Saturday 29th June 2024

 

Woke around 0830. Aki brought me a cuppa tea. Louise FaceTimed us from her bed, wanting to know if I was planning to do a couple of songs at her birthday bash. I told her I’d been rehearsing some Bowie numbers. Aki cycled off to Yerbury Farmers Market to buy bread, while I prepared brunch. Sat about after eating, reading some Lampedusa. Set off on foot for Stoke Newington at 1345. Nice sunny day. Stopped at Peggy’s Corner to buy ice cream. Met Piers in the bar at the Tower Theatre…watched Colin Guthrie’s production of an adaptation of Crime and Punishment. It was painfully long, but the guy playing Raskolnikov was very good and carried the epic manfully. Colin had written some nice music with a bit of help from Shostakovich. We repaired to Suttons afterward for a fish ‘n chip supper, then walked home. Got in in time to see the Germans beat Denmark 2-0. Early bath and bed…

Friday 28th June 2024

 

Woke around 0900. Dozed for a bit before rolling out of bed and porridging. Did some gardening out front...the wisteria needed another pruning, so I perched atop the step ladder, wielding the shears. We took an early lunch, then walked to Finsbury Park, catching a Victoria Line train to Oxford Circus, where we changed for the Central Line. Got out at Wanstead, and walked, my Paul Hathway mandolin on my back, to No.47 Langley Drive...the home of said Paul Hathway. I want him to add a pick up and jack input to the mandolin I bought five years ago, so I can do some tunes on it at the open mics. We were surprised to find Paul operates out of a residential 30s era semi, rather than a unit on a light industrial estate. He answered the front door, and lead us up to his 'shop', where scores of mandolins, mandolas, parlour guitars, and bazoukis hung from every wall of the upstairs box room. They made a sort of shimmering sound as we spoke in the small room. We also got to glimpse his workshop, in a small back bedroom...there were a couple of large lathes, and countless pieces of sapele and cedarwood...it was all quite a sight! He works alone, and reckons to make about 100 instruments a year...gobsmacking! He revealed he used to work in jewelry, and ran a jewelry shop on Seven Sisters Road at the Nags Head...I'm pretty sure I bought Kerry's engagement ring in there in 1987!!! We left the mandolin with him, and he promised to give me a shout when it was ready. We took a walk down Wanstead High Street, which wasn't as attractive as I'd been lead to believe, but we stopped for a swift half in the Bull, which had a sizeable beer garden out front, hidden from the High Street by a high hedge, and a bronze bust of Sir Winston Churchill...he had been MP for Woodford from 1945 onwards. Took the tube back to Holloway Road, and walked up to Waitrose, then headed home. We had smoked eel for dinner, with rice, aubergine, and miso soup, followed by blondie and ice cream. Watched a bit of Glastonbury coverage...all very uninteresting, P J Harvey, and LCD Soundsystem aside...and the presenters, bar Lauren Laverne, are appallingly bad...

Thursday 27th June 2024

Woke at 0830. Had had a dream where I was investigating a woman for killing her policeman husband, and five other policemen, with a crossbow! Got up and porridged at the computer, working for a couple of hours. Aki cycled off to the hairdressers after lunch, so I ventured in to town. Took "The Leopard" with me, and read over a coffee in Foyles on Charing Cross Road. My ulterior motive had been to try on some baseball caps in a shop next door to Tottenham Court Road tube station, but they didn't suit me. Took a No.29 bus home from outside Goodge Street tube station. Aki was back working at the computer when I got home. Warmed up the last of the Toulouse sausage cassoulet for dinner, then headed for Finsbury Park, taking a Piccadilly Line train to Leicester Square, and walking down to the ICA on The Mall. We had tickets to see an obscure 70s era avant-garde Japanese movie, called "Pastoral: To Die in the Country"...it displayed the influence of Pasolini, Godard, Bergman, with a bit of Monty Python thrown in...it was great. When we came out, we noticed the British and Japanese flags adorning the masts in The Mall, marking the state visit of the Emperor of Japan. We had a drink in a pub on the south side of Trafalgar Square...£13.50 for a half a lager, and a G&T!!! Won't be going back there again! 

Wednesday 26th June 2024

Aki up before 0800 to ready for Rowing Club. I got up and porridged. Put a packed lunch together. Headed for Edgware first, then across to North Wembley, before heading south to Neasden, and Park Royal. Stopped off at the Tesco on the A406 near Brent Cross. Then headed westward on the M40. Stopped at Beaconsfield services and ate my packed lunch in the car; grabbed a coffee from Starbucks, and carried on my way to Princes Risborough. Final port of call was Weston Turville, near Aylesbury, from whence I turned for home. Got in around 1600 and did half-an-hour on the computer before the football started. Watched the Ukraine take on the faltering Belgians. Made a creamy mushroom and chicken pasta sauce for dinner. Watched the Georgians stun Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal 2-0...they qualify for the knockout stages for the first time in their history...great stuff!

Tuesday 25th June 2024

Woke around 0800. Dozed until 0830. Got up and porridged. Aki working at the computer, so I did a little work on my laptop, uploading yesterday's photos. Broke for a ham salad lunch with fried halloumi and mushrooms. Worked at the computer for a couple of hours in the afternoon. Watched France v Poland, which ended in a 1-1 draw, before dinner...warmed up the aubergine parmigiana lasagna, which we ate with a side salad. Walked over to St Luke's on Hillmarton Road for Vox Holloway rehearsal. The bloke sat on my right was making it all up! He should be sacked!!! The rehearsal was cut short by the company AGM, which allowed my escape...hurried back home to catch the second half of the England v Slovenia game...a dull 0-0 draw...England fans booed the team off the pitch. 

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.