Wednesday 7th April 2021

Got up and did some work at the laptop before jumping into the motor and heading for Southwark. Found myself driving down Marshalsea Street, which must have lead up to the 19th Century version of the debtor's prison, at the southern end of Borough High Street. Spent the rest of the working day south of the river. Stopped off to use the facilities at Surrey Quays shopping centre, and had my lunch care of Starbucks, in the car park. Ended the day in East Dulwich before heading back across the river. Got home around 1900. Nice, bright day, but quite cold outside the car. Watched a documentary charting the first stages of the global pandemic...superbly put together, and very moving. 

Tuesday 6th April 2021

Slightly disturbed night's sleep...my hernia repair giving me gip. Aki up early to talk to her mum in Japan. I got up around 0900 and breakfasted, then did some work at my laptop until lunchtime. Drove out to do some inspections in Tottenham and Palmers Green after lunch. Got back home to discover the plant stand I'd ordered from John Lewis's had arrived...makes for a grand headpiece. It was delivered in a huge cardboard box, big enough to house a washing machine! Hand rolled some pici noodles for dinner, and had them with shredded chicken and mushrooms, and a truffle sauce. Very tasty. Watched a bit of telly before bath and bed. 

Monday 5th April 2021

Slow start this morning...Aki had risen early to make an attempt to call up her mum, which failed on this occassion, as her mum's ipad seemed to be uploading updates which meant they couldn't communicate. Aki headed for Waitrose after breakfast, while I sat around reading and downing coffee. I ventured out mid afternoon for some odds and ends, walking up to the grocer on Stroud Green Road, then to Sainsburys, and finally calling in at Girasole for a jar of mushroom sauce. FaceTimed Kath briefly, as she was on her way to work, and ma and pa, who had been for a drive out to South Shields to photograph a church for the Ponteland Civic Society newsletter. Aki cooked stuffed cabbage for dinner. Watched The National's filmed version of "Romeo & Juliet" on Sky Arts...very moving, honed production, although it was a bit difficult to get passed the fact that Romeo was played by the actor who plays Prince Charles in "The Crown"!!! 

Sunday 4th April 2021

Aki cooked omelette for breakfast, then I painted the bits of plasterwork in the back bedroom. Paint looks a slightly different colour to the original, which means I'll have to paint the whole wall!! Tried FaceTiming ma and pa, but the signal wasn't good. Went out for a walk down to Highbury Fields, and back via Blackstock Road. Nice day for it. Came home and cooked a late Sunday lunch, timing it with Skyping Tony, and Katrina. Tony was missing his dog...she's at his parents' house in Seaford. Katrina still looking for a new home in the Hastings area...spends many an evening poring over the Rightmove website, but doesn't sound as though much will happen this year. Indulged in a bit of nostalgia, and watched "Gregory's Girl"...hasn't aged particularly well in terms of cinematic experience, but many charming moments.

Saturday 3rd April 2021

Got up to put Aki's birthday croissants in the oven...we had them with lemon curd...and prosecco. She opened her present, a fandangled herb garden with LED lights to hasten plant growth...hope it works! It wasn't cheap! Flowers arrived from John, Margaret, and Kath, and Helen biked round some more this afternoon. Bit cold out, so we decided not to venture out for a walk...sunnier forecast for tomorrow, which means Aki plans to hit the rowing club in the morning. 

I did a bit of (rather poor) plastering to the bedroom ceiling. Sent a photo to the folks picturing Aki getting plastered on her birthday. Cooked up the venison stew, and made hand rolled pici noodles for starters. Finished off with Eglal's tiramisu, which was a step too far. Saved half of it for tomorrow. Watched the BBC "imagine" documentary, an interview with Kazuo Ishiguro and a look at his 40 year writing career. Always got time for Kazuo...very erudite chap. 

Friday 2nd April 2021

Aki up early to cycle to the River Lea Rowing Club. I went shopping for prosecco and croissants for her birthday breakfast tomorrow, and pooped into the DIY shop for some external filler. Made the marinade for the diced venison, which went in the fridge. Having that for dinner tomorrow. Finished writing a little ditty to mark Aki's 64th...so all systems go! Kath texted to report that she'd received her second jab. Aki made ramen for lunch, then had to drive up to Finchley for another site meeting. Margaret dropped by with some freshly baked hot cross buns. I took delivery of some shopping from Waitrose, then made the canederli for tomorrow. Aki cooked sea bass for dinner. Watched MasterChef. Lynne came down to borrow the mouse repellent, as she had seen a baby mouse in her living-room! Sounds like there's a family in residence...

Thursday 1st April 2021

Aki up early as she had another site visit to make this morning. I pottered away at the plasterwork in the back bedroom, sanding down the filler on the ceiling crack, and opening up the blown plaster above the wardrobe. Aki dragged me out for a walk this afternoon...pleasant afternoon. We walked up to Hampstead Heath ponds, where we stopped for an ice cream, and then on to Kenwood House, as Aki wanted to see the magnolia tree we visit every year. My feet were killing me by the time we got home. 

Cooked sticky orange chicken with fondant potatoes for dinner, then zoomed in for the Book Club meet. Views on "Girl, Woman, Other" were mixed, but no-one stuck up for it's literary pretensions. I only managed to get halfway, and Gareth not even that, predictably. We chose "The Devil in the Marshalsea" for the April read. Watched MasterChef...inspired to try my hand at a chicken balotine, and get some square moulds for pommes anna.