December 2023

December 31, 2023

Went for a swim at the Lido before 9am. I’d planned to do 1,100 metres (22 laps) but lost track. I’m so used to counting to 32 I think that I confused myself at some point. I worked it out by how much Adam had left when I stopped.

Yesterday, Loki got talking about St Anselm’s ontological argument for the existence of God, as he was writing a paper on it for his philosophy class. The idea is: if God is the greatest being one can conceive of, that is proof God exists. I’m probably missing something, but that sounds utterly stupid. While doing my laps it occurred to me that if you substitute infinity for God I can see how the argument works.

Had Doron and Antonia around for lunch to meet Elsie: Greek salad, hummus, last of the pork pie and much of the baking. Afterwards, Adam headed off to visit his mum while I made a quiz for our New Year’s Eve party tonight. A time-consuming job, especially as Elsie kept dashing across the keyboard, typing random phrases, or effecting commands.

Popped her into Lyra’s room and fed both cats before we left. Drove over planning to leave the car, but I was happy not to drink, aside from one glass of red and a few sips of champagne come midnight.

Besides us, there was Will’s mother, sister, brother-in-law and nephew; and two architect couples with teenage daughters. Buffet meal, the quiz, toasts and fireworks on telly come midnight and Rick Astley at the Roundhouse. Home before 1am. Adam was poorly, with one of his stomach episodes and sat up for a time with Elsie before coming to bed.

December 30, 2023

The weather was pretty lousy today, though there were gaps in the rain. Took advantage of one to grab a swim in the Ponds in the early afternoon. It was a nice time to go, and not busy at all. The temperature is up to 8°C, which is mild for this time of year, though another cold snap is arriving next week.

Bumped into Helen who filled me in on the unexpected death of our former Festival committee member Kathleen. I don’t think they were particular friends, but Helen has been helping clear out her home in Holly Lodge. Kathleen was an American expat, divorced, childless and estranged from her sister, so I think arrangements have fallen to a couple of friends/neighbours.

Walking up the private road, we stopped for a chat with Susie W and kids. I wonder how long it will be before we go for a walk round Highgate and don’t meet anyone we know.

Turkey and brussel sprout curry for dinner. I’ll freeze the rest of the turkey for use in enchiladas, maybe a pot pie or something. Watched The Usual Suspects with Lyra.

December 29, 2023

We were up early to send Nova off. I packed her a bunch of baking for her housemates and Adam drove her to Paddington to catch the train.

We’d booked a swimming slot for 9am. Managed 1,000 metres this time or 20 laps. Not feeling it in my arms at all, though maybe a bit across the back, and my elbow joints were a bit stiff.

Tried out the Rosemary Café for breakfast, then bought cat litter and a little feather toy for Elsie. Her laser pointer arrived today as well (I got that idea from Wade’s cat Skitty), so lots of fun ensued. She’s such a lively little thing.

Watched Pink Floyd: The Wall with Lyra this afternoon, which I haven’t seen since it was in the cinemas – it has stood up well.

Met Richard and Rachel for dinner at the Queens. Lyra was busy so Luna joined us. She wasn’t too badly behaved, though she did sit on Rachel’s lap for much of the evening. She’s a pretty hefty dog now, so rather her than me. Their Henley house sale still on track and they hope to move in February. Went for a bit of a walk afterwards so that Adam could get his 10,000 steps in.

December 28, 2023

Because Lyra slept at Loki’s, Nova spent the night in her room with with the kitten. Apparently she got next to no sleep what with Elsie wanting to play in the wee hours. So much for the “kittens sleep 20 hours a day” fiction.

Received a very odd Christmas letter from Carolyn. It was a printout so presumably she sent it to a number of people. There was a bit of news about her year, decision to sell the house, what her family is up to etc, but the vast majority was a wildly inappropriate detailed account of the physical and mental health challenges faced by her friend Jose. I have no idea what prompted her to write and share such a thing. I was embarrassed to read it, and wonder what other people must have thought.

Lyra and Loki returned just as Adam, Nova and I were heading out to the Little Mercies cocktail bar for happy hour. The quality of the cocktails made me appreciate the difference between making a cocktail and mixing a drink. The food was very nice as well. It’s just been voted London’s most sustainable bar or something. Good place to have on our doorstep…

December 27, 2023

Dave came round about noon – he’s been cat sitting in Brixton over the holidays. Despite the weather, we headed out for a long walk. Rain has been general over the UK since September – if you waited for decent weather, you’d never do anything.

Our walk was pretty much a repeat of yesterday – along the New River and into Wood Green. This time we stopped for a couple of pints at the Starting Gate, a grand old boozer on the edge of Ally Pally.

Dinner was kebabs from across the road. Dave needed to get back to feed the Queen of Brixton and we settled in to watch The Dead. I was a bit too tired by that point and missed some in the middle. Not that it matters much when you’ve seen the film a dozen times.

December 26, 2023

Boxing Day, one of my favourite days of the holiday period. It is usually a day of great relaxation, aside from a morning walk and making turkey soup. The girls were still abed when we set off. Went farther along the New River this time and into Wood Green via the Chocolate Factory before bending back home for turkey sandwiches and soup.

From that point, the day was upended by the arrival of our new kitten Elsie. She is a mellow little thing and present and extremely sleepy. She was so sleepy that we looked it up and apparently small kittens sleep up to 20 hours a day.

Cleo is not at all impressed with this development. When I presented Elsie to her, Cleo’s eyes widened in horror. She then turned her head about 300° to avoid seeing her. I think we’re facing a challenge integrating the two…

December 25, 2023

Merry Christmas! Started the festivities at 8am as negotiated, though I was up an hour earlier to finish the pair of fingerless mittens that Nova had asked for specially and tucked them into her stocking with minutes to spare.

I think we got the amount of gifts about right, though Lyra did have a disproportionate pile of things from Loki’s family. I also did extremely well and was very touched by the thoughtfulness that went into my gifts: carefully chosen books, vintage Canadian jade jewellery, adidas track bottoms, DoSon perfume, salted caramel truffles. I felt seen…

Breakfasted on the usual and had a nice round of toasts, with the girls getting into the spirit of things. It’s perfect sharing a bottle of cava between four – not like earlier years when Adam and I would be half-kazooed before we’d started cooking the turkey.

I spread the cooking responsibilities this year – Nova covering the roast potatoes and cranberry sauce and Lyra doing the brussels, carrots and leeks with horseradish dressing. I kept feeling I’d forgotten something, before realising someone else was handling it.

Went for an afternoon walk with Adam – up the road, along the Lee River and back for a bit of fresh air. I do miss the Heath at times like this – Ally Pally just isn’t the same. 

Beulah cried off dinner at the last minute as she’s not feeling well. Cancelled the taxi we’d book to take her home back in November when the Bristol plan was floated. I was fully confident that was never happening but did think she’d end up coming to us.

I was sorry she wouldn’t be joining us, but things were certainly more relaxed without her. Managed to watch It’s a Wonderful Life before dinner and sat down to eat at about 7pm. Everything was excellent. The new kitchen didn’t trip us up anywhere, Nova has a real gift for roast potatoes and Lyra’s substitution of purple carrots into the vegetable medley was a great twist.

The Christmas pudding was a bit worthy. We bought it from the local baker and it didn’t microwave as well as the more commercial ones. If I buy it again, I’ll definitely steam it the traditional way.

After the dishes, we listened to A Child’s Christmas in Wales, which Nova finally appreciates though Lyra excused herself as usual. Picked the carcass clean, started the turkey stock and set it outside to chill before calling it a night.

December 24, 2023

We made it to Borough Market a little after 9am. Pretty straightforward commute. Not as direct as from Highgate, but no slower. Hit all the usual places – Mrs Kings’ for the pies, Neals Yard for cheese, Monmouth for coffee, a few veg stalls, the olive place, the saussicon woman I like.

Loki left early for a family commitment. We got something to eat, did a bit more browsing, then came home via the Northern Line, then the overground train from Moorgate to the top of our road, which worked swimmingly.

After a spot of lunch I broke out the Christmas puzzle. With much more help than I usually get, we managed to finish it by the time we needed to head to Pete and Pasc’s. Definitely the first time that’s happened.

It was meant to be our turn hosting this year, but Fay was working out of town and it made sense to go round theirs (with a full platter of baking of course). A really nice visit, and everyone seemed happy with their gifts. I’d wondered about Sid’s dinosaur quiz pack, but it was well received.

Back home around 9pm for wallbangers and A Christmas Carol. No napping, no last-minute wrapping afterwards. Altogether a very well organized evening.

December 23, 2023

Went for a swim in the lido, then walked over to Ally Pally to pick up the turkey. I thought there might be a special market day on but just the turkey guys handing out orders.

Beulah has decided she won’t go to Bristol after all and will come to us instead. Jane and the girls are not coming, so it’s fine by us – it will be nice to have her.

Went to see Scrooge at Ally Pally in the evening with Keith Allen in the main role. We had tickets a few years ago to see it with Mark Gatiss, but covid intervened. We all loved it – the special effects and staging particularly strong. It’s such at atmospheric venue.

Loki turned up shortly after we got home, his family having been to the theatre this evening as well. He’s spending the night so he can join in the Borough Market outing tomorrow morning.

December 22, 2023

Took Lyra and Loki to see The Shop Around the Corner, a Christmas film with James Stewart. Set in Hungary, it’s a bit of an odd story but we all got into it.

Adam was in Hampstead for a book club pub lunch. His stomach was playing up by the time he got home and went straight to bed. I was waiting around to see what he might want to do for dinner.  He was feeling rough with his stomach thing by the end of the meal, pretty much straight to bed when he got home.

Leftovers for dinner with the girls. Watched Home Alone, which I liked in better than last time, then the Schitts Creek Christmas episode, which I love. Went for an evening walk with Nova to see the latest window in the advent calendar street round the corner. Each evening in December one of the houses reveals their advent window, then keep them lit up on subsequent evenings up to Christmas.

December 21, 2023

Lyra’s last day of the school term – they’ve gone late this year. She was very difficult to wake up, and I didn’t push it too much. She emerged at 8:30, moaning that I hadn’t forced her to get up.

I think she needs to take responsibility for herself. In the event, she only had a free study period and a final church assembly before the school was dismissed at noon. I emailed to say she wasn’t coming in. I didn’t lie, so they can decide for themselves whether to give her a detention.

Ava and Loki came round for the night. We had Thai sausage rolls and salads for dinner, and I made a veggie version (with veggie stuffing mix) that turned out pretty well. I made my fennel rocket salad and Lyra did another with roasted brussels sprouts.

Dessert was green tea, white chocolate cookies. Lyra had insisted on baking tennis-ball-sized lumps of dough, which unsurprisingly melded together in a great greasy sheet. They tasted very nice and were a pretty green colour. Would definitely make again, using the cookie scoop…

December 20, 2023

Adam headed into the office, and Lyra had a long day at school, but Nova was here and we had a bit of chat around working. Jane popped over unexpectedly as she was doing some shopping in Crouch End. Stayed for a coffee and some lunch. Things really aren’t good with her mum, which is sad. Her kidney is packing it in and she’s decided against dialysis when the time comes…

Worked until around 4, then broke off and went for a walk with Nova to catch the last of the light. Up to Ally Pally then back along Park Road – my standard route. I offered to cook or take her out for dinner. Adam is eating with a client and Lyra was meant to be at Loki’s for the evening.

In the event she was home and the three of us ended up going to Bar Esteban – a favourite with everyone. All the dishes we ordered were excellent –the ox cheeks in red wine, and the brussels sprouts with romesco sauce were particularly strong.

Back home to have baking for dessert. Nova had decorated the cake so we added that to the mix. Watched Nativity, which had Lyra and I both blubbing within fifteen minutes. That film improves each time I watch it.

December 19, 2023

No walking/swimming today – it was tipping it down monsoon style. I had a morning meeting with a potential new client in Highgate and thought I might walk, but the rain put me off. Caught the 41 instead and another bus up the hill.

The woman lives in a five-storey house in Highgate High Street, which is pretty neat. I’ve known a few people over the years who lived in the High Street, but always in flats or converted shops. This is one of the original old houses.

The project is a tricky one, and I’m not sure how to tackle it. Basically they have a massive WordPress blog, but no business presence, and the domain names they own are being misapplied. There are also random social channels that need to be tamed. Seems a lot to be taking on…

The rain was less heavy by the time I headed home. Caught the W5 and ended up talking with Beulah the entire way. Started watching Drive My Car with lunch. I hadn’t realised it was based on a Murakami story. I can manage to watch a movie a week this way. Often I go for westerns, classics or obscure foreign fare I think the rest of the family won’t want to watch.

Got started on our baron of beef meal quite late, but it’s a straightforward one. We started with Santa-seccos, then prawn cocktail, then the main event, all of which was delicious. I really nailed the roast this year.

The girls haven’t decorated the Christmas cake yet, but we started on rest of the baking with Love Actually.

December 18, 2023

Four more days of school before the holiday begins in earnest and I can turn that alarm clock off for a couple of weeks…

Finished the Christmas baking – date squares and baking the shortbread we made earlier. So that’s all the pre-big-day cooking aside from making eggnog ice cream.

Nova returned from Bristol mid-afternoon. After all that palaver finding a Hannukah date that worked for Marni, she has come back from her holiday in Japan with covid, so won’t be joining us anyway.

Headed over at 6:30pm and were first to arrive. Beulah seemed well aside from straining her neck the last time she fell, which is giving her some grief. She claims that is the reason she is tilting noticeably to the right, but I’m not convinced.

Also her hearing aid batteries were flat so couldn’t join in the conversation the way she would have, especially round the big dining room table. We started the festivities with bagels with all the trimmings (aside from cream cheese, which she’d forgotten to buy).

 After eating, we headed into the drawing room for prayers, singing Maoz Tzur and opening gifts. About Maoz Tzur… Loki asked earlier what the lyrics were about, something it had never occurred to me to look into, as we always sing it in Hebrew. Turns out they aren’t good and definitely unfestive. A sampling:

When You will have slaughtered the barking foe.
Then we will celebrate with song and psalm the altar’s dedication.

The oppressor came and exiled me
Because I served strange gods and drank poisonous wine. 

His numerous sons and his household You hanged upon the gallows.

O bare Your holy arm and bring the end [of] salvation.
Wreak vengeance upon the (blood of the) wicked nation, On behalf of your faithful servants.

Everyone was pleased with their pressies, and there were no mix-ups as in previous years. Did the clearing up before leaving about 10:30pm.

December 17, 2023

It was a beautiful, bright morning for a swim in the pond. The water was silky and glassy smooth. And at 6°C, it felt relatively balmy.

Made mince pies with the abundance of pastry in the fridge, and got our Christmas e-letter drafted and sent out. Took a long walk before dinner up to Ridge Road, across the top to Crouch Hill and back along the high street. Picked up a few groceries, and made a Chinese aubergine dish with steamed broccoli for dinner.

The new Crown episodes have dropped, so we watched a couple of those. Finished Demon Copperhead as well, which I thought was terrific. I’m a big fan of Dickens’ version, and this was a brilliant reinterpretation.

December 16, 2023

Got all the wrapping done (early for us), identified present gaps, did some local shopping and ordered a present for Lyra online in order to get the balance of gifts between the two girls right.

The washing machine repair guy came round in the afternoon. A single bathsheet has done the damage this time, apparently we should be washing them individually. I can’t believe that people actually do that, and would rather phase the bathsheets out and have smaller towels.

Adam headed over to visit his mum and made chickpea pasta soup for dinner. Loki and Ava had turned up by this point and I ate with the three kids leaving some for Adam when he got back. Started watching Kind Hearts and Coronets, but flagged before the end despite Alec Guinness’s great performance playing a raft of characters. 

December 15, 2023

Went for a pond swim first thing. It was a very cold morning, but the temperature has climbed a bit since last weekend. One lap, then hustled back to Swains Lane to meet Adam and Doron. I was the first one there for a change and had time to grab a few things for lunch.

Finally took the car in to get the boot latch fixed. That’s been a thorn in our side since July, and a massive inconvenience around the move. Did some laundry – unfortunately the second load (a big towel and some cleaning cloths) seems to have knocked that hose loose again and there was water on the floor. Turned the off straightaway and will find someone to fix it tomorrow.

Lyra went straight to Loki’s from school and Adam was out at Vince and Danni’s party. I wasn’t feeling partyish and opted for a quiet night. Made myself a chicken wrap for dinner and watched Black Rain with Michael Douglas. It is simply terrible, even worse than I remembered, and not even in the “so bad it’s good: category. I was in bed reading my novel – Demon Copperhead – by the time Adam got home at midnight.

December 14, 2023

Feeling a bit ropey today, and not as productive as I’d have liked to be…

When Lyra got home in the afternoon we made nanaimo bars. I’ve floated the idea of maybe doing less of our traditional Christmas stuff this year, the idea being that the new house is an opportunity for change etc. Out with the old, in with the new…

That went down like a lead balloon, but on the up side Lyra announced that she’s happy to help with baking, Christmas dinner, etc.

Cauliflower sweet potato tacos for dinner. The kids got the decorations down and Lyra, Loki and I did the tree. It looks wonderful. I’d prefer it if the dining table wasn’t so close, but I’m being picky…

December 13, 2023

Had a long chat with Nova – all seems well. I wanted to check that she was fine with us decorating the tree before she gets home on the 18th. We’ve often done the tree that late, but it’s a challenge finding a day that we could all do it. It was near impossible to agree a date for Hannukah that worked for everybody.

Jx Christmas party tonight – an escape room in Kentish Town followed by drinks and dinner. It clashed with my beauty client’s party, which is always good fun so that was a shame.

The escape room is set in an abandoned Tube station on the KT high street. Very authentic – it felt like it hadn’t been changed in about 80 years. After donning WW2 military jackets and hats, we had a short briefing about having to break some military codes and avert a Luftwaffe attack (I think) then were locked into a small, murky office and left to our devices.

Much frantic activity ensued, but we eventually worked out the telegraph equipment, found the hidden keys and notes, got the morse code machine working, and found the hidden panel that led to a sort of tunnel in about 45 minutes.

We were very pleased with ourselves until we realised that there was another room, with a bunch of code-type puzzles to crack, dials to manipulate etc. Apparently we made it (at least we were punching in the door code as the clock ran out, which they said counted as success.

(I hadn’t realised that our other two offices (Vancouver, Toronto) had gone to escape rooms as well, and that we were the only ones to make it out.)

Dinner at a nearby restaurant – cocktails, wine, mussels and chips. Home about 11pm.

December 12, 2023

Spa day at Champneys. Adam was persuaded by their “before you go” offer when we were there in June – a generously discounted day spa visit to be used within six months. It was nearly out of date, and this Tuesday was about the only possible day we could go.

We were not in the zone at all when we arrived at 9:30am. Adam had to finish a proposal before we left the house and I was feeling stressed about work. A hatha yoga class was an excellent way to break through that, followed by a nice spa-style lunch.

Did some soaking, baking, dozing on loungers etc before going for a massage, and were both feeling mellow by the time we left.

Stopped at a massive Sainsbury’s near Watford to do a bit of shopping. They actually have a Tim Horton’s drive through on the site – the first I’ve seen in London. Sainburys carries Habitat housewares now, which was useful for Christmas shopping and we stocked up on Christmas booze as well. Festive!

December 11, 2023

It was Lyra’s parent-teacher evening, which was held online. (They started that by necessity in lockdown and have never looked back.) They all appear to be pretty happy with her.

Unfortunately her two favourite teachers are leaving at Christmas. Both are men who have recently started a family, and are stepping back to support their wives. One guy is moving north to be nearer to his wife’s parents, the other taking six months parental leave.

Brazilian chicken stroganoff for dinner, a strange concoction topped with potato straws that kind of worked.  Ate quickly and headed off to the street AGM at McCafferty’s pub, where we were voted onto the management committee. We collectively own and manage the pavement, fence, shed etc.

Elected new officers, which Adam managed to avoid, and discussed how to spend our money, and maintenance priorities for coming year. The couple from 9, Anna and Wendy, had brought their personal dart kits, and we stayed afterwards for another couple of drinks and played. Actually Adam represented #7 while I watched.

December 10, 2023

Straight back to the Grove this morning, which is where we park when we come to swim in the ponds. We actually parked in the same spot we vacated last night. The water is down to 3°C, which is mighty cold. It’s like a knife across the neck, and I experienced an intense coldness at the top of back of my thighs.

Adam and Lyra went to the womens’ football match with Lily. I picked up my new tree lights and got to work. I’d ordered a string with 480 lights thinking that would be plenty  but it turns out they are just twice as close together as our 240 light strand…☹  

Being composed of two strings twined together, I managed to unravelled a bunch of it and cover the whole tree. What a palaver… I arranged one of the other strings in the front window, which looks pretty festive. Still need to source some kind of hook to hang the wreath…

December 9, 2023

Put the lights on the tree today. It required two strings – I seem to recall getting rid of our tree lights last year as they were the kind with the little stick-in bulbs, tens of which were missing.

I’m not convinced by the two-string approach, mainly because the lights are different types of white and they oscillate out of sync. Adam and Lyra both think it’s okay but I ordered another string. Click-and-collect is awesome around here, and they’ll be ready to collect from Sainsburys down the road tomorrow.

Gilda and Steve’s party tonight, which happily didn’t clash with Pete and Pasc’s this year. It was grander than ever, now they’ve moved into Annie Lennox’s former home in the Grove. We knew a few people – enough to be entertained for the evening – and chatted to some new folk as well. Apparently Anthony Gormley was there, but I didn’t meet him. Drank lightly enough that I was fine to drive home when we left at midnight.

December 8, 2023

Back to see architecture client in Highgate again. I drove a different route, which wasn’t much better. Finalised the text for one of the new project pages, which is pretty much good to go now.

Adam surprised me by booking us for dinner at Bistro Aix. Such a nice place, and only three minutes from the front door. It’s kind of classy in a good way – I actually felt a bit underdressed, which never happens in Highgate.

I had mushrooms on brioche toast, followed by halibut with crispy dauphinoise potatoes. There’s an amazing dessert menu – I’m almost never tempted by dessert but would have happily ordered most things on it. I’d have quite liked to share the baked Alaska, Adam wanted the tarte tatin so we went for that, followed by cheese.

December 7, 2023

The kitten plan is taking shape. The black nosed female is definitely ours if we want her. She’ll be ready to leave her mother over the Christmas holidays. I’m excited, but also a bit trepidatious about Cleo’s reaction. She’s a grumpy old thing and is accustomed to being an “only cat”.  

Bought our Christmas tree this afternoon from the weird little florists next door to our row of houses. It has the strangest collection of items jumbled in the window and is never open. (There’s a scrawled handwritten note saying that if they aren’t there to give them a call.)

Last week a pile of Christmas trees showed up out front, and he seems to be doing a steady trade selling them. Got talking as we made our purchase, and apparently he’s the oldest shop in the area, in terms of not changing hands.

It was a doddle getting the tree home and through to the living room where we wrestled it into our stand. Unlike the former house, we have plenty of height but even less room for the “footprint” especially if we wanted to extend the table. I still don’t know if Jane and girls or some combo is joining us. I’d say likely not, but if we’re seven we’ll need room to pull the table out. Celeriac soup and toast for dinner.

December 6, 2023

Adam out for work again this evening. I met Jane for a pizza and catch up. It’s the first time I’ve seen her since her trip to Japan, so I was keen to hea all about that. Sounds like she had a great time. I’m envious of people travelling to Japan, and would love a trip back there before long.

Her mum Joc is really not well. Her kidneys are failing (kidney actually, as she only has one). Jane is in limbo about Christmas, and whether to go home. She has a standing invitation to come to us but will play it by ear and also the has girls to consider.

 Adam tracked us down with Find My Friends, turning up just as we were thinking of leaving. He ordered himself a pizza as well, and we closed the place out in the end.

December 5, 2023

Started my work day with my monthly meeting with my engineering client. They are moving office again, having had a string of bad luck with leases, so aren’t that focused on website updates understandably.

 They have drafted some text for an article about the risks of nickel sulphide inclusions in glazing, which I edited, laid out and sent back for amends.

 Adam was out for the evening, so it was Lyra and me enjoying the slow-cooked oxtail with celery braise I made for dinner. Really nice, though I could have cooked it for even longer.

December 4, 2023

Pretty tired this morning… I got Lyra up and out and then applied myself to sorting out the knitting. As I feared, the best solution was to unravel half of it. Not great, but there were two significant issues, and if you put all that work in to making something you want to be happy with the final result.

 Met Adam in town to see Loki’s mum do stand-up at a theatre in Leicester. She was headlining what we hadn’t realised was a charity fundraising event. An all woman line-up, there were some really funny acts, the ventriloquist woman in particular really original.

 Lyra hadn’t wanted us to go see it, saying that Loki would find it embarrassing. They hadn’t been together long when Adam booked it. We looked into getting the tickets refunded but it was a hassle and we decided to go along as planned and just not mention it. Lyra was out with Loki and his dad seeing something at Ally Pally anyway.

December 3, 2023

Slept until about 8:30am and felt surprisingly okay for all that red wine… The ground floor was a reasonable temperature when we descended to make coffee – up to the high teens now, and the floor pleasantly warm underfoot.

Drove back to Highgate and walked down to the ponds for a swim. It was a bit warmer than yesterday – the air temperature was around 5°C, and also warmer than the water which was at 4°C. Did a single slow lap – I spent longer showering and dressing than I did swimming.

Stopped at Ally Pally farmers’ market on the way home, something we haven’t done in years. It used to be a pretty miserable affair in the winter months, but despite the cold and rain there were quite a few stalls.

Lots of tempting street food, but we went to the same sausage sandwich guy from twenty years back. Bought some veg, apples, oxtail, apple juice, Greek honey, Colombian coffee and a history of Alexander Palace.

There’s a butcher who takes Christmas orders for collection on the 23rd. I think I’ll go that route for the bird (but still make the Borough Market pilgrimage of course).

Had the field team round late afternoon to review the website build and see the house. We’re getting pretty close with the site – I’ve got some functionality to build in, a bit of image work etc. but it’s looking good.

Watched an episode of The Crown and would have finished this first drop, but Adam dozed off and I had a nightmare with a piece of knitting that had me up well past midnight trying to resolve it. I think I’m going to have to unravel several inches…☹

December 2, 2023

The temperature has fallen to below zero outside. While it’s nice and cosy on the top two floors of our house, the ground floor is like a walk-in freezer. The heating engineer showed up at 8am to investigate.

Turns out that the manifolds for the underfloor heating pipes are stiff not expanding to let enough hot water through. The problem was possibly triggered when Adam blew the fusebox last Saturday. Apparently this resets all the thermostats. Not ideal, but there it is.

It was already starting to feel a bit warmer by the time he left. It will take hours to heat the cement block under the floor, but on the plus side once it’s warm it’s relatively easy to keep it that way.

Egg mcmuffins for breakfast, after which the kids headed off to a vegan Christmas fair in Stoke Newington before putting up Loki’s family Christmas tree this evening. We have Pete and Pasc’s annual Christmas do tonight – their tree has probably been up since mid-November.

Spent the afternoon working on the field website while Adam visited his mum. We need to get something up so that we can raise money and find volunteers for the February planting weekend.

Took an Uber over to Highgate about 9pm for the party. The usual suspects were already in situ. Had the obligatory shot of sloe gin then switched to red wine for the rest of the evening. There’s something very comfortable about this party – we’ve spent twenty years of kicking off the Christmas season with these people. Had a good sesh with Alicia sinking red wine and putting the world to rights. Home about 3am.

December 1, 2023

And the Christmas countdown begins… It has been totally off my radar thus far…

Adam and Doron weren’t walking so no pond swim. Just as well, as I had a meeting with my beauty client about the hubspot integration. They have now fired the person who talked them into buying it, and there is no one leading the work internally…

Left home just in time to meet my architecture client in Highgate. I had to drive, which was a first. They have completed two projects and had them professionally photographed, so the next thing is to build project pages and write the text.

Got home just as Adam was heading out to meet a friend for drinks. Did my November invoicing then took Lyra out for a pizza and to see Eileen at the cinema. Really nice evening. Loki came round after we got back and stayed the night.

The underfloor heating seems to have stopped working and the house feels pretty chilly. Shades of Kingsley Place. We have a plumber coming round tomorrow.