June 2023

June 30, 2023

Lots happening on this date – Doron’s 54th birthday, Wade and Gail’s 21st wedding anniversary, Jane’s birthday…

Adam met Doron on the Heath for a walk and I headed down to the pond for swim – my first in a week. The water is up to 22°C, still nice but it feels like a bowl of soup. I’ll be glad when it starts cooling down again…

Adam was working from home today. He started by recording a podcast in the bedroom, so I kept out of the way upstairs. Worked on amends to the Call to Purpose page – which is pretty much good to go from my point of view.

We were meant to be going round to Pete and Pasc’s for dinner, but they rescheduled for tomorrow when the weather is meant to be better, and it was going to be a quiet night in until Jane texted to say did I want a ticket for the Pulp gig in Finsbury Park tomorrow. Well yes I did!

Rescheduled dinner back again with P&P, who ordered an Indian takeaway from a place they like. The food was nice, but it didn’t sit well and made us both feel leaden and tired. Home by 10:30.

June 29, 2023

It rained all night and into the morning, putting paid to my plan to go swimming. The ladies’ pond has been closed all week for electrical work on the changing block, and there’s a provision in place for a mixed swim in the mens’ pond between 8-11. I thought it would be neat to go with Adam, but he’s been too busy all week and then today was a write-off. Oh well…

Meditated then cracked on with client work. Nothing that interesting but I have a number of things to clear off my list. The cooler weather this week has given me a break in terms of the allotment, but I hadn’t been since Monday and so at 7pm when we finished work Adam and I went down together.

There was a fair amount of picking to do – broad beans, peas, cherries and a few strawberries – the raspberries are a complete bust in my opinion. They need thinning and staking, instead of being crowded together in dense patches. Also finished digging over the bed by the shed and transferred most of the horse manure across and spread it on top.

Omelette with lardons and fresh peas for dinner and a film called Le Week-End with Jim Broadbent and Lindsay Duncan. It was billed as a comedy, but there weren’t many laughs. It was an unflinching look at the marriage of two unhappy 60-somethings who went to Paris to try to rediscover their spark. It had its moments but I wouldn’t recommend it…

June 28, 2023

Adam was off to his climate action week event again first thing. I started my day with some meditating and then continued clearing the kitchen drawers. I must have done it pretty recently though, because I actually want nearly all the stuff in them. I could manage without some of it, but that’s not really the object of the exercise.

Worked on the new classfinder page for my fitness ladies. They are opting for a stripped back Google map approach instead of the event-based version I built them a couple of years ago. Pretty I sure I recommended that idea in the first place, but hey ho…

Also took time to pull together the analytics for this year’s Festival as we were meant to be having a wrap meeting. It got postponed at the last minute, but I’m ready now.

Met Jane at Crudough in Archway for a pizza and glass of wine. Adam joined us late on his way home from his event. Sat in their garden until almost 11pm then bus home and to bed.

June 27, 2023

Adam has taken a stand at a climate action event this week, so he was off first thing. He’s also giving a presentation on leadership this afternoon, which he was up late prepping for.

Caught up with Veronika briefly. She parked outside the house for a few hours, and I saw her when she returned to pick up the car. Basil has been in A&E with an infection, but has been discharged. There have been issues with his health of late, so it’s all a bit worrying…

Needed green beans for dinner so set out to buy some about 6pm. The village was a bust and ended up trekking down to the Archway Road. Crouch End will be an enormous improvement in that respect: several independent fruit/veg shops, three or four mini supermarkets, a great health food store, Asian deli, butcher, fishmonger, high-end deli for sure, plus others I’m not aware of.

Made a sheet pan tofu and green bean dish – the tofu marinated in a soy sauce, chilli crisp concoction first – with brown rice, which came out very nicely. Watched Magic Mike – quite the performance by Matthew McConnaughey. Adam informs me that he used to be a professional wrestler, but haven’t confirmed that bit of info for myself as yet…

June 26, 2023

The ladies’ pond is closed this week for building works, so swimming wasn’t on the cards. There are provisions in place for a three-hour slot of mixed swimming in the mens’ pond, as well as a ladies-only block at the lido, but neither particularly appeal. If Adam and I find a time go together maybe…

Spent the morning at the allotment, watering and digging out a bed that we’ll be using later this summer. The ground was like concrete and it was pretty hard going. Nearly got it finished before I had to get back home. Lyra is off to France with friends for a week, and I wanted to see her before she left.

The girls made their way to Gatwick without incident. The flight was late leaving, but we got a confirmation from Ava’s parents that they arrived safely that evening.

June 25, 2023

I was on the tennis court with Millie at 8am. I was glad of the early start as it was already pretty hot. Our game was on fire – we had some terrific rallies and made excellent shots. Very satisfying – I’m really pleased that tennis has come back into my life.

I meant to go to the allotment in the afternoon but couldn’t face the heat. I’ll go tomorrow morning before it warms up.

Sorted through a bunch of clothes and stored toys with Nova. Got rid of a fair amount and packed them into the boot of the car for delivery to the toy charity Lyra worked at last summer. Nova headed off mid-afternoon to get the train to back to Bristol, and Adam to Finchley to visit his mother. Had a long chat with Wade.

Didn’t bother with dinner – it was too hot – we grazed as and when…

June 24, 2023

A very relaxing Champneys day. Down for breakfast together then when our separate ways. Adam and I to the gym, the girls back to the spa. We had treatments scheduled at the same time before lunch – they all opted for massages, while I went for a facial.

After lunch on the terrace, we put in some more time floating and soaking, before heading home about 4pm.

No one was particularly hungry – snacks for dinner and watched Crazy, Stupid, Love with Steve Carrell and Julianne Moore, which was pretty good.

June 23, 2023

We’re off to Champneys for 24 hours – a little family treat to mark our anniversary, Nova’s uni graduation and Lyra finishing her GCSEs. There was some house prep to do but nothing major and I managed to squeeze in some client work as well.

The drive is about 45 minutes and we arrived about 3pm. It’s so different seeing it in the sunshine. The grounds were strewn with people sunbathing on loungers, and it felt noticeably less crowded inside.

Started by checking out the spa facilities, while Adam dozed on a sun lounger (he’s still processing the jet lag). Nipped back to our room to change into yoga gear, then Adam and I did a yin yoga class, which we both really enjoyed.

We were just about to head down for dinner when we got the news that our request for search indemnity had been granted, which is great news. The only thing we are waiting on now are the management packs from Islington Council then we can exchange contracts. It feels like game on again, after weeks of uncertainty.

It was warm enough to eat dinner on the terrace. One thing we noticed last time was how weirdly different in size the dishes are. One this occasion, Lyra’s choices were what you’d expect, Nova’s and mine were on the small side, and Adam’s were almost as if the kitchen was playing a practical joke on him.

There is nothing much to do after dinner. Adam and Nova sat outside for a bit, while Lyra and I opted to head back to our rooms and read. Lights out by 10pm.

June 22, 2023

Didn’t get out to exercise this morning but I did meditate at least. I really need to do at least one to manage the stress and anxiety we’re going through.

Checked in with our mortgage broker as to whether a full set of searches are necessary on the properties we’re re-mortgaging, given that we own them already, did them the first time round etc. Bijal says we can apply for something called “search indemnity” from the bank, so we’ve instructed our solicitor to give that a try. The seller’s realtor is keen for us to do it, but he is hardly concerned with our best interests.

Lyra had her second rabies jab today, after which she headed to Lulu’s for a barbeque.

Put in some time at the allotment with Nova, before joining Richard and Rachel for dinner at the Red Lion & Sun.

June 21, 2023

Happy anniversary to us – 26 years. Feels like more…;-)

Went for a morning swim to find the wharf decorated for solstice with willow branches bent into hearts and rings, and woven with meadow flowers. There’s something about place that inspires reverence.

More bad news… we can’t seem to catch a break. While it’s great that we have mortgage offers, there is a new set of hoops to jump through and expenses to incur before we can exchange contracts. Our solicitor sent over two complicated six-page forms that we need to complete before they will start acting on our behalf.

Made a Keralan black chickpea curry and pilau rice for dinner, with raita alongside. Strawberries, bran bread and the last of the lemon ice cream for dessert. Lyra’s friend Lulu joined us for dinner – such a nice girl, and one of the friends Lyra is going to France and to Ecuador with this summer.

Spent the evening on the forms, managing to submit them by 11:15pm. Last time they insisted we post them wet-signed hard copies before they’d do anything, but we’re hoping they won’t stand on that now we are existing clients.

June 20, 2023

I’d hoped the second mortgage would come through first thing, but it didn’t happen until the end of the day. I was reasonably productive workwise across a few websites and a couple of client meetings.

Went for a walk with Kate in the late afternoon. I couldn’t remember if we’d agreed to go swimming so I brought my stuff just in case. She hadn’t brought hers but was able to get a suit from lost and found. Did a lovely couple of laps in the late afternoon sun.

Had an early evening meeting with the new mortgage brokers Alastair and Bijal. The second offer had just come through, which is great news. I feel like we can finally move forward again.

Went into town for a sustainable fish sushi meal that a friend of Adam’s was organizing at Moshi Moshi in Liverpool St station. He wanted to go along to support her. We are going to treat it as our anniversary dinner, as it would feel a bit much to go out two nights in a row.

Sustainable sushi is a rare thing, but apparently Moshi Moshi has been doing it for a while. We used to come regularly, back when good sushi was a rarity in London. Two of the same sushi chefs have working behind the counter since they opened in 1994.

June 19, 2023

Thought of going for a morning swim but decided against it. Sometimes I like to leave it a bit after it’s been raining heavily – plus I have a lot to do. I wanted to go to the allotment later today, or possibly for a walk with Kate depending on her hitting a deadline.

Adam got back mid-afternoon, bearing Cheezies, Goldfish crackers, and cosmetic treats from Hollyhock.

One of the mortgages has come through! This is a good sign with regard to the next one, as they are identical. Though I’m not taking anything for granted after this rollercoaster ride…

Put in a good chunk of work on the design for yet another Irish fitness website, developing a bit of a niche there…

Adam drove me down to the allotment at the end of the day and came along to check it out. There were lots of strawberries to pick, plus cherries and peas and mange tout, as well as doing some weeding and watering.

Lyra was out at Huxley’s dinner party this evening – she seems to have a steady stream of social events now exams have wrapped. I made us a green salad with leftover chicken, fresh steamed peas and tomatoes. Watched a programme on the building of Coventry Cathedral that sent Adam straight to sleep.

June 18, 2023

I need to take a break from drinking – it doesn’t mix well with this relentless level of stress… 🙁

Posted my final batch of Festival socials this morning. I’m glad that’s over – I need volunteer work right now like… actually can’t think of anything I need less.

Lyra and I popped up to Finchley for a visit with Beulah. Did some charity shopping afterwards for her “dress as a problematic person” party. We couldn’t find the vintage lacy top she had in mind, but bought her a great skirt and pair of leather boots for £20.

Did bits and bobs of housework and potted my rosemary cuttings and a couple of miserable cacti Nova left behind before making myself a bit of dinner.

Spent the evening reading The Yiddish Policemans’ Union by Michael Chabon, which I’m enjoying. The idea is that world events turned out slightly differently after WW2, and the Jews were kicked out of Palestine and ended up with a temporary homeland in Alaska, the least of which is about to end after 50 years.

To bed at 10pm where I almost managed to stay awake until Lyra got in at 12:30…

June 17, 2023

Went for an early swim this morning and ended up walking part of the way home with our neighbour Alex’s dad, who lives at the foot of the private road. He was walking his two big golden retrievers plus Alex’s yappy little somethingapoo Simba.

He told me that Alex and Anna are in France this week, which they hadn’t thought to mention though we see them most days. Not very neighbourly… Perhaps they think we don’t like them, and they aren’t entirely wrong. I suppose I should make a friendly gesture when they’re back if I can find the time and energy.

Had a long call with Beulah, who’s really coming through for us on this house purchase. She’s going to cash an investment and split the money with the boys, which will be a huge help. I don’t want to compromise her in any way – we’ll get a different house if it comes to that.

Received our offer letters from Birmingham Midshires tonight, which is encouraging. There’s still an underwriting phase to complete, but it feels like it’s going to happen.

Went to the pub with Richard and Rachel – too much wine and no dinner…

June 16, 2023

It’s the last day of GCSEs, thank Christ for that. Lyra popped home then out again not long after to go to a party at her friend Juliet’s. She’s got a nice long summer break ahead of her now.

I headed down to allotment and worked until 9pm. Back home, I fixed myself something to eat and watched the ending of Succession. I’d been planning to wait until Adam’s return but didn’t feel like it. Good stuff – I didn’t see that ending coming but I should have.

To bed at 11pm where I tried staying awake until Lyra got home but fell asleep reading. She woke me at 12:30am – she seemed squiffy but nothing worse…

June 15, 2023

Woke after a few hours of sleep to see where Adam was at with the rest of the info and have a call as it was about 9:30pm his time. He’d put some things in the shared drive but there were still gaps, and Alastair had said his colleague Bijal would start work the applications by 7am.

Adam responded to my messages with a couple of one-word texts, but wasn’t taking calls. He eventually deigned to answer to inform me that he was playing cards, and furthermore they weren’t going to need all the info first thing, etc.

He’d been drinking and an almighty row ensued – the worst we’ve had in ages. I was so angry I didn’t know what to do with myself. At least got the rest of the stuff uploaded before going to bed.

I spoke with Bijal a few times over the course of the day, and at 4:30pm she informed me that she’d managed to pull together two buy-to-let mortgage applications on the flats. Thank heavens for that – HSBC is pulling offers again tomorrow in anticipation of another interest rate rise.

June 14, 2023

Got Lyra off in time for her final maths exam. She’s found the maths papers hardest of all the exams, which is a bit of a knock back, as she put a lot of effort into improving her maths predicted grade. The grades allotted are a distribution and if she’s finding the papers hard, chances are a lot of other students are as well. We shall see…

Down to the pond for a swim by 8am, beautiful and cool and no queue. The temperature is up to 20°C now – it’s really climbed in the last week. Only two ducklings survived from the whole crop, a good size and starting to moult.

Lyra returned from school with Ellie and headed off to hang out in the park for a bit. Down time is important too and she doesn’t have any exams tomorrow, wrapping things up with a double header of physics and geography on Friday.

Put in lots of work on the responsible banking report, kicking that sucker into shape.

Called Karl at the end of the day. I was surprised when he actually answered the phone. Of course he knows nothing, can do nothing, and is also going on annual leave tomorrow. I asked for contact details so we have someone to talk to in his absence, which he promised to send.

I’m completely lacking confidence in Karl and the HSBC mortgage and decided to contact a guy called Alastair that Sara recommended. He called me back at 10pm and we talked for an hour, at which point I told him to go ahead and try to secure a new mortgage offer for us.

I was up until 1am setting up a Dropbox with all the info he’ll need and emailed Adam with the outstanding items – all of which he should have.

June 13, 2023

It would have been dad’s 92^nd birthday, which isn’t particularly old for his family. Way too hot to consider making clam chowder for dinner, plus you can’t buy tinned clams in the UK. I  used to be able to hunt them down with a bit of effort, but no more.

Lyra headed off to sit a chemistry exam first thing, which sounds like it went okay. I put in a bunch of time drafting an email for the mortgage broker addressing their latest concerns and queries.

Also took a chunk of time out of my work day to prepare a document showing all my client income for the past year. It’s less effort than pulling together everything for my tax return and either attempting in myself or paying Kiri for a rush job, which may well take too long anyway. (They’ve actually asked for this year’s tax return despite the tax year ending a few weeks ago and it not being due until Jan 31, 2024.)

We’d been hoping we’d hear something today and Adam pressed our mortgage broker Karl for an update, but apparently the HSBC underwriter meeting Karl suggested was happening today either didn’t happen or didn’t result in a decision. The whole thing is such a fucking stressful, frustrating mess.

Worked on the UNEP report and the architecture site when I finally got down to things. Carried on until 5pm then headed to the allotment to do some watering and feed the strawberries. I picked a little box of stuff – asparagus, peas, strawberries and raspberries.

Made a delicious dish of chicken-dill meatballs with orzo for dinner, with today’s green veg arranged on top to steam at the end of the cooking time. Watched an episode of Shameless, which we’ve parked for a long time, still 78 episodes to go.

June 12, 2023

Happy 17th birthday, Isobel!
It’s finally the final week of exams – got Lyra up and out on time for her last English paper.

I’ve decided to stop closing kitty in the laundry room at night, to start transitioning her for the move. She wasn’t much of a pest, aside from lightly biting my toe once in the night, no idea why. She also seemed in a better mood this morning. After an initial stint on the bed, she appears to have slept on the bedroom floor by the closet door.

No line at the pond this morning despite the lovely weather – the water temperature is up to 18°C. I always tackle house and admin duties on Mondays – laundry, meal planning etc – as well as important emails, meeting set ups and so on.

There was a huge downpour and thunderstorm just as I was about to set out to see my architecture client. Let that pass before leaving home. It didn’t do much to break the heat, and it was practically tropical with hot steam rising from the pavements. Because of technical issues, I couldn’t actually work on their site. It’s nice and cool in their office though.

Steak and potato salad for dinner. Watched an episode of Community, after which I got stuck into Fleishman is in Trouble, a recommendation of Millie’s. Pretty good.

June 11, 2023

Met Millie in the village at 8:15 and headed down for a swim. There was already a queue, but it only took fifteen minutes. One reason for the queuing is to control the numbers, so once you are in it doesn’t feel hectic. Two laps, shower and home. Stopped at Gails and bought a baguette and a sausage roll to split with Lyra.

Caught the tube to Hyde Park with Jess for a picnic with Ava’s parents (Cathy and Dave) and Lulu’s parents (Kat and Russ) – the foursome who are going to France at the end of June. Cathy and Adrian have a house in the south of France that they have been renting out for the past few years. The tenants have moved out and they are spending the summer there.

They are an interesting pair, investigative journalists who write books and make films as well as writing for major British papers. Kat is a former model and Russ is an architect. They seem lovely as well, but the way we were seated, I didn’t get a chance to speak with them much.

Turns out we all share mutual friends – a journalist couple with kids at St Ms. An even more unlikely coincidence arose when Cathy mentioned the street they live on in Paddington. “We used to live on that street!” said Kat. “We’re down the really dodgy end by the motorway,” said Cathy. “It couldn’t be as bad as our place – we were only three doors from the flyover.” “We’re three doors from the flyover!” They were talking about the same house…

Home about 4pm. Salad plates for dinner and watched The Virgin Suicides, Lyra’s response to Hannah and Her Sisters – sisters being the connecting link.

June 10, 2023

Up at 7am, feeling much better for a great night’s rest. Tons of deep sleep, which is usually in short supply for me. Down to the pond for a swim at 9am, where I encountered my first line.

Lyra was sunbathing in the garden when I got back – the forecast says it’s going to be a hot one. At the allotment, I removed the cloches from the courgettes before they turn into individual steam chambers.

Went to Fair in the Square with Millie. It was hot as Hades, and the mini Coleridge crypt tour was welcome relief. In the mid 1960s, a decision was made to move the graves of the poet Coleridge and his family from that funny little graveyard on the roundabout at the top of the high street.

Instead of putting them in Highgate Cemetery, the coffins were placed in a wine cellar in the foundations of St Michaels Church and bricked in, where they remain. The church itself is resting precariously on the foundations of the house that previously occupied the site, none of which seems ideal. There’s not much holding up that church…

Back home, I did a bit more clearing out. There’s a real feeling of limbo until we know things are going ahead. I guess we have to be out of here either way, but still…

Lyra was babysitting for Chiara and Tim this evening. I made a broccoli bacon salad for dinner (nice) and watched Cairo Station, which was weird but good. It was quite short, so when Lyra got back watched a weird documentary called Shirkers, about a group of students in Singapore who made a film which then got stolen.

With tonight’s babysitting money, Lyra has made her Ecuador target!

June 9, 2023

Adam is off to Canada this morning – and will be away for ten days. He and Lyra left the house together. She’s got two exams again – biology and geography this time.

He sent a blunt letter to our mortgage broker before the plane left, asking for an update by 11:30am. Needless to say, we heard nothing back. Beulah called in the afternoon to share a bad news item from the Telegraph about the chaos in the UK mortgage market and to report that HSBC have withdrawn all their offers and aren’t taking any new customers. That’s who we are applying to, so I certainly hope we don’t still count as new business…:-(

Did house stuff and work stuff – the usual routine. I think there might have been an issue with the invoices I sent out around the time I was having email issues. A client got in touch to say they hadn’t received one (which is sitting in my Sent mailbox). Will pick that up next week…

Lyra came home with Ellie, Ava and Lulu who all got busy dying her hair a rich brown colour. It looks pretty dark after the pink phase, but she feels happier with it. Ellie stayed on for dinner – lemon risotto with asparagus and my first peas – and we watched Hannah and Her Sisters. To bed at 11pm.

June 8, 2023

Nice morning, though still unseasonably cold. Walked down early for another swim with Adam – my suit was still damp. I’m dreading the day when I’ll round a corner and see a stonking line-up. So far the cold weather is keeping numbers under control.

Drove up to Finchley with Adam. He and Beulah went to the post office to get certified copies of her documents we need to submit, while I went to Waitrose. I so rarely go to the supermarket now, it was quite a novel experience.

Worked on trauma text, had a meeting with Helen, then headed down to allotment. Asparagus is still coming through, there were peas to pick, a few strawberries. Blasted some blackfly off the broad beans and gave the courgettes a good soaking. I think they are looking better for the cloches.

Salmon with quinoa for dinner. Adam had a meeting about the school’s plans for world domination, so I ate with Lyra. Nova called today to say she received a first on her dissertation!

June 7, 2023

Got Lyra off to her exams (calculator maths and history) then did laundry and the hoovering before sitting down to meditate for fifteen minutes. I always feel better when I make time for it, and wish it was a habit the way it used to be.

I’m feeling tired and grotty and wasn’t very productive with work. I’m finding it hard to concentrate these days. Texted Rachel to see if she wanted to go for an afternoon swim, but she’s not feeling well – upset stomach and strange rash under her arms. She thinks it’s connected to a heavy-duty detox regime she’s been doing, but if it was later in the swimming season I’d suspect blue-green algae.

Went by myself and it was just lovely. It had gone 6pm and was relatively quiet. The sun was off the water and the temperature 16° – most restorative. Adam had gone to Finchley in the afternoon for a client meeting and then to pick up some documentation from his mum. We need to prove the money she gave him when she wound up Freddy’s business isn’t the proceeds of money laundering.

Met at the Gatehouse for a pint in the garden before heading home to make dinner – falafel with tahini sauce and tabbouleh. Made a second stab at the Succession finale, getting half way through before pausing it and heading down to bed.

June 6, 2023

Had Millie’s mover – a guy called Terry – round so he could estimate the job. The piano is going to be the main issue, though I think they’ll have to take the sofa out the bedroom window the way we brought it in.

House purchasing continues to be a fraught process. I had a bit of a meltdown when our solicitor emailed a great pile of forms we need to fill out (and provide documentary evidence for) – the hoops we need to jump through seem never ending.

A significant issue is proving that the money Adam received when Beulah liquidated Freddy’s company are not criminal proceeds. One, it can’t be an uncommon occurrence for children to inherit money when their parents die, and two, it’s hardly a fortune. If we were money launderers, we wouldn’t be very good ones.

Headed off to the allotment to clear my head, where things are looking pretty good. Fed the strawberries, watered, slug pelleted and harvested some asparagus. The courgettes are looking a bit withered – it’s been too cold for them maybe.

Bumped into Adam W who has an allotment down the way. Headed over to check it out, and he gave me a lovely lettuce and some cloches that I used to cover the courgettes.

Dinner was asparagus risotto, with a stock from the stalks – very nice. We planned to watch the Succession finale, but both conked out.

June 5, 2023

Monday morning and it’s back in the exam saddle. English Language sounds like it went okay. She stayed on at school afterwards for a history revision session. No exams tomorrow, then two on Wednesday.

Put in a couple of hours retouching one of the pictures from the photoshoot. First the woman wasn’t happy with her hair, then I needed to clear up some blemishes, and now she’s not happy with how her jacket and blouse are sitting. I’ve basically rebuilt the jacket now… 

Nova is off to Madrid for a few days with her friend Holly. Her first time since she moved back to the UK last summer. I’m really pleased for her.

Dinner was gochuchang burgers with a spicy slaw. I didn’t have hamburger buns, but the wholewheat bread I’d made was serviceable. Watched Rosemary’s Baby – great film…

June 4, 2023

Spent a big block of time sorting out the photographs in our room before breakfast. I made muffins, something I haven’t done in ages, after which we spent another chunk of time going through the filing cabinets in the garage. There’s so much stuff we need to wade through…

Did more work on slides in the afternoon.  Throwing them out mostly… I shot so many bloody slides, hard to know what I was thinking. We shredding a bunch of historic Jx stuff and also my medical notes from the pregnancy years. That was a pretty thick binder all on its own.

I think I may have finally resolved a persistent problem I’ve been having with email that is driving me crazy. It has something to do with Google adding a level of verification to their services and the fact that I have two Google email addresses – my business one and my Jx one. They get snarled up with one another somehow…

Wade sent me this picture of the Prince George house painted teal. I think mum and dad would have liked it – though maybe not the way they are using the front garden as a parking lot…

June 3, 2023

Went for my swim later than usual and nearly ran foul of the summer booking system. It’s become so popular, especially in the summer months, that they have to manage the numbers.

Walked into Swains Lane for coffee at Kalendar. Spent almost the entire time in an epic texting session with Lyra who is stressing about her hair, which she now hates. She’s wasted so much of her study week faffing about with her hair.

Bought a couple of things for dinner, then hiked back up the hill.  Main activity for the afternoon was the allotment, where I put a big chunk of time in.

Lyra helped a lot with cooking dinner – chicken francese with artichokes. Watched Chinatown for movie night, with Jack Nicholson and Fay Dunaway. We are doing this movie tag thing, where whatever film one person picks, the next person’s film has to have a connection. Lyra plans to choose Rosemary’s Baby next, for the Polanski link.

June 2, 2023

Work in the morning – mainly a meeting with my original Irish fitness client – another project that has resuscitated itself. In the afternoon I played tennis with Millie.

Adam had book group this evening, and was just heading out when I got in. He hasn’t read the book, which a pretty regular occurrence. Overall his group is pretty good about reading the books – I think he tends to be the worst one.

Scratched together some dinner for Lyra and me – popcorn then pot noodle with poached egg, nutritious! We watched Mulholland Drive. I remember hating it last time I saw it – definitely enjoyed it more this time round.

June 1, 2023

Despite waking up every couple of hours throughout the night, I managed to forget to say rabbits. We could use some luck this month…

Getting the mortgage approved is an ongoing hassle, with repeated delays and requests for more information from the underwriters – frequently things we’ve already provided. It doesn’t help that I have no confidence in our broker. The solicitor seems rather sluggish as well. I’ve always heard that buying a house is incredibly stressful – we’re finding that to be the case. The lack of control exacerbates things…

Carolyn is sending annoying emails – her latest one wants me to find an online tenancy agreement and sign it. It’ll be a cold day in July before I commit that act of self harm. We’re very likely to have a cold day in July actually if this spring is anything to go by…

Festival social event this evening – another thing I need like a hole in my head…