Tuesday 28th November 2023

Woke around 0730. Got up and made tea. Porridged. The roofers turned up to work on the church guttering, which necessitated them gaining access to our back yard. I left them to it, and headed for the village of Thundridge, near Ware. Got into one of the terraced houses there, the Xmas decorations to which had caught my attention. The tenant confessed she loved Xmas...there was a huge tree in the little living room, and the bath was partially surrounded by a shower curtain with Merry Christmas written all over it, and lots of Santa's...the tenant stated that she changed the shower curtain every Xmas, and had only just taken down a Guy Fawkes inspired one! There are some strange people about. Drove on to Hoddesdon. I was very disappointed to discover that my favourite fish 'n chip shop was shut, so ended up lunching in Starbucks, housed in the Sainsbury's superstore in the town centre. Got home around 1800, having had to stop off at a garage to check tyre pressures when I kept getting a dashboard warning that my front right tyre was losing pressure...what a pain! Looks like I've got a slow puncture!!! As I approached No.3 Sussex Way I could see there was an addict sat on our doorstep, smoking. I assumed I'd find her about to jack up, but she was actually eating her dinner...a box of something indiscernible, and a box of chocolates for dessert. I was fairly robust in urging her off the premises, and she said "Sorry" a couple of times. She sounded well-spoken, but she took her duvet and went back to the street. Warmed up two portions of the vegetable lasagne for dinner. Practised some guitar and listened to Clare M Singer's new album, recorded on the Victorian era organ at the Union Chapel in Islington. Bath and bed...

Monday 27th November 2023

Got up before 0800 and made tea. Porridged. Threw a packed lunch together, then set off for Cheshunt, popping in to Costa at Manor House on the way. By the time I got to Cheshunt, the weather had turned very unpleasant...an insidious drizzle accompanied by low temperatures made the trudge from door to door rather more of a chore than usual! Broke for lunch and drove back to the Brookfield Centre...bought some odds and ends in M&S, and ate my lunch in the car in the car park. Ended the working day on an estate on the Broxbourne borders, then turned for home. Traffic was dire on the A10. Got home about an hour later than scheduled. Aki made dinner with a Japanese twist, utilising some of the leftover chicken. Watched a bit of telly before an early bath and bed...

Sunday 26th November 2023

Woke around 0830 so got up and prepared potato pancakes for brunch. Drove over to Stoke Newington to rehearse with B at her flat. Cold morning...she'd popped out to the corner shop to get some tea bags and milk, so I had to hang about outside for five minutes or so. The P J Harvey number is shaping up nicely, and we ran through "Sara", and "Heart With No Companion". Drove back home for lunch. Then hosted Oty, who came round with her mum to rehearse her guitar parts for the Xmas party on Saturday. Cooked a roast chicken with apricots and preserved lemon for dinner. Prep involved making an apricot based paste, and then having to spread it beneath the skin of the bird...Aki did a good job! It made for tasty, moist meat, but we were disappointed with the apricots, as we were expecting them to sing somewhat more...too much effort for too little gain in umami! 

Saturday 25th November 2023

Slow start to the weekend. Got up and made brunch. Bright, crisp November morning. Got a No.91 bus up to Crouch End to take back a fern Aki had bought as a Xmas present, but which seemed to be ailing already. Walked back via Crouch Hill, popping in at Green & Glory to buy vegetables for tonight's lasagne. Walked across to Waitrose to get some other bits and pieces. Back home, Aki cooked a pumpkin soup. Tokiko turned up a bit earlier than expected, presenting us with a bottle of Prosecco, which was duly opened. I cooked a vegetable lasagne with chard, spinach, leeks, and peas, and a four-cheese sauce. It was a lot of effort, but everyone seemed to enjoy it, though quite whether I'd bother again is a moot point. Served up Waitrose own tiramisu for afters. 

Friday 24th November 2023

Aki up early to ready herself for a work meeting in Camden. I got up as she cycled off. Made myself a mug of tea and repaired to bed and read some “Twist”. Got up and porridged. Worked at the computer for the remainder of the morning. Aki back in time for lunch. Did a little more work at the computer, before having to sit on the loo for an hour! I made hand rolled pici for dinner, which we ate with chilli pesto and prawns. Watched “Better Call Saul” before bath and bed…

Thursday 23rd November 2023

Got up at 0830 for tea and porridge. Did an hour or so at the computer then slung a packed lunch together. Drove back to Cheshunt, stopping at the Brookfield Centre to pick up a coffee. Knocked on a lot of doors on a sizeable 70s era Council estate in Turnford. Broke for lunch around 1400, driving back to Brookfield to use the facilities. Ate my lunch in the car in the car park, then returned to Turnford. Made for Holloway once the gloaming had descended. Got back home just before Aki departed for Kensington for a works gathering with her Japanese contacts. I warmed up the fish curry which I ate with dal, Bombay aloo, and peas. Watched “Boat Story”. Aki back by 2230. Bath and bed…

Wednesday 22nd November 2023

Fitful night's sleep....the herniated discs in my neck giving me a bit of gip at present. Got up at 0830. Tea. Porridge. Kefir. Aki cycled off to Rowing Club. I put together a packed lunch then headed north to Hatfield, stopping at Sainsbury's in Manor House on the way. Popped into the Hatfield Galleria shopping centre to use the facilities...have driven underneath it on many occassions, as it straddles the A1(M), but had never ventured inside...can't say it was worth the effort. Ate my packed lunch in the car in the car park at South Mimms service station, and drove on to Cheshunt, where I spent the remainder of my working day. Got dark by 1600, so drove home. Aki cooked salmon steak for dinner, with rice and vegetables. Watched a bit of telly before bath and bed....