Tuesday 30th July 2024

Aki up at 0800 to work at the computer. I dozed for an hour or so. Got up and porridged before switching on the telly for some Olympics action. Rehearsed the Finale number from "Worst Witch" for a bit. Made lunch...pizza and salad. More Olympics. Researched some shows to go see whilst in Edinburgh next month. Watched the gymnastics. Aki popped out to Waitrose to get some ingredients for tonight's fish curry, which she served up with rice. Watched the action from the Swimming Pool this evening...GB successfully defended their gold medal from Tokyo in the 4x 200m relay...great scenes! And Murray and Evans lived to fight another day, getting through to the quarter-finals. Had a swim in the bath before bed...

Monday 29th July 2024

Fitful night's sleep. Aki up before me, as she had work to do at the computer. I got up and porridged. Watched the Men's Olympic Mountain Bike Final...extraordinary performance from the Brit, who came from ninth after a tyre puncture, to pip the Frenchman at the line for Gold. Walked over to the GP to report the fact that I needed them to re-refer me for two inguinal scans; they arranged for the physician's associate to phone me next week when in Newcastle. Walked to Waitrose and did some shopping. Temperatures rising outside...forecast to hit 30C this afternoon. Walked back to find Aki preparing lunch...she made a bean and lemon salad, which we had with ham and toast. Watched a bit more telly, then headed back to Holloway Road to get Aki the ingredients for my birthday cake. Warmed up the chicken cacciatore for dinner, and made mashed potatoes...very tasty. Ought to try it out on ma and pa next week. Penned a couple of emails ahead of our trip to Scotland next week. 

Sunday 28th July 2024

Aki up to ready herself for Rowing Club...I dozed in bed until 0930; got up to eat Aki's cooked breakfast before she departed for Springfield Park. I practised one of the "Witch" song guitar parts, and watched some Olympic coverage. Aki lunched at the cafe in Springfield Park, while I made do with peanut butter on toast. I cooked garlic mushrooms for dinner, with pappardelle and peas. Watched more from the Olympics before retiring...

Saturday 27th July 2024

Woke around 0900. Got up and porridged. Aki cooked herself some brunch. I prepared a packed lunch to take to Alexandra Palace. Tried on my suit, but the high neck-line prevented me being able to show off my eccentric bow-tie, so gave up on that and just went for the smart suit. Drove up to Muswell Hill, via the petrol station at Manor House, and managed to find parking in Dukes Avenue, which skirts the northern boundary of Alexandra Palace and it's parkland. Decided to save my packed lunch for the dinner break, and bought a coronation chicken sandwich, and a coffee, which I consumed on the south terrace, over-looking an expansive view of London town.

Clocked in at the theatre at 1415, and made my way into the splendid auditorium...it's all been left looking pretty distressed, with patches of plasterwork, and exposed brickwork, and cornicing with gaps in it where bits have long ago fallen off. The stalls seating is partially raked, but all is removable, as indeed happens when the BBC film "Later...", and there is a circle level above it, but quite far back, that is, not over-hanging the stalls. The choir slowly amassed, and we took our positions on the stage. The orchestra joined, and Harvey took us through various pieces, not in order, as we were still awaiting the arrival of the children's choir. They finally trooped in, and they added a lovely, quirky dimension to several of the songs. The acoustics in the auditorium are not as good as those at St Luke's, making it more difficult to hear the other vocal sections above the musical instruments, but it is what it is. We broke around 1730, and walked back to the car to extract my packed dinner. Found a bench over-looking the boating lake, and ate there, before returning to the theatre for the 1900 kick-off. Not a bad turn-out. Spotted Aki and Martin on the front row of the circle, and Christine, and Lynne from upstairs, in the second row of the stalls.

Kevin from No.93 was up in the circle somewhere, and Rebecca and Sush from No.5 were also in the auditorium. Harvey kicked off the evening by teaching the audience the words to the chorus of "Victoria", and "Shangri-la", and then we launched into the songs from "Arthur", which made up the first half of the evening. It all went down very well. Spent the interval in the over-crowded dressing room upstairs. Claire from No.78 introduced me to Jane from No.122. Then it was back down to stage level for the second half...the complete "Village Green Preservation Society" album. A couple of messy bits in there somewhere, but the audience seemed to enjoy themselves...and Sir Raymond made a brief appearance out of the shadows stage right to wave at his fans at the curtain call. Made my way out to the bar afterwards, bumping into Sush and Rebecca as they exited the auditorium. Found Aki and Martin in the bar, and we were joined by Helen, Claire, and Kevin for a swift beer. Said farewell to Harvey before leaving, and he gave me his email address...hoping to get him along to the Tower Theatre at some point in the autumn. Drove home with Aki, Kevin, and Claire...dropping everyone off in Sussex Way before retiring home for a well-deserved bath and bed...

Friday 26th July 2024

Aki up early to ready herself for a meeting in Camden Town. I got up around 0930 and porridged. Drove over to Harringay with my guitar. Parked up at Sainsburys in Manor House, then walked round to the luthier in the Warehouse District. Angus dealt with the problem there and then, laying the guitar out on the operating theatre, loosening the strings, and gaining access to the machine's innards to fish out a 9-volt battery housing!!! I had no idea it was hidden away down there...basically, I paid him £27 to change the battery!!! A lesson learned...walked back to the car, and bought a couple of things from Sainsburys, then drove home. Found Aki had returned, awaiting the delivery of a new Vodafone wifi hub. DPD duly rocked up with the goods. We had a salad lunch with halloumi cheese and fried mushrooms. Aki then set about setting up the freshly delivered wifi equipment. She spent about an hour on the phone to some guy in India, but got everything fired up. I practised some guitar for "Witch", and set up the practice amp and overdrive pedal...sounds OK. Cooked a chicken cacciatore for dinner, with sauteed potatoes and vegetables. Spent an hour or so listening to Kinks numbers ahead of tomorrow's gig at Alexandra Palace. 

Thursday 25th July 2024

Rose around 0900. Porridged. Drove the car to the VW service centre in Colindale for an MOT. Dropped it off, and walked back to Colindale tube station, only to discover it had been demolished! Sat in the Costa cafe opposite and had a coffee, and read some Dickens, then walked north through the new housing development, which lead me to the open space of Montrose Playing Fields...nice wide footpath/cycle path, and lots of greensward. The northern end of it brought me out into Burnt Oak, and I got on a tube train there. Got out at Camden Town, and took a No.29 bus home. Aki busy vacuuming. I slung a tuna salad lunch together. Did some work on one of the "Witch" numbers, trying to decipher the music for my guitar...took awhile, but got there in the end. By 1645 I still hadn't heard anything from VW. Aki suggested I phone them, and they said the car was ready...it meant having to rush out and jump on a bus to Camden Town, then take the Northern Line to Burnt Oak. The service centre closes at 1800, and by the time I'd trotted through Montrose Playing Fields, I got there about 5 minutes late...fortunately, they were still dealing with another customer, so I caught them before they shut up shop for the day. The car had passed it's MOT, and they'd given it a long-overdue clean...looked almost brand new! Drove home. Got in around 1900...Aki had cooked an okra and aubergine curry, which we ate with rice. It was rather flavourless. Worked on some Kinks numbers before bath and bed...

Wednesday 24th July 2024

Aki up early to ready herself for Rowing Club. I woke around 0900. Got up and saw her off. Porridged. Walked to Stoke Newington Church Street via Clissold Park. Picked up a couple of pastel de nata on the way to Tamara's flat for an initial meet to discuss the possibility of being in the band for the Tower's October production of "The Worst Witch". She brewed some coffee, and we had a brief catch up...hadn't realised she'd been working on Simona's outdoor production of "Much Ado...". She had actually gotten paid for her work, and reckoned she'd learnt a lot. She had sheet music for "Witch"...it didn't look too complicated, and she reckoned the difficult bits could be covered by the pianist, so I signalled my interest and took the sheet music away with me. Walked through Abney Park Cemetery and then zigzagged through the residential streets of Stamford Hill until I came to Clapton Common, and walked down Spring Hill to the cafe next to the Rowing Club. Aki sat outside with various rowing mates...no-one I particularly knew, but had a chat with Neal, who hails from Tynemouth, and retains the accent. Aki and I lunched on veggie burgers and fried eggs in brioche buns before the party disbanded. Aki cycled off home, and I walked back up Spring Hill to catch a No.253 bus back to Holloway. Had a work through the sheet music...chords are all manageable, but the bits of lead will take a bit of working out...fortunately there isn't too much of it. I emptied the boot of the car ahead of tomorrow's MOT Test...checked the oil, and it was very low. Walked down to AutoParts on Holloway Road and bought a litre of top-up oil; walked back and poured it into the engine. Aki cooked hake for dinner, with spelt and vegetables. Worked on some Kinks numbers before bath and bed...

Tuesday 23rd July 2024

Woke around 0930. Aki brought me a mug of tea and I read some Dickens before getting up and porridging. Sat around reading and listening to music for most of the morning while Aki worked at the computer. I put a ham salad lunch together. Spent some time going through the Kinks songs ahead of this evening's rehearsal at St Luke's. Aki popped out to Waitrose to get some odds and ends. Muggy afternoon. We had some aubergine tortelloni for dinner, with a pizzaiola sauce, roast aubergine and vegetables. Walked up to St Luke's for final rehearsal before Saturday's gig at Alexandra Palace. Good turnout. We were allocated seats. I ended up next to a bloke who was a bit all over the place at times, but generally I think it was the best session yet. We worked through the whole programme, so didn't break till gone 2200. Walked home. Aki in the shower. She wants to get up early tomorrow to go rowing...she can't get enough of it!!!

Monday 22nd July 2024

Woke around 0845...Aki had planned to head to Camden for a meeting, but realised just in time that she'd gotten the date wrong! She worked at the computer for most of the day. Porridged. Sat about reading some Dickens and listening to music, for most of the morning. Aki made ramen soup for lunch, before returning to the computer hot seat. I listened to some Kinks songs ahead of tomorrow evening's run through. Still finding one or two sections nigh on impossible, but will see how we get on tomorrow night. Phoned Roz to catch up on her thoughts after visiting mum and dad in High View...she seemed quite concerned that Kath was taking on too much and endangering her health. She reckons it important that we get mum properly diagnosed so we can start lining up some outside social care assistance. Walked to Waitrose via Highbury to get some exercise. Came home and put together a tuna salad Nicoise for dinner. Watched a bit of News before bath and bed...

Sunday 21st July 2024

Woke around 0845. The blinds in the front bedroom at Tami’s weren’t much good at keeping the rising sun out. Aki was asleep with a red scarf over her eyes. Got up and found some teabags in Tami’s kitchen. Tami cooked us an omelette for breakfast, which we augmented with the expensive cured ham we bought in duty free at Lisbon airport on Friday. Amused to discover the cat was called Ziggy, so I introduced her to my Ziggy Stardust sock for a photo op. Left Tami’s and walked to Earlsfield station…caught a train to Vauxhall, then took the Victoria line to Kings Cross, where we ventured above ground and hopped on a No.91 bus home. Bumped into Brett from No.7 as we’re getting off the bus…she’d been swimming at Cally pool. Chilled on the sofa for most of the remainder of the afternoon while Aki did some work. Cooked confit of duck for dinner, with sauteed potatoes, and vegetables. Nowt much on the telly, so read some "Nicholas Nickleby" before bath and bed...

Saturday 20th July 2024

Woke around 0945. Rolled out of bed and cooked brunch while Aki popped out to buy milk. Kath and mum called from the back garden in High View. Dad feeling under the weather and complaining of a headache. Aki popped out to do some shopping at Waitrose. I stayed home and rehearsed the Bowie songs ahead of tonight’s 60th birthday party. Plugged my parlour sized guitar into my amp but it didn’t work…something amiss with the cabling inside I reckon. Phoned the tech guy who’s overseeing tonight’s turns and checked that he could mic me up, rather than my lugging the jumbo across town on public transport. Listened to the Kinks songs for a bit, having missed Tuesday nights' rehearsal. Cooked a pizziaola sauce, which we ate with spaghetti and peas for an early dinner, then set off for Kingston with my guitar strapped to my back. I was wearing my blue party brogues…the most expensive shoes I own, and the least comfortable! 

Hobbled from Kingston train station to the venue, a void beneath the John Lewis store, fronting the river. We descended into the void to be greeted by our hostess, Louise. Caught up with her briefly, and chatted to a few other familiar faces…Debbie and Phil Dean, the latter dressed in a kilt; Sian; and Rachel, who I had met in Perth when I visited Lou. The entertainment got underway at about 2030…a young female vocalist who accompanied herself on piano, followed by Phil Dean, who gave a rather good folkie rendition of a Marc Almond hit of yesteryear. I got up and sang a couple of Ziggy Stardust era Bowie songs, interspersed with a rendition of Happy Birthday given via my Ziggy sock puppet. The entertainment was rounded off by a Black Widow drag act, then the tables and chairs were cleared for the 70s disco. 

At this point, Linda, Tina, and my ex-wife Kerry showed up. The latter two had been flatmates of Louise back in the early 80s. I introduced Aki to Kerry, and Kerry to Aki, and they briefly embraced in mutual support! I actually said, "Aki, Kerry; KerryAki...", which sounded rather aptly like a Japanese dish. The music was rather too loud to permit us much in the way of conversation, but we hugged and swapped news of mutual friends and family. Kerry had given up teaching and now works at a community food hub in Stone; her brother Tim still works with the photographic team at the local newspaper and has two grown up children. Younger brother Chris has lost his house…not sure how! I passed on news of mum and dad…then it was back to the dancing before we managed to slink off to catch a train to Earlsfield, as we’d arranged to stop over at Tami’s. Got there about 2315 and Tami showed us to our bedroom…fell into bed exhausted!

Friday 19th July 2024

Woke around 0830. Hauled ourselves out of bed…descended for breakfast. Bade the staff a fond farewell…one of them insisted on giving us a hug. Saw online news pertaining to airport delays due to a global IT outage. Got messages from easyJet warning of possible delays to our flight. Packed our bags and checked out. Got to Terminal 1 in good time...it seems our flight hasn't been cancelled, and most flights appear to be leaving. An hour's delay was being posted on the departures board. Got through security, then took our time wandering about in Duty Free for a bit...bought some Iberian ham to donate to Tami for breakfast at her pad on Sunday morning. Aki decided to browse the Sunglasses Hut...big mistake. She took ages finding a pair she fancied, and on purchasing them was told she could go to a desk to get the Portuguese tax refunded...what a palaver that was! She spent 20 minutes in a queue, and then gleaned she needed to get the receipt from the sunglasses vendor validated at a separate desk, so managed to persuade those she was in the queue with to save her spot, then queued at the validation desk, then re-joined the tax refund queue, and then had to argue with the staff...blimey! Thought we were going to miss our delayed flight! Naturally, our departure gate was furthest from us, so we walked at pace, banging into the crowds with our luggage, and eventually joined the throng at Gate 47. Waited for 30 or 40 minutes before boarding began, and the flight got away at 1700, about an hour and a quarter late, so not too bad. Started reading my next Dickens, "Nicholas Nickleby"...really enjoyed it. Landed at Luton, and made our way through passport control without mishap, and headed for the railway station...had feared the trains would be badly affected by the IT outage, but we got on one and headed into St Pancras, where we caught a No.91 bus home. Ate some bits and pieces we'd managed to pick up at M&S on our way out of St Pancras station, and then bath and bed...exhausted!

Thursday 18th July 2024

Woke around 0930…we were feeling very weary, but hauled ourselves out of bed and made our way downstairs for breakfast. Walked up to the park at Principe Real and on to the Botanical Gardens. Got in at the seniors’ rate. Hot day so it was pleasant enough wandering in the shade of a variety of trees. The gardens have seen better days, though…the wide footpaths are full of potholes, and everything looks rather dusty, worn out and past its best. Walked on down to Rato metro station and renewed our 24hour travel passes, then walked back toward the hostel, stopping off at a local cafe for coffee and pastel da nata. Jumped on a No.24 tram down the hill into the city centre. Outside the station a Cais Sodre, we boarded a modern tram and headed westward to Belem. 

Got off 20 minutes or so later, and followed the crowd down to the river to take a look at the Belem Tower, built in the late 15th century to help defend the city from raiders from the west. It looked very striking in the summer sun. We found an ice cream vendor, then walked along the riverside eastward to the Discoveries monument, now a rather controversial piece of work given the unspeakable cruelties wrought upon the indigenous peoples of various Portuguese colonies. Walked back to the main drag across a well-laid out city park, and caught the tram back into Lisbon from the stop outside the stunning Jeronimo Monastery. 

Caught a bus back up the hill rom Cais Sodre, and popped into the hostel to rest a while before venturing out for dinner at a nearby modern Italian restaurant, called Leonetta.  were busy, but managed to squeeze us in at a table for two upstairs. The food was the best we had had in Lisbon. My burrata starter was heavenly; my sweet potato gnocchi rather ordinary; the dessert of crispy open ravioli with chocolate ganache and ice cream was great. 

Aki had made contact with some of her rowing mates, who had shacked up in an AirBnB in Cascais, and they had travelled into Lisbon for their dinner at Sea Me in the Baixa...we walked down to meet them, then guided them back to our hostel for cocktails in the roof garden bar...the staff seemed delighted that we'd brought a possee up to sample their wares. They piled into a taxi around 2330, while we made our way down the one flight of stairs to our room...

Wednesday 17th July 2024

Woke around 0830. Got up and showered before descending to the breakfast buffet…we sat out on the rear terrace. Caught a bus downtown, then walked to a No.28 tram stop in Baixa-Chiado. The route is recommended as a means of experiencing the old city, but means it is very popular and overcrowded. Luckily we just got on the first one that came along, headed east. But we had to stand for most of the ride which meant a very restricted view of any passing scenery.

Rode to the end of the line intending to ride back in the opposite direction, but the queue was long enough to fill about 6 trams, which would mean waiting up to an hour in baking sunshine…we opted to amble slowly back into the city centre, stopping for coffee and pastel de nata on the way. Found ourselves on the Parca de Comercio. Crossed to the riverside, and walked west toward the railway station at Cais Sodre. Discovered the nearby Time Out foodhall in the historic market...loads of stalls; opted for soup for lunch, and were lucky to find chairs and table to sit at...it was very busy. Walked on to Pink Street...a street painted pink. Then double-backed to the funicular at Ascensor de Bica...we were lucky. We were the last tram load to go up the steep incline before the driver went on strike! Wandered down to Baixa, picking up an ice cream on the way. 

Walked back to the hostel via the back streets. Booked a table at a nearby fado house for this evening's meal and entertainment. The Amego Machado has pedigree, going back to the 1930s, but not much atmosphere, save for the photos on the wall, and a large painting of three fado artistes that hung in the original fado house. We were first there, so were sat at a table for two right at the front. Dinner was OK, but nothing to get excited about. I enjoyed the caldo verde, but the bachalau was ordinary. Afew more people wandered in as we ate, but it didn't fill up...maybe about 20 of us altogether. The fado started at around 2100...the entertainment comprised several short sets, with male or female solo singers, accompanied by the house band, Portuguese guitarra, Spanish guitar, and acoustic bass. Really enjoyed it...though Aki got into trouble with the fado police. There was a speech delivered before the music got underway...you are allowed to take photos, but strictly no flash photography, and no video recording. The chap then flung himself into his set...Aki took a couple of photos, but inexplicably her flash went off on the third or fourth one, startling the singer momentarily...she signalled her apologies once the song had finished. He and the band went off for a mini-break, and the lights came back up. The band returned with a young female songstress ten minutes later, which went without mishap, but the third set, fronted by an older female singer, saw the guitarra player pulling faces at Aki, thinking, mistakenly, she was taking video...we escaped into the night at the following break. Aki asked the waiter to relay a message to the guitarra player, that she hadn't taken any video...the waiter said he didn't know why the performers made such a fuss..."We tell 'em to 'shut up and sing'" he said...

Tuesday 16th July 2024

Woke around 0800…dozed on for another hour before getting up and dressing. Made my way downstairs for breakfast. Nice airy room with open doors onto terrace at rear of hostel. Part buffet, with nice bread roll, cheese and cuts of meat, and part cooked to order…I had scrambled egg and mushrooms. Cafe au lait was good. Returned to my room for a shower. Walked into the city centre and sought out a cafe famous for their pastel da nata. Had a coffee (ordered a galoa, a kind of cafe au lait served in a glass) with it, standing at the narrow bar. The locals apparently consider this the best pastel de nata in town...I can attest that it was very good! Walked on down through the southern side of the city, initially following the famed No.28 tram route, then cutting across the north side of the Praca do Comercio, then walked along the riverside to Santa Apolonia railway station. Picked up a bottle of water on the way...it was getting hot. Plunged down into the Metro station, and travelled to Oriente, where Aki was due to arrive by train at around 1430. I found my way up out of the underground, and into the railway station concourse, built in time for the 1998 Expo...it's very modern looking, but the far end seemed to be populated by scores of homeless people. I escaped up to ground level, and found my way to a little cafe beneath a modern office block around the corner...our planned meeting point. Sat and had a coffee, but didn't fancy eating lunch there, so wandered across the road and found a self-service canteen. 

The lady behind the till pointed to the last of what looked like a croque madame, so I ordered that, and found a seat...when she brought it over she had added chips, and a beer based gravy. The cheese was flavourless, and the toasted bread soggy with gravy...it was most unpleasant, but I managed to get it down me. I sat at a table outside afterward, with a drink, and awaited Aki's appearance. She duly arrived, and ordered a drink...she looked well, despite having spent several days rowing down the River Douro. She showed me some photos of her trip...the locks they had had to pass through were enormous! We headed back down to the Metro station, and surfaced once more at the bottom of the Ascensor de Gloria...we stood there for about 20 minutes awaiting the funicular, but nothing turned up. 

We noticed a lot of people walking down...it turned out the funicular drivers were on a lightning strike...so we had t haul Aki's luggage up the steep cobbled street in 30C heat...we weren't happy. I booed the driver, still sat in his cab halfway up the hill. We got Aki settled into the room, then went up to the roof bar for our free welcome drink. Great view across to the castle on the eastern hill. Walked up to the little park at Principe Real and had a beer at another of the little stalls there...managed to find table and chairs. Decided to eat in the vicinity, having found a little traditional local tasca...wandered in and were immediately served with a round of baked cheese to share, with some thin slivers of toasted bread. Aki ordered the octopus for her main, and I went for the veal with rice and potatoes. It was OK...but didn't blow us away. Wandered back down through the Biarro Alto afterward, and on to the square in Baixa for the free concert. Got there at 2130, hoping we might be early enough to bag a seat, but it was already full...in fact the concert began at 2130, not 2200 as I'd been misinformed yesterday. We were surprised to see the 75-piece Gulbenkian Orchestra take to the stage...they performed some Portuguese contemporary classical music, which wasn't too exciting...we lasted about half-an-hour, then decided to head back up the hill to the hostel for a shower and bed...

Monday 15th July 2024

 

Woke before 0750 alarm. Hauled myself out of bed and made tea. Porridged. Last minute chores and packing. Set off for St Pancras…walked to Finsbury Park hauling my luggage behind me, and caught a Victoria line train. Got to St Pancras with half an hour to spare. Sat and had a coffee in Costa next to Platform 1…from whence I caught the Express to Luton Airport Parkway. Got to Luton at around 1035 and made my way via shuttle to the airport terminal. Quite busy. Got through security, though my bag got diverted to the inspectorate…the guy swabbed my mobile phone for some reason. Bought a sandwich in W H Smith and then walked to Gate 28 and sat and ate it. The flight was full. Took off about 1245, a little behind schedule. Sat next to two young ladies, but they were intent on their mobile phones, or sleeping, so didn’t chat. Landed at Lisbon aeroporto at 1530 and made my way slowly to passport control, and eventually found my way to the Metro station. Bought a 24hour Metro and bus ticket and headed for Restauradores in the city centre…took about half an hour, including a busy line interchange at Sao Sebastiao…had hit rush hour. Came up onto Praca de Restauradores, and joined the queue for the Ascensor da Gloria, an ancient funicular that took me up to the Biarro Alto and a short walk to my accommodation, opposite the Miradouro Sao Pedro. Check in took some time…they had confused another guest name with mine, so when the (trainee) receptionist opened the door to what she thought my room, it was already occupied. Had to sit on a chair on the landing while she enlisted the assistance of her superiors, and I was eventually ushered into room 203. It looked a little smaller than the other room, but there was an ensuite shower room, and a comfortable looking double bed. 

The window looked out over the Miradouro opposite, and the busy Rua de Sao Pedro de Alcantara, on the No.24 tram route into the city centre. Got settled in then wandered up toward the park at Principe Real and had a beer at one of the little stalls there, then headed back. The pavements are a mosaic of small limestone blocks, which have been highly polished by decades of foot traffic...as I came down the hill toward the Miradouro, my legs went from under me, and I landed heavily on my bottom. A shooting pain went through my left arm, as it took the force of the impact, and I sat there for 45 seconds recovering...a couple on a scooter stopped and asked if I was OK...bruised but unbowed, and went on my way. Ambled through the Biarro Alto. A maze of narrow medieval streets, with pavement cafes and restaurants. Ate at a little Italian restaurant, Limoncello, which, though small, was nicely appointed inside. The food was OK...I enjoyed the egg soup, and the mushroom risotto, though the latter was a bit soupy. Ambled down to the Baixa area, and stumbled across an open air stage and seating in a square in front of an imposing looking theatre building...I made enquiries, and was told there'd be a free concert tomorrow evening at 2200...part of an annual music festival. Walked back up the hill to the hostel, showered and fell into bed...

Sunday 14th July 2024

Woke around 0830. Someone had tried to assassinate Trump at a rally yesterday, but had only managed to clip his right ear! Initial footage almost looked staged, but apparently a by-stander was shot dead, and a couple others are critically wounded. Republican senators accused Biden of inciting the assassination attempt...Trump's only got one person to blame, himself! At this rate, the US will soon be plunged into civil war! Listened to the Kinks songs on headphones in bed, then got up and made tea and porridged. Still wearing headphones, I watered Aki's plants. Walked down to Highbury then back up Holloway Road to do some shopping in Waitrose. Back home to make some lunch before settling in front of the telly to watch the Men’s singles final. The first set was interrupted by a request from Rebecca next door to park a screen on our roof so they could project tonight’s Euros final on it whilst sitting on their roof garden. I went up to take look…it was cheap and very light, and blew over at the slightest whiff of a breeze. So the plan was abandoned. I took the opportunity to borrow their soft brush and sweep up the moss that had fallen on our roof from the church next door. Duncan from No.9 appeared…he’d been invited over to watch the match and partake of some food…he was wearing an England shirt. I escaped back downstairs to watch Alcaraz demolish Djokovic in three sets of awesome power tennis. Warmed up the last of the chicken curry, together with rice, dal and a naan…then wandered across the road to watch the football at Ben and Gayu’s at No.38. Other members of the Book Club had also been invited…Dulcie, Gareth, George and Katherine. It was a painful watch, ending in the predicted defeat. But it was nice to share it with friends…headed back home to finish packing before bath and bed…

Saturday 13th July 2024

Fitful night's sleep...not sure why, though felt a little bloated after last night's shenanigans. Woke around 0700, and couldn't get back off to sleep, so got up and made tea. Porridged. Worked on some Kinks songs. Read some Lampedusa. Slung a salad together to have with the remainder of the quiche I'd bought yesterday. Set off for Southwark...hopped on a bus to Finsbury Park. The station was heaving, as the second night of the Wireless Festival is on this evening. 

Took a tube train to Kings Cross, then changed for the Circle Line. Got out at Tower Hill. Wandered over to Tower Place to clock the new Xian Dream restaurant, a bigger, more comfortable version of Xian Expressions near us. It's in a large glass fronted modern building next door to the Tower of London. A lot of people about. Walked over Tower Bridge...or rather, shuffled across in the crowds. 

Hooked up with Piers outside the Bridge Theatre...hadn't realised I was joining a large family party...got introduced to various of his siblings, nephews, and nieces. was evidently taking up a spare ticket, someone having dropped out at the last minute. We went in to to see the house production of "Guys & Dolls". I'm not a big musical theatre fan, but this was a joy from start to finish...great songs, cracking performances, very sharp and funny script. Loved it. I came outside for a breath of fresh air during the interval, and spotted Nick Lumley, who had played Grandad in Good Golly Miss Molly with me at Oldham Coliseum about 20 years ago! We had a brief chat, and he said he was in town for the cricket at Lords...promised to take me to the Garrick Club next time he's in town! After the show, I said my goodbyes, as Piers and family had booked a table at nearby The Ivy for dinner...I shuffled back across Tower Bridge, then walked up Hounds Ditch to Liverpool Street, popping in at Eataly to buy some fresh pasta for dinner this evening. Caught a No.43 bus from outside Moorgate tube station. Got home and cooked a quick mushroom pasta sauce. Watched the Wimbledon Women's Final on the iPlayer. Paolini sadly lost in three sets...hopefully she'll be back next year...she's been a breath of fresh air. Aki FaceTimed from her hotel somewhere to the east of Porto. They'd rowed about 30km today. 
 

Friday 12th July 2024

Alarm at 0745...dozed on for an hour before rising. Porridged. Watered Aki's plants, which were looking a bit thirsty. Read some Lampedusa, and rehearsed some Kinks songs before lunch, then watched the Men's singles semi-finals. Alcaraz was lucky to come through in four sets against Medvedev, as he wasn't playing consistently good tennis. Watched the first set of the Djokovic v Musetti game, then had to set off for Dalston. Decided to walk to Blackstock Road via the Emirates stadium, then caught a No.236 bus on Blackstock Road...which promptly got stuck in traffic. The bus went around the houses, taking a route around Newington Green, over to Shacklewell, and down to Ridley Road market. It was a slow journey. Got off at Graham Road and found some beers at a local convenience store on Dalston lane, then walked down to Sarah's party at her house on Lenthall Road, which she shares with Stephen Ley...both are very long-standing Tower Theatre members, and indeed, were instrumental in finding and purchasing the current venue. I was one of the first to arrive. Stephen's brother Phil was in the kitchen...he'd directed our Tower Theatre production of "Improbable Fiction", so we had a good catch up. His band, Guitar Gangsters, are due to play the Hope & Anchor soon. Chatted to Matthew and Katie in the back garden. Gail turned up...I'd been her best man, or rather her ex-husband Richard's best man, back in 1986!!! I left around 2245, and headed on foot for Dalston Junction station. Got down onto the platform only to learn that my train wouldn't be arriving for 15 minutes, so walked back up to street level and caught three buses home! Took ages!!! 

Thursday 11th July 2024

Aki woke to alarm at 0530. I was barely aware of her getting up...she left to catch her train to Gatwick at 0630. I got up around 1000. Porridged. Pottered about doing some general admin...applied for my Freedom Pass, and for a Global Health Insurance Card, which has replaced the old EU card. Switched on the tennis at 1330. The little pocket rocket from Italy, Jasmine Paolini, made it through to the final in three arduous sets...she never gives up. She'll meet Krejcikova in the final on Saturday. Defrosted some pizzaiola sauce for dinner, with tagliatelle and some vegetables. Did an hour's work on some of the Kinks songs...it's hard going. Aki FaceTimed from a bar in Porto, where she was having a sherry with Kearsey and Becky. Their flight out of Gatwick had been delayed two hours due to heavy fog in Porto! They head east on the train tomorrow morning to rendezvous at the start of their three day rowing adventure on the Douro. Watched the penultimate episode of "Ripley" on Netflix before bath and bed...

Wednesday 10th July 2024

Woke to alarm at 0730...Aki got up to ready herself for Rowing Club. I languished in bed until 0900. Got up and porridged. Aki cycled off to Springfield Park. I read some Lampedusa, then walked round to the Vodafone shop on Holloway Road to sort out my Vodafone app...it had been showing someone else's mobile number...the bloke on the counter sorted it all out within five minutes! Pleased, I shook him warmly by the hand, then set off on foot up Highgate Hill. Had coffee at Gail's at the top of the hill, and read some more Lampedusa, before walking home via M&S and Tesco. Aki was back home for lunch...I slung a salad together, with half a slice each of Gail's tomato and courgette slice. Watched some tennis in the afternoon...Djokovic got a bye through to the semi-final as his opponent withdrew having picked up an injury in his last 16 match! I made a chicken curry for dinner, with yoghurt, rice and dal, then settled on the sofa for the England v Netherlands semi-final. It was a tense watch...we went 1-0 down to a cracking goal from Xavi Simons, but equalised with a lucky penalty. Bit our nails for most of the second half, when Ollie Watkins came on as a substitute, and slotted in the winner in the 91st minute...astonishing scenes!!!

Tuesday 9th July 2024

 

Woke around 0900. Got up and porridged. Aki worked at the computer until 1100, then we hopped on a No.254 bus to Finsbury Park station, and took a Victoria Line train to Oxford Circus. Walked down to John Lewis's and exchanged some £'s for Euros at their fifth floor Bureau de Change. I left Aki in the women's clothes section and walked down to M&S to buy some white boxers to wear under my new white trousers, which are a little see-through in the nether regions! Wandered down North Audley Street afterward and got myself a coffee in the Mercato, and read some Lampedusa. Walked back to Tottenham Court Road in the rain, via Grosvenor Square and Great Marlborough Street, and caught a No.29 bus home. Got in around 1430 and had a bite to eat. Sat on the sofa to watch some tennis. Spent about an hour trying to figure out why my vodafone app doesn't recognise me...ended up having to speak to customer services in India or somewhere...struggled with the operator's Indian accent, but thought she'd set me to rights...but I still couldn't get the app to work! Very frustrating. Aki cooked salmon and a stir-fry for dinner, then I had to rush off to Vox Holloway rehearsal. Good turnout this evening. But I'm still struggling with certain sections...running out of rehearsal time! I'll miss next Tuesday's session. Got home in time to catch the last five minutes of the France v Spain semi-final...the Spanish got through 2-1, a victory embellished by a fine goal from their 16-year old star...astonishing stuff! Aki did some packing before shower and bed...

Monday 8th July 2024

Alarm at 0730...Aki got up to ready herself for a cycle ride into Camden for a works meeting. She woke me up with a mug of tea at 0900. I got up and porridged. Aki set off a bit late, as she couldn't find her house keys. She had to borrow my bike lock and key. I read some Lampedusa, and did some work on the Kinks songs ahead of tomorrow evening's run through. Aki back in good time to make lunch. Then we re-visited the routes we'd taken on foot to and from the church on Saturday, in the hope of espying Aki's missing house keys. Got to St Saviours to find Dan in the office there...we hadn't realised he worked for the church, apparently in some kind of property management capacity, as well as leading the gospel choir. He let us into the church, but we didn't find anything. Walked home via Wray Crescent, but no luck there either. I sat in the car for a bit with the engine on to give the battery a bit of charge, not having used the car for a couple of weeks...Aki came out and knocked on the passenger door window...with her house keys! She had put them in a handbag she'd planned to use when we ate out on Saturday evening, but had abandoned the plan, and forgotten she'd put her keys in it!!! Watched some tennis. I made a pesto sauce with Aki's homegrown basil, and we ate sausage and fennel tortelloni with it...very tasty. 

Sunday 7th July 2024

Woke around 0800. Got up and made tea. Read some Lampedusa, then watched Laura Kuenssberg as she dissected the election results. I cooked breakfast when Aki got up. Switched on Wimbledon at 1100, but of course rain had stopped play. Play finally got under way at 1300 on the show courts, where the roofs covered the courts...watched a bit of Alcaraz v Humbert, which the Spaniard won in four sets, but the main attraction was Raducanu v Lulu Sun, a qualifier who had never appeared at a Grand Slam before...naturally, Emma lost in three sets!!! I cooked Cuban black beans for dinner, which we ate with lime rice, chapati, yoghurt, and greens..it was rather bland. Watched Coco Gauff go out to Emma Navarro before shower and bed...

Saturday 6th July 2024

Woken at about 0200 by the sound of rain thundering down upon our bedroom roof. Luckily no signs of water ingress when rising this morning. Aki had marked the third anniversary of our civil partnership with a card and a scented candle. Got up and cooked brunch. Walked up to St Saviours with our failed flapjacks, for a 1300 start...we did a bit of rehearsing before the general public turned up at around 1400...they joined us for a workshop, working up three songs which will end the gig later this afternoon. 

Not a bad turnout, though a lot of faces missing. Aki and I slunk off home in the break to grab summat to eat, and watch Harriet Dart go out in three sets...shame. That said, she is nowhere near the level of Raducanu. Walked back to St Saviours for the 1630 gig...this time we stood swaying on the stage, singing to those who had turned up to support us, and then we were joined by the workshop practitioners. Enjoyed it...though I can't say I'm terribly eager to return for the Autumn term...see what Aki wants to do by then. We hurried home, as the England v Switzerland quarter-final had kicked off. Managed to squeeze ourselves into the North Nineteen to catch the last 10 minutes of the first half...witnessed the extraordinary sight of an England corner that was, eventually, passed all the way back to Jordan Pickford...un-be-lievable!!! Made a bolt for home at half-time...we won the penalty shoot out!!! We made a dash for Osteria Tufo, getting there around 1945. It was busy...luckily we had booked a table. Enjoyed veal in a tuna sauce for starters, followed by meatloaf with tomato sauce and sauteed potatoes. We shared a tiramisu, then walked home to catch the last half-hour of the Netherlands v Turkey...the former won 2-1, and will meet England in a semi-final next Wednesday! 

Friday 5th July 2024

Woke around 0630...still feeling a bit of abdominal discomfort, so got up and made myself some tea and settled on the sofa to watch the last of the election results come in. It was a win-win...JC beat off the local Labour candidate to retain Islington North, and Labour trounced the Tories to take a whopping majority at Westminster. Bizarrely, they did this on a lower vote share than that gained when JC was leader, and Labour lost heavily. The results also saw five Reform fascists elected...they effectively smashed the Conservative vote share, ensuring their worst result in 200 years! Aki got up at around 0900...we porridged. I set off for Wanstead to pick up my mandolin from Paul Hathway. Walked to Holloway Road tube station to take a Piccadilly Line train, changing at Holborn for the Central Line. Walked from Wanstead tube station to Paul's on Langley Drive. The pick up he has installed is set in the bridge, with the jack input in the strap button on the end of the instrument...looks OK, and seems to work alright...I look forward to trying it out at the Open Mic Night. Came home via the Central Line, but caught a bus from outside Holborn station so I could get some reading in, having taken Lampedusa with me on my journey. Came home for lunch. Watched some tennis...Alcaraz was rather unusually sluggish today against Tiafoe, but eventually came through in five sets, then Emma took on Sakkari, who she had beaten in the US Open semi-final back in 2021...she's on fire this year, and defeated the Greek gal in straight sets. Caught the end of the Germany v Spain game...the Spanish nicked it in extra time. Made mango and coconut flapjacks ahead of tomorrow's gathering...but they failed...too crumbly to keep their shape, they disintegrate on being picked up. Aki tried to rescue them, and we stuck them in the fridge in the vague hope of turning things around. Watched the France v Portugal quarter-final...a stalemate, ending in France winning on penalties.

Thursday 4th July 2024

Woke late...it's Election Day! We voted via postal votes last week, so don't need to walk round to the Polling Station. Aki brought me a mug of tea, but I dozed for another half-hour. Got up around 1000. Porridged. Read some Lampedusa. We walked across to Lidl to buy some bits and pieces for tonight's Spanish themed evening...black beans, cheese, olives, and sliced meats, then wandered round Waitrose. Headed home for lunch. Watched tennis from Wimbledon. I cooked some of the black beans up with chilli oil and preserved lemon, and Aki cooked some garlic prawns, and a tortilla. We headed for Helen and Martin's on Fairbridge Road a little before 1900, walking up there with the foodstuffs in a couple of heavy-duty carrier bags. Helen and Martin had set table outside in the back garden, but the sky had rather greyed over, and a wind was beginning to get up. We persevered...the tapas starters went down well, followed by Helen's Basque chicken and rice. We moved inside for dessert...she'd made a burnt Basque cheesecake, and I supplied my homemade liquorice sauce. We chatted about politics...they had voted for JC...and Vox Holloway, among other things, over beer, wine, and tea. We headed for home on foot at around 2230, feeling rather uncomfortably full. Watched a bit of the Election coverage...exit polls predicting a Labour landslide. I gave up around 0130 and went to bed...

Wednesday 3rd July 2024

Woken by Aki's alarm at 0730...she got up to ready herself for Rowing Club...I dozed on for an hour or so. Got up and porridged. Read some Lampedusa...really enjoying it. It's like a laid-back version of "The Godfather". Did some work on the Kinks songs. Aki came back in time for lunch. Watched tennis…good day for English ladies, Kartal and Raducanu. Prepared Lahore chicken dinner…involves a yogurt based marinade, and a whey and nut sauce. Ate with rice, chapati, and greens. Walked to a bus stop on Holloway Road in fine drizzle, and hopped on a No.393, getting off at Holloway Road tube station. Took the Piccadilly line to Holborn, and as we were a little bit early for the Comedy showcase, we wandered around Bloomsbury Square. The showcase was in the crypt of St George’s church on Bloomsbury Way, the home of the Museum of Comedy. There’s a bar and toilets, and a small room which has been turned into an auditorium with maybe seven rows of chairs, and a small raised stage. The showcase comes at the end of the summer term of a stand-up comedy course run by Logan Murray, which I've been contemplating taking in the autumn. Logan used to run the comedy club at the Rosemary Branch pub in De Beauvoir back in the mid-80's...I played there once or twice when on a mission to gain an Equity card. It was great to see him after all this time...he MC'd the evening, hosting the eleven try-out stand-up 'students' as they took to the stage in front of friends and family. I can't say I felt I was in the presence of the next big thing, but Logan made an entertaining, and consummate host. I managed to speak to him briefly in the interval, and he reckoned I'd be better off joining an impro troupe...I got the impression the course is simply his way of making a living out of the delusional, and that I'd be better off pursuing alternative routes. We came out at about 2130, and caught the No.91 bus home from Southampton Row.

Tuesday 2nd July 2024

Woke around 0930. Read in bed for a bit before getting up to porridge...by which time Aki had cycled off to Mayfair for a site meeting with Helen and Martin. I pottered about...read some Lampedusa, watched some tennis from Wimbledon, and listened to some Kinks chorale. Fried some sardines for lunch, with a bit of salad and toast...Aki had hers when she got in around 1400. She'd been caught in the rain. Watched more tennis, then tuned in to the Romania v Netherlands game, switching back to watch Katie Boulter fight her way through to a second round meeting with compatriot, Harriet Dart. Cooked a tomato and anchovy risotto for dinner...it was good. Walked round to Penn Road for Vox Holloway rehearsal at St Luke's. I got there slightly late, only to discover the basses and altos had been sent off for separate rehearsal in an anteroom...the seats where we usually sit were empty, with just the sopranos sat either side of Harvey's piano...I got a good laugh when I asked if the basses had been sacked! Found them in a room off the lobby, and we worked through some specifically tricky bits with one of Harvey's young proteges, then we joined the sopranos for a run through of a couple of numbers. Walked home afterward...caught the final minute of the Austria v Turkey game...the Turkish keeper pulled off the save of the tournament so far to ensure the Turks get through to the quarter-finals. Exuberant scenes in the stadium. 

Monday 1st July 2024

Woke around 0900. Aki got up and brought me tea, then sat at the computer to do some work. I languished in bed for a bit. Got up and porridged. Read some Lampedusa. Slung a ham and mango salad together for lunch, then took a constitutional, taking a circuitous route to Waitrose to get some odds and ends; picked up some beers in Lidl. Watched some tennis from Wimbledon...enjoyed the Alcaraz v Lajal game...hadn't seen the latter before...he was making his Grand Slam event debut, on Centre Court! He went down to the champion in three sets, but gave a good account of himself. Watched Raducanu get through her opening round...she's hitting the ball with great power. Caught some of the France v Belgium game, but it wasn't as exciting as hoped...France scraped through with a late goal. I made a salmon and dill pasta sauce for dinner, using tinned pink salmon...it was OK, but the dill overpowered any salmon flavour. Walked up to Hanley Road for Gospel Choir rehearsal...the last one before the gig in St Saviours next weekend. Got back home in time to catch the second half of the Portugal v Slovenia game...the Slovenians put up a great fight, and should have won it in the dying minutes, but it went to penalties, and remarkably the Portuguese keeper saved the first three Slovenian spot kicks...Portugal won 3-0 on penalties. 

Sunday 30th June 2024

Woke around 0830. Aki brought me a mug of tea, and I read in bed for a while, before rising for porridge. Aki cycled off to Rowing Club. I worked on the Kinks repertoire...there's an awful lot of it! Prepared lunch ahead of Aki coming home from the River Lea. We enjoyed a sizeable brunch before heading for Earlsfield...took a Victoria Line train to Vauxhall, and picked up the Earlsfield overground train from there. We were among the first to arrive…Tami and Franco had laid on a magnificent spread of meats, cheeses, crackers, olives etc. Unfortunately the bash coincided with the England v Slovakia game. I retreated to the front room with a couple of others to watch on telly. We were pretty ordinary, and conceded within 20 minutes. Aki and a handful of others crept in to watch the second half…and as injury time drew to a close Bellingham came up with a miraculous equaliser…the room went mad, Seymour slapped a big celebratory kiss on Aki sat next to him, and we headed into extra time…unbelievably, two minutes later Kane put us ahead! Extraordinary stuff. We repaired to the dining room afterwards to sing happy birthday to Tami and partake of some cake, then the guests began to drift away. We said our goodbyes and headed for Earlsfield train station…