Sunday 1st March 2026

Woke around 0800. Descended for porridge. Started packing. Drove Aki to the Metro station at Callerton Parkway to begin her journey back to London. Said our farewells at the station...I then drove to Kingston Park to do a shop at M&S, and fill the car up with petrol. Grabbed a Costa coffee. Drove back to High View to start cooking the Sunday lunch...roast chicken, roast potatoes, and a cauliflower cheese, followed by tiramisu. Dad didn't eat much, though he managed to demolish the tiramisu without a problem. Packed my stuff into the car boot and said my goodbyes. Decided to follow the satnav, which recommended heading west...I assumed to Carlisle, but it insisted on taking me over the Pennines via the A686, through Alston. Stopped briefly to take in the view from Hartside, 1,903 feet above sea level, though the view was somewhat dominated by a blanket of grey cloud. The weather got increasingly grim the further west I ventured...and there was a lot of spray on the M6 southbound. Traffic got very busy after the Manchester junction, presumably with Man United fans coming away from the game at Old Trafford. Got to Bakewell Street around 1845. Unpacked the car, and said hello to Lyndsey, who was busy baking Parkin. I heated up my M&S spaghetti meatballs, and retreated to my cold and damp room. FaceTimed Aki who had gotten home in one piece. She's hosting Kath tomorrow, ahead of their trip to Hammersmith to see David Byrne.
 

Saturday 28th February 2026

Woke around 0900 and descended for porridge. Kath popped out to see a client and do a bit of a shop. Aki and I walked down to Darras Hall Broadway for a coffee at No.9, and picked up some paracetamol supplies from Boots for dad. Back in time for a light lunch. Drove mum and Aki down to Ponteland for a walk in Pont Park...a lot of snowdrops were on show. Got back to the car just as it started to rain, so drove back to High View for a cuppa tea and a biscuit. I cooked a beef in Guinness stew for dinner, with mashed potato and vegetables, followed by semolina pudding and strawberry jam. Watched a bit of telly before bed...
 

Friday 27th February 2026

Woke around 0700...dozed for half-an-hour. Showered. Got some gear together and packed it in the car boot. Set off for Newcastle (-on-Tyne). Took the M6 up to Manchester, then across the Pennines via the M62, and from thence to Newcastle on the A1(M), stopping briefly at Wetherby service station on the way. Jim and Emma had tied the knot at Newcastle Civic Centre earlier in the morning, in the company of Kathryn, and Emma's sister Penny, who acted as witnesses. I got to High View in time to join mum, dad, Aki and Kath for lunch. Dad looked OK, but in too much pain to contemplate attending the reception in Byker, so I drove myself, Aki, Kath and mum in. The reception was being held in a small local brewery out toward Walker. 

We entered the downstairs bar area, which was pretty well packed...met Penny, and Emma's son Ronan. Mum's young piano pupil, Sienna, was there with her dad...he's an ex-professional rugby player...and is built like a brick outhouse! We were ushered upstairs to attend a wee ceremony presided over by Jim's mate, Martin, who was acting as celebrant. He gave a rather long, and rather dull speech, and Jim and Emma exchanged vows before the assembled guests, to the accompaniment of Finn on beer barrel!

We were then ushered by the staff back downstairs while they readied the space for the pizza party. It was very noisy, and no-one seemed up for directing mum to a seat, so she decided she wanted to go home. I drove her back to High View...got there just as dad was serving up a cauliflower cheese for dinner. I drove back to Byker and got there just in time for the pizzas. A small dancefloor had been cleared at one end of the rather narrow room, and the House Devils, a Celtic trio who delivered a rousing mix of Irish trad, Johnny Cash, and Celtic ceilidh tunes, played and called a couple of country dance routines. It looked like a rugby scrum...presumably Sienna's dad was in the middle of it somewhere! We left about 2100 and I drove Aki and Kath back to High View...the end of a long and exhausting day!

Thursday 26th February 2026

Alarm at 0730. Took a while to haul myself out of bed...knackered! Descended to the kitchen for porridge. Drove in to the theatre for a 0930 start...the Company Stage Manager bored us all to death for the first half hour with a load of admin guff, then we started work where we had left off last night. I'd explained to Kate the DSM that I had decided not to leave at 1600 as planned, as I'd hit traffic around Manchester, and have to drive a certain distance in the dark...so it meant Bob and Sayan could carry on marking out the shape of Act 1. Broke for lunch...I heated up a jar of baked beans, which I then lathered on top of two pieces of toast and some Emental...worked a treat. Chatted to Shirley about Dickens...she had told me that they lived in a village west of Rochester. 

She said she'd inherited a full set of leather-bound Dickens novels, but had yet to read any of them. Carried on working bits of Act 1, and the songs as they came up. We actually did a stagger through, which held together remarkably well...Bob seemed very chuffed with our progress. Broke for dinner...microwaved the last of the chicken and mushroom lasagne I'd cooked on Tuesday evening. Worked through "Good Golly Miss Molly" and "Dirty Old Heart of the City", then broke early. I drove back to Bakewell Street, aiming for a No.2 in my private bathroom. As I sat there with my trousers around my ankles, a large spider came hurtling across the bathroom floor, making a bee-line for my trouser leg. I used a mug to catch him, leaving it in situ for mein hosts to deal with tomorrow! FaceTimed Aki, who had arrived at High View this evening...she was stuck in the house with John and Margaret, Kath having gone home, and Jim and Emma shacked up in an AirBnB ahead of tomorrow's 0930 wedding at the Civic Centre. Drove down to the London Road Alehouse in the drizzle, to catch a bit of James's band's set...they are called the British Premonition Collective. As I rocked up outside the venue, with it's floor to ceiling plate glass windows, I could see eight blokes cavorting about in black, their faces obscured by black balaclavas with eyes sewn onto them...James sat at an ironing board and played lap-steel guitar with an e-bow, putting it through several effects pedals. It was loud and tuneless, but intriguingly compelling...the singer declaimed improvised lyrics, a sort of demented cross between Mark E Smith, John Cooper Clarke, and Gerry Adams! I really enjoyed it...they'd go down a storm in Berlin! 

Wednesday 25th February 2026

Slept through to the alarm at 0730... presumably because I'm knackered! Got up and descended for porridge. Lindsay was up and about...working from home today, and going on a cycle ride. I put together a packed lunch. Drove in to the theatre. Shirley led the warm-up. Continued working through Act 1, stopping to cover the songs as we went along. Broke for lunch at 1300...ate my packed lunch in the Green Room. Rehearsed Lady Eleanor before going back into Molly rehearsals. 

Broke at 1800. Drove down into Hartshill and parked up near James's house on Cumming Street, then walked round to the Sanctuary Ale House to meet up with James and Anne. As the pub quiz was just beginning, we hightailed it up to Noah's...they've got a good Indian kitchen, and we got stuck into curry, onion bhaji, mushroom rice, and paratha. The mushroom rice was highly spiced with chilli, which was a bit of a surprise...I'd have preferred to avoid the chilli! Had a good catch up...exchanged health problems...James has been diagnosed with asymptomatic myeloma, cancer of the bone marrow. It is progressing, though slowly, but he hasn't required chemotherapy as of yet. Decamped to No.106 Cumming Street for a cuppa tea, and a quick rehearsal of Lady Eleanor, and chatted in the company of their daughter Beth...she's gearing up for a trip to Nepal! Drove back to Bakewell Street, getting in around 2215...exhausted!

Tuesday 24th February 2026

A fitful night's sleep. Woke at 0530 and didn't really get back to sleep before the alarm went off at 0730. Got up and showered. Porridged in my room. No sign of mein host this morning. Drove into Basford for a 0930 warm-up in the Workspace. The band rehearsed "Dancing in the Street" whilst I departed for costume fitting with Liz and David. Returned to the rehearsals and took up a tambourine. We then worked through Act I, stopping to learn the songs as they appeared in the narrative.

I'm backing singing on some, and playing guitar on one. Broke for lunch...had my beetroot soup in the Green Room. Decamped to the music room to work on "Lady Eleanor" ahead of meeting JED tomorrow. We continued working through Act I in the afternoon. Broke for dinner...I ventured over to the atrium to use the oven, and cooked a ready-made chicken and mushroom lasagne...the oven took about 20 minutes to warm up to the required temperature. Just had time to devour it before having to head back to the rehearsal room. Worked on harmonies for "Chapel of Love". Broke around 2000 and drove to Tesco to do a bit more food shopping. FaceTimed Aki from the car park...she's rowing tomorrow. It's forecast to be 18C!!! Got back to Bakewell Street around 2115. Door was double locked, and the car wasn't in the drive, so I assumed they were out, but the alarm hadn't been set, and the dog was in the kitchen...house in darkness, though.

Monday 23rd February 2026

Woke around 0430...took ages to get back to sleep. Alarm at 0730. Showered then porridged. Mein hosts were leaving for work as I entered the kitchen. Warmed up some soup to take in for lunch, and drove in to Basford. Felt elated to be parking up in the car park at the Vic once more. Cast and crew gathered in the atrium, and I caught up briefly with Liz Evans, who assisted on the design of the original production, and is over-seeing this one...Karen Norcross still working in the wardrobe department! Amazing. 

Kate the SM gave us all a tour of the building and we convened in the Workspace across from the theatre, a building which didn't exist when I last worked at the Vic. Did a read through before gathered staff members, then broke for lunch. Had my soup in the Green Room. The afternoon session was largely concentrated on working on the Pott'ries accent, and we basically did another read through, plus accent notes from the voice coach. Broke at 1730 for drinks in the Lounge and a little speech of greeting from the AD, Teresa Heskins. Sat about chatting with Bob, and some of the cast members before heading for the chippy in Penkhull Village. Ate my steak and kidney pie, chips and peas, in the car, then drove on to Tesco to do a shop. FaceTimed Aki, who was at Tammie's having dinner. Got back to the digs around 2100. 

Sunday 22nd February 2026

Woke around 0530...took an hour or so to get back to sleep. Got up around 0930. Porridged. Aki popped out to buy a loaf of bread from Big Jo. Watched Zoe Aitken claim bronze in the Freeski Half-pipe. Packed the boot of the car. Aki cooked a roast chicken Sunday lunch. Text from Kath saying Jim is on the booze big time...wedding hangs in the balance! I think Emma would do well to give him his marching orders, frankly! Packed the rest of my stuff into the back seat of the car and waved Aki farewell. Drove up the M1, then onto the M6...very busy, but made good time. Took just over two-and-a-half hours. Rocked up at No.4 Bakewell Street in Penkhull at 1715. Introduced myself to Lindsey and Aiden, who showed me my room. Lindsey is a rather pinched looking middle-aged lady with long fair hair and thin features. Aidan is slightly more rotund, but not much, and has red hair...he seemed a  lot less chatty than his missus. Nice big house, but kitchen is a bit messy, and the dining table very cluttered...rather puts me off doing much in the way of cooking here...we shall see. Hopefully there is a useable oven/hob at the theatre. Wilson the cocker spaniel running loose into the bargain. My room is very generously sized, but there's a damp problem...looks like the flashing around the chimney needs looking at...the room smells a bit mouldy, but no sign of mould on the walls, just the odd damp patch. I opened the window. Got the car unpacked and FaceTimed Aki before taking a stroll into Penkhull Village. The chip shop was shut, so consoled myself with half a Guinness in the Marquis of Granby, then bought a sandwich and crisps in the Co-op. Walked back to No.4 and ate in the Morning Room...couldn't work out how to get the telly working, so decamped to my room and unpacked my bags. 

Saturday 21st February 2026

Woke around 0730...dozed on until 0900. Got up and cooked brunch. We drove over to Sainsburys at Manor House to fill the car up with petrol, and check tyre pressures, before doing a shop. Drove home and unloaded. Watched some Winter Olympics. Did some exercises. Called High View to wish father a Happy 96th! Kath was there getting dinner ready. Dad looked in good shape...he seemed very happy to have received a proof of the cover for his soon-to-be-published novel, "Dagga & the King of Lollybrod". Jim due to join them for a celebratory dinner later. Aki cooked hake for dinner. Watched the curling final between GB and Canada...it's so dull, we switched over to watch "Trying", and "Small Prophets"...GB lost in the final end. 

Friday 20th February 2026

Woke to Aki's alarm at 0730. She got up to ready herself for Rowing Club. I dozed on until 0900. Got up and brought porridge back to bed with me...looked over some of Grandad's Act 2 lines. Took a constitutional up Highgate Hill, stopping at Archie's for a coffee, then continuing up to Base Camp 2 at Waterlow Park. Rather uninspiring exhibition of naif paintings in Lauderdale House. Walked back home via M&S. Aki back for lunch. Watched some Winter Olympics. Aki spoke to Hachan in Osaka...she has been called in to hospital for scans on a suspicious lump found near her gall bladder. Doesn't sound too good! Did some exercises. Cooked a ready-made chicken and ham pie, and baked a sweet potato with it, plus lots of vegetables. Ice cream and amaretti biscuit for afters. Watched more Winter Olympics before bath and bed...

Thursday 19th February 2026

Woke around 0715. Dozed until 0900. Got up and porridged. We met up with Ben from No.38 and accompanied him to Seven Sisters to view a flat that his daughter Mira has put an offer in on, with her boyfriend, Alex. It's in a pretty rough area of south Tottenham, and within walking of Seven Sisters tube station. We hooked up with Mira, Alex, and Alex's Ukrainian mum, Nica, outside the property, a Victorian era double-fronted house converted some time ago into two flats. It's an odd shape, but there are possibilities for opening it up a bit...the flat is on the first floor. It's been fairly well looked after by the current owner. The problem for Mira and Alex is that, although they don't need a mortgage in order to make the purchase, they have applied for a £70,000 mortgage to have cash to re-configure the accommodation...this has been refused by a lender due to the fact that the property abuts a commercial unit, a roofing and scaffolding concern. All a bit odd, really, as the current owner got a full mortgage 15 years ago without hassle. They are looking to find a second opinion. I rather suspect Mira's credit score is "challenging". We repaired to a nice cafe around the corner afterward, and Nica showed us some alternative plans she'd drawn up (she's architect trained). Ben bought us some lunch and coffee. I left them at Seven Sisters tube station and took a bus down the A10 to Stoke Newington. Wanted to pop in at the chiropodist's there to see if they stocked the insoles I've been using, but the woman was pretty unhelpful. Left empty handed and caught a No.106 bus back home. Signed up to a Dementia Research programme...had to take some cognitive tests...I scored in the top 10% for my word, and picture, memory. Watched some Winter Olympics before putting an early dinner together...a cheesey mushroom pasta sauce. Spoke to Linsey on the phone...she's going to be my landlady as of Sunday! She confirmed that there are no parking restrictions outside her home. Aki sloped off to Book Club at No.127. I watched the culmination of the Women's Figure skating...great little Japanese skater who won bronze. She was overwhelmed by her achievement...very charming! 

Wednesday 18th February 2026

Woke around 0715 and dozed for a bit Aki cycled off to Rowing Club. I porridged in bed and look over my lines for Good Golly…they should come fairly readily. Walked down to Upper Street for a coffee, and bought a quiche in Belle Epoche before heading back up the Holloway Road for a wee shop in Waitrose. Had forgotten my bus pass, so had to walk back home! Aki back for lunch. Pulled the other chest of drawers out from the bedroom wall and sprayed the black mould with mould remover...signs of damp to the external wall. Did some packing, and emptied the car boot ahead of loading up on Sunday morning. Aki cooked pan fried trout fillet for dinner, with cannelloni beans and plenty of vegetables. She then departed for a lecture at the RIBA...a famous Japanese architect, whose work we had visited in Hiroshima, and Toyama, last year. I worked on some songs, and watched some Winter Olympics. Aki back around 2200...bath and bed...

Tuesday 17th February 2026

 

Woke around 0600...took a while to doze back off. Aki woke me at 0930, and I got up to porridge. She sloped off to tai chi...I emptied the drawers from one of the chests of drawers in the bedroom, so that I could move the carcass to reveal the wall behind...as I surmised, the black mould is back...gave it all a good spraying, and did some vacuuming. Aki back for lunch...beetroot soup. Ventured into town to see "Wuthering Heights" at the Regent Street Cinema...a new adaptation. It's too glossy by half, having the feel of a sub-standard Tim Burton movie. Shallow, and rather dull. Aki went off to M&S to try on a jacket, and I went to John Lewis's to buy some bits and pieces in the Food Hall. Met up with Aki in M&S...we had a nice chat with a member of staff, who told us she hailed from Doncaster...we talked about Brexit and the surge in support for Reform, and rued the current state of the nation! Caught a No.29 bus, but it conked out in Camden Town and we had to decant onto a No.253. Aki cooked a mushroom risotto for dinner. Watched the Men's Big Air Final...nuts!!! 

Monday 16th February 2026

Woke around 0600...dozed off again eventually. Got up around 0930. Porridged. Did my exercises and watched some Winter Olympics. Did some packing ahead of decamping to Stoke next weekend. Put lunch together. Walked over to the Park Theatre to watch a rehearsed play reading, directed by a friend of Helen and Martin. The audience was rather small. The play, "My Girl", has been written by a New York comedienne of Palestinian descent, named Marena Riyad, and is basically a takedown of the flakey Palestinian men she has dated...Marena basically plays herself, but the action is slow and over-long, until we hit Act IV, which sees her deliver her message via a taut stand-up routine...good stuff, but needs some judicious cutting...they plan to take it to Edinburgh for the Festival in the summer. Walked home in the gloaming. Warmed up the last of the chicken and plum traybake for dinner, served up with sauteed potato and lots of vegetables. Aki had a zoom call. I watched some Winter Olympics.

Sunday 15th February 2026

A relatively decent night's sleep...woke around 0630 and dozed fitfully until 1000. Discovered Aki on the phone when I got up...her nephew, Naoya, had rung to pass on the news that Nobaru, Aki's brother-in-law, had passed away last night after a battle with lung cancer. She had been hoping to see him next month to say her farewells, but she will now re-direct her energies to assisting Naoya sort out his father's estate. Aki cooked eggs shakshuka for brunch. Watched some Winter Olympics. Very wet day, so stayed put. Aki served up fish curry, rice, and daal for dinner. Watched some telly...particularly enjoyed Lisa McGhee's new piece, How To Get To Heaven From Belfast...classy stuff. Watched Sunderland scrape through to the Fifth Round of the FA Cup with a 1-0 win at Oxford United, on MOTD2. Bath and bed...

Saturday 14th February 2026

Aki woke me up at around 0900 with a Valentine's card. Got up and made brunch. Watched some Winter Olympics, then headed out for a walk, as the sun had made a rare appearance. Took a No.91 bus up Hornsey Rise, then walked along the disused railway line to Highgate, and wandered into Queen's Wood. A little muddy underfoot. There was a long queue outside the cafe, so we walked on to Highgate Woods, and had tea and pain au chocolat at the Pavilion Cafe there. 

Walked back down the A1. Popped into a new vinyl record shop, and bought a couple of vaguely interesting cheap second hand LPs for framing on the hallway wall. Bought Japanese rice and black sesame ice cream at Cocoro, then caught a No.43 bus back to Holloway. We had a four course Valentine's dinner...the beetroot soup I'd made yesterday, with sliced radishes and yoghurt, followed by bavette steak with sauteed potatoes, vegetables, fried portobello mushroom, tomato, and peppercorn sauce. Turkish cream sponge cake, followed by cheese and biscuits. Watched the Women's skeleton final, and some ice skating, then FA Cup MOTD...Burnley humbled by League One Mansfield Town. Bath and bed...my bad hernia repair giving me much gip this evening...hope things calm down tomorrow!

Friday 13th February 2026

Woke around 0530. Took a couple of hours to nod back off! Aki cycled off to Rowing Club before I managed to rise. I walked round to Big Jo's for coffee and cinnamon bun, then wandered over to Waitrose to buy bavette steak, and Prosecco, for tomorrow night's Valentine's Day menu. Had time to drop everything back at home, then head for Newington Green via two buses. Got there a bit early, so had a coffee in Brags & Brams, with a nice window view of Newington Green. I liked the cup and saucer...I assumed they were made from bamboo, but it turned out they were made from re-cycled coffee beans! Walked across the Green for a half-hour osteopathy session with Chris Harris. Picked up my jacket from Stitch & Stitch, then walked to Highbury Corner in search of a Valentine's card. Found one at a little florists' shop, then headed home on the No.263 bus. 

Aki had cooked ramen for lunch...very tasty. Watched some Winter Olympics. Cooked up some beetroot soup...most of it destined for the freezer. Then cooked a creamy mushroom and parmesan sauce which we had with tagliatelle and peas. Finished off the damson jam wreath and custard for afters, then headed for Notting Hill. Had tickets to see Kyoto-based Chiten Theatre Company and their adaptation of Dostoevsky's novella, "The Gambler". It was highly stylised, involving a long table which rotated for most of the piece on a floor pained as a roulette wheel. The performers yelled out bits of text, in between hammering on the table with pool game balls...it was quite invigorating for the first 15 minutes or so, but became increasingly unengaging as the eight actors continually moved in a circular motion with the table...nowt much else happened, really...a show that literally went round in circles...not sure what Fyodor would have made of it...I had to fight to stay awake! 

Thursday 12th February 2026

Woke around 0730...got up at 0830 and porridged. Had to leave for Manor House before the John Lewis van turned up with the new induction hob. Drove to the Green Lanes retail park and parked up, then wandered slowly up Green Lanes to the West Green surgery. The nasal endoscopy went well, and the doctor confirmed that nothing appeared to be of concern, but prescribed a couple of things to combat possible reflux when lying prone in bed at night. See what happens. Walked back down Green Lanes past the countless Turkish cafes, restaurants, and bakeries, displaying their mouth-watering wares...couldn't resist buying a generous slice of chicken pie to share with Aki for lunch, and a cream cake to share for our Valentines dinner on Saturday night. Drove home to find the new hob had been successfully fitted, and was ready to go...instead I microwaved the chicken pie! Watched some Winter Olympics. Aki cooked a tasty fish curry for dinner, with daal, and rice. She had a zoom call rehearsal with JCUK...one of their number has written a short skit, and Aki's doing sound. 

Wednesday 11th February 2026

Woke at 0400…took a couple of hours to get back to sleep! Got up around 0830. Aki cycled off to Rowing Club, and I waited for Chris, the plumber, to show up. He arrived on time at 0900. He finished the siliconing in the shower, then tried to fix the water filter under the sink...looks like we need to order a new housing. He put new washers on the kitchen mixer tap...I had to run down to the Nationwide to get him £100 in cash afterward. Aki returned for lunch. Watched Winter Olympics coverage, did some exercises, and practised some folk songs before warming up the chicken and plum traybake for dinner, which we had with sweet potato and vegetables. Drove to Stoke Newington in the rain and hooked up with Katrina in the bar at the Tower Theatre to see an adaptation of "Brighton Rock", directed by Phil Ley. The lad playing Pinkie was very good, and As did a reasonable job of portraying Ida; the guys playing the hoodlums were rather unconvincing, though...they looked like they'd stepped out of an episode of "Steptoe & Son"...they brought no menace to their roles. 

Tuesday 10th February 2026

Woke around 0900. Got up and porridged. Aki pushed off up the road for tai chi. I awaited the arrival of Tim, who turned up around 1100 and finished painting the skirting, and tidied up...he took away the unused tiles, and his dust sheeting. Chris is due to turn up tomorrow to silicone the edges of the shower 'tray' and finish the job. Aki back for a light lunch. Watched some Olympics from Italy, then headed into town in the drizzle to hook up with Tokiko at Ave Mario, an Italian restaurant in Covent Garden. We enjoyed a reasonably priced set lunch menu...the carbonara was very tasty, and the tiramisu excellent. We then walked across Trafalgar Square and down The Mall to the ICA to watch a "Angry Squad", part of the annual Japanese Foundation touring cinema festival. It was entertaining, though the plotting was clumsy at times...enjoyed it. Parted with Tok outside, then walked up to Piccadilly Circus to get a tube train home...

Monday 9th February 2026

Woke around 0900 feeling rather weary! Got up, though, and breakfasted on toast and jam, coffee, and amaretti biscuit. Watched the Olympics coverage. Enjoyed the Freeski Slopestyle final. Did some exercises. Aki cooked lunch. More sitting on the sofa watching the winter sports...it's exhausting! Early dinner...tortelloni in a chicken bone broth, with vegetables on the side. Headed into town to attend an evening of storytelling at The Moth, held at Rich Mix in Shoreditch...one of Aki's rowing mates volunteers as an usher, and had recommended it. It's a storytelling slam, where ten punters who have put down their names with the organisers, get up and have ten minutes to tell us a story on the chosen theme of the evening, on this occassion "Love Hurts". No-one was particularly good at it, in my view, and the stories were rather depressing rather than entertaining...not sure I'd go again...a pity, as I'd always enjoyed the R4 version. Walked Becky back to Shoreditch train station, and made our way home...

Sunday 8th February 2026

Woke around 0630…dozed back off until 0900. Got up to eat Aki's cooked brunch, before she cycled off to Rowing Club. I sat down to watch the Women's Downhill...Lindsey Vonn was due to ski minus her left ACL, having crashed on the slopes a week and a half ago...mad! Sure enough, she crashed out at the top of the course, and we could hear her yelping in agony as she lay in the snow. She was helicoptered off the mountain! Aki back in time to change, then we headed in to town to meet up with Miho, who had flown over from Japan to see some ballet. We hooked up with her over a coffee at Dover Street Market, then wandered slowly up Regent Street to the Regent Street cinema to watch a couple of Buster Keaton shorts, soundtracked by REM tunes from their Monster album. We enjoyed the old movies, but the soundtracks didn't work...too loud, and failed to add anything to the viewing experience...all rather odd, really. We decamped to Grilandia in Hanover Street for dinner...a new Lebanese restaurant...it was OK, but basically a glorified kebab shop! Walked Miho back to Piccadilly and her hotel, and we caught a Piccadilly Line train back to Cally Road, and a No.91 bus home. Caught up with some Olympics highlights, and watched MOTD2 before bath and bed...

Saturday 7th February 2026

Got up around 0830 to prepare for the tiler. Paul showed up on time at 0930. I cooked brunch…Paul had finished grouting and left before we finished eating. He’s done a decent job. All the areas Chris worked on yesterday are hurting…my bad hernia repair, and my neck. Hope things settle down over the weekend! Watched some skiing and curling from the Winter Olympics. Popped across to Waitrose to get some odds and ends. Walked back in the drizzle. Cooked a sticky chicken traybake with plums, served with freekah and vegetables, and made a damson jam puff pastry wreath, which was very tasty, served with custard. Watched more Olympics…enjoyed the Men’s Big Air…gobsmacking! The free dance figure skating was good, too. Caught highlights of Arsenal’s 3-0 win over the Black Cats on MOTD…

Friday 6th February 2026

Alarm at 0730. Got up and laid the dust sheets ahead of the arrival of the tiler, Paul, who showed up on time at 0815. He'd brought his mum's disabled badge, so didn't need to get him a parking permit! Tim showed up briefly. Paul did a good job of the tiling. I had to push off at 1115 and head for Newington Green for my appointment with the cranial osteopath. Took a couple of buses to get there. Session went OK...booked in for another next week. Popped over the road with a jacket that needed the sleeves shortening. Greek couple run the joint...bit pricey, though! Still, thought I'd give them a go. Took a bus back up to Clissold Park, then walked home from there. Aki had tidied up and mopped the bathroom floor by the time I got in. Pea and ham soup for lunch. Wandered over to Waitrose to do a bit of a shop. Finished off the ham and potato pie for dinner, with sweet potatoes and vegetables. Watched a bit of the Winter Olympics Opening ceremony…

Thursday 5th February 2026

Woke around 0800. Read in bed before rising for porridge. Sent Kath a Happy Birthday text...65 today!!! We ventured into town, taking the Victoria Line to Oxford Circus, and making our way to John Lewis's. Bought a new Bosch induction hob...comes with half-price installation...hopefully will be delivered and installed next Thursday. Took the Central Line to Lancaster Gate and walked though Hyde Park in the drizzle, to see the Peter Doig exhibition at the Serpentine Gallery. I wasn't very taken with the works, but quite enjoyed the sound system, which was pounding out some Caribbean reggae vibes. Walked south to South Kensington tube station, and headed for Pimlico. Stopped on the way for lunch at the V&A. 

Saw the impressive Lee Miller exhibition at the Tate...remarkable career that went from fashion to the avant-garde, and finally to her documenting WWII in the Blitz in London, the D-Day Landings, and the liberation of Buchenwald. What a life! Headed for home, pausing on the stairwell to get a photo with Chris Ofili's wall painting paying tribute to the victims of the Grenfell Fire. Walked home from Finsbury Park in pouring rain. Aki cooked hake and beans for dinner, followed by cheese and biscuits. Nowt on telly. Researched restaurants for Sunday dinner. Early bath and bed...

Wednesday 4th February 2026

Woke around 0800 after a relatively decent night's sleep. Aki had cycled off to Rowing Club by the time I rose. Porridged. Read some Tomalin on Dickens, and did some exercises before Aki got back. Made some lunch. We walked down to Angel. Nearly got run over on the pavement by two youths doing 30mph on electric bikes as they fled from police! Did a shop in Sainsburys, and hung about in Hotel Chocolat for a bit before jumping on a No.43 bus back to Holloway. I made a ham, leek and potato pie for dinner. Nowt on telly. Read some, before bath and bed…

Tuesday 3rd February 2026

Woke around 0700 and failed to get back to sleep…sat up and read in bed before rising to porridge. Quite noisy outside…tree surgeons were pollarding the massive tree opposite. Aki sloped off to t’ai chi, and I headed for the gym. Managed 15 minutes on the bike, and some leg curls. Got home and made some ham and pea soup for lunch. We ventured into town and met up with Katrina outside Holborn station. 

Walked her round to the Garden cinema to watch Richard Linklater’s “Nouvelle Vague”, an entertaining, flawless movie which follows Jean Luc Godard’s making of A Bout de Soufflé…movie of the year! Had me grinning from ear to ear. Caught a No.91 bus back home. Aki made a pork stir fry for dinner. As I was cleaning down the surfaces afterward, I noticed a crack in the induction hob...it's front-to-back across two cooking zones...the whole thing will need replacing and installing by an electrician! Watched Arsenal v Chelsea in the League Cup semi-final...a tense game which ended 1-0 in the Gooners' favour. Bath and bed...

Monday 2nd February 2026

Woke at 0145, and again at 0545. Took ages to get back to sleep. I'm going to have to get myself some sleeping pills or something! Got up around 1000 and porridged. Did a couple of hours work at the laptop before putting some lunch together. Did my expenses, and put my timesheet in for processing. Read some. Borrowed next door's garden hose, and stuck it down the shower trap, thinking to check that the leak hadn't been a bit further down the pipework, so ran some water down there for around two hours. See if anything bubbles up over the next 24 hours! Warmed up the lasagne from Da Mario's for dinner with some vegetables, followed by chocolate brownie and ice cream. Watched Black Ops. 

Sunday 1st February 2026

Woke around 0545…took an hour or so before nodding back off. Got up around 1015…Aki cooked a tasty omelette brunch. We listened to the Australian Open tennis final…Alcaraz beat poor old Novak once again...though Novak was very gracious in defeat. Roz phoned with bad news of Cath, Phil’s partner…she had undergone tests for heart problems which have revealed a thymic carcinoma…apparently stage IV and incurable. Roz said Phil was in shock, and wanting space to come to terms with it all…very sad. Headed for Clapton in the drizzle, taking a No.254 bus to Clapton Pond. Walked down to Lesley's at No.56 Fletching Road...she was hosting Katrina's 70th birthday bash. Good turnout. Simone was there...hadn't seen her for years; Tony turned up, as well as Carl and David. Enjoyed a bit of catching up, a great finger buffet, and some tasty birthday cake. Chatted to a chap named Ron, who's wife is an old chum of Katrina's...he'd worked as an archaeologist on numerous digs in the City of London, and made replicas for showing in the Museum of London. We slunk away with a little doggy bag around 1830, by which time it was pouring down with rain. Aki made ramen soup when we got in. Watched a bit of telly...a Italian serial adaptation of The Leopard, and MOTD before bath and bed...

Saturday 31st January 2026

Yet another fitful night’s sleep. Got up at 0945 and read in bed for a while, but was interrupted by the postman ringing the doorbell...Aki's hygrometer had arrived. Made brunch. We walked over to Waitrose to do a bit of a shop. Cooked a gammon shank for dinner, with sweet potatoes and lots of vegetables, followed by chocolate melt-in-the-middle puddings with ice cream. 

Friday 30th January 2026

Aki up early and had headed off to Rowing Club by the time I rose. Porridged. Cut my hair, or rather, shaved my scalp. Caught two buses to Newington Green for an 1115 appointment with the cranial osteopath, Chris Harris. I had seen him some ten years or so ago in relation to discomfort surrounding the bad inguinal hernia repair...he failed to have any effect, it must be said, but I figured that he was battling a foreign object in the form of the mesh the surgeon had inserted, whereas my current neck problems may well be a much better match for his skills...worth a go, I thought. It was an initial consultation today, which went reasonably well, and we had a bit of a catch up into the bargain. £85 for the 3/4 hour session! I ventured next door to Jolene's for what I considered a well-deserved coffee, and a cardamom bun...delicious! Caught a bus back up to Clissold Park, and walked home from there via Da Mario's Italian deli, where I picked up some filled tortelloni, and a beef lasagne. Aki already back when I got in. I made lunch. Did some work at the computer for a couple of hours. Aki cooked a stir-fry with pork and ho-fun noodles. Headed in to town to see a French mime company at the Peacock Theatre, as part of this year's MimeLondon Festival. Met up with Kevin from No.93, and his son Theo, in the theatre bar. The show, Fish Bowl, was very entertaining…silly, inventive, often hilarious…had the tears rolling down my cheeks by the end. Great stuff! 

Thursday 29th January 2026

Took ages to get to sleep...it must have been around 0200. Woke at 0430. Aki up early to head off to the hairdresser. I got up around 0945. Porridged. Phoned the police to report two suspicious letters addressed to a Mr James Hurrde at this address...one turned out to be from the DVLA stating that the guy's direct debit had failed and his car would be taken off the road; and another was a parking fine for parking the same car in Morrisons car park around the corner for 27 hours!!! I also had to report it to ReportFraud action line, and to the DVLA. Hope they get it sorted out between them! Did a little work at the computer uploading yesterday's property photos. Aki back in time for lunch, sporting a fresh hair cut. Finished off my cock-a-leekie soup, adding a shredded chicken thigh that had been in the fridge for the best part of a week. Very tasty! Managed another couple of hours at the laptop in the afternoon. Aki cooked salmon teriyaki for dinner. Watched a bit of telly. Finished Martin Chuzzlewit...A Christmas Carol and the novellas up next! Early bath and bed...

Wednesday 28th January 2026

Woke at 0100, 0200, and again at 0300!!! Took a while to get back to sleep after the 0300 awakening. Aki up early…she’d cycled off to Rowing Club by the time I got up and porridged. I headed out on inspections for B3 Living. Drove up to Enfield, then on to Waltham Abbey, Cheshunt, and Hoddesdon. Stopped for a lunchtime special at Captain Cod in Hoddesdon High Street. Delicious! Drove on to Roydon near Harlow, then north up the A10 to Buntingford. I was turning the car around in a cul-de-sac here when a woman came out of her house, as I was about to take a photo, and asked if I’d come to pick up the rocking horse! Cue some jokes about horse boxes. Final stop was the village of Pirton, northwest of Hitchin…then turned for home in the gloaming. Stopped for a doughnut at South Mimms service station, then home via the A1. Aki warmed up the last of the chicken chasseur for dinner. Watched some more of Abel Gance’s “Napoleon”…Antonin Artaud’s Marat got stabbed in his bath by Charlotte Corday. Then a long sequence detailing the Battle of Toulon…couldn’t help wondering how many extras had died in the making!

Tuesday 27th January 2026

Woke at 0230, and again at 0500. Seems to have become a pattern! Very frustrating! Woke again around 0900. Got up and porridged before heading round the corner to the GP. Saw a bloke about my sore mouth and tongue, and he prescribed an aspirin gargle, and referred me to ENT so they can take a look with a camera. Went for coffee and a cinnamon bun at Big Jo's afterward. Got home before Aki returned from Tai Chi. Did my exercises. Prepared lunch. Did a couple of hours' work at the computer. Ventured out in the early evening…Katherine at No.127 has gotten very involved with local food horticulture and she had alerted us to a meeting concerning the politics of food…she was involved in putting on the evening, at the Community Centre at the bottom of Crouch Hill. Good turnout…filled six very large round tables in the hall, and various guest speakers got up and informed us of what was going on locally. We broke for some free food…a rather insipid chick pea and potato curry and rice…then sat round our various tables for some group discussion. Very inspiring bunch on my table…including one of the guest speakers, Damian, who runs the Felix Project. Basically trying to utilise fruit and vegetables that get rejected by the supermarkets…but on a very ambitious scale. Walked home in the drizzle…

Monday 26th January 2026

Woke at 0700 with back pain…sat up in bed until the alarm at 0800. Got up to prepare for the arrival of Tim and a replacement bathroom tile delivery. Laid out the dust sheets...Tim showed up at 0900, and the tiles were delivered shortly thereafter. He did a little tidying up, then left, saying he'd sub-contracted out the tile cutting, and hopefully he'll be round on Friday, or the following Monday, to do that. Did some work writing up Friday's inspection sheets. Pea soup for lunch. Ventured out. We walked up to Chris Stevens to source some tile grout, then walked down the Holloway Road to drop a couple of books off at the Central Library. Aki steamed some trout for dinner with butter beans and preserved lemon. Watched The Night Manager…still catching up with Season 1.

Sunday 25th January 2026

Woke at 0130, and again at 0730. Managed to nod back off relatively quickly…don’t know why I can’t sleep through any more…very frustrating! Woke again at 0900. Back hurts. Aki cooked brunch before she braved the drizzle and cycled off to Rowing Club. Did a little work at the laptop, uploading Friday's property photos. Ventured in to town. Coffee and Chuzzlewit at Foyles, then walked up to Hobgoblin to buy a kazoo or two to help pipe in the haggis this evening. Caught a bus to Camden and popped in at GuitarGuitar to buy a stand, then headed for home. Got in just ahead of Aki who had been celebrating one of her rowing colleague’s birthday in the cafe. Drove up the road to No127 to deliver a couple of Burn’s songs at Katherine and George’s Burns bash…Ben joined me on violin for my rendition of Now Westlin’ Winds…then Aki and I jumped back in the car to hightail it round to Helen and Martin’s for their Burns Night supper. They had a couple of Japanese guests, plus their church pastor and his wife, and their niece Ruby, as well as Iveta, who we had met at their Burns Night bash a couple of years ago. We shared some verses from the Ode to a Haggis, then tucked in to cock-a-leekie soup, haggis, neeps and tatties, and cranachan, interspersed with malt whiskey tastings. Aki and I brought the evening to a close with a rousing rendition of Green Grow the Rushes-O…

Saturday 24th January 2026

Woke around 0400…reckon it took me two hours to get back to sleep! Got up around 1000. Aki cooked a late brunch. Surprisingly sunny morning. Set off for a walk. First stop was Tesco on Stroud Green Road, where we purchased some bits and pieces before heading up and over Crouch Hill for a look at the recently refurbished Hornsey Town Hall. I hadn’t realised it’s now a hotel, with 68 rooms! One of the receptionists showed us a couple of bedrooms…nicely appointed. The first one we saw still had Borough Treasurer written in gold lettering on the door. There’s a cafe, but it was closed for a private event, and a restaurant is planned, as well as a rooftop bar! Had a late lunch in a little Turkish cafe on the main drag…we shared a tasty falafel wrap. Caught a No.91 bus back to Holloway. Cooked a chicken chasseur for dinner, with freekah and vegetables. Watched the first couple of hours of Abel Gance’s 1923 silent epic, Napoleon. It’s extraordinary stuff…the artistic invention in the edit, the central performance, the cast of thousands. Marat is played by Antonin Artaud, the founder of the Theatre of Cruelty. Watched Sunderland go down to a 3-1 defeat at West Ham on MOTD before bath and bed...

Friday 23rd January 2026

Alarm at 0800. Got up and porridged. Put a packed lunch together before heading east in the car…on inspections, but the tile shop in Chadwell Heath was our first port of call. We managed to persuade the team there to refund us on seven tiles, despite being over the 30 day limit. Much relieved, I then drove Aki to Yuki’s in Hornchurch, and left her there to have a catch up with her old chum. I headed for inspections in Mountnessing…but was severely hampered by a huge diversion which forced me back into Romford…must have added five miles to my trip, and half-an-hour!!! Stopped in Brentwood to buy some lunch items in M&S, then drove on to Mountnessing. From thence I headed for the M25, and then the M11, stopping at Birchanger service station to eat my lunch in the car park. Inspections at a couple of infill developments in Bishops Stortford, then on to Elsenham, and finally Newport, near Saffron Walden, as the light started to go...had to wait about ten minutes at a level crossing...thought the light might disappear on me before I got round the Newport stock, but just made it. The camera on the iPhone13 is remarkably good in low light. Headed for home in the dark. Got in around 1900. Aki cooked pork medallions for dinner with lots of vegetables. Watched The Traitors Finale with about 10 million other viewers around the country...

Thursday 22nd January 2026

Alarm at 0830. Got up and porridged. We headed in to town to meet Tammie at High Street Kensington. Waited for her in Pret, then walked around the corner to Japan House to view the craft exhibition in the basement. A mix of metalwork, ceramics, glassware and timberwork…some of it exquisitely delicate. Watched a well edited short film showing the various artists at work. Browsed in the very expensive shop afterward, then walked west toward Holland Park for lunch at Rosso…only to find the restaurant closed…maybe affected by the burst water main that has caused some water supply to be cut off. We walked back to the station and ate at a little Japanese udon noodle place in the little shopping mall there…it was tasty enough, and relatively cheap. Parted company with Tammie on the Circle line platform and headed back to Finsbury Park. I walked up to Tollington to pick up my trousers after alteration. Popped in on George at No.127 to lend him my Ackroyd “Dickens” biography. Packed our unwanted porcelain tiles into the boot of the car ahead of tomorrow’s planned trip east. The tile shop in Chadwell Heath had promised to buy them back from us. Dal for dinner, with pilau rice, vegetables and paratha. Watched The Traitors.

Wednesday 21st January 2026

Woke around 0700 with back ache...managed to doze back off for a couple of hours, but then languished in bed until 1100. Got up and Aki cooked a late brunch. Did my exercises. Read some Chuzzlewit. Raining for much of the day, so reluctant to venture out for a constitutional. Pottered about on the laptop doing nothing particularly useful for much of the afternoon. Aki cooked mackerel Japanese style for dinner. Watched The Traitors. 

Tuesday 20th January 2026

Woke at 0900. Got up and porridged. Aki headed off to tai chi. Did my exercises. Aki back for lunch...warmed up some spinach and dill soup. Ventured into town, taking the Victoria Line to Pimlico, and then walking to the Tate to view the Turner/Constable exhibition. We came out much preferring JMW's work; some of his small watercolours are exquisite. The Royal Academy only taught watercolour...he had to teach himself how to use oils. Came home and stuck dinner in the oven...a Waitrose chicken and leek pie, served with lots of vegetables, and sweet potato chips. Watched some telly.

Monday19th January 2026

Took hours to nod off. Thus got up very late. Aki up early to take a call from the GP about her skin condition…he prescribed some steroid cream. Got up and did my exercises. I headed for the gym. Did 15 minutes on the bike and some leg curls. Came home and put lunch together. We rehearsed some tunes ahead of this weekend’s Burns Night bash. Did my exercises. Drafted some emails. We rehearsed some tunes.  Warmed up the leftover mushroom sauce from Saturday and poured it over tagliatelle for dinner. Put my neck out in the gym this morning…got worse as the evening progressed! Watched some telly…still working through series 1 of The Night Manager. Tom Hollander very good in it…

Sunday 18th January 2026

Long lie in after yesterday’s efforts. Eventually rose. Aki cooked brunch. Did my exercises. We took a walk down to Upper Street...Aki looking for a flower vase to use for her new Japanese flower arranging hobby...needs to be a specific shape. Ended up in the very expensive designer ware shops, but fortunately couldn't find anything suitable. Stopped for coffee and cake at Paul's, then returned to Holloway on the No.43 bus. Got off at Waitrose and did a little shop. Enjoyed watching Ski Sunday...stunning Swiss Alpine backdrop. Warmed up the chicken curry for dinner, with spiced vegetables and rice. Aki cooked up a dal to serve on the side...very tasty. Watched some telly. Enjoyed David Attenborough’s Wild London, particularly the peregrine falcons…

Saturday 17th January 2026

Woke at 0600…took a long time to nod back off again. Woke at 0900. Aki already up and about. Got up and made brunch before Aki cycled off to the fishmonger on Essex Road. I read some Chuzzlewit then cooked a mushroom sauce to pour over my homemade gnocchi this evening. Tidied up the living room, cleaned the loo, and laid the table. Katrina arrived first, bearing cheese, closely followed by Tony and a bottle of Prosecco. We sat and chatted over some nibbles before serving dinner…homemade chestnut gnocchi with a cheesy mushroom sauce, followed by Aki’s fish stew, then my meringue zabaglioni semi-fredo and raspberries…various cheese and biscuits to follow. Katrina had been tested for throat cancer just before Christmas but was now much relieved to be able to report it had been diagnosed as chronic tonsillitis. Tony juggling work, home improvements, and keeping an eye on his folks. They left around 2300 and Aki and I tidied up before bath and bed…

Friday 16th January 2026

Woke around 0845. Aki had already cycled off to rowing club. Porridged, then headed for the Whittington for a blood test. Walked back down the Holloway Road afterward and did a little shopping in M&S and Waitrose. Came home and prepared lunch. Aki back in time to cook and add an omelette to the mix. Ventured into town to see Hamnet at the Garden Cinema. Needed a box of tissues! The scene depicting Hamnet’s death elicits an astonishing performance from Jessie Buckley…it’ll probably secure her the best actress Oscar. We adjourned to the Japanese restaurant around the corner for dinner. The black sesame ice cream was delicious. Got a slow No.91 bus home and watched The Traitors before bath and bed…

Thursday 15th January 2026

Woke around 0900. Read in bed for a bit. Aki already up and porridging when I surfaced. I did some exercises the headed for the Sobell Centre in the drizzle. Did 15 minutes on the bike, followed by some leg extensions. We decided to have dinner for lunch, as Aki is hosting the Book Club this evening. Cooked confit of duck with boiled potatoes and vegetables. Did some voice work and sang some songs. Prepared a savoury tart to feed the gathering. Had some soup before people arrived. Full house turned up to chat about their views of Mrs Dalloway. Chatted to new recruit Alice from No.87…turns out she’s married to Rupert Orton, erstwhile guitarist with the Jim Jones Revue, and brother of songstress Beth! My savoury tart went down well, as did Katherine’s quince tart. I retired to the office zone with my headphones and watched The Traitors. People departed around 2200 and Aki and I tidied up before bath and bed…

Wednesday 14th January 2026

Woke around 0715. Dozed for another hour or so. Aki got up the ready herself for rowing club. Got up and porridged, by which time Aki had cycled off to Stamford Hill. I took myself off into town. Dropped my old work laptop off at the Margaret Street office. Had to get the lift up to the third floor…massive office covering IT, residential sales, letting, and marketing…must have been about 300 people in there sat at their computer screens! Went in search of a specific pair of shoes…but no luck…tried shops in Berwick and Poland Street. Gave up and headed home on a No.29 bus. Did a little shopping in Waitrose. Aki back for lunch…hot smoked salmon and salad. Did my exercises. Warmed up the last of the lentil lasagna for dinner…tasty! Watched The Traitors…some ingenious twists have been worked into the game. Very entertaining. 

Tuesday 13th January 2026

Woke around 0745...dozed back off for  bit. Aki up and about around 0930. Got up and porridged. The night in the spare room had yielded no benefits in respect of her skin condition. She went off to tai chi with Jane from No.36 and Katherine from No.127. I did my exercises. Aki back for lunch…I defrosted and warmed up some pea soup. Tidied the desk up a bit. Early dinner…Aki cooked a chicken curry. Had planned to venture up Highgate Hill for the beginner’s Irish session at the pub Brendan The Navigator. I took my mandolin. Aki decided to come along for the ride. We walked to the bus stop in the rain and got to the pub in time for the 1830 start. The session was run by a whistle player called Pete, and a squeeze box player called Caitlin. There were two other whistlers, a guitarist, an accordion player, and a fiddler, and we were joined by some young children on violin, and concertina. There was no sheet music to work with…it was lucky the guitarist had come along as I was able to watch his left hand and pick up the chords…but it wasn’t a very satisfying evening. Don’t think we’ll be back. The pub is a bit grim…the gents toilets were two portaloos out back. We caught a bus back down to Holloway, and walked home. Watched the last half hour of the League Cup semifinal game between Newcastle and Man City…the latter take a 2-0 lead back to the Etihad.

Monday 12th January 2026

Woke around 0330 with chronically dry throat…seems to be getting slowly worse. Managed to nod back off again eventually. Woke around 0930 after strange dream about first day of Good Golly rehearsals in a labyrinthine building which the theatre seemed to share with a populous secondary school. Got up and headed for the gym. Did 15 minutes on the bike, followed by some leg curls. Walked up to Tollington Dry Cleaners afterward to take in a pair of trousers that need the legs shortened. Popped in at the GP surgery to pick up a blood form ahead of Friday’s blood test. Came home and made brunch. Tidied up the spare bedroom…Aki wants to try sleeping in there tonight to see if she can better control the room humidity…she feels this may be key to controlling her terrible skin complaint. Managed to aggravate my many hernias lifting the upstairs neighbour's food waste bin...god knows what's in it! We took some detritus to the tip, and then did a shop at Waitrose. Aki cooked a carbonara for dinner. Watched some telly…