Friday 21st August 2026

Woke around 0700...sat up in bed to relieve the back pain, and managed to doze back off for a little while. Got up and breakfasted at the dining table. Dad in very musical form this morning, for some reason...he sang at the top of his voice as he stewed some plums to spread on his porridge! We had to close the dining room door! Put some washing in. Helped Aki water the tomatoes in the greenhouse...no sign of Ratty. Aki and I walked down to The Broadway to buy bread at Davidson's, and enjoy a coffee at Number 9...service was painfully slow! Thank God it wasn't busy!!! Nice but dim staff in there. Walked back to High View to put some lunch together...Aki vacuumed downstairs. Managed to persuade the auld folks to climb into the Passat and head out with us to Sunderland. The traffic was dire...worse than London! Took about an hour to get to Roker. Wound our way down onto the seafront. Managed to drop mum and dad off at the door to the newly opened Elephant Rock Cafe, almost on the beach, north of Roker Rocks and the lighthouse. It was small, and neatly done, but really nowt to write home about. Enjoyed a cuppa, and shared a slice of cake between us, before heading back along the windy seafront to the car. Drove across town to Sheepfolds, and popped our heads in at Propa Pies, Si King's pop-up style pie and mash shop. Ordered three pies, and took them back to High View to have for dinner. Avoided the painful route we'd come, and instead dived beneath the Tyne via the Tyne Tunnel. The pie and mash was very tasty...the gravy even more so...delicious! Plum crumble and custard for afters. Watched a bit of telly before bed...