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...