Thursday 29th February 2024

Woke around 0800. Listened to the news headlines then got up and showered. Descended for breakfast in the restaurant area. Grey morning, threatening rain. Drove to Twydall and knocked on half a dozen doors…of the two tenants to answer, both stated they had not received any letter warning of my coming…one of them let me in anyway. Pretty grim inside…the place stank of cigarette smoke, and the old chap’s moustache was stained a pungent yellow. Headed for Lordswood…a vast estate of low quality, box-like housing. Managed to get into one unit, though they confirmed no letter had preceded me. Drove on to Luton, a rundown eastern suburb of Chatham…got into two bungalows…the tenant of one, now in his late 70s, had been raised in Holloway, his family living in Hornsey Road…he enjoyed reminiscing about the area, and said he liked to pop back there occasionally. I drove back to the Premier Inn to use the facilities, then drove on to the dockyard area and lunched in Costa, before heading back to Lordswood, and Walderslade. Got soaked wandering the streets in the unrelenting drizzle. FaceTimed Jim Lister…told him he and Katherine were welcome to stop over with us as long as they like…threw in the suggestion that we play the Open Mic at the North Nineteen, but sounds as if they’ll be staying with Barney in Peckham that night. Dined at the Ship & Trades…the chicken and mushroom risotto was tasty. FaceTimed Aki, then read some of The Miniaturist before nodding off...