Sunday 29th March 2026

Woke at 0430...my usual 0330, but the clocks had gone forward an hour! Managed to nod back off after half-an-hour, waking again at 0945. FaceTimed Aki from her hotel room in Nagano. The Buddhist ceremony had gone well, though she hadn't expected to have to pick up one of her deceased brother-in-law's bones, and drop it into the family vault! I descended to the kitchen to make tea...ate my porridge in my room. Lindsey doing a big wash, so I took up her offer to wash me smalls. Drove into Newcastle. Parked up at Morrisons and walked into town in the drizzle for a coffee, only to discover Piccoloco was closed on Sundays...had a cappuccino at Bread & Bake next door, then drove to The Secret Garden in Clayton for Sunday lunch with Sam, David, and Georgie. Very odd venue...a small 60s era unit in a little parade of shops, that has been done out in garish neon...a floor singer serenaded us through our two courses. There was half a flamingo in a feather boa in the Gents! Food was OK...the prawn cocktail didn't have any prawns in it, though...shrimp! The pork belly was OK, with roast potatoes, cauliflower cheese, and a Yorkshire pudding! Dropped David off at Morrisons on my way back to Penkhull. My washing had been done, so I re-made my bed. Had a lie down for half-an-hour then got up and dined on a chocolate pudding, before driving to Hartshill to meet up with James and Anne for Vinyl Destination at The Sanctuary. Had a Guinness and listened to some Cat Power, Comsat Angels, and The Count Five. Got back to the digs around 2045. Made tomorrow's prawn salad. Listened to some music and watched some TV in my room before collapsing into bed...