Monday 5th July 2021

Good night's sleep. I've upped the dosage of Amitryptiline, and maybe they are making me a bit drowsy come bedtime. Sat at the computer all morning. Aki cycled off to the butcher's on Essex Road, and we had lunch when she got back. I walked over to Hornsey Street for an afternoon appointment with the physio. She carried out a number of tests on my strength, and reflexes. She said everything looked encouraging, though there was obviously some irritation of the ulna nerve that runs through my left arm. She took me through some simple exercises, and told me to come back in three weeks. Walked home. Did some more work, then cooked dinner, before settling down to watch Emma Raducanu's much anticipated appearance on Court 1...sadly she retired at 3-0 down in the second set...looked like she'd pulled an abdominal muscle. Very disappointing all round.

Sunday 4th July 2021

Slept well again. Aki up first, contemplating a trip to the Rowing Club, but the risk of a rainstorm put her off. Drove to Waitrose to do the shop. Aki made lunch when we got back. Sat about reading the Sunday paper...Johnathan Liew made me laugh with his report on the England v Ukraine game last night. Decided to cut a hole in the plasterboard above a damp patch that appeared a few months ago, but seems to be slowly expanding. Had assumed it was to do with the shower tray area, and haven't had a shower since, so a bit perplexed as to why we are still getting a damp meter reading. Got in there but couldn't discern any problem...so remain as perplexed as we were before I put a hole in the wall! Cooked up some pearl barley to have with the lamb shawarma we'd bought in Waitrose. I jazzed it up with fried carrot, pepper, barberries, tomatoes and we had a side salad. Watched the new Roy Andersson movie, "About Endlessness". It was only 78 minutes long, but seemed endless!!!

Saturday 3rd July 2021

 

Slept well but felt oddly weary...all day! After a late lunch, we settled down for an afternoon of sporting drama. Eighteen year old Emma Raducanu blew Court No.1 away with a stunning win to take herself into the last 16 at Wimbledon. Cameron Norrie was outplayed by Roger, and then it was time to switch over to the footy. Denmark beat the Czechs, and then it was England's turn...very impressive team performance and four goals took us past Ukraine for a place in the semi-finals! Roll on Wednesday night...

Friday 2nd July 2021

Slept well after yesterday's long journey. Aki up and out for Rowing Club. I spent most of the day in front of the computer. Broke for lunch. Aki partook of a webinar, so I watched some tennis. Dan Evans went out, and so did Murray. Aki made a tomato sauce which we had with pasta and broccoli for dinner. Watched some footy. Switzerland were unlucky to go out to Spain on penalties; and Belgium went out to Italy in the game of the tournament so far. Bath and bed.

Thursday 1st July 2021

Slow start this morning. Had to pack up, and check out of No.82. Headed for Fakenham, stopping for petrol at Tesco's there. Got to Wells-next-the-Sea for a late lunch. The place was rammed, with queues outside the fish and chip shops, so drove on to the beach, about a mile up the road, and had a disappointing lunch in the Beach Cafe. Wandered onto the sands very briefly, as the wind was howling off the North Sea. Back to work in Wells....slow going, as the roads are so narrow I had to park up and walk round half of it! 

Driving out of town, we happened upon a herd of llamas being taken for a walk. I wound the window down and complained that the sight had "Nearly set my car allama off!" One bloke laughed, and responded with "Haven't heard that one before..." Aki drove us in to London, getting home around 1930. Ordered a takeaway from the Afghan Kitchen and watched some telly. Inspiring documentary by Frank Gardner, who was shot and paralysed by Al Qaeda terrorists in Riyadh 15 years ago. 

 

Wednesday 30th June 2021

Up early as we had to cram in as many inspections as possible before heading back to Norwich for a 1715 booking at my favourite Norfolk restaurant, Benedicts. Couldn't get a later sitting. Aki wanted to join me today, as I was headed for the seaside. Drove back to North Walsham, then on to Cromer in time for lunch...I dropped Aki on the Esplanade, and went on to do my inspections in Cromer and Sheringham. Unfortunately, the weather was most unseasonal, and Aki had to wander about in the drizzle and high winds, eventually taking shelter in a cafe where she found a warming cup of tea and a crab sandwich. I picked her back up in town, and we drove on to Holt, and Briston, before calling it a day and heading back to No.82, then walking into the city centre to find our seat at Benedicts. I hadn't realised that they no longer did an a la carte menu, so we had no choice but to go for the five course taster menu! An expensive treat, but largely an adventurous one....we enjoyed our pork balls, salmon tart, and mini chedders (pictured), and the smoked trout on a pea fricasse. Got back in time to watch Andy Murray get through a five setter against an unknown German qualifier. 

Tuesday 29th June 2021

Got up early. Popped across the road to get a coffee at Cafe Nero. Aki stopping in Norwich today, so I headed out alone for inspections in villages largely to the NE of Norwich. Stopped off at Tesco to get some adds and ends to augment our breakfasts/lunches. Got to North Walsham for a late lunch sat in the car in a layby in the drizzle. A lot to get around in the town, so had to pack in before I'd got round everything if I wanted to get back in time for the England game. Got back to No.82 just in time for kick off. Aki had bought a chicken joint in M&S and had stuck it in the oven. Our enjoyment of the game was suddenly interrupted by some strange noises emanating from the kitchen...we discovered water pouring through one of the kitchen downlights onto the worktop and floor. I hastened upstairs and knocked on the door of the room above us...the bloke who answered the door said his wife was in the shower. Rang the emergency number given by the accommodation, but no-one there...probably watching the game!