Saturday 11th October 2025

On Friday I thought I had the flu beaten.

Then came Friday night, and a cough I just could not shake, or stop.

Sleep was impossible, so I got up at half two, made a brew, fed Scully and watched videos silently on YouTube.

Time went slowly.

Jools got up.

We had coffee.

Cats fed, Scully tested and jabbed.

I drove to Preston just before sunrise, to get some steak for dinner, as we had mushrooms to use up.

I drove to Deal, along the Strand before heading inland to Sandwich then over what used to be marshes to Preston.

I was the first customer, needless to say. I bought steam, smoked ribs and minted lamb, but that was all as next week the kitchen and utility room will be emptied, fridge/freezer included ready for the new units being put in starting on the 20th.

On the way back I stop to take shots of a pumpkin patch as its nearly Halloween, but no Charlie Brown.

Back home we have breakfast and listen to the radio, but truth is I'm no fit state to do much, and with the international break there's little football on for me to take my mind off being ill.

Though there was football on at three, and I watched Gillingham v Cheltenham, which remained 0-0 until three minutes from time, and ended 1-1 with The Gills scoring with the last kick of the game.

I cook dinner, and is pretty good. And open a bottle of the Chimay Grande Reserve I got last month, the 2020 vintage.

It was stunning, and as Jools and I talked, I drained the whole bottle.

We go upstairs at six to listen to a podcast, and soon after I drop off to sleep.