May 2023

May 31, 2023

Where has May gone…? There’s too much happening at the moment – I’m struggling to keep on top of things and feel completely overwhelmed. There both seems too much to do and an inability to move things forward, either because we don’t control the process or because of the order that things need to be done…

May 30, 2023

Pretty productive work day. Took some time out to make ricotta. I’ve bought some new cheese cloth, which worked much better.

Got down to the  allotment late afternoon, returning shortly before Jane due for dinner. Made penne with courgettes, ricotta and basil, with rhubarb apple crumble for dessert.

Jane is a good person to talk to about our house search and move. She knows the McGhees for one thing, and also knows London real estate – she shows houses to potential buyers for the Modern House.

May 29, 2023

Bank holiday Monday – our third one this month, most un-British. I’m pretty sure that England has the least public holidays of any country in the world – with a measly eight (the rest of the UK fares a bit better).

Lyra was working a shift at Kalendar, and prevailed on Adam drove her down. It’s her last day of hamster sitting. The money is great but she’s been nervous the whole time. For a geriatric hamster it’s surprising nimble on the break…;-)

May 28, 2023

Dougal and Robin leaving today… As I said last week, all things must come to an end…

Said goodbye early as heading off for a walk with Richard and Rachel near Goring and Streatley on the Thames. Got an early start because Adam has his final Arsenal match in the afternoon. Our first outing in their new car, and a lovely day for it. Rachel and I sat in the front, and guys in the back with the queasy dog. Worked for me…;-)

Bought a bun and a coffee before finding the Thames path and striking out. It was a sunny, hot day and we brought our swimsuits so we could have a quick dip on the way back. There wasn’t time for a pub lunch, though we grabbed a sandwich at the same cafe where we’d bought our coffee.

They were overwhelmed with customers and the food took ages. We both ordered chicken salad – they went for baguettes and we went for brown granary bread. When the sandwiches finally arrived it was as if someone was playing a joke on us. Ours were on thick, fresh slices of granary bread and stuffed with filling. Theirs were in overbaked, industrial french sticks and as dad would have said, “it looked like the chicken walked through this on stilts.” Pretty funny – at least from our side of the table…

Sorted out the flat when I got back, moving Nova’s stuff out of the garage and back to where it belongs, and remaking the beds. We’d been invited round to Will and Sara’s for dinner, and I was meant to bring a salad. Popped to the shops for a couple of things and made the farro salad we’d had the other day.

Adam was late back, having stopped at the pub and it was almost 9pm by the time we arrived. Will had set the table outside, so we ate in the gathering dark, and moved indoors for dessert. I’d driven down owing to our extreme lateness and having had only two glasses of wine was fine to drive back.

May 27, 2023

It would be John Stillman’s 103rd birthday… Got me thinking about the passage of time. John and Anne were about 70 when we moved in, Carolyn was the age we are now, and I’m pretty sure we were a bit younger than that pair of numpties next door.

Put in a big sesh in the garage, managing to get rid of the old wall unit we used to have upstairs. It was full of maps, electrical cables, stationery supplies and photo/slide albums. It was partly a case of making space elsewhere and shifting the albums at any rate, but also broke down the unit and Adam took it off to the dump.

Lyra has dyed her hair pink. Or rather, she’s had her friend Ava who has no experience of colouring hair attempt to dye her hair pink when we were out last night. I was a  little taken aback at first,  but it’s growing on me.

Lyra isn’t happy with the roots, which have gone a sort of bronze colour. Rachel came round with a bag of hair colouring supplies and helped improve things. Lyra has an awful lot of hair, and it’s tricky to get the colour all through it. We had to buy a couple more bottles of dye.

May 26, 2023

Took Lyra to the doctor’s this morning to sort out her Ecuador jabs. Fortunately, she’s  had her tetanus/diptheria/polio booster at school in Year 9, but the nurse gave her typhoid and hepatitis A. We also need to book her in for a series of rabies shots at a more specialised travel clinic.

Lyra has a job this weekend hamster sitting for £20/hour. She has been engaged to go round for an hour a day and play classical music to the hamster while she cuddles it. It’s a pretty cushy number, aside from the fact that the hamster is about 110 in human years and she’s anxious about it dying on her watch. Only in Highgate…

She’s also dog sitting tonight while we have dinner with Richard and Rachel at the Bull. Got down there in time for “oyster happy hour”. I suspect the kitchen had never shucked an oyster in their lives – it took them more than an hour to produce our trayful. They were nice when they arrived, as were the mains. Too much white wine consumed while waiting on the oysters though…

May 25, 2023

Down to the Heath for a walk/swim first thing. Work was wrapping things up for my beauty PR client – that piece of work is complete now. It was an unexpected little bonus project, and I was glad of it. There is definitely a slowing up of work – partly the economy but possibly a lack of focus on my part as well. I’m pretty distracted by the whole house  move thing…

Ended up working late, and as there wasn’t a lot of food in the house we ended up getting a Turkish takeaway for dinner.

May 24, 2023

Finally… a beautiful late spring day. What with swimming the last two afternoons, I decided to stay round home in the morning and go to the allotment later.

Bad economic news… UK inflation is still wildly out of control, though it is growing a tiny bit more slowly.

Made a batch of keto crackers. I’m not really doing keto these days, though I am more aware of carbohydrates now and eat less of them. I happen to really  like the keto crackers and they are quick to make. A rare solid winner of a keto recipe.

Drafted some text for my engineering client and managed a stint on the allotment as well before we took Dougal and Robin for dinner at Bar Esteban in Crouch End. It was a lovely evening and we opted to walk down. Food as excellent as ever – I’ll enjoy frequenting this place if the move comes off…

May 23, 2023

Forgot to turn off the alarm and woke myself up at 6:30am despite Lyra not having an exam today…

Went for my first run in ages – since the bike accident I’m pretty sure. I still have a fuck-off big lump on my shin, though it’s now more the size of a devilled egg than an avocado half. Most of the bruising has faded as well, though my ankle is still a swollen and sore to the touch.

Did half an hour at a gentle pace and it was fine. Spent my working day mostly on the beauty PR site, plus random things for the Festival and my former committee. No one has piped up to say they’ll take over responsibility for the website, but if I end up still doing that but not attending the meetings, it will be an improvement on last year.

Lyra is studying for her second English exam tomorrow – poetry (power and conflict) and JB Priestley’s An Inspector Calls. She’s feeling reasonably confident, and actually admitted that she’s quite enjoying the GCSE lifestyle and engaging her brain. Wasn’t expecting to hear that…

Adam came for a late afternoon swim with Rachel and me. The pond was mostly in shade by 6:30pm, but the temperature had crept up to 15.5°, which is so refreshing. Another nest of mandarin ducklings has hatched and were out on the water scoffing flies with their watchful parents hovering nearby. So cute!

Dinner was freekah with roasted broccoli, a boiled egg and a tahini-lemon dressing – delicious. Watched An Inspector Calls character analysis videos while we ate – there are so many great exam resources online these days.

May 22, 2023

Felt very flat this morning and would have preferred it not to be Monday… Got Lyra off in time for her two exams (geography and chemistry). Adam skipped off to a breakfast meeting and I tried to get stuck into my work. Launched the Highgate Festival events, and some other bits and pieces around that.

I’m exhausted today and should have given into the impulse to have a nap. Lyra back from double exams, sounds like both went pretty well. 

Finally levered myself off my ass and headed out for a swim. I called on Rachel who came too. She’s recently heard that her dad has a bad cancer diagnosis and they are thinking seriously about moving back to Australia. The house purchase in Sevenoaks isn’t going smoothly due to some uncertainty about the ownership of a short stretch of road outside their house, which means they don’t have undisputed access to the property were someone to assert ownership and prevent them. It’s seems like a lot of fuss about a minor thing, but that’s what underwriters and surveyor are for I guess.

Leftovers for dinner and finished watching the race across Canada show. It was down to three teams in the end and I was fine with the middle-aged women  pipping the attractive young Muslim couple and the father/daughter duo to the finish line.

May 21, 2023

One last visit with Carolyn and Jane before they left in a cab for Heathrow, and one more week of guests ahead. I expect Dougal and Robin will keep to themselves much more, though we will go out for a drink or meal with them at some point.

Our AirBNB booking for Copenhagen fell through which is a shame as I’d found a place next to the main sea swimming platform, which looked perfect. Managed to find another in a similar spot, but more expensive of course.

Spent some time on the allotment, weeding and tending the little patch of wild strawberries behind the shed. I’ve got my own key now, which will make life easier.

Popped in next door for their housewarming/first birthday party for baby Noah. Met Alex’s parents, brother and wife, and Anna’s folks from Tampere. Alex gave us a tour of the place, not realising the builders had already given us one a week ago. It’s a bit more furnished/painted etc, though still pretty sparse.

Snacks for dinner and finally succumbed to the pressure to watch Race Around the World. It was less bad than I expected. The British couples participating were pretty annoying with their bottomless ignorance and assumptions, but it’s gradually reeling us in. To bed about 1am.

May 20, 2023

The last full day of Carolyn’s visit – all things must come to an end…

Went for a morning walk on the Heath where we met a very friendly young Russian couple walking their  Russian blue cat on a lead. It must be awkward being a Russian in the west these days.

The cat was a beautiful creature with impossibly turquoise eyes. It had climbed part way up a tree (still on the lead) and was lounging contentedly like a panther.I can’t see Cleo taking to a walk on a lead. I remember my parents trying it with Buddy. She lay down on her side apparently, and dad towed her along like a little sled. 

During my swim in the pond I clocked that the Mandarin family was down to three ducklings. There was a seagull diving/fishing for crayfish suspiciously close to wear the family was swimming – the sneaky bastard…

Went with Lyra to see Are You There God, It’s Me Margaret? at the Phoenix. Adam dropped us off on way to visit his mum. We both enjoyed it, and caught the bus home.

Out for dinner at Kiran and Birgit’s. Lyra is dog sitting for Nick and Tessa – I assumed they must be invited as well and turned out to be right. Marinated leg of lamb on pilau rice, broccoli, followed by a semolina halva type thing and cheese for dessert. Home about midnight.

May 19, 2023

According to Lyra, her non-calculator maths paper didn’t go that well, but apparently everyone thought it was hard, so that should be reflected in the grade boundaries.

Heading out for a walk, I met Carolyn at the door. She’d just been to see her lawyer, and apparently he’d told her to give us a deadline of three months to move out. It’s unclear if she’s actually doing that, but I was a little taken aback. It’s so unhelpful the way she blurts out whatever she’s thinking or anyone has said to her without any consideration for our feelings. Of course it’s her house, but it’s been our home for 28 years…

A lovely swim put me in a better headspace. Went ahead and confirmed our shortened summer holiday plans. I was conflicted about doing anything amidst all this uncertainty, but Adam was very keen to push ahead with plans. I guess we don’t know how anything will unfold – we should get the survey results on our potential property on Tuesday.

Lemongrass meatballs with green beans on basmati rice for dinner, followed by rhubarb crumble ice cream.

Wade texted in the evening to tell us that Gale’s dad Herb died today. He’s been very poorly for a long time, but it is always a terrible shock nevertheless…

May 18, 2023

If it’s Thursday, it must be History – the Cold War and Russia. She was relieved that the paper went well – she was more nervous today as she particularly wants to do well on these ones.

Maths tomorrow… Lyra wanted Adam to help her revise but he couldn’t make time. He was planning to travel in to town for a B Corp social and then back to Highgate for an evening at the pub. When the pub night was postponed he arranged to go out for dinner with someone instead of coming home. Unimpressed of N6… He’s away so much in this stressful, guest-infested month, he could strive a bit more helpful when he’s here…>:-(

Made lemon risotto with asparagus for Lyra’s and my dinner. Popped a housewarming gift next door – bread, salt, wine – then carried on for an evening walk, after which she got down to studying on her own. I spent time upstairs, giving the kitchen a thorough cleaning, and being available, then headed down to read in bed. When Adam home about 11pm, he gave her a bit of help (or so he claims).

May 17, 2023

Literature paper 1 today – Pride and Prejudice and MacBeth. According to Lyra, it went pretty well, though they weren’t her ideal questions or essay topics.

I revised and posted a news story for engineering client, did some small updates for my battery storage client, but didn’t achieve a whole lot else. I’m finding it very difficult to focus on work, what with the house purchase, house guests, new neighbours and supporting Lyra.

Pav bhaji for dinner.

May 16, 2023

Some symmetry… Lyra’s wrote her first GCSE this morning as Nova was doing her final paper for Spanish. She’s emailed me a copy of her dissertation which I’ve started reading, on magic realism and women in post colonial cultures. 

Lyra was pleased with how biology went – it’s her strongest science and physics the weakest. After a bit of a break, she got busy prepping for the first literature paper.

Carrot and coriander soup for dinner. Lyra wasn’t keen on the idea but we all enjoyed it. Garnished it with a frizzle of ramp leaves. Dessert was a rhubarb custard slice – also pretty nice.

May 15, 2023

Dougal arrived today to join the gathering of the clan downstairs. His girlfriend is coming on Saturday, at which point we’ll actually be outnumbered by McGhees…

Nova found out a week or so ago that the professor who agreed to write a personal reference for her masters degree application hadn’t got round to submitting it. This was frustrating as places are offered on a first come, first served basis (so long as you meet the requirements). Also annoying that the university hadn’t chased for it or even flagged up that it was missing. She’s been nudging the woman since then and it was finally submitted it today. The course isn’t an obvious follow on from her first degree and she wanted to get her application in early – oh well…

Blew off the AGM for the neighbourhood forum. I’m standing down from the committee and felt no obligation to attend. Now I just need someone to had their website over to…

Lyra’s GCSExams start tomorrow, with biology the first paper up. She’s found some good resources online which she’s using to revise, plus doing past paper questions, which we learned last time round is key. Fingers crossed…

May 14, 2023

One week down, two to go…
Headed down to the Ponds with adam for a swim first thing. Coffee at Kalendar afterwards, then picked up a few things and back home. A lazyish sort of a day – some time with the newspaper, another lengthy visit with Carolyn and Jane. I wouldn’t say she’s sticking to her assertion that we won’t know they’re even here…

Salads for dinner – a red rice lentil one, and another with broccoli, cheddar, pecans and grapes – very tasty.

Got stuck back into client work late afternoon. I obtained the domain account details and think I’ve sorted the issue out (the client hadn’t done what I advised needed doing last month). With DNS things, it takes a while for changes to propagate across the internet before you know whether something has worked. I took my computer to bed and kept check to see if the site was up before I turned out the light, but not dice. It always takes that little bit too long so I end up doubting myself.

May 13, 2023

A miserable and gray morning, I held off from going swimming in case it brightened. Carolyn came upstairs while I was having my coffee to show me how to do a Turkish cast-on in order to knit socks from the toe up. Good to know, but it ate up my swimming time.

Had a bit of lunch and headed over to the allotment. Lawrence is away, but collected a key from his house and spent a couple of hours. Slug pelleted the peas and beans, thinned the rhubarb and harvested a dozen asparagus spears and some ramp leaves.

Adam was home from Amsterdam when I got back. There is a persistent IT issue with my wind farm client, and the site is still offline. Spent ages with GoDaddy, initially on the phone and then in a chat. We went out for dinner with Carolyn and Jane to Kiplings, and I kept an eye on the chat throughout the meal.

It looks to be the same DNS issue that caused the site to fall over a few weeks back. I’d told the client how to resolve it, and when it started working again I assumed he’d done it, but maybe not…

May 12, 2023

It’s chilly and gray again this morning. Spring just will not spring this year…

It’s Lyra’s last day of classes (and last day ever of school uniform) – her GCSE exams start next week. Apparently it’s “slut day”, and she went it with the uniform all tarted up. It’s meant to be ironic, reclaiming the word and all that, but I could do without it…

Down to Sara’s for 10am to continue work on the architecture site, which is pretty much there now. Met Millie at the tube and we went to see the Kusama exhibition at the Tate. I’d booked tickets again, hoping Adam would be free this time, but no dice. Also checked out the af Klint and Mondrian exhibition – she was a Swedish painter and contemporary of Mondrian. They both started out with traditional landscapes, after which their work diverged. I wasn’t that impressed with her.

Grabbed a snack at Brindisa and then headed home. Saw two parents from Lyra’s class on the platform – Jeremy W and Caroline B – it was a blimmin StM’s class reunion.

Had a quiet night in on my own with snacks and Netflix (Lyra was at her prom). Watched The Swimmers, which I expected to like more than I did. Swimming scenes usually really get to me – either I’m aging out of caring anymore or the storytelling was lacking…

May 11, 2023

Another swim preceded by a longer walk. (I need it for my mental health what with the houseguests.) Headed over to Kenwood, then down to the viaduct and back around. Wore my new vans, which was a mistake. It was a bit too long of a walk without socks, plus it was kind of mucky in places. Oh well, picture the glass already broken and all that…

Put in a small grocery order. I’m trying to buy less, plus we only have our little upstairs fridge for the foreseeable future – can’t use the one in the flat for the next few weeks…

I was tired after my late night and lousy sleep, and found it hard to concentrate on work. Stopped about 5pm and headed over to Peter’s place to help him with Eventbrite. He was very apologetic and berating himself for being a computer numpty and too old to learn anything (he’s somewhere in his 80s). Actually his crappy computer is the main problem –  Windows computers should be made illegal, or only sold to techies.

Chicken and slaw for dinner with the last half of Shutter Island, which we started yesterday. What a crummy film…

May 10, 2023

Started my morning with a swim – Just straight down and back. Was rewarded with a glimpse of the kingfisher as it blazed past and a little armada of baby mandarin ducks. Apparently a seagull at one yesterday afternoon, and we were under instruction again to splash them where possible.

Worked on the beauty PR website build, which is looking pretty good. Broke off late afternoon to go for a walk with Kate on the Heath. When I got home, Alex was moving more stuff – an enormous telly and another mattress. I can’t see them being ready to live here by Friday…

Dinner was panfried gnocchi with pancetta and peas. Lyra loved it, but I was less keen. Not a huge fan of gnocchi…

Snagging the beauty PR site until almost 1am. The very last thing I did was a small update for my windfarm client, only to discover that their website was down…:-(

May 9, 2023

Adam left the house by 7am. He’s in Amsterdam until Saturday, attending a conference and other schmoozing-related activities. Nice work and all that…

Got Lyra up and out with a packed lunch, then set off for a walk on the Heath and a swim. The weather was supposed to be okay in the morning and then get steadily worse, and I didn’t trust myself to exercise later if it started raining.

Did a nice loop round Kenwood and over the viaduct before wending towards the pond. Another perfect swim – the temperature was 13°C, which feels glorious. The lifeguards were instructing people to splash any seagulls we encounter, as they are hovering about hoping to eat the baby chicks that are just starting to emerge. I haven’t seen any on the water yet, but apparently there has been hatching.

Monthly meeting with my engineering client, then headed downstairs to have a chat with Carolyn about her future plans. She’s rowing back on the idea of selling, thinking it would be good just to keep things as they are for a while and maybe instruct us to oversee some improvements to the place.

Part of me wishes she hadn’t sent off that email that started all the property searching, but another part feels that it’s likely time for us to go. There was never going to be a perfect moment – kind of like deciding to get married, start a family etc. Eventually you just jump and things unfold however they do.

That said, apparently a third of house purchases fail after the offer is accepted, and there’s every possibility that ours will be among them…

May 8, 2023

Planned to meet my mermaids for a swim at 9am. Adam decided to walk down with me, and we were cutting it fine by the time I got him out of the house. One of the workmen was repointing the flagstones next door invited us in for a look.

The kitchen in the garage is nice but pretty tiny (I’m bringing my newly honed real estate eye to bear here). There’s a little toilet and room for laundry machines on the ground floor, plus a living/dining area into the new extension. On the main floor, the former kitchen is now the baby’s room, the dining area has become a massive bathroom with big picture windows overlooking the parade ground, and the living room is the master bedroom, with a little walk-in dressing area. The top floor has two decent sized double bedrooms with oversized en suites for both.

The builder is convinced they are planning to live in the house for a couple of years, then flip it and I wouldn’t be surprised. He was laughing at the silly amounts they spent on light fixtures (one was north of £1200) and the £4000 cooker.

Met my friends just as they were leaving so did a couple of laps on my own – the temperature is up to 13°C today. Bought croissants from Gail’s on the way home. The McGhees greeted us at the door complaining of the cold, so I loaned them sweaters, hot water bottles and my electric blanket and turned the heating on for a bit, which it pained me to do. Not least because it costs about £25 a day to use the heating (most of which escapes through the crappy single pane windows and gaping cracks in the walls.)

May 7, 2023

The best weather of the week today. Went for a walk on the Heath and a swim. There are so many bluebells in bloom, which is lovely. The Barbara Hepworth back from being on display in Amsterdam and the handkerchief tree in full bloom. A most satisfying morning on the Heath.

It’s so nice having the ropes out again. I was going to do 1.5 laps but forgot myself and did two. I love this water temperature – it’s just perfect.

Met my friend Lawrence in the afternoon and went down to his allotment – I’m going to be his allotment buddy. It could work really well if we end up living in Crouch End, as his plot is closer to the entrance on that side. Spent asn hour weeding the raspberries, squishing asparagus beetles and thinning the rhubarb. Returned home with a bouquet of ramp leaves and a few stalks of purple sprouting broccoli. 

Made bibimbap for dinner with a frizzle of ramp leaves as a garnish, eating early as Lyra was babysitting for Tim and Chiara. Watched Catch Me If You Can – a pretty good Spielberg film, as they always are, never amazing.

May 6, 2023

Went for a morning swim with Rachel. They’ve extended the ropes out for the summer and we and did a full lap. It’s the first time she’s done more than swim across the front of the wharf – not surprising, as the first time she went it was about 3°C.

Back home we sat reading the papers and having coffee with the coronation on in the background. Not really my kind of thing, but some of the music was good.

Carolyn and her daughter Jane arrived today. Did some final tidying up in advance of that happy event, but actually there was nothing much needed. Having that cleaner on Thursday really saved the day.

We’d arranged for a mini cab to collect them at Heathrow. Because they don’t want to use their mobile phones at all while they are here, we gave the guy our number so we could act as point people. It took a while but managed to find each other. They were aghast at the cost of the cab, complained mightily about the driver and the damp spring weather (apparently it’s much warmer in Prince George).

Had a cup of tea and a chat then left them to settle in. Within 15 minutes Jane wandered up for something, and then Carolyn, and then Carolyn again. I’d put some basics in the fridge – milk, bread, butter, tea, jam – but they were still hungry and although they’d been to the village to buy clothes and chocolate, hadn’t bought any more groceries.

When I offered them some veggie soup and cheese that I had in the fridge, this was construed as an invitation to dinner. I was making a Chinese tofu noodle thing for the three of us (plus Lyra’s friend Ava) but managed to stretch it for six. I’m don’t think they liked it much, and were also underwhelmed by the courgette and lime cupcakes I’d made for dessert. Apparently they were too courgette-y and orange would have been a better citrus flavour to use than lime – that’s me told…;-)

May 5, 2023

Conscious that I’m taking too long to deliver work for a couple of clients. Did the design update page for the beauty PR company and responded to some emails for the trauma site. Another meeting with Karl our mortgage broker, who has found us a tracker mortgage with HSBC that meets our requirements. Now we need to deal with them to get it agreed and through the underwriting.

We’d arranged a surveyor visit to the new property today, but he cried off last night so we’ve found another one for next week. The people we are buying from want to move quickly, which we are happy today except there is so much that is out of our control…

Headed down to work on the architecture site in the afternoon. Added a sustainability page, new work page, and several other tweaks, staying until I was due at the Red Lion for dinner with Adam, Richard, Rachel and Kate. Started with a frozen margarita, which was a good choice as I would have necked a glass of white wine in minutes.

Shared a couple of starters then the seabass fillets, my go-to choice when nothing else is calling my name. Richard and Rachel’s house sale is proceeding apace, and they think they’ll be moving in July/August. More likely to be September for us if all goes well.

May 4, 2023

Went for a swim in the pond first thing. We’d planned to walk down together but Adam got stuck in meetings.

Arranged for a cleaner to do four hours work helping us get ready for the McGhee visit. The house isn’t in bad shape, but it’s tough for me to find a large block of time to devote to housework in my work week, especially with the projects I’ve got on at the moment.

Juggled work on the engineering, architecture and trauma coaching websites, as well as helping Millie sort out some IT issues with her personal website.

May 3, 2023

Headed over to spend the afternoon working on the architecture site. They have an effective technique of corralling me so I work only on their stuff…

Jane was meant to be coming round as she wanted to see how things are developing next door, but after a full-on day she cried off. She can’t be doing with the McGhees so will be keeping a low profile over the coming month. We’ll touch base after they’ve gone home again…

May 2, 2023

My leg looks pretty awful – I’m surprised it’s not difficult to walk on. Packed up and headed out to find some breakfast. There was nothing open in the village open, and we ended up buying coffee and a croissant from the little kiosk outside Don and Shenda’s inn.

On the road about 10am, travelling overland to Dublin. Pretty smooth, if not particularly quick, going. Made it to Dublin before 2pm, with one stop en route. Traffic was terrible heading into the city, and we dropped them at their hotel and carried straight on to the airport to return the car.

Checked in and went to the lounge booked for us by Jx so that Adam could do some business calls while we waited. Had a bite to eat and read my novel until it was time to talk to the mortgage broker Karl. We weren’t able to share my headphones for that, so let Adam do the talking but overheard his end and answered questions when asked.

Our flight was scheduled for 6:30pm, but there was a delay boarding the plane. I thought it might be something mechanical but turns out the crew was late arriving on a different flight. The journey itself was pretty smooth, and I dozed through some of it.

Caught a train to Tottenham Hale and then a cab home, pretty much past our possible new house. Lyra was still up, so we had little chat with her. Sounds like all was fine round here. Unpacked and to bed.

May 1, 2023

Enjoyed my night in the tent – sleeping under canvas agrees with me, though you can’t really call this camping, what with the bed, stove, electric lights etc., it’s pretty swish.

Met up with Shenda and Don at 9:30 and headed for the Aran Island ferry. Turns out they aren’t that impressed with the inn which although nice lacks charm, and Shenda has a bit of fomo around the glamping. The G Hotel – while not my kind of place at all – sets a high bar for the next place to follow.

The journey was very choppy – I was surprised by that, and thought it might bother Adam who is prone to motion sickness, but he managed okay. In forty minutes we were docking on Inish Mor, the largest and furthest out of the Aran Islands – and where they filmed a lot of The Banshees of Inisherin.

We rented bikes (along with a hundred other visitors) and set off to explore. Headed west first, and hiked up to the smallest church in Ireland, then east through the little town again and along the whole length of the island, to the remains of an old hill fort. Left the bikes and trouped up the long path to the ruins.

It’s very high up, with a vertiginous, unguarded drop into the sea. Quite a relaxed attitude to public safety I thought, especially when you saw all the numpties stooging around up there. I’d have thought the EU would have required a guard rail or at least a few warning signs…

On the ride way back, we got stuck behind a farm vehicle – a peloton of bikes with nowhere to go, pedalling together up a gentle incline. Something knocked my back wheel and I fell sideways onto another cyclist. This woman had cycled up behind me, between my bike and the curving edge of the road. No idea why (she could see the tractor blocking the road) and I hadn’t known she was there. She was towing one of those kiddie extensions on the back of her bike and I think that’s what must have hit me.

In any event, I landed on the palms of my hands and speared my shin on the corner of her pedal. She was pretty shaken up and I was worried I’d hurt her. She wouldn’t speak at first and huddled into a ball. I was apologizing and asking if she was alright, and finally she said she was okay and got up. (No apologies or concern for my welfare.)

Stopped at a pub a bit further down the road for a pint and some lunch. I washed the worst of the gravel out of the scrapes on my hands and covered them with plaster. My shin has come up in an enormous goose egg (literally goose egg sized).

Saw a humpback whale breach several times on the journey home, which was a treat. Back at the tent, Adam headed off to get some ice for my leg, returning with a grocery bag full. Had a doze and iced it for a good hour while he went for a shower. Without thinking, he plonked down on the mattress when he returned, tipping the bag and spilling ice water all over the mattress. I grabbed it up as fast as i could but the duvet and mattress are quite wet.

Cranked the heat and arranged the duvet where it has the best chance of drying before we headed out for the night – first up to Don and Shenda’s place for dinner, the fanciest meal we’ve had in Ireland by far. Then down to Gus O’Connor’s pub for a drink and more Irish music.

Once again, the main space was packed at first, but we eventually found seats next to an older local couple. Turns out she’d worked for years as a nurse at the private hospital in Highgate of all things.  Small world…