Friday 2nd May 2025

Woke around 0730. Dozed for a bit before rising to make tea. Message from Aki to say they are being bussed from Dublin to Kilkenny this afternoon, but no rowing today. Another glorious day. Porridged. Did my exercises before watching some snooker...Ronnie struggling this morning. Headed in to town. Caught a tube train in to Leicester Square…walked up to Foyles. Sat in the cafe reading a copy of “The Importance of Being Earnest”…the Tower are doing a rehearsed reading…the script is sparkling, and I quite fancy playing Lane, the Manservant. However, the reading is in June, and I rather suspect I’ll be recovering from my hernia op by then. Ate lunch in the cafe…a huge slice of chorizo and potato frittata with a tomato and black olive salad. Walked through Covent Garden to Somerset House to see the Sony World Photographer of the year exhibition. It was a trifle disappointing…all a bit predictable…climate change, urban deprivation and so on. 

Sat out on the terrace afterward with a cold beer. Charles Dickens’ father worked here as part of the Navy Pay Corps. Walked across Waterloo Bridge and strode through the crowds on the Southbank…crossed the river at the Millennium Bridge, then caught a train back to Finsbury Park. Cooked pizza for dinner, with a nice side salad. Watched Ronnie O’Sullivan get knocked out of the World Championships by Zhao Xintong…Ronnie was his idol and there were some very nice words from Ronnie to his young conqueror at the end. Aki FaceTimed from a beer garden in County Kilkenny…everyone looked to be enjoying themselves prior to an early night…they row tomorrow at 1000. The river looks wide…an idyllic spot.