Thursday 7th November 2024

Woke around 0815. Got up and brought tea back to bed...read some Toni Morrison before rising to porridge. Pottered about. Transferred some monies from my Current Account into a new Easy Access Account which attracts more interest...although at a variable rate...looks like the Bank of England plan to reduce interest rates this afternoon! Played some guitar...The Christmas Song slowly taking shape. Lunch. Aki left to go meet Piers and friends at the Bridge Theatre to see Guys 'n Dolls. 

Matthew Sale rang from work...he was organising a drinks do to mark Martin Doughty's retirement, but it clashes with our hosting the Book Club. A get together was mooted for the New Year...in Haywards Heath! I decided to venture into town. Caught a No.91 bus to KX, and walked along the canal. Popped into Carhaart to try on some pants, but they didn't stock them, so I got a bus to Cambridge Circus, and sat in the cafe at Foyles. Had a hot chocolate and a large chocolate brownie, and read some Toni Morrison. The cafe was packed! There was a very loud American sat at the table behind me, giving advice on media coverage to a would-be singer-songwriter...a bit tiresome, but good luck to 'em! Walked across to Seven Dials to try the Carhaart store there, but no luck. 

Wandered down Long Acre, window-shopping, then walked across the river via the Hungerford footbridge to hook up with Aki at The National Theatre. Ate some fast food there...not too good, but it did the job. Took our seats in the Olivier for their production of Coriolanus, starring David Oyelowo. The set was stunning, great lighting, and staging. I found some actors inaudible, especially when there was incidental music sounding in the background. But otherwise, we really enjoyed it. Hooked up with Tony afterward, who had been doing his audio-description of the play. He was stopping at The Mayfair Hotel at the National Theatre's expense, so we repaired there, via the Jubilee Line, for a late (very expensive) drink and a catch up. 

He told us he'd been diagnosed with collitis. He also revealed that his mate Liam, who had choreographed a show I did 25 years ago in Huddersfield, had been diagnosed with stage 4 lymphoma...not good news! He starts treatment next week. Took the Piccadilly Line to Caledonian Road, and caught a No.259 bus home. Bath and bed by 0100!!!