooked a peach and rosemary tarte tatin, then cooked some lentils with fried onions and pancetta, baked a couple of haddock fillets, and sauteed some potatoes for dinner...very tasty. The peach tarte tatin was meant for tomorrow evening's Book Club meeting, but we couldn't resist cutting ourselves a couple of small slices, which we augmented with some ice cream. Headed for Finsbury Park after dinner, jumping on a tube train to Covent Garden, to attend the launch of our friend Franco's book of photographs covering the River Thames from Hampton Court down to the Thames Barrier. His wife, Aki's old chum Tami, was there too, as well as one of their daughters. The launch took place in Stanford's Book & Map Shop in Mercer Walk, and it was well attended...we arrived as Franco was giving a little speech thanking his publisher, and announcing the fact that they'd signed him up to do a follow-up, concentrating on London's Art Nouveau architecture. Enjoyed a post-launch beer, and chatted with a couple of Tami's acquaintances before slipping out and wandering back home via the Piccadilly Line, and the No.91 bus from outside Caledonian Road tube station.

Tuesday 20th February 2024

Alarm at 0730. I got up and made tea, repairing to bed to read another chapter of Edna O'Brien before rising and porridging. We made our packed lunches, and Aki cycled off to Southwark Crown Court. I headed eastward, stopping off to grab a coffee at Pret a Manger in Tottenham Hale, before driving up the M11, and the A120, to Braintree. Had inspections in a number of outlying villages, then it was back to Braintree, lunching in the Tesco car park there, listening to The Goons on R4Xtra. Drove southward to Witham, and ended the day in Vange, Basildon...found myself driving past the block of flats I used to live in back in 1981...Ryedene... can't recall the flat no. It hasn't aged particularly well. I think it must have been fairly new when I moved in! Drove home via the A13. Got in around 1730. Aki was back, the case having been adjourned at 1600. She cooked a cavolo nero pesto sauce to have with some pasta for dinner. We had banana and custard for dessert. Watched "Boarders", a drama following the ups and downs of five black kids who gain scholarships at an elite English Private School...cracking young cast, but the storyline's are a bit predictable. Early bath and bed...

Monday 19th February 2024

Aki up at 0630 to ready herself for a cycle ride down to Southwark Crown Court to report for jury service. I got up at 0730 and brought a mug of tea back to bed with me…read some Edna O’Brien. Got up and porridged, and then drove round to the garage on Camden Road. There were fairly noticeable noises emanating from beneath the car. The guys at the garage put the car up so they could take a look underneath, and reckoned the back plate on one of the front pads was touching the disc, thus creating the vague grinding sounds as the wheels rotated. They reckoned to have fixed it, and refused to charge me. I drove home to make a packed lunch before setting off northward. I needed petrol, so I made for Manor House, but had only gotten as far as Big Jo's on Hornsey Road when there was a very loud ringing noise from beneath the car, and a screeching, grinding sound...worse than before I took the car to the garage! I turned round, intending to take myself back to the garage, but the noise had stopped, and I took a risk and made for the petrol station. Got there without a problem...I thought perhaps the guys at the garage had left a spanner in the engine compartment, or a screw had worked loose and had been spat out. So I drove on to High Barnet. Parked up in a bay on an estate, went and took some photos, then returned to the car...as I reversed out of the parking space, I noticed something that I didn't think had been there when I pulled up...it was a plastic water bottle, that had been twisted, as if someone had tried to wring the water out of it...I reckon it was this all along. Indeed, I did 140 miles in the car today without further mishap...not sure I'll be using the services of the garage technicians on Camden Road again! Drove up to Stevenage, and then on to Great Cambourne, having my lunch in the car park of a small country park on the edge of town, and then finishing up in a couple of far flung suburbs of Cambridge before heading for home. Got in around 1700...Aki had returned from Southwark, having been assigned to a jury late in the day. They have estimated the case will only take three days, which is a relief, and she's back there tomorrow at 1000, so gets a bit of a lie-in in the morning! I'd cooked a black bean and orange stew for dinner, which we ate with cous-cous and vegetables. Watched BBC documentary "Navalny"...he was an amazing fellow, full of life, good humour, and a blazing intelligence that shows up Putin as the thug he is. A sad loss to the Russian people...

Sunday 18th February 2024

Woke around 0830. Aki got up and made tea. I read some Edna O'Brien in bed before rising to cook brunch. Did some ironing before venturing out for lunch at Eglal's pop-up above Nags Head Market. Sonya turned up, as well as Jane and Carlos from No.36, and Katherine and George from No.127. Eglal served up a variety of dishes, which kept on coming...she was plugging in to her Egyptian heritage, rather than her Italian, which she does, of course, down the road at Girasole. We really enjoyed it. She's planning a joint venture with Pierro from the Cucina opposite, putting on a Supper Club in March, and we all vowed to try and be there. Walked back home to pick up the guitar and mandolin, then wandered up to the North Nineteen for our monthly folk band rehearsal. Eight of us turned up, and we ran through some new Irish tunes that George fancied doing, as well as the usual Scottish tunes. Sonya sang the Eriksay Love Lilt. 

Finished at 1800 and walked back down the road with Ben, Katherine, and George. Ben promised to send me a couple of Cajun tunes to learn. We had eaten rather too much to set about cooking dinner. Ate cheese and peanut butter on toast instead, followed by a piece of fruit. Watched a bit of telly. Found an interesting documentary which explored the brief but bright career of girl punk band, The Slits, which featured Viv, who now lives around the corner. Early bath and bed, as Aki has to get up tomorrow morning in time to cycle off to Southwark for jury service!

Saturday 17th February 2024

Got up at about 0830. Made tea and worked at the computer for a bit, uploading yesterday's photos, and making pertinent notes. Breakfasted on tinned kippers and poached eggs. I walked over to Waitrose to get some bits and pieces, popping in at the garage around the corner, but they were closed, so I'll have to go back on Monday morning. Did some more work, finishing off the Peabody NatWest job and sending the folder over to the valuer. FaceTimed ma and pa, who seemed in fine fettle, all things considered. Dad has an op on his neck lined up for February 28th. Kath has booked time off to ferry him about and keep an eye on mum. Don't think I can get up there until the following week, but will see how things go. Aki cooked salmon teriyaki for dinner, which we had early. I made a kind of trifle with chocolate brownie, custard and caramelised banana. Took a No.91 bus to Kings Cross and met up with Sonya and her daughter Isabel in the foyer at Kings Place. We had tickets for The Gathering, an annual tradition that opens the Orkney Folk Festival every year.  We had booked to go to Orkney in 2020, but then Covid lockdown came along and the festival was cancelled. We were only too happy to take this opportunity to avoid the necessity of travelling to the far north!! The stage was filled with Orcadian folk musicians, there being eight violinists, three guitarists, two accordion players, a whistle player, keyboard player, percussionist, drummer, and a bassist. They made a fantastic noise. The audience were on their feet toward the end, and the Orcadians were evidently knocked out by the reception...a great night's entertainment.

Friday 16th February 2024

Aki's alarm went off at 0730, and she got up to ready herself for Rowing Club...nice day for it. She brought me a mug of tea. Got up and porridged, made myself a packed lunch, and got in the car. Headed north-westward to Hemel Hempstead, stopping off at a large Tesco Extra store to get some provisions. Then on to Berkhamsted, and from thence cross-country to Blackbird Leys in Oxford. From there I ploughed southward toward Wallingford, stopping off at Shillingford Bridge to eat my lunch in the hotel car park there. Then on to two postcode stops in Reading. It was here that I started to notice some strange sounds coming from beneath the car...it sounded as if a tree branch had got snagged under the chassis, but I couldn't see anything. Parked up on a local retail park and peered into the bonnet, and inspected what I could see of the wheel arches, but nothing. 

Drove home down the M4, stopping off at Heston Services, getting home around 1730. The noise of twanging twig only manifests itself as I slow in heavy traffic, but something still there...I'd hoped the 50 mile drive from Reading would have shaken the offending twig loose. I'll maybe have to drop the car in at the local garage to see if they can undertake a proper inspection underneath the engine block. Aki had made a tomato and butter bean sauce to go with the leftover Dover sole. We headed for the No.43 bus stop, and took a bus down to Angel, then walked hurriedly to Sadlers Wells for tonight's performance by Tanz Theater Wuppertal. It looked like a full house. The set was eye-catching...covered in coloured carnations, through which the actor-dancers had to wade, as if through water. The piece felt like one of Pina's early works, and to a large extent rather naif...there wasn't a lot of dance going on, but when it did happen, it was marvellous. The audience seemed to lap it all up, but we left a little disappointed. Walked home via Upper Street, which took us almost an hour. A lot of people about. Got home a little before 2300 and fell into bed, exhausted...
 

Thursday 15th February 2024

Woke around 0800. Got up and made tea. Porridged at the computer. Lovely day, so we cycled over to Gillespie Park for Qi Gong. The unseasonably balmy weather encouraged our leader to take class outside on the greensward, a few metres away from the London to Newcastle mainline! Cycled home afterward, and I put a packed lunch together. Kath called to say that dad had been diagnosed with cancer cells in his neck...they'd operated on it at the back end of last year, and it was then thought to be benign, but they now want to have another go at removing the malignant stuff...poor auld fella, the prospective operations are beginning to stack up. I headed off eastward, stopping off at Tesco in Bromley-by-Bow to do a little shopping and eat my lunch overlooking Three Mills Island. Drove onto the A13 to Dagenham, and did inspections in Becontree...the place is one massive 30s era Council estate. Ended the working day in Chadwell Heath, then drove back home via the A12. Got in just before 1800. Did a little more work at the computer. Aki warmed up her spinach lasagne, and we finished off the pear and walnut pudding. Nowt on telly so read a bit before an early bath and bed...

Wednesday 14th February 2024

Aki's alarm went off at 0730, but the weather looked too inclement for her to contemplate cycling off to the Rowing Club. I got up and made pancakes, having forgotten to make them yesterday. Did a little work at the computer before heading for Crouch End on the No.91 bus for my appointment at SpecSavers. The guy there recommended I go with SpecSavers brand, rather than the much more expensive high-end brands. The hearing aid is chargeable, and they call you in for a service every six months. Astonishingly, he said there's a three month trial period, during which I can change my mind! Think I'll investigate the NHS route before I make a final decision, bearing in mind the sums involved. Walked back via Crouch Hill and Stroud Green. Popped in on Eglal at Girasole in the hope of buying some burrata for tonight's starter, but she didn't have any. Neither did Lidl, Morrisons, nor Waitrose, so I ended up getting a No.43 bus down to Highbury Corner and found some in Harvest. Picked up some ice cream from Waitrose on the way home. Had some of Aki's cauliflower soup for lunch. I sat on the sofa and did a little work on my laptop, then we started prepping the Valentine Day dinner. I made an orange and chilli dressing to have with the burrata, and roasted some hazelnuts and kale to sprinkle on top. Aki cooked Dover sole with a caper sauce, and potato thins on the side. We had Eglal's Nonna's tart for afters, with a dollop of ice cream. Bath and bed...

Tuesday 13th February 2024

Woke around 0800. Got up and made tea. Chocolate porridged. Put my packed lunch together and headed for the petrol station at Manor House. From thence, I looked at stock i New Southgate, and Bounds Green, before heading up the A1 to Hatfield. Drove further northward, ending up in Bedford...the River Great Ouse has flooded a bit, even in the town centre. Got stuck in traffic southbound on the M1, so turned in to Toddington Service station and had my packed lunch in the car park. It was obvious I wasn't going to get around the Peabody stock today, given the traffic, and the gloomy weather, so I changed plans and concentrated on the Clarion stock in Luton. I hate Luton...what a hole it is! It seems completely unable to cater for the traffic that blocks its' main arteries at every turn. It must have had a certain charm back in it's millinery heyday...long gone, sadly. Lord knows what Eric Morecambe saw in the place, though he'd be enjoying watching Luton Town try to escape the drop from the Premier League! Got home around 1900. We had dal makhani for dinner, with shredded chicken and fried mushrooms, and a chapati. Very tasty. 

Monday 12th February 2024

Woke at 0845. Got up and made tea. Porridged at the computer, then slung a packed lunch together. Headed westward once more, taking in Ealing, Acton, where I stopped at Morrisons, Greenford, Northolt, and Yeading. Lunched in the car at the Rectory Park community football centre, watching some presumably youth team pros practising penalties. Then it was on to Hillingdon, and ended up in Slough. Turned for home, getting in around 1800. Aki had cooked a spinach lasagne, which we ate with peas, and I cooked a pear and walnut Eve's pudding, which I served up with custard. Did some more work at the computer after dinner, uploading today's photos and making some notes. Watched the highlights of the West Ham v Arsenal game on the iPlayer...the Gooners won 6-0, so thought we ought to give it the once over...bath and bed after the News.

Sunday 11th February 2024

Slow start. Got up and made tea, and read in bed for a bit before getting up and cooking breakfast. Headed off to Finsbury Park to catch a tube train to Piccadilly Circus. Wandered down to St James's Palace and Pall Mall, where we met Tokiko outside the ICA. Watched Japanese movie "The Zen Diary"...almost a full house. Very enjoyable, gentle movie following the seasons and the produce the earth renders up to those who work the soil. An enjoyable way to spend Sunday afternoon. We walked up to Piccadilly and had coffee and cake in the cafe at the Royal Academy before saying goodbye to Tokiko, and heading for Piccadilly Circus tube station. Got home around 1800. Cooked a haddock stew, with tomatoes and spelt, for dinner. Watched a bit of telly before bath and bed...

Saturday 10th February 2024

Fitful night's sleep...my bad hernia repair seemed to be giving me some gip during the night. Aki had a bad night's sleep. Got up at 0845 and made her a mug of tea. Sat at the computer for a bit uploading yesterday's photos. We trooped over to Waitrose after breakfast to do a shop, and walked back heavily laden. Sat and read the paper for a while. Cooked a roast chicken dinner, with roast potatoes and parsnips. Chocolate brownie and yoghurt for afters. Watched "Scrapper" on the BFI Player, a British film set on a 60s era Council estate in Chingford...a perky script, great performances from a young cast of unknowns, and wonderfully quirky camera work...the editor deserves an award! 

Friday 9th February 2024

Woken by Aki's alarm at 0730...still raining! Languished in bed for a bit. Aki brought me a mug of tea, then settled down for a Teams meeting with the Japanese hotel developers. Porridged. Slung a packed lunch into a tupperware box, and headed back west to pick up where I left off yesterday evening. Stopped off at Morrisons in Acton for some odds 'n ends, courtesy of my Savills lunch expenses, then headed further west, to Northolt, then south to Hounslow, and finally north-west to Drayton Park. Turned for home before dusk, getting in at 1730. Got changed, then we walked into Finsbury Park for dinner at Osteria Tufo...we shared a burrata starter, followed by pork fillet in a red wine reduction, on mashed potato, and finished up sharing a tiramisu. Wandered round to the Park Theatre for "Kim's Convenience", starring the author as Mr Kim. He's a Toronto based actor who, fed up with the paucity of roles for Korean descendants, wrote himself a charming comedy set in a convenience store in downtown Toronto, which he put on at the Toronto Fringe Festival in 2011. It then got picked up by Netflix, and became a five season TV series. It was good...he was very entertaining as the grumpy pater familias, although the overarching storyline was a bit thin. The set was great...we felt like having a browse in the store afterwards. An enjoyable evening. Walked home. Exhausted after a heavy week in property inspections mode. Early bath and bed...

Thursday 8th February 2024

Got up around 0815. Worked at the computer with a mug of tea. Broke at 1000 and gobbled up a bowl of porridge, then we walked in the rain to Qi Gong at Gillespie Park. We were soaked by the time we got there...George from No.127 passed us on his bike as we crossed the railway bridge at the Emirates. Walked home afterward...still raining...Aki taking a detour to Waitrose. I put a packed lunch together and headed south-west for inspections in Fulham. Ate my lunch in the car on a street abutting Queen's Tennis Club. Drove on to Acton, where I spent most of the remainder of my working day. Managed to get into three units, so just need to get in to five tomorrow, fingers crossed. Drove home in heavy rain. Got in around 1830. Aki cooked a tasty carbonara for dinner, and we had lemon drizzle cake with yoghurt and berries for afters. I spent the rest of the evening working at the computer. Broke at 2130. Nowt on the telly. Read some Edna O'Brien. Early bath and bed...

Wednesday 7th February 2024

Aki up at 0730 to ready herself fo Rowing Club. I got up at 0815. Sat at the computer for a bit. Porridged. Aki cycled off. I got a packed lunch together and headed back to Elephant & Castle to try and get into a few more flats at Dover Buildings. Traffic slow over Tower Bridge. Parked up at Tesco and did a little shop in there before walking to the Estate. Got into five or six...pretty depressing. One basement flat had chronic black mould to bathroom walls and ceiling. Then it was on to Streatham. Ate my lunch in the car in a residential street off Streatham High Road. Ended the day on a large 19th Century housing estate in Battersea, now a Conservation Area. But the houses are very small, with bathrooms off the kitchens. Drove home at dusk, the route taking me over Waterloo Bridge. Got home at 1830. Chicken and bean stew tonight. Watched some of the Villa v Chelsea FA Cup replay. Kath had sent yet another horrific looking photo of dad's right foot, so I rang him to see how he was...he seems in good fettle, and insists he's in no pain, and therefore content to avoid having to sit in A&E for hours on end...not entirely convinced this is a good strategy, but he won't be persuaded otherwise. Bath and bed...

Tuesday 6th February 2024

Aki up early to prepare to get to Camden Town for a works meeting. She brought me a mug of tea. Got up and porridged at the computer. Aki cycled off up the Camden Road. I slung a packed lunch together and headed for Chingford, and from thence to South Woodford, stopping off at Waitrose to get some odds and ends. Took the North Circular to Ilford, and then on to Barking. Headed for Charlton, and had my lunch in the car in the M&S car park there, before heading east to Thamesmead. Finally back west to Elephant & Castle and the rather grim 19th Century blocks of flats named the Dover Buildings, abutting the A2. Had to park up at Tesco, and walk back, as the parking spot I used a couple of years ago is now residents permit parking only! Drove home in the gloaming. Got in around 1830. Aki had cooked a bean and chorizo stew for dinner. Watched a bit of telly before early bath and bed...

Monday 5th February 2024

Alarm at 0800...got up about 0830. Made tea, and porridged at the computer. Slung a packed lunch together, and headed east. Inspections in Leytonstone, Wanstead, and Walthamstow. Stopped off at Tesco in Leytonstone and ate my lunch in the car in the car park. Got home around 1730. News from Darras is that dad's foot appears to be getting better, so they decided to hold fire on a hospital visit. Aki cooked a spelt mushroom risotto for dinner. Nowt much on the telly, save for endless news coverage of King Charles's cancer diagnosis...you'd have been forgiven for thinking he was breathing his last! Read some Edna O'Brien...lovely, gentle, bucolic creativity, with an undertow of tragedy just beneath the surface. Early bath and bed...

Sunday 4th February 2024

Languished in bed until 0930ish…got up and cooked breakfast. Haggis and eggs, with a mildly spicy tomato sauce. Spent about three hours wandering up and down a ladder, screwing new fixings into the frontage and inserting galvanised garden wire in the hope of creating a stronger frame for the wisteria. My work was slowed somewhat by having to get down and chat to various neighbours at regular intervals. Finished around 1530 and had some peanut butter on toast and a cuppa. FaceTimed ma and pa. Dad’s foot not looking quite as angry as it did on Friday, but still very swollen. He’s intending to phone 111 tomorrow morning if things remain the same. Kath on hand to ferry him about. Listened to Arsenal v Liverpool on R5. Finished “A Thousand Moons”…very good…surprised it hasn’t been turned into a movie. Started “The Country Girls”, Edna O’Brien’s notorious first novel. Warmed up the last of the chicken tagine for dinner, followed by chocolate brownie and a dollop of yoghurt for afters. Booked our flights and hotel for the trip to Lisbon in July...got reasonably priced flights from Luton...result! Bath and bed...

Saturday 3rd February 2024

Woke around 0900. Read in bed for a while. Eventually got up and cooked breakfast…fried haggis with poached egg and mushrooms. We walked the ladder out front so Aki could prune the wisteria. I went round to the DIY shop to get some turnbuckles and galvanised wire to strengthen the climbing frame. Peanut butter on toast before walking to the Picturehouse in Finsbury Park to see Poor Things, the new Emma Stone/Mark Ruffalo movie, a fantastical feminist polemic with steampunk aesthetics which failed to fire my imagination…Willie Wanker & the Sex Factory might have been a better title! Very disappointing. Came home and warmed up the last of the fish curry for dinner. Watched Duncan Jones' taught 90 minute movie, "Moon"...saw it ten years ago, but had forgotten the plot...nice, taught storytelling. Caught a bit of MOTD before bath and bed...

Friday 2nd February 2024

Woke at 0930 feeling not very refreshed, it has to be said. Got up and porridged, and put together a packed lunch to take on today's travels. Kath texted to say they had managed to get an earlier appointment with the GP to have a look at dad's foot, which was encouraging. Drove eastward to pick up the remaining inspections in Tottenham, stopping off at Sainsburys in Manor House on the way. Managed to get in to another 3 properties, but slow going. Broke for a late lunch in the car in the car park at Tottenham Hale Retail Park. Phoned ma and pa...he'd been sent home with a course of antibiotics; if things don't improve by Monday, he's advised to go to hospital. He sounded in good form, though, so hopefully he's on the mend. Drove home in the gloaming. Aki cooked a chicken tagine for dinner. FaceTimed Kath, who was enjoying a well deserved day off; and FaceTimed Jim in Holmfirth to suggest he and Kath stop over for a few nights in March. See what happens. Watched a bit of telly before bath and bed…

Thursday 1st February 2024

Fitful night's sleep. Left foot causing me a bit of gip during the night, and not much better come the morning, despite my doing some exercises. Porridged at the computer. Aki cycled off to Essex Road and her hair dresser. I cycled over to Gillespie Park for Qi Gong. George from No.127 was there, and a couple of newbies. The cycle ride was colder than I'd anticipated, and it took about half-an-hour for my hands to warm up afterward. Cycled home. Computer. Aki home for lunch, having cycled over to Clapton to stick a birthday card through Katrina's letterbox. I walked up to the Whittington Hospital for a blood test...the young phlebotomist was singing under her breath when I walked in, so I asked if she was a singer...turned out she also played guitar, so I told her about the Wednesday Night Open Mic at the Owl & the Hitchiker down the road. Kath sent us a photo of dad's swollen right foot...he had been to the walk-in health centre, but hadn't been willing to wait around to see a GP...the triage nurse reckoned he needed antibiotics. Back home he arranged a GP appointment for tomorrow afternoon, but we urged him to ring 111 and get some advice, if he wasn't willing to go to A&E. There were a few phone calls back and forth between siblings. The clinician eventually rang him back, but could only offer a GP at Hexham, which would have meant a 12 mile drive in the dark, with a swollen foot...so he declined the offer, and resolved to attend the appointment tomorrow afternoon with his GP. He seemed in good form when we spoke later in the evening...he'd cooked dinner, and done the washing up! Aki warmed up the fish curry, and made a cauliflower achari gobi to go with the rice and dal. But Aki didn't eat...she complained of stomach pains and went off to bed instead, so I ate alone in front of the C4 News. She seemed OK later, and got up to take a shower. I then ran a bath, before retiring for the night...

Wednesday 31st January 2024

Aki up with the alarm at 0730 to ready herself for Rowing Club. She brought me a mug of tea, and I read in bed for a bit. Got up at 0900. Porridged. Did an hour at the computer, then drove out on inspections in Tottenham and Stamford Hill. Popped in to Sainsburys at Manor House. Drove home for lunch at 1300 with Aki, and thereafter drove her to Crouch End for her hearing test. I dropped her off and drove on to inspections in Muswell Hill, before returning to Crouch End for my hearing test. Aki had gone home by then, having been told her ears were too blocked up with ear wax for them to undertake an accurate test! Mine went well, confirming what I already knew, that I have severe hearing loss at the upper frequencies. I booked a follow-up appointment to talk about hearing aids. Drove back to South Tottenham to do some more external inspections, driving home in the gloaming. Made a pasta sauce with some tinned tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, olives, and chilli pesto, which we ate with some Sainsburys tortelloni. Watched a bit of telly, including MOTD, before bed...