Wednesday 6th July 2022

Woke to alarm at 0730. Aki up to ready herself for Rowing Club...she'd made a 1st Anniversary card to mark one year since the Civil Partnershipping...I'd bought her chocolates and an orchid. I did some work at the computer once she'd cycled off. She came back around 1230, and got changed before we headed into town for an anniversary lunch at The Magazine, Zaha Hadid's restaurant creation which appends the Serpentine Gallery. The pavlova was a hit!!! 

Wandered over to the Serpentine Pavilion, before walking east around the lake to Hyde Park Corner, where we grabbed a coffee before heading home. Caught the back end of Kyrgios's win over Garin, and then got hooked on Rafa's extraordinary comeback against Taylor Fritz. What a player! Aki roasted chicken and potatoes for dinner. Boris hanging on by his finger nails...three dozen resignations from Government in 24 hours, and he later sacked Michael Gove, who had asked him to step aside. Watched a bit of the England Women's opening Euro '22 match against Austria, but it was pretty dull, so watched an episode of "Ten Percent" before bath and bed.

Tuesday 5th July 2022

A day in the saddle. Got up and made porridge, and a packed lunch. Headed out eastward at 0930, stopping in Harringay for £50 worth of petrol. First stop, Chelmsford, then on to Braintree, and Colchester. Had my lunch in a lay-by on the A120. Got as far north-east as Dedham, which is a very characterful looking village...would have stopped for a tea if I'd had the time. I was quite taken with the Housing Association stock here...on a small infill development of largely high-end units, but the social housing was in a little row of modern 'cottages' built to mimic the local vernacular. Turned the car around and headed for Tiptree, ending the working day in Tillingham near Burnham-on-Crouch. A long drive back home from there...got in at 1930. Aki had baked a mackerel, which we had with rice and miso soup. Caught up with the day's tennis...Cameron Norrie got through a gruelling five setter to reach the semi-final, where he will play Novak, Lord help him!!!

Monday 4th July 2022

Alarm at 0800. Dozed for a little while before rising and making tea. Sat at the computer and did some work before making myself a bowl of porridge. Watched a bit of tennis from Wimbledon. Aki cooked a Spanish omelette for lunch, with ham and a salad. I had a doctor's appointment at 1500. I was surprised that nobody was wearing a mask in the reception area, just me. Though Dr. Bevan wore one when he came out to call me in. Got a couple of repeat prescriptions organised for cortisone and anti-fungal creams, though he suggested I arrange another appointment as regards my facial warts, as he was a locum and professed to be unaware of the current policy toward minor surgery...the NHS is going down hill fast! Came home via No.38...handed Ben and Gayu the house keys that the policewoman had given me yesterday. Their front window had been boarded up, but they were still awaiting the return of their laptops. They seemed pretty philosophical about it all. Came home and watched the Nadal v Van de Zandschulp game. Nadal is looking super-human!!! I warmed up the pasta and cabbage broth I'd made the other day for dinner. Watched "The Pentaverate", Mike Myers' new comedy series...it had it's moments, and he plays most of the characters, donning innumerable wigs and facial prosthetics, followed by a bit of "Seinfeld". Bath and bed...

Sunday 3rd July 2022

Slow start this morning, though Aki was up and about pretty sharpish...she cycled off to the Rowing Club. I did a bit of work at the computer then ambled round the corner for a coffee at Big Jo's, and from thence up to M&S at Archway. Bought some odds and ends for lunch, which I made when I got back home. Aki turned up just in time. Watched some tennis from Wimbledon, but my afternoon's viewing was interrupted by a knock on the front window...it was Paul from No.27. He wondered if we had Ben's, or Gayu's, phone numbers, as the police had been called to No.38 and were trying to get hold of them. Someone had put a brick through their front window, but luckily had been spotted by a neighbour at No.45, who had called the police. They picked the thief up round the corner, in possession of three laptops he'd stolen from No.38. Ben and Gayu had gone away for the weekend to a jazz festival in Sussex, so of course didn't pick up when we rang them. We left their phone numbers with the police, who were awaiting a forensics team, and someone to come out and board up the front window. Never a dull moment round these parts! Cooked duck legs in orange sauce for dinner, with roast vegetables and orzo. Watched Cam Norrie beat American Tommy Paul in straight sets to get to the quarter final for the first time.

Saturday 2nd July 2022

Got up around 0900 and took Aki a mug of tea...she had turned an ankle yesterday, so stayed in bed for a bit. I uploaded yesterday's photos before breakfast. Watched Katie Boulter go out rather tamely to Harmony Tan. Did some gardening...pruning back the wisteria...hope I haven't killed it! Spent most of the remainder of the day on the sofa watching tennis. Liam Broady failed to get past the tenacious Alex de Minaur. Just two Brits left in the tournament. Aki cooked up a tasty carbonara for dinner. Watched the first of four one-hour documentaries on The Rolling Stones. Tonight's concentrated on Mick, but was pretty shallow...no detail on his thoughts about the death of Brian, or the Altamont killing...enjoyed it though! Rock on...

Friday 1st July 2022

Alarm at 0730. Aki got up to ready herself for her Friday visit to the rowing club. She brought me a mug of tea. Got up and made porridge as Aki cycled off to Stoke Newington. I headed off eastward in the car, hitting the A13, and inspections in Aveley, and South Ockendon, before heading northward to Brentwood, and from thence up the M11 for a lunch stop at Birchanger services. The service station was overrun...it took me 20 minutes to get to the car park off the slip road, and 15 minutes to get out again! I bought an expensive sandwich and some odds and ends in Waitrose there, and ate in the car listening to commentary as Heather Watson won through to the last 16 for the first time in her long Wimbledon career. Drove through some very pleasant villages to Clavering, then back to Elsenham, Takeley, and ended up in Felsted, before turning the car round and heading home. There had been a minor accident on the M11 southbound, which added half-an-hour to my journey. Got home at 1900. Aki had baked salmon for dinner, with potatoes, vegetables, and a creamy leek sauce. Watched some more tennis before having an early night.

Thursday 30th June 2022

Alarm at 0730. Aki brought me a mug of tea. Listened to Today until 0900, then read some V.S.Naipaul. Got up and made porridge. Finished the novel over another mug of tea...I enjoyed it...Graham Greene meets Joseph Conrad, though the plotting isn't as strong. But it was evocative and engrossing. Aki cycled over to Stoke Newington to buy some jewellery for Leanda to mark her 60th birthday. I did a few hours work at the computer. Ham salad lunch. Watched Katie Boulter take on Karolina Pliskova and win. Made a simple broth to have some tortellini with, mixed with cabildo nero. Watched the first set of Jack Draper v Alex De Minaur…extraordinary hitting…brutally long rallies. Jack edged the first set. Had to interrupt our viewing and head up to Dulcie’s at No.110 for the Book Club meet. Half of us had finished the book, others still halfway through. General view was of an enjoyable, compelling though rather bleak read. Ray Bradbury’s “Fahrenheit 451” chosen for the next read. Got home around 2200 and caught up with the Jack Draper game via iPlayer. De Minaur bossed the next three sets with gobsmacking resilience…Jack threw the kitchen sink at him, but the Aussie kept throwing it right back…incredible!