Friday 24th April 2026

Reasonable night's sleep...woke at 0415, as usual, but managed to get back to sleep after fifteen minutes or so. Woke around 0800 and lay in bed listening to Today. Got up around 1000 and descended to the kitchen to make tea...brought porridge back to eat in bed. Showered before driving down to the cafe at Spode for my obligatory latte. Akin FaceTimed me from a street in Stamford Hill...she'd been knocked off her bike when someone opened a passenger door on her. She was a little shaken, but no bones broken...however, she discovered a sizeable gash in her leg. I advised her to head for home and get it cleaned up. Lovely sunny day. Drove on to the Plume of Feathers at Barlaston to meet up with Andy Smith and Stuart Hewlett, who had driven up from Coventry. Managed to bag a table in the sunshine, and ordered lunch...I had a delicious steak pie. Did some catching up, but ended up mostly discussing our various ailments. I drove them up to the start of the circular walk at The Upper House, and left them to it. I drove back to Penkhull and enjoyed an ice cream on The Green. Aki texted to say she had headed for Homerton Hospital...needed stitches. I put together a packed dinner and headed in to the theatre. Did some exercises and ate before warm up. Only 200 in tonight...they were very quiet, but evidently enjoyed the show, judging by the reaction at the end. Had a beer with Stuart and Andy before they set back off to Coventry. I was approached by a bloke and his wife who said they had had their first date in March 1990 seeing Good Golly Miss Molly! Drove back to Bakewell Street. Made a packed lunch for tomorrow before ascending to my room.