Sunday 7th April 2024

Woke at about 0930...Aki already up and readying herself for Rowing Club. Neck now giving me constant gip, so didn't sleep particularly well...dunno how I'm gonna get through any work next week! Aki brought me tea in bed...I got up at 1030 and porridged. Did some exercises. Getting a bit behind with my work, so did a couple of hours at the computer before breaking for lunch...chicken and ham salad. Read some of "The Infatuations"...it's a bit slow-going, but is oddly mesmerising...reminds me a bit of Camus. FaceTimed Kath, and then ma and pa...they all seemed in fine fettle, all things considered. Ma and pa had been doing some gardening! Jim and Emma were visiting Goring, and sent us a photo from great grandad's Old Forge, which is now part of the adjoining public house. Aki baked trout for dinner, which we ate with lentils and vegetables, followed by marmalade ice cream and strawberries. Watched two harrowing films detailing the Hamas massacre of young Israelis at the Nova Music Festival which sparked the revenge attacks on Gaza, and the first hand testimony of the Red Crescent volunteers in occupied Gaza as the body count mounts inexorably higher...grim viewing! It brought home the fact that both sides are equally furious with the other, and the notion that there can be any kind of peace within the next 30 years looks pretty pie-in-the-sky...