Saturday 21st September 2024

Woke at 0915 feeling weary…my left shoulder a little pained after yesterday’s pushing and pulling by the physio. Had tea in bed and read some Farrell. Got up around 1100 for some brunch. Aki cycled down to the fishmonger on Essex Road, whilst I rehearsed some guitar. We walked round the corner afterward to catch a No.91 bus to The Aldwych. Walked onto Waterloo Bridge to catch sight of the Great Thames Boat Race...some 300 gigs, skiffs and whalers racing against the clock for 35km from Millwall to Richmond. Becky, one of Aki's mates at Lea Rowing Club, was manning one of the gigs. Aki stood on the west side of the bridge, while I took up a scouting position on the east side, looking out for Becky as the boats rounded the bend in the river, having gone under Blackfriars Bridge. 

I caught sight of her, and phoned Aki so that she could ready herself to get an action shot of Becky in the stroke seat as they exited Waterloo Bridge, heading for the Houses of Parliament. We walked along the Southbank to Borough Market, but got diverted by a new shopping development squeezed into the atmospheric railway arches just to the west of Borough Market. Nicely done. From there we wandered into Borough Market, bumping into our neighbour, Yukiko, and a couple of her Japanese pals at the cured meat counter. Bought some speck. Managed to catch a No.43 bus on London Bridge, and headed for home. Aki put together some salmon sashimi, with rice and omelette, and a miso soup, for dinner, followed by cheese, and cherry spoom. Got a call from cousin Lisa to say that Eddie had passed away today. He'd been ill for a couple of years, and she and Beryl had been looking after him at home. Phoned ma and pa...mum had already had the news from Lisa. Dad continues to improve...he's pretty much pain free now in the subject hip. Reckons he can get back behind the steering wheel in a couple of weeks or so! Watched a bit of telly. MOTD before bath and bed...