Monday 9th November 2026

I have to admit, a bit of marching up and down was a shock to my system.

Or rather my legs.

It was tough last year, but it was early on my road to phys, so thought this year would be easier at the Cenotaph, but no. It was just as hard.

In fact, it wasn't the marching, it was the standing around.

Standing around doing some military waiting.

Two hours before we marched off Horseguards, then two more hours before we did the actual march past and round.

Those first few steps at half eleven on Whitehall were tough, forcing my legs to move forward, and at something more than marching pace until we settled down.

I had a poor nights sleep even though tired, and the next morning my feet ached so much there was no way was I going anywhere.

Not even the pub.

Up at half six, though I had been awake for half an hour, just enjoying laying in bed. Then Cleo jumped on, and demanded affection, head and belly rubs, and if I stopped, I got my elbow licked to get me started.

We had a slow start: coffee, and after a while breakfast.

Then I remembered there were four chicken thighs left over from the chicken sandwiches I made on Saturday. There was a bag of "meat" in the freezer, a bag I must have thought so obvious what it contained I attached no lable.

Then I went to sleep and forgot what it was.

Anyway, the last of those went in the pot for boiled chicken, bacon and rice, which as I always say is nicer than it sounds.

It took two hours to cook, then I thought a glass of wine would go well, which did mean sitting on the sofa trying to stay awake was the order of the afternoon.

I tried to read, but my eyelids dropped, as the heating pumped hot water round, amking me even sleepier.

And there was no football in the evening, so after doing as much computing as I wanted all day, bed time came early at half seven, and sleep took me by eight.

Sunday 8th November 2026

There are several London termini you can travel to on a direct train from Dover.

St Pancras is one, but as that station is on the Euston Road, travelling on to central or west London can mean a longer travel time that getting a direct train to say: Victoria, London Bridge, Blackfriars or Cannon Street.

So, in a change from last year where Jools had to drop me off at Ebbsfleet, then catch a train to St Pancras, get on the Underground and change twice, this year she dropped me off at Ashford, and then have a direct run into Charing Cross.

This meant being up even earlier, having coffee and breakfast before leaving home at quarter to six. Reaching Ashford at twenty past six, I had time to find the facilities before the train came in, ready to leave dead on time at 06:32.

It was still dark, of course, but there was light in the east, and in half an hour was light enough to see the countryside passing by.

By the time we got to Tonbridge and Sevenoaks, the train was three quarters full, some were parkrunners, some families, but many dressing in blazers, shirts with medals.

The London suburbs flashed by, until the various lines merged at New Cross for the run past The New Den into London Bridge, then along the rooftops on brick arches to Waterloo East and finally over the river to Charing Cross.

A small gate was open for those of us who were attending remembrance services, including the "big one" in Whitehall, so we passed through, turned left along The Strand, across the bottom corner of Trafalgar Square and through the portals of Admiralty Arch.

One homeless man shouted at us to be shameful to attend and/or have served. But we served so such freedom of speech is allowed. He was soon lost on the hum of dozens of conversations as we waited for the gates to open at half eight.

As it was, they opened early. So, showing our official ticket and Veteran's ID, we were allowed in, and received a personal greeting for the lady with the scanner.

On the far said of Horseguard's Parade were three greasy spoons, so I went straight over to get a brew and a sausage and bacon roll, to see me right for the morning.

And once eaten, to the mustering point for our group, and wait for the others to arrive. Whilst all around us, battalions, squadrons, and various affiliated groups gathered too.

What is seen on TV is fine, but for us attending, it is waiting at one point or another for hours on end.

We were to form up ready to march off at twenty to ten. Which I think we were ready for, then march up the column, wheel left and then right before squeezing through the triple arched entrance onto Whitehall, before turning right until we reached the unit in front, so we stop.

We had an hour to wait.

As we marched on, as all groups who marched on, the crowds on either side applauded, and we smiled back, proudly.

As we waited, all the other columns and groups marched onto Whitehall, forming up into three very long columns, then stopping and waiting.

We were stopped beside a huge video screen on the back of a truck, so could see the coverage, though it was about two minutes behind what we could hear with our ears.

As eleven approached, clergy, politicians and the Royal Family emerged and formed up around the Cenotaph itself. Then, at eleven, Big Ben chimed the first stroke of eleven, and in Horseguard's, a field gun fired.

Silence fell on us all, and all of the city. Little was heard until two minutes later the field gun fired again.

We had been standing and waiting for two and a half hours already, and legs and muscles were getting tired and sore.

On the screen we saw the King lay his wreath, then the other royals, before the other dignitaries and politicians laid theirs.

Another half hour, maybe forty minutes passed, and we just waited to march off. But we waited on.

Four final wreaths were laid, and then the front marched off, with each group following a few septs behind.

The Band of the Guards played, the beat of the bass drum making a left step, so whilst in earshot, we were, mostly, in step, but after passing the Cenotaph, after giving an eyes right, and we carried on and turned down King George Street, the buildings made the sounds of the drum echo, and our step became an applause, though people on the side of the street clapped and cheered.

Onto Horse Guards Road, where Prince Edward took our salute and saluted back, before we wheeled back onto the parade square, halting near the entrance to Whitehall.

In theory, we had to wait until the final group had taken the salute, but there was one poor guardsman ensuring that we didn't leave early.

At ten past midday, the first of us made a break for it, and the poor guy could only watch as we made for the light at the end of the arched entrance onto Whitehall. A sharp left took us towards Trafalgar Square, but on the left was our destination: The Horse and Guardsman, where we had the back room booked, and for once there was no queue, and tables free. Though not for long.

I bought beers for a friend and I, then we could relax and watch the end of the march past.

Where we were last year, still hadn't marched off as we walked the other side of the barrier to the pub, they half mocked, half cheered us.

We said we'd get a beer in for them.

Inside the pub was busy, but we found corners and tables to relax at, as more and more folks came in once their parade was over.

After three beers, my parade was over too. So I bid the guys and gals farewell for this year, and walked the short distance to Charing Cross.

I had ten minutes to get there, but somehow took the wrong road off Trafalgar Square, though using my phone and with my one functioning braincell, I made it to Villiers Street, then up the stairs where I had three minutes to get on the train.

Thankfully, it was lightly used, so I got a table in the first carriage, and this train would take me all the way back to Dover, in about two hours, but that would do.

I messaged Jools to let her know I would be back at four, and she confirmed she's pick me up. So I could relax and enjoy the journey back south and east

Mist had cleared, and the late afternoon sun shone, illuminating the impressive clouds over the Channel.

Jools was indeed waiting, so she drove us home for an early supper of party food and a beer, then to the sofa for the Man Utd v Villa game, and I fell asleep in the second half with Villa 4-2, so failed to see Utd's comeback and last minute equaliser.

Saturday 7th November 2026

It is the weekend. Again.

The weeks fly by now we are a couple of leisure, although it does mean its a start of phys.

We should have got up at five and gone t the gym, but I fell back asleep, so it was gym first, then gathering In Tesco.

They gym was busy, for seven on a weekend morning, but we go in and take up out places on the bikes, and begin to peddle.

Fifty minutes done, and outside its daylight, so we go to Tesco for a couple of bags of supplies, then back home for a brew and breakfast.

Truth is we should have done something with the day, but with Norwich on the tellybox at half midday, not enough time other than to have a shower and get changed.

I did go for a walk to check on the Heliotropes, but found plenty of leaves by no flowers. Yet.

City we away to Bristol City, and although we should have been confident, who knows with this division?

Least of all us fans, as City ran in four second half goals to win 5-0.

Two 5-0 away wins this year, and in the last three games aggregate score of 12-2!

Football!?

And then on the sofa for the main games, which were all pretty good, so much so I didn't come close to falling asleep.

Later there was cup football, but the fog came down at Altringham making it impossible for the cameras to pick out the ball, or players at the end. I gave up, but it went to penalties, and Notts County won. That after Forest beat Citeh the cheaters 3-1.

Not bad.

Early to bed as we were up extra early in the morning.

Friday 6th November 2026

A night of fractured sleep, and strange dreams.

I was driving a truck along a replacement for the M2, then attacked by a Mad Max gang, and not allowed to leave.

Sounds like the Medway Towns to me.

Anyway.

I woke us as Jools was locking the back door to drive to her yoga class, so I get up and get dressed.

I make coffee, and after feeding Scully again, I can sit down and look on the interwebs.

I put out the bins, what with it being Friday and all. No sooner had I put them at the top of the drive, then the first truck came along to collect the green waste.

Birds also fed, they were squawking at me to hurry up, and as I walked away I could hear the sounds of their tiny wings as they landed to have a late breakfast.

A steady drizzle was falling. So I wasn't going far, at least not until lunchtime.

So I finished reading WSC, had a brew, before making a coffee for Jools once she had returned from yoga.

It is now impossible to drive to the library, and there is no parking, as the main road through the village is closed for two more weeks, with all traffic having to go along Chapel Lane, which isn't wide enough for two cars to pass.

Instead, Jools arranges knit and natter to meet at Jill's down the street, so I was alone with the cats and my thoughts again.

Once Jools came back at just gone midday, we get into the car to drive into Deal to visit Sea View chippy, as it had been months since we last visited. Schools were back, so it shouldn't be too busy.

We thought.

We get one of the last free parking spaces, walk through the alleyway to the sea front, and along to the chippy, grabbing the last free table.

Skate is my favourite, so I order than, while Jools has haddock. We sit and wait while the food is cooked, and then presented with a plate of fried golden delights.

There's nothing we needed in Deal, so go back to the car to drive back home. We go via the farm shop in Walmer, where I buy some locally baked rustic bread to have for supper filled with pastrami, pickles and Dijon mustard.

And that was the excitement for the day.

Back home the afternoon fades into a misty gloom before darkness fell. Cats fed, supper made and the quiz completed.

Four live games on TV, but I could only see two on the package we have. So watch Derby v Bolton. Two poor teams, though Derby came from behind to win 3-1, but by that time I had given up and gone to bed.

Thursday 5th November 2026

Thursday.

Jools was back.

And it was a phys day!

Yay, back to the gym.

And yay as the alarm went off at five. Though, in fairness, I had been awake since twenty past four, so leapt out of bed, dressed and after putting the kettle on, tested, jabbed Scully then distributed food to the four cats.

Coffee and herbal tea made for when Jools came down, so ahead of schedule by some ten minutes.

At least it wasn't raining, which mean the plan for the day to snap some autumn colour was one.

But first, phys.

I did my fifty minutes listening to two pods, then cool down to wait for Jools, and we were done.

Back home for just gone seven, the kettle was boiled again though the tea was for me and coffee for Jools.

We would go out once the clouds cleared, meaning I had time for breakfast and a shower, so to be ready for just after ten.

Though no actual sun, it was brighter, so we set off for River, parking on a side road near the entrance to Kearsney Abbey.

Never actually an abbey, Kearsney Abbey is set around two ornamental lakes, rolling parkland and trees make it a very pleasing place on the eye, doubly so in autumn.

On the other side of the Alkham Valley Road is Russell Gardens and Bushy Ruff, two further areas of lakes and parklands, though the reflecting pool and Japanese style bridges were once again closed and under repair.

Through the woodland to the open parkland, beside the Dour, which rises about a mile upstream, and the Drellingore also joins it.

We walk through the Abbey Gardens, over the road to Russell Gardens, and already the clouds were breaking up and the sun shining through, making it seem that the trees were on fire.

Just as I planned.

Russell Gardens are sat on a hill, with a walled garden beside the once grand house, now flats.

More trees beside the Dour, but due to the work being undertaken we couldn't get to the river bank to watch the kingfishers diving.

Another time, then.

After going on the slide and walking to the lake in Bushy Ruff, we turned round back towards Kearsney Abbey and its tearooms where we stop by for tea and a wad. I had a scone, and Jools a rocky road type thing. Looked too sweet for me.

By now the sun was out, the colours of fall was really something else.

I took more shots as we walked back to the car.

Back home via Whitfield Hill and along the A2, where we found roadworks on the Deal Road, also with the road closure in the village, there was other choice than to edge inches at a time past the roadworks.

Having done phys and then the walk, we were pretty pooped, so tried to stay awake after a strong brew, then sit down to read more of the new WSC.

For supper I cooked an old favourite, boiled chicken and rice, with bacon. Although it sounds grim, is actually very hearty, tasty and filling.

No football in the evening, instead we watched old Morecombe and Wise skits on YouTube.

Old school.

Saying the unsaid

For reasons.

Yesterday (Wednesday), I had an interview for a job.

This is the first lead in 15 years on LinkedIn that have lead to an interview.

Saying that, I may have get an interview for a Quality Manager at a defence contractor in Sanswich, but failed the interview as I was passionate about tripods (!).

Anyway, I was contacted by a recruiter that specialises in such for non-profit organisations, and I had an online interview Wednesday afternoon, that probably went well.

The reason for re-entering the world of work is money. We have expensive tastes, and we need to replace our car at some point, ad foolishly, we failed to budget for that in our rush to retire.

In hindsight, we may have retired too early, but at the time it made sense, doubly so retiring in the spring.

I have no idea if I'll get a second, face to face, interview. But I participate in an unexpected trip to Ashford next week, that might be the reason.

So, some news. And no you know.

Wednesday 4th November 2026

My last few hours home alone, before Jools returns.

And somehow I manage to lay in to half six, meaning I had missed Scully's blood test by 90 minutes.

I leap up and sort her out, then feed then all and make coffee.

I had chores to run, once the morning rush hour died down.

You may recall that the main road into the village is closed, so not sure if the extra heavy and prolonged traffic on the Deal road was connected, but the jams to the Duke of York's didn't die down until after nine.

First task was to have a hair cut, now for reasons I was in a hurry, so used the main car park behind the church, paid two quid to park, then set out to find which barber had no line.

Past St Mary's which had its knitted poppy display up, so snapped that before walking on towards the town hall.

I found one up by Boots, so went straight into the chair and in twenty minutes was shorn.

Back to the car, then up to Tesco for some final bits and pieces, before going back to have breakfast and prepare for the task I won't talk about here, for now.

I have a shower and shave, so look all presentable, and with the house looking clean and tidy, I had a brew, filled up the feeders, and settled down with Scully as the new WSC had been delivered.

As had our new calendar, which looks pretty good, but suffers with less tigers than the 2026 version.

Jools left early, so was on her way home. I got a message to say she was at Folkestone just before one, so I had time to go and collect her from Priory station before the event.

We had a brew, finished up the shortbread fingers, and once my task was completed, I cooked dinner: steak and ale pie, roast potatoes, steamed vegetables and gravy.

A proper filly meal with pink fizz and lots of fibre. Lovely.

The cats were happy Jools was home. Mulder especially.

So, normality returned to Chez Jelltex, and football returned to the radio.